Kentucky BB Head Coach Position

[NFBuck]

Memphis coach John Calipari has let Kentucky officials know that he's interested in the school's vacant head coaching position, and he could talk with UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart as early as Monday, a source with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com on Sunday.
Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie on Friday after just two seasons, and CBSSports.com immediately reported Calipari as a legitimate candidate despite the Memphis coach telling local media he planned to remain at Memphis for a 10th season. Multiple sources close to Calipari have said there's no guarantee he would take the Kentucky job if offered, but those same sources have privately insisted for weeks that if Kentucky showed interest Calipari would listen.
One possible problem with jumping to Kentucky, some have claimed, is that Calipari has the nation's top recruiting class lined up, and he would not want to leave that behind. But those close to Calipari believe it's possible to take parts of that recruiting class to Kentucky -- specifically unsigned prospects DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall -- and that if Calipari could pair it with Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks the Wildcats might threaten for a Final Four next season.

Entire article: Calipari could meet with Kentucky on Monday - NCAA Division I Mens Basketball - CBSSports.com News, Fantasy, Video

Calipari doesn't strike me as somebody that would fit in at UK. Then again, winning sometimes cures all, and he wins...

 

[LitlBuck]

Well, he currently has the #1 recruiting class in the country coming to Memphis along with arguably the #1 big man (Cousins) coming and I would think that Daniel Orton would probably reaffirm his commitment to Kentucky so if Johnny does take the job at Kentucky he would be off to a flying start because some of the guys that are committed to Memphis have not signed their LOI and the #1 PG in the country (John Wall) has not made a decision as of yet.

I don't care what he says about his love for Memphis or the kids. It is all about the money.

 

[BB73]

Well, he currently has the #1 recruiting class in the country coming to Memphis along with arguably the #1 big man (Cousins) coming and I would think that Daniel Orton would probably reaffirm his commitment to Kentucky so if Johnny does take the job at Kentucky he would be off to a flying start because some of the guys that are committed to Memphis have not signed their LOI and the #1 PG in the country (John Wall) has not made a decision as of yet.

I don't care what he says about his love for Memphis or the kids. It is all about the money.

I agreee that it's all about the money. But he could just be taking advantage of Kentucky's interest to squeeze more money out of Memphis.

 

[NFBuck]

I agreee that it's all about the money. But he could just be taking advantage of Kentucky's interest to squeeze more money out of Memphis.

Agreed. He's got it made at Memphis. Kentucky isn't the draw it once was. In Memphis, he's already loved, continually brings in top-rated recruits and competes for National Titles and is a made man. At UK, he'll have to deal with unrealistic expectations (though he may be able to meet them), and an alumni base that is way more involved than any he's dealt with.

vBet forthcoming BB?

 

[LitlBuck]

I agreee that it's all about the money. But he could just be taking advantage of Kentucky's interest to squeeze more money out of Memphis.

I just think when it comes to Kentucky basketball they can throw out more money than probably any college in the country. They probably would shut down their state government to pay their college basketball coach:) I just don't think Memphis will be able to match the money. However, if Johnny likes ribs and jazz, Memphis might have a chance.

 

[NFBuck]

I'd just like to officially announce my candidacy for the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky. I have no coaching experience, but did play two years of varsity ball in high school and still occasionally play pickup games at the local gym. If they're looking for a fresh approach, I'm the man.

 

[LitlBuck]

I'd just like to officially announce my candidacy for the head coaching position at the University of Kentucky. I have no coaching experience, but did play two years of varsity ball in high school and still occasionally play pickup games at the local gym. If they're looking for a fresh approach, I'm the man.

I thought I saw your plane land at the Lexington Airport yesterday:)

 

[jlb1705]

I had heard Wright's name brought up also among the talking heads but he has very strong ties to the East and especially Philly. It also has one of the top five recruiting classes coming in depending upon who you want to believe. However, how many Philly cheese steaks can the money that the University of Kentucky throw at you buy The same can be true of John Cal. He has the supposedly top recruiting class in the country coming to Memphis next year but can Memphis afford him and does he love ribs and jazz that much. I also heard the announcer there was doing the Michigan State/Kansas game and he mentioned Izzo's name and said that he did not think Izzo thought that he was appreciated enough around East Lansing. Never heard that before and it would be hard for me to believe he would leave that program was all the ties that he has to it.

I remember when this job opened up two years ago and Travis Ford was at UMass. I thought then that they should offer him the job and I think the same today. They keep on saying that Billy Clyde did not understand all the tradition amongst other things that weren't with Kentucky basketball. Travis Ford understands those things because he has seen them. I went to a regional in Lexington in the early 90s and those people live and die Kentucky basketball. I mean I talked to a guy who was probably in his 80s and he could talk basketball recruiting with almost anyone. It is truly unbelievable... almost like Ohio State football:)

Yeah, Wright's ties to the northeast and Villanova especially are very strong - but he's the kind of guy I think they should be looking at even if not him specifically. Like you mention, he's already in a very good position anyway.

I know this is becoming a running argument in this thread, but I don't think UK is down enough YET to not be able to attract a good coach that is in a very good situation elsewhere. They aren't Notre Dame football at this point - and they won't become that if they make a deliberate and wise hire and let him do his thing. This is UK though, so that may be a tall order.

Izzo's name was floated a couple years ago too. It's as crazy then as it is now. All the things I just said about Wright apply to Izzo and MSU tenfold.

There is a faction of idiot UK fans that think that guys like Ford and Pelphrey aren't seasoned enough and should be brought in to pay their dues as assistants at UK because their experience as head coaches at major conference D-I schools is not good enough.

 

[BB73]

Agreed. He's got it made at Memphis. Kentucky isn't the draw it once was. In Memphis, he's already loved, continually brings in top-rated recruits and competes for National Titles and is a made man. At UK, he'll have to deal with unrealistic expectations (though he may be able to meet them), and an alumni base that is way more involved than any he's dealt with.

vBet forthcoming BB?

Not for Calipari - it could happen too fast.

 

[MaxBuck]

I'm not particularly a fan of Calipari, but saying of his interest that it's "all about the money" is overly cynical. UK is unquestionably one of the most prestigious jobs in college hoop, and four (!) different coaches have taken the Wildcats to the national championship. It seems to me almost any coach who aspires to the greatest heights would have some interest in this job.

 

[LitlBuck]

I guess, in a way, I will agree with you that money is not the total lure of going to Kentucky but it certainly has great a bit to do with it. Johnny has a pretty nice at Memphis right now with a great recruiting class coming in and he gets national recognition while at Memphis so why would he leave. Sure, the prestige of Kentucky basketball means something but in this day and age I think money means quite a bit also.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Memphis: Kentucky given permission to speak to Calipari

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- The University of Memphis has given Kentucky permission to speak to coach John Calipari about the Wildcats' head coaching position.
Athletic director R.C. Johnson said in a statement Monday that Calipari could meet with Kentucky representatives, but stressed Memphis will do whatever it can to retain the coach.

Entire article: Memphis: Kentucky given permission to speak to John Calipari - SI.com - March Madness 2009

Re: (April 26, 2008) Memphis coach John Calipari signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 season that includes an annual raise of $500,000 and a $5 million bonus if he stays through the end of the contract. Calipari's new contract will pay him $2.35 million per year.

Calipari signs contract extension with Memphis - Men's College Basketball - ESPN

Any guesses on how much Kentuckey will have to offer to get him?

My guess is that Kentucky will have to offer something close to $5M per year. I'm sure they wil have to significantly top the contract Donovan got with Florida last year. i.e. 6 year $21M contract ($3.5M/yr).

Highest Paid College Basketball Coaches -- Americas Best Online

 

[Sportsbuck28]

I'm just happy Matta's name hasn't been brought up.

 

[sandgk]

I'm just happy Matta's name hasn't been brought up.

Though Calipari seems to have the inside track your joy over Matta's name not being mentioned is short-lived:

But while Calipari brings a Pitino-like aura to the job, he also had his recruiting scandal at Massachusetts and Kentucky still remembers the Eddie Sutton-era that led to NCAA probation.
The short list includes former players John Pelphrey, head coach at Arkansas, and Travis Ford, ditto at Oklahoma State, along with Xavier's Sean Miller and Ohio State's Thad Matta who was approached during the last opening.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Sources: Kentucky, Calipari nearing monster deal

Talks between Kentucky and Memphis coach John Calipari have intensified and the two sides are moving closer to an agreement that could make him the highest-paid coach in the country.
According to sources close to the Tigers coach, Calipari is close to a deal that will pay him in excess of $5 million per season.

Entire article: FOX Sports on MSN - COLLEGE BASKETBALL - Sources: Kentucky, Calipari nearing monster deal