Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: Opinion

Fred Lambuth - The Battalion

When I woke up Friday morning, I was greeted with numerous text messages, e-mails and voice mails all detesting former Texas A&M men's basketball head coach Billy Gillispie. Each one said roughly the same thing: How could Gillispie do this to us?

I agree that the way Gillispie left was not very tactful, but what he has meant to the program should not be overlooked. Because of him, the position of A&M head is no longer one of the least desirable in the Big 12, or perhaps the nation. The Aggies will have a strong returning team for the 2007-2008 season, led by Joseph Jones, Dominique Kirk, Josh Carter, Donald Sloan and others. In addition, top recruits including DeAndre Jordan will most likely join the team. Don't forget, Gillispie didn't go to the Sweet Sixteen by himself.

Sure Gillispie was the best thing for the basketball team since Shelby Metcalf, but remember, Athletic Director Bill Byrne brought Gillispie here, and Byrne is capable of bringing in another excellent coach to fill the position. He brought Gary Blair to College Station to coach the women's basketball team, and they have already won a Big 12 championship. Byrne brought Pat Henry, arguably one of the best track and field coaches in the nation, from Louisiana State University when A&M didn't even have a sufficient track. The Aggie track and field team is already competing on the national level. The list goes on. Byrne knows what A&M athletics needs, and the new basketball practice facility that will soon be under construction will also add value to the coaching position.

All of the animosity toward Gillispie could keep people from seeing the bigger picture. Gillispie might win a national championship immediately with Kentucky, or he might not. But the A&M basketball program is headed in the right direction, mostly because of Gillispie's hard work. He left for a more glamorous job, but the vacancy will be filled with another good coach who will build on what Gillispie started.

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