Joker Phillips isn't going to be able to avoid speculation about his future as Kentucky's coach, so he figured he might as well have some fun with it.
Phillips was asked Monday if he had talked to Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart about his future. After mumbling, "I shouldn't say it," he decided to tell a joke at his own expense (go to 1:55 of the above video for the question and answer).
"I was going to tell you guys last week after I left, Mitch and I talked -- we've been talking about an extension," Phillips says, before breaking into a smile and a laugh. "I'm just kidding."
Gallows humor, indeed.
It's a little awkward for a guy to be cracking jokes about his job future, especially with his team at 1-8. But these questions are uncomfortable for everyone involved, and there's far worse ways for a guy to handle the situation than loosening up the room with some one-liners.
Oh, Phillips had other material too. Before the line about the extension he was asked about the speculation that his job was in jeopardy (go to 1:20 of the video below for this exchange).
"I was coming over here today, and got in the car, and my seat was hot," Phillips said.
"Looked up, and I had hit the seat warmer."
Hey, if this whole Kentucky coach thing doesn't work out, maybe (the aptly named) Joker can take his comedy show on the road.
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