After taking a break in the middle of the 2017 season from coaching at his alma mater, Ranger Junior College, Gillispie returned to the sideline for the 2018 season. Ericka Downey never envisioned meeting Billy Gillispie like this. In December 2017, Clyde was diagnosed with kidney failure and received a kidney transplant in April 2018 Hired in March 2020 to be the head coach at Tarleton State, a return to both Division I and the WAC Billy Gillispie Coaching Tree Glenn Cyprien (Memphis Hustle, Iowa Wolves) "One of the best things about this whole situation is some attention because of basketball and things, and our story, mostly her story is that I know it's going to inspire other people to be donors. Upon finally getting himself checked out after the season, he learned doctors were concerned it was something else and ran a number of tests. Gillispie saw doctors last week and was told he needs a kidney transplant. The post Stranger’s persistence has former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie in line for kidney transplant appeared first on SEC Country. Former Kentucky basketball head coach Billy Gillispie is in urgent need of a kidney transplant. He’s doing well. The former Texas A&M, Kentucky and Texas Tech coach had been at a Texas junior college the past … The former Texas … In a story from The Dallas Morning News, Gillispie … Need it to remain consistent in the days ahead. See more of Kentucky Sports Radio on Facebook In January he was hospitalized with kidney failure due to chronic high blood pressure. Billy Gillispie, one of the most successful, yet enigmatic and star-crossed Texas-native coaches in college basketball history, has been told he needs a kidney transplant … Lexington roads hazardous, Ice expected to get worse in Lexington. Another tweet from Downey on Tuesday evening said, "He's doing well. "It's hard to put into words ... ," Gillispie said. The move Monday came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. Coach has been up walking this morning also. Billy Gillispie, the former head coach at Texas-El Paso, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Texas Tech, helped the USBWA honor the coach’s wife who became his kidney donor, a woman he didn’t know. She didn't have to go far. And most importantly the kidney is working! When his story made the Dallas Morning News, the wife of a college basketball coach was called to help. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. … Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie is in urgent need of a kidney transplant, he told the Dallas Morning News Saturday. 4 Ohio State, Updated: Ice storm warning issued. Didn't have to go to ICU. Kentucky ice storm updates: Thousands without power. "I don't see how she can't be feeling like she's making an ultimate sacrifice because she is.". Gillispie shook his head in disbelief at the comment and his eyes welled with tears as he was asked to respond. As college basketball fans turn their attention to Minneapolis and U.S. Bank Stadium for this weekend's NCAA Men's Final Four tournament , one fan will be taking home a special piece of hardware no matter which team wins. After reaching out to Gillispie, a meeting at the Final Four and multiple tests, Ericka Downey was pleased to report that today’s surgery at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic was successful. Once placed into Gillispie, it began working immediately, Taner said. Keep the prayers coming. He had been suffering from some headaches and a cough during the basketball season and thought it was just bronchitis. Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie received a new kidney today. The move Monday, March 30, 3030, came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. LEXINGTON, Ky. — Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie is in urgent need of a kidney transplant, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News. He also nearly died while waiting on a kidney transplant while at Ranger. But the kidney is working. The move Monday, March 30, 3030, came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. No. Out of surgery. "It's kind of surreal for me," Downey said. Should be out within the hour. STEPHENVILLE, Texas (AP) — Billy Gillispie was named head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Retired Oviedo High basketball coach Ed Kershner has a strong team behind him in his search for a kidney donor, including former University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Need it to remain consistent in the days ahead. 4 Ohio State presents a tough challenge for Indiana. STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Billy Gillispie was named head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. We had no problems taking it out and no problems putting it in. Everything went great. God is good. Billy Gillispie, one of the most successful, yet enigmatic and star-crossed Texas-native coaches in college basketball history, has been told he needs a kidney transplant "ASAP," Gillispie told The Dallas Morning News on Saturday. Gillispie, … (Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP, File) pic.twitter.com/06kXIDd014. (Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via … Everything went great. The move Monday came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. She didn't have to go far. Soreness is worse today which is to be expected. He talks about the brotherhood and he talks about that atmosphere in coaching and it's just rewarding in itself, but it really doesn't feel like I'm sacrificing anything on my end.". Ericka Downey, who donated a kidney to Billy Gillispie two years ago, helps introduce him as the new head basketball coach at Tarleton State on March 31 in Stephenville, Texas. She was. Gillespie’s health has deteriorated over the last year. Support real journalism. When Ericka Downey saw a tweet about college basketball coach Billy Gillispie needing a kidney transplant, she was determined to find him a donor. Ericka Downey never envisioned meeting Billy Gillispie like this. Gillispie was named head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Gillispie, a former head coach at Kentucky, Texas A&M and Texas Tech, is athletics director at Ranger College in Ranger, Texas. He had to give up head coaching duties there when he was diagnosed with kidney failure believed caused by years of high-blood pressure. Kansas State looks to knock off No. God is good.". After taking a break in the middle of the 2017 season from coaching at his alma mater, Ranger Junior College, Gillispie returned to the sideline for the 2018 season. "Look upon the doughnut, and not upon the hole." "It was a beautiful kidney. Billy Gillispie needs a Kidney Transplant ASAP. Former Texas A&M and Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie gets prepared for his kidney transplant surgery on Tuesday. I took a stroll down the hall to visit with Coach Gillispie. Former Kentucky head coach Billy Gillispie, shown in 2008, now serves as athletics director at Ranger College and needs a kidney transplant after suffering from years of high blood pressure. Support local journalism. The former Texas … "Update: I’m up sitting in a chair. He told the Dallas Morning News today that he needs a kidney transplant “ASAP.” “She was hoping that things would have changed from two weeks ago when I was in the hospital, but they haven’t,” Gillispie said. The kidney is working and the recipient is doing very well.". The Mayo Clinic also released videos of Gillispie and Downey's pre-surgery interviews where they sat down together and answered questions about their story. "Even sitting here and surgery impending tomorrow, it still doesn't feel like I'm really giving anything. Ericka Downey, the wife of a basketball coach who felt a "pull" to help Gillispie and ended up being a perfect match for him, posted a thumbs up photo on her Twitter account after the surgery on Tuesday. He’s in a regular room. Coach has been up walking this morning also. Billy Gillispie was named head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. Gillispie had been told he had some sort of "heart event" and that his kidneys were failing. Kidney is working. Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie received a new kidney today. Former Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie has struggled with his health for quite some time but his battle reached a low point last December when he was diagnosed with kidney failure after years of chronic high blood pressure. Downey had seen a story on his health issues, Indiana faces tough test vs No. Coach is still in surgery. Gillispie also revealed in another Mayo Clinic interview how he came to learn about his illness. And there's a lot of people out there that need a donation," Gillispie said. Ice reports: How bad is it in Lexington & Kentucky? He resigned after one season in Lubbock due to health issues and underwent a kidney transplant in 2018. (Photo courtesy … And most importantly the kidney is working! Praise God. The news that Gillispie received that day was that he would have to begin dialysis unless someone donated […] @mdowneyNSU, Out of surgery. "Just too long battling high blood pressure," the 58-year-old Gillispie said. Kidney donor Ericka Downey will take home a well-deserved award this basketball weekend in Minneapolis for her role in saving coach Billy Gillispie's life. Billy Clyde Gillispie (/ ɡ ɪ ˈ l ɪ s p i / ghih-LIS-pee; born November 7, 1959), also known by his initials BCG and Billy Clyde, is an American college basketball and current men's basketball coach at Tarleton State. On Wednesday, she reported that she'd seen the coach and he had already been up walking. 23 Oklahoma St. Chattanooga looks for home win vs The Citadel, Bellarmine looks to extend streak vs North Alabama, Southern Miss looks to end streak vs N. Texas. The health of former Kentucky head basketball coach Billy Gillispie has dramatically declined. The move Monday came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. Forecasts evolve as Kentucky braces for storm, Vote for Kentucky.com’s Girls’ Basketball Player of the Week (Feb. 1-7, 2021). Here’s to a healthy, speedy recovery for Downey and Gillispie. University of Kentucky Basketball, Football, and Recruiting news brought to you in the most ridiculous manner possible. Daily updates, analysis, exclusives, video and more devoted to University of Kentucky sports. The move Monday, March 30, 3030, came two years after Gillispie had a successful kidney transplant, and eight years after his last Division I job. @RoushKSR, the wife of a college basketball coach was called to help. pic.twitter.com/06kXIDd014. A day after former Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie received a kidney transplant, both the recipient and the donor are doing well, according to the surgeon who performed part of the operation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "Both the donor and the recipient are doing very well," Dr. Timucin Taner said in a video released by the clinic Wednesday. When Ericka Downey saw a tweet about college basketball coach Billy Gillispie needing a kidney transplant, she was determined to find him a donor. Gillespie’s health has deteriorated over the last year. (Zach Long/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP, File) Didn’t have to go to ICU. Gillispie was named head coach at Tarleton State, taking over a program making the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I. According to Taner the laparoscopic procedure to remove the kidney took about an hour and an half. I took a stroll down the hall to visit with Coach Gillispie. Praise God. Snow, freezing rain to blast much of Kentucky. Downey had seen a story on his health issues and felt moved to find out if she was a match. Gillispie, who has coached at Texas A&M, Kentucky, Texas Tech and other programs, was told in December he was in need of a kidney transplant. He's in a regular room. @townbrad shares the story of the woman serving as his donor.https://t.co/waTr7J9ciw. Williams served as an assistant under Gillispie from 2004-06. Gillispie didn't meet his donation match until the Final Four on March 31. Today's the day Billy Gillispie is set to receive a kidney transplant. ", Update: I’m up sitting in a chair. Soreness is worse today which is to be expected. Kidney is working.