Baylor Coach Scott Drew Declines Kentucky Offer, Chooses to Stay with Bears

Baylor coach Scott Drew chose to decline Kentucky’s offer after consulting with his family, sources revealed to CBS Sports. This marks the second major opportunity Drew has turned down recently, as he was also the top choice for Louisville back in March. However, he ultimately decided to stay at Baylor following a significant increase in NIL resources supplied by the school.

“In our program, we prioritize putting Jesus first, then others, then ourselves. We truly believe that God has called my family and me to continue our work here at Baylor, surrounded by the best people and community anyone could be blessed to have,” Drew stated in a recent announcement. “We are thankful for the support of athletic director Mack Rhoades, President Linda Livingstone, and the entire Baylor family, and we look forward to working together to bring more championships to Waco.”

Drew’s decision to remain at Baylor is not only beneficial for the program, which boasts one of the best winning percentages in the sport over the past five years, but it also keeps the Bears competitive within the Big 12 conference. The league will expand to 16 teams this year with the addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah. Baylor’s strong recruiting class, led by five-star prospect VJ Edgecombe, positions them well for future success in conference play and beyond.

Additionally, Drew turned down a lucrative NIL proposal from Kentucky that was rumored to reach $6 million in the next year. This development leaves Kentucky continuing their search for a new head coach, with potential candidates such as Billy Donovan and Dan Hurley being considered.

With an impressive record at Baylor, including a national championship in 2021, Drew has solidified the program as a powerhouse in college basketball. His commitment to the Bears has been unwavering since he took over in 2003, and under his leadership, Baylor has achieved numerous milestones and successes within the sport.