Open Thread: Late Night Calipari to UK Watch
by Glenn Logan on Mar 30, 2009 10:47 PM EDT
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An open thread just for you nightowls. I'm out of here.
If you can't sleep, discuss.
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Who? Calimari?
I don’t like to eat squid.
by FortyYearCatFan on Mar 30, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions
Here's to...
…waking up tomorrow and hearing it’s a done deal. I can dream can’t I?
I certainly hope this is a done deal early tomorrow....
If this drags on too long it may not be a good signal
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
If it drags on too long
I will worry as well. More time for FedEx to raise their shipping rates to keep Cal in Memphis.
I’ll also get fired for watching ASOB all day at work….again.
LOL
me too I keep looking over my shoulder waiting for the boss
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Shreveport Louisiana
by The White Mandingo on Mar 31, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I can't imagine that he wouldn't take it at this point
This is any college basketball coach’s dream job.
Calipari is an elite coach with an opportunity to coach an elite program which is in need of rebuilding. Isn’t that was great coaches do? Rebuild? What coach WOULDN’T jump at this opportunity.
He’s no dummy.
I can hear it now at Rupp, “And the head coach Jooooohn Calipaaaaaaaaaariiiiiiiiii”
update from the memphis front
Here is what i have heard – take it for what its worth.
At a 2 plus hour meeting with a UM booster, word is Fred Smith (fedex founder) was there. although cal may have been there to push for the utep coach as his replacement (ironic – but i digress), those at the meeting tried to make the memphis job about the civic good Cal has done (and he has).
Bottom line is that some of the memphis boosters are not giving up – and that could mean Cal is not stopping them.
I do believe too much water has passed under the bridge for him to stay, but it may drag out some….
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 10:55 PM EDT reply actions
Those power brokers can be influential....just say NO Cal
we want you more
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
i think his mind is made up
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9398650/Sources:-Kentucky,-Calipari-nearing-monster-deal?MSNHPHMA
Calipari has expressed significant interest in the Kentucky job over the last few years, sources told FOXSports.com, and was disappointed that he wasn’t contacted two years ago prior to the hiring of Billy Gillispie
see my comment below
i think you are right – he is interested in UK – this is not a dance to get more money and the UM boosters have figured that out so they are working the other angles…..
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Some Memphis booster with a last name of Byrd was quoted on WKYT as saying exactly that
Calipari said it is not about money
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
i think Byrd is the president of a suburban bank bank of bartlett
they filled at least 2 charter planes to go to PHX – put everyone up in the Ritz – huge memphis supporters…….
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully that was one last honest effort from the Memphis boosters. They deserve it and so does Cal after what he’s done there. Them wanting him to stay so much only goes to show what a high caliber coach he is and hopefully shows that they know he’s not leaving any skeletons in their closet.
What I fear is that they have WAY more $$ than UK and he stays and in 24 hours Barnhart is signing a contract with Pelfrey or Ford just to save face.
Only 8 o'clock on the West Coast!
I’ll be here all night just in case they decided to hold a 1 AM press conference!
What an emotional rollercoaster.
I really didn’t want BG fired and that was crazy. Then BD said no, so I was even more worried. Now Cal is supposed to come here and I am hyped, but it sucks to wait any longer! I do think that Cal is the best fit for the job.
calimari is expensive forty
40 million for 8 years of the stuff. Where you getting your info memphis? news there?
at the risk of sounding like grasslands
it is just what people are talking about – because i am a uk fan, everyone calls me with everything they know. i do know some people close to the boosters, but i just summarized the just of what i have been getting.
it may not be worth anything, but when you hear most of it enough, well, i figure where there is smoke there is fire.
my only point is despite all the news reports, it does sound like the booster have not given up – however, it is probably too late -
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
speaking of which:
Where is he? Is grasslands too embarrassed to post? This is a joyous day for UK fans everywhere!
Surely he is happy!
I don't like this ...
…. if Calipari hasn’t walked out of the 2nd boosters meeting yet, then things are not going well for us … I don’t think money will be the deciding factor, but I wonder what Barnhart has done this afternoon/evening to close the deal once and for all.
i will say,
and i cannot believe i am saying this, but i do believe Cal is genuinely interested in UK. of all the times in the past he has threatened to leave, i never thought he wanted to. i do believe this is different.
the silver lining is it does point out how adept he is at working the boosters of a program. i do believe that most of the boosters are tired of anteing up each year – so it wll ntot be about them matching the offer.
i think they have realized that he is serious about UK and they are trying to appeal to a different side of Cal
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank God
I finally caught up with the thread. Almost caught the end of the last one before started up another.
If published, just todays threads would cover a couple volumes.
Sooooo, what’d I miss? ,-)
basically nothing official yet
some speculation that he going to take the job and an announcement could come anywhere from Tue. to Thurs.
stay tuned
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Forty
How bad will this look if Cal doesnt take the job?
I ALWAYS TOLD EVERY1
That when we passed on him 2 years ago we pizzed him offf…………bet he waits it out and crushes uk with a big old NO
Yeah i can hear izzo now
you offered that other guy 35 million :(
i can hear MB now -
you cannot trust anything you hear from the media…..
but if you will come, i bet we can find it!!!
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
cali will sao no
and we will end up with T FORD…………i wouldnt be mad if we got ford and i wouldnt hate cal for turning down out moron AD
wow
they are saying players will follow him………………..you HAVE TO PAY CAL ANYTHING HE WANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We must get him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just took in the whole day in 2 hour ASOB review
I don’t see anyway the move isn’t a done deal. From the strong rumors, to “The Door” (great story), to the quotes from people on all sides of the frenzy; I just say – MB, make the announcement!
Help !!!
I’m trapped in a time warp !
It’s ’07 all over again !!
Same inane comments from some of the same “coaches” who were singing the praises of something called a BCG back then.
This is a wacked out world…truth !!
LEX 18 is convinced.
I will choose to believe it and will sleep peacefully tonight.
I am really glad to be able to share in this day with the hundreds of UK fans on this site.
Ain’t life grand?
Dykes asked him if Calipari had called him and
BCG said he really didn’t want to answer that question….interesting
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I would do it.
I think I would have every right to ask the man I was replacing some questions; especially SINCE he had just been fired.
Not much new....wasn;t the right fit
he expects to coach next season somewhere…..he had no advice for Calipari because he is not advice giver
this is a bump in the road….stuff like that.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I'm going one up on ya Seven...
I think BCG looked like a baboon and got pwned during the interview.
Taking “the high road” “tough guy” approach just confirms…
He’s just not that smart.
He got fired for “political reasons,” not being a good fit.
His numbers still sucked bad this year. His W-L’s are marginal at best, esp in a weak SEC. His stubbornness against the zone this year cost us about 7 games.
And your unwillingness to play it made you lose your season opener, senior day to Georgia, your last 4 consecutive, and getting a 4 seed in the NIT.
BCG looks like an ass in the media right now. He’s been one up’ed in the biggest OMG in history for $35 million. That’s the biggest statement in the history of NCAA sports.
The stories of Ricky P and Cali…and Pearl the Earl…have yet to be written.
And Billy G looks like an idiot that not even Georgia is very seriously considering right now.
Billy G lost it and in that interview it totally showed.
Billy G is done if he don’t find a job QUICKLY.
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
OK ...
… I posted this elsewhere but I want to reiterate.
Do not bash Coach Gillispie, please. We don’t bash UK coaches in here (well, we have a little fun with Traitor Rick), but this is very mean-spirited and not in accordance with the guidelines.
Thanks.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Amen. I’ll be REEEEEALLY worried if the announcement isn’t made sometime tomorrow. I’d be shocked though if he doesn’t take the job. As others have said with so many ppl out there saying it’s basically done (WLEX and ESPN e.g.) I will have a hard time understanding how they all got it wrong. And while I’m super confident he will indeed be our next coach, I’d really like to see him in UK blue in front of that lame press conference curtain background receiving one hell of a Kentucky welcome. And ppl thought the BCG reception was nuts. They better hold this one in Rupp instead of Memorial haha.
Give me a tin roof, front porch and a gravel road. Go Cats and Go 'Canes!
by Kentucky 'Cane on Mar 30, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions
MB should be fired if he blows this...
He let the BCG drama get out of hand, and drag out way too long (beginning with the Miss game). He let BD turn him down twice. He’s obviously made Ford this 2nd choice.
If he blows this…and this hurries to hire Travis 24 hours later…
I’ll personally start a petition to fire MB.
Ya feel me?
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve got to learn to use this “reply” thing, haha
Give me a tin roof, front porch and a gravel road. Go Cats and Go 'Canes!
by Kentucky 'Cane on Mar 30, 2009 11:32 PM EDT reply actions
First Shift
So who is going to take the first shift monitoring media reports and rumors tonight so the rest of us can get some sleep?
not me and its been a long day for us all....
several good points made tonight, but this deal is big and with lots of details. I agree with memphis cat, that the negotiations are too far for JC to drop it, and maybe he’s just humoring some of his biggest supporters. This coach seems to have long term ambitions, and it’s about time to step up. That said, ’gnight"
Interesting quote:
“Two years is a pretty short time frame for anybody to start gauging whether we are capable of getting to a Final Four under a coaching staff,” the Kentucky athletics director said. “Billy is working extremely hard to try to put Kentucky basketball back where the fans want it to be. I know nobody wants to hear it, but it’s going to take time to get our roster filled out like we need it to be.”
- Mitch Barnhart, March1, 2009 (from Mark Story article, LHL)
Looks like it’s going to take a little less time to “get our roster filled out” than he thought. ;-)))))))
I love that you dug this up...
This is why I love the Internets.
Here’s 5 big roster filled stars!
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
coach cal
called his real estate agent 11 days ago………wonder if hes buying a new house in memphis or selling his? interesting 11 days????
just looking over the past few posts -
i smell bait….
by memphis wildcat on Mar 30, 2009 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Squid.
I’m learning the new lingo already.
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions
also........
if he comes to kentucky which i dont personally think he will considering how we treat coaches who win for us much less the ones who lose……..i really would have liked to see billy g get ATLEAST 1 more year but i must say that instead of banging some hot poon right now im sitting online praying./ hoping we get coach cali WOW its like a dream BUT could easily be a nightmare considering he never got a call from us 2 years ago and could drop egg in our pie holes for that very reason
No offense
But I have no idea what you just said.
"Learned to love the Cats at a young age, via tape delay."
hahahaha!
The visualization I just got about your face with with that response is priceless.
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions
DANIEL ORTON
Kentucky recruit Daniel Orton of Oklahoma has not heard from anyone at UK today about who will replace Billy Gillispie, who was fired Friday. However, his father, Larry, understands that Calipari is the likely choice.
"Right now Daniel is still going to Kentucky until we get a chance to talk to Calipari," Larry Orton said based on the assumption that Calipari will be UK’s next coach.
NOLAN DENNIS
Carol Dennis, the mother of Memphis recruit Nolan Dennis, told The Commercial Appeal that the letter-of-intent her son signed last fall contained an addendum that would allow him to follow Calipari to another school.
Carol Dennis, the mother of Memphis recruit Nolan Dennis, told The Commercial Appeal that the letter-of-intent her son signed last fall contained an addendum that would allow him to follow Calipari to another school.
Two other highly-touted Memphis recruits, guard John Wall and center DeMarcus Cousins — have not yet signed with the Tigers and could also follow Calipari to Kentucky.
"Imagine the bigs you could have with Patrick Patterson, Daniel, Matt Pilgrim and Perry Stevenson along with Cousins coming in. What an offense that would be," Larry Orton said. "Then you would have Jodie Meeks and maybe throw in John Wall and Nolan Dennis, who is as good as Wall. You are talking about automatic Final Four."
There's this from KSR
On a slightly different note, Matt talked to another source who said that the reports of Calipari bringing in Memphis players are "wildly overblown". Reports have been popping up online that Wesley Witherspoon and Robert Sallie, among others, would be transferring to UK if their coach came to Lexington. This person told Matt that there would be no players at all leaving the team and it was very unlikely that any player who had signed a LOI already would end up at UK. However, that does leave the possibility of DeMarcus Cousins (verballed, but no LOI) and he uncommitted and unsigned John Wall jumping on board.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
mmmm....gravy
Doesn’t that sound good with some nice, fluffy buttermilk biscuits?
Hows about a celebratory breakfast?
I can't believe...
that you were able to get on KSR today.
It’s been down for almost all of the past week.
Spend 10 bucks/month and upgrade your servers for pete sake.
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not a recruiting guru, but from what I understand we don’t really have any scholarships to offer right? how many do we have if any?
Give me a tin roof, front porch and a gravel road. Go Cats and Go 'Canes!
by Kentucky 'Cane on Mar 30, 2009 11:59 PM EDT reply actions
right now we are 3 over the limit
barring any transfers, early entries etc.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Bench
If we would get rid of some of those cheerleaders we have down on the end of the bench we could free up some scholarships
Everybodys psyched, but I'm
relieved at the least. I was afraid Mitch would do the “safe” thing and get Billy D. at all costs and that choice didn’t set well.
I don’t know if i would have picked Cal; but I don’t know who else. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and we didn’t get BD. Calipari would be a great hire for us – so many pluses and the only minus anyone can bring up is overblown “dark side”. Cats fans will be happy to ignore that little undercurrent of witchhunters and win.
By "cooler heads" do you mean Donovan himself?
All indications I’ve seen point to him having the job offered to him again this time around, and the only reason he isn’t the UK coach is because he turned it down again.
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Not sure who you're referring to...
…Pitino, maybe?
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
The coach search
this time was to be more by committee rather than Mitch Barnhart (the AD) operating alone
But said committee still ended up offering Donovan the job, didn't they?
Or do you think they stopped short of that?
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
For $35 mil...
Phil Jackson’s agent will be calling.
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions
ESPN says
that Calipari has decided to sleep on the offer. I guess we all assumed by now it’d be tomorrow or later this week anyway. I’m going to bed on that one folks. Just hope that those boosters didn’t pull a tear-jerker on him late this evening.
B. Mc
That's good news...
…He just wanted to tell them something so he could get the hell out of there and go home… You know, like you tell the car salesman, when you know damn well that you are not buying… “well, let us think about it, we’ll call you”..
Know what I’m saying…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
Maybe he told them he had fallen behind on ASOB by about 2000 comments...
…and he just needed to find some time to get away and catch up.
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
It would be a more convincing excuse than...
…I have to go watch DoorCam. ;)
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
DoorCam is the new airplane tracking
UK fans always need something during these coaching searches!
by WildcatFanInDC on Mar 31, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions
i’m hoping the press conference is tomorrow. i’m just bummed i’m going to be in class not matter what day it is and miss it :(
Give me a tin roof, front porch and a gravel road. Go Cats and Go 'Canes!
by Kentucky 'Cane on Mar 31, 2009 12:18 AM EDT reply actions
hahaha so true. if this does work out (still not wanting to jinx it) can you imagine the reception he’s going to get!? I wish i could be there….
Give me a tin roof, front porch and a gravel road. Go Cats and Go 'Canes!
by Kentucky 'Cane on Mar 31, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
use those darned tornado sirens
Hey….after all they DO use them every friday at 12 noon. Why not now? This is important!
coach cal isnt coming............
taking ALL bets……we threw egg in his pie hole 2 years ago and time for him to LAFF AT uk……..bag of BBQ grippos and an ale 8 says hes not going TO uk……….we are the lauging stock,,or will be and then we can PRAY we get travis ford who BLEEDS BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For 5 Mil A Year
I’d shake hands with the man who slept with my wife….I mean …wait a minute.
But seriously when your getting 5 large I think he will forgive and forget.
UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Shreveport Louisiana
by The White Mandingo on Mar 31, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions
I have no intention of
trying to belittle someone. But please, if you are going to post something negative at least do it coherently so we can at least understand your displeasure with the situation.
Just heard from a friend in Memphis………on the radio heard that UK offered 30 Million over five years……….Fed Ex dude is going to meet with him to see what they can do! Andy is saying that he feels that he all but going to UK.
Come on you can do better than this.
"Learned to love the Cats at a young age, via tape delay."
Yeah...
And then fire MB.
I can’t believe I just dignified a response. I just didn’t want the thread to die out with your sorry ass post to top off the night.
we are all ignoring him until tru removes him...
Hopefully soon…
Steelers fan 1st! UK is my 2nd love.
He's drunk like I was a few weeks ago...
Right before I got banned from the blog. ;-)
by thefakebillyG on Mar 31, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions
After Quite a few yaers...
I finally signed up on ASoB. Man, This whole thing is driving me crazy. When I first heard they were offering Calipari the job, I kept thinking of the baggage and the 96’ season. I really would have preferred Ford. However, after looking at all the accomplishments even with a little shade on the fringe, I can’t wait to get him here! Which is why I’m still scrolling through every shred of info about the offer I can find on the web & hoping against hope I can find some semblance of an acceptance.
ESPN just reported...
they’re stil working on a deal, but it looks like Calipari is headed our way. They’re also having a interview with BCG, should be interesting.
Here's a great vid of uncommitted Cal recruit John Wall
He plays for the.U.S. national team in this vid and puts on a circus act.
I don’t know what the politics are about “take the recruits” vs. “they aren’t committed” argument…
but it’s still an awesome recruiting trail video if you haven’t watched this guy play.
This just came in on Twitter:
@stoncray My thoughts on Calipari: Pitino wannabe w Bobby Knight Attitude (*_*)
Thought it was worth sharing with everyone. ;-)
*BREAKING NEWS* Overnite Edition: Cool news articles just released
Calipari’s civic contributions would be missed as much as on-court contributions
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/31/john-calipari-civic-contributions/?partner=RSS
I think this confirms the late night Booster’s club they had with Cal in Memphis tonight…
And I also think this was their bon voyage with him.
Then…
There’s this:
“It’s just a matter of what he chooses to do with his lifestyle. Does he want to be a big fish in a little pond in (Conference USA)? Or does he want to be in the SEC where there’s big-time competition night in and night out? But I don’t care where Cal goes. He’s going to win. He’s an outstanding coach and recruiter. He’s great with the media. He’s great with the fans. He’s great with the players,” said Griz coach Lionel Hollins.
Unless something happens to Cal himself, like an angelic visitation to stay in Memphis and preach the Gospel according to Elvis forever…
He’ll be in Memorial within 2 days.
this is the memphis game plan
will give him a raise, but will not match the money. instead they are appealing to his “civic” duty.
someone needs to tell mitch to tell Cal that he may have an impact on the city of memphis but at UK he will impact the STATE of kentucky…….
by memphis wildcat on Mar 31, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
but...........
noway he gos to lexington……..dont get me wrong its safer and alot ALOT CLEANER! and more $$$$$ but we passed on him and didnt even call him 2 years ago so trust me IF he didnt sign today hes not signing…..
Dude.
Make up your mind. First we must get him, then he isn’t coming?
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
cal...
I believe he will come to UK. The money’s there. the challenge is there. Why stay in conference usa?
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