In spring 2019, UCLA wanted to make a splashy hire.
The Bruins felt they needed a high-profile coach to reinvigorate a program that had declined in relevance over the previous decade.
They put together a massive offer to try to lure John Calipari. He shrewdly used it as leverage to negotiate a lifetime deal with Kentucky.
They pursued Tony Bennett in case he wanted a fresh start. He passed and then led Virginia to a redemptive national title.
They pivoted to Jamie Dixon. TCU refused to lower his $8 million buyout.
They moved on to Rick Barnes.