LEXINGTON — Kentucky's search for a new coach will continue.

Baylor's Scott Drew, considered the top candidate to become UK's next coach, will remain in Waco, Texas.

"In our program, we strive to put Jesus first, then others, then ourselves," Drew wrote in a statement posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "We truly believe God has called my family and I to continue our work here at Baylor, surrounded by the best people and community anyone could be blessed to have. ... We look forward to working together to bring championships to Waco."

He's spent the past 21 seasons at Baylor, where he is the school's all-time winningest coach — Drew is 446-244 (.646) with the Bears — and led the program to a national title in 2021.

Had Drew accepted the Wildcats' offer, he would have become the first men's basketball coach UK had ever hired with a national championship already on his résumé.

Kentucky is on the hunt for a new coach for the first time since 2009 after John Calipari stepped down earlier this week after 15 seasons and 410 victories, which included a national title (in 2012), four Final Fours, seven Elite Eights and 12 conference championships (six each between regular season and SEC Tournament).

Arkansas officially hired Calipari as its new coach Wednesday.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Scott Drew, Kentucky basketball coaching candidate, to stay at Baylor