In a surprising turn of events, Baylor basketball coach Scott Drew has decided to turn down the opportunity to become the next head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. This rejection comes just as previous Kentucky coach John Calipari made a shocking exit to join SEC rival Arkansas.

Drew, who has led Baylor to great success, including a national championship in 2021, was considered the top choice for the Wildcats, according to ESPN. However, in a tweet on Thursday morning, Drew expressed his commitment to Baylor and his belief that he and his family were called by God to continue their work at the university.

Drew's decision has sent shockwaves through the college basketball community, as Kentucky is widely regarded as one of the best coaching jobs in the country. The 53-year-old coach had seemingly been a natural fit for the Wildcats, given his championship-winning track record and strong recruiting abilities.

There were initial indications that Drew might consider the Kentucky offer, as his family was filmed exiting a plane from Lexington on Wednesday night, which had ties to a Kentucky donor. However, ESPN reports that Drew never actually met with the Kentucky representatives in person and took a day to weigh his options before ultimately deciding to remain at Baylor.

The decision to decline the Kentucky job highlights Drew's close relationship with Wildcats athletic director Mitch Barnhart, as well as his affection for his current surroundings in Texas. ESPN reports that Drew and his family ultimately favored their Texas lives over the appeal of leading a historic program like Kentucky.

Meanwhile, Kentucky now finds itself in a challenging position as it searches for a replacement for Calipari. Despite being seen as a highly coveted coaching position, the Wildcats have faced a series of rejections from top candidates. UConn's Dan Hurley, Alabama's Nate Oats, former Villanova coach Jay Wright, and current Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan have all publicly stated that they will not be taking the job.

With several potential contenders turning down the opportunity, Kentucky will need to pivot and identify a candidate who will be able to uphold the program's high standards of excellence. Calipari, who delivered one national title and multiple Final Four appearances during his tenure, left Kentucky after feeling unwanted and being lured by his close relationship with an Arkansas billionaire donor.

As college basketball fans eagerly await the announcement of Kentucky's new head coach, the declining of the offer by Scott Drew has undoubtedly shaken up the landscape of the sport. The Wildcats must now regroup and find a suitable replacement who can help the program return to its past glory.