[More Cowbell]

Still, BCG puts himself across as a straight
shooter, a good 'ol boy honest fellow... I
can't see how not honoring a contract squares
with that image.

It isn't Billy G's decision to make. That responsibility falls upon Mitch Barnhart's shoulders. Whether Gillispie asked Barnhart to get out of of the game or not, the final decision is still up to the AD.