(Sports Network) - The University of Kentucky has fired men's basketball coach Billy Gillispie after just two years and a record of 40-27.

Gillispie met with Kentucky officials earlier on Friday and was told of his dismissal after which the school held a news conference to announce the move.

"Unfortunately there are times and situations when the people involved simply do not create the right chemistry or fit. It is our belief that is where we are and where we find ourselves with Kentucky basketball today. For that reason we decided not bring back coach Gillispie back," Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said. "We firmly believe that moving in a different direction would be in the best interest of everyone involved with this program.

"It is my evaluation that we have not done all we can in managing the entire scope of the program and all that we expect. There is a clear difference in how the roles and responsibilities of overseeing the program are viewed and it is a gap that I do not believe can be solved by just winning games. It is a philosophical disparity that I do not believe can be repaired."

Barnhart went on to add that there is no successor in place and that the process will be getting started to find a replacement. Immediate rumors of University of Florida head coach Billy Donovan being lured to Kentucky were stemmed after Donovan reportedly released a statement saying he was staying with the Gators.

Kentucky finished the 2008-09 season with a mark of 22-14 and had its string of 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances snapped. The Wildcats reached the quarterfinals of the NIT, beating UNLV and Creighton before a 77-67 loss at Notre Dame on Wednesday.

"The University of Kentucky and fans deserve a coach that understands this is not just another coaching job. Our philosophy is not just based on winning games. It was about the right fit, right chemistry, right direction. It's not just about winning and losing and recruiting, this program is bigger than that; there is much more to it than that. It's as important to represent this program in a way which best utilizes our tradition and assets. It's something you watch over a period of time. When the season came to an end it became apparent we were not where we wanted to be," Barnhart went on to say.

Gillispie's first season at Kentucky ended with a record of 18-13 and a first- round NCAA Tournament loss to Marquette.

Kentucky named Gillispie its 21st head coach on April 6, 2007, signing the former Texas A&M coach to a seven-year deal worth $2.3 million per season.

At the time, Gillispie called the Kentucky job, "the best position you can ever have in college basketball."

Gillispie had turned around a pair of struggling programs in UTEP and Texas A&M before taking the Kentucky job. A&M made the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament in Gillispie's final year with the school in 2007, its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1980. UTEP went from losing 24 games in Gillispie's first season to winning 24 games the following year.

Gillispie has a career record of 140-85 in seven years as a collegiate head coach. He was 30-32 with one NCAA Tournament berth in two years at UTEP and 70-26 with a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances in three seasons at Texas A&M.







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