Kentucky Basketball: "I have no interest in leaving," means ... what?
by Glenn Logan on May 11, 2010 8:20 AM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintOkay, here it is. Calipari flatly denies interest in the Chicago Bulls job, and by implication, any other coaching job, although that scope is somewhat debatable. Can we all chill out, relax and start talking football now?
Not a chance.
I knew the answer to that one, of course, before I even wrote the question. As a card-carrying member of the Big Blue Nation, I know just like all of you reading this that college basketball is our obsession here in the Bluegrass. Yes, we like football when it comes along, and we passionately want our football program to succeed. Some of us love baseball, the great American pastime, and we want the Bat Cats to succeed.
But at the end of the day, all our hopes, dreams, and by far most of the passion of the Big Blue faithful go into what happens with the basketball team. I know that some people lament that, and I can't criticize them for it. But if you think it's bad here, just look at the Florida Gators, who are only vaguely aware that they possess two NCAA championships in basketball -- only 14 teams in the land have that many, and lots of so-called "basketball schools" have fewer. You would think that would make them care. You would be wrong. But I digress.
Most people, perhaps even most in the Big Blue Nation, will say that Calipari's denial means nothing, and in a real sense, that is somewhat likely. Calipari denied interest in the Kentucky job in 2007, but we learned when UK actually did come after him in 2009 that he was not only interested in 2007, but waiting with bated breath for the phone call from UK representatives.
So in the end, the flat denial probably means that there is no mutual interest. Could Calipari be interested and still make the denial? Yes, he has done that before. But what this likely tells us is that Calipari is either actually not interested, or he knows that there is no interest on the other side. You, dear reader, will have to draw your own conclusions about who has the lesser interest.
For the nonce, this should at least give some reason for Wildcat fans to step back from the brink and take a deep breath, and perhaps even start enjoying the onset of spring. Calipari has denied interest in the Bulls job and in other coaching jobs pretty unambiguously, at least for now.
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I have an even better idea.....Billy Donovan to the Bulls......
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
said it before and will say it again....
this talk is all part of the package – not making a judgement – but if i were, i would say it is great. cal’s whole recruiting pitch is based on his ability to get kids ready for the nba. is there any better way to create the impression that you can make a kid nba ready than to have nba teams actually considering you for the head coaching job? part of me believes cal creates the buzz himself
enjoy the attention – cal WILL leave someday. it will most likely be too soon for most of us, but he will leave. for now, enjoy the ride
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 11, 2010 9:27 AM EDT reply actions
Yes
He WILL leave someday, and I think it may be just like when he left Memphis. Hope I’m wrong about that. But I am not going to worry about it. I have taken your advice.
Now … I am looking forward to seeing Operation Win.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
What do you mean?
What do you mean “it may be just like when he left Memphis?”
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
I meant, the way he said he liked his job there and was very happy,
Not sure, off the top of my head, how he said it exactly. He says this is his dream job. I hope it is at the top of the list, is all. :-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
as he was returning to memphis from the ncaa tournament in march 09
he said he loved memphis and loved coaching in/at memphis. whatever he said exactly i am not sure, but the people of memphis took it to mean he was not going anywhere – ever – or at least not 2 weeks later.
after 9 years, the city had grown weary of the annual spring ritual of Cal doing the dance with multiple interested parties (in fact, one year he got a raise, claimed he did not want one, but in effect said, if they are going to give it to me, i will take it). i think the town had finally gotten comfortable that he was not going anywhere – plus he had the #1 recruiting class (wall, cousins, henry, etal) lined up to come. after a heart breaking loss in the final the year before and an earlier than expected exit just happening, memphis fans where looking forward to another run at the title with the #1 recruiting class.
in all fairness to Cal, he was basically asked about the uk job as he was getting off the plane from where ever the elite 8 game had been, had his team with him, and tons of fans around. what else is he suppose to say – i love memphis, but come on, if uk calls i have to answer? NO coach would say that – or anything substaintially different than what cal said..
anyone who thinks the day a nba team calls cal and he is for real interested that cal is going to annouce to the world that “hey, i am interested” is delusional…
I am with Tru on this issue – for now…. You will be right many, many times over buying into the “cal ain’t going” mantra – but you will only be wrong once….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 11, 2010 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks memphis (I knew you would know)
As for me, I cannot buy into the “Cal ain’t going” mantra. I guess it is a no-sale for now. But, I don’t worry about it. I am going to enjoy the ride while it lasts. It has been fun this past year, and who doesn’t like fun?!?! ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
a2
Do you know if tenken was in the flooded area of middle Tennessee? We haven’t heard from her lately.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
tenken lives in jackson
if i recall. they had 13 inches of rain. my in laws live there and it is 80 miles from memphis – i have not heard of any major flooding issues
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 11, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
13 inches of rain would flood most anything, I would think
I certainly hope all is well. We haven’t heard from her lately.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Thanks for clarifying!
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
--O.W.
I know, we should start a department here at ASOB strictly dedicated
to starting rumors and innuendo about other school’s coaches taking other jobs. Kinda like a spin off to ESPN’s college game day staff………
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
Unfortunately, it doesn't matter what Cal says
He could have a press conference to say he 100% was not going to leave, and there would still be many who didn’t believe him. Call it the Nick Saban Syndrome.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel
is just a freight train coming your way.
I would probably believe him...
if he called a press conference to specifically deny interest. however, to be be fair to all the coaches who are in demand, the LAST thing i would ever do if called by someone asking me to interview for a job is to run to my boss and tell him/her i was interviewing for another job. now once i had an offer, i would let them know. anyone who expects cal to be honest in public about what jobs he is interviewing for and what jobs in which he has no interest is holding cal to a different standard than what most (if not all) people hold for themself
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 11, 2010 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope he stays for a long time.
I am, however, happy to have the coach that everybody wants rather than the one that nobody wants. I live in Georgia Tech country and it is the poster child for having a coach nobody wants, including the Tech fans.
I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
Premature Power Rankings: UK #12
Sports Illustrated 2010-11 says Duke will be #1, Big 10(11) MSU and Purdue #2 & 3. Terrence Jones-less Cats #12 — with Jones a top 10 IMO — which might be a tad high.
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
I actually think ...
… Jeff Goodman got it right when he ranked us pre-season #18 (without Jones). That makes sense to me.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
For your reading pleasure
This also sheds more detail on the Brandon Knight situation, if you didn’t know already. Anybody ready for “LOI Reform”?
Rhino
There is nothing new here.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
Ok.
UK has a couple weeks head start on us so that makes sense that this is old news. While I understand that the process may be unfair to top level recruits, it also doesn’t seem fair to hold a program hostage whose only recourse is to either take it on the chin or walk away. It seems to me that the TJ decision (or lack of) has made it harder for Calipari to recruit another PF.
As far as coach’s interest in another school, there’s no way he’s going to disrespect his current employer by announcing his interest until after he receives an offer, and even then it would be in private. As an employer myself, I can tell you that as soon as an employee starts looking elsewhere, things change. Loyalty is a big deal. I don’t believe Calipari will leave UK until he’s ready for the final chapter of his coaching career and not before. Since I don’t have an emotional stake in it, I can only look at it on paper.
Well ...
… there is news there, actually. That article does a good job of explaining what happens when a player goes past the deadline, and it updates his status — as no update, which is fine.
I linked it above, in fact.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I actually think
I won’t debate this one with you Tru. Too unstable, this prediction business. I will say this however, remember what the experts said about the 1966 Wildcats. No starter over 6’ 5’’.
Should have won it all but that’s another story. They ended the season 27-3. And if I’m not mistaken at least one poll ranked them #1 in their final poll. My memory may be a little faulty on this, so if it is someone straighten me out.
by WildcatBlue1930Adolph on May 12, 2010 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions
If we get too wrapped-up in the "leaving" part...
we may not fully enjoy the “Staying” part. I think I learned my lesson when RP left for the Celtics…I am prepared this time for the certainty of Cal’s departure..whenever it happens …and I am focusing on the present..let the good times roll!!!
Yeah.
We can’t worry about stuff like that. It’s fun to talk about it, but worrying about it is futile.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
These coaches denials are a bit of a quandry to me....
All coaches HAVE to say that they are happy and not interested. It would open up a can of worms at their current position if they didn’t deny interest. Fans would go insane and rip up message boards with hate filled comments and the local media would make life hard on coach until the position is filled with someone else.
Plus, I think that many coaches at least have some conversation with those wanting to interview them just out of professional courtesy. They don’t want to burn that bridge down the road should things change. Not to mention, it is a great way to make your current bosses nervous and you may get a better contract out of it.
It seems real easy for a coach to say something like this – “I am not interested at all in (fill in the blank) coaching job. And, if they contact me I will tell them the same thing. I will not interview or pursue that job and I will be coaching at my current position next season. And you can take that to the bank.” In other words, I would use stronger language to get my point across that I will not be interviewing for another job at the current time.
I still never blame any employee for keeping their options open. Its smart.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Will Perdue
though he may be no expert on such things, said on Nashville radio last Friday that in his conversations with the Bulls’ front office, they have no interest in Cal. He claimed all the noise was coming from Cal’s end. (Sorry if this is repeated, fortunately my biggest casualty in the storm was my ‘triple play’ from Comcast which just apparently healed itself) The persistence is annoying, if LeBron goes blah blah….I guess the only way we’ll know is when the Cavs leave the playoffs and the carousel fires up at the Coaching Circus.
Last thing I
read about Lebron and the Cavs was when he accepted his MVP award. He told the fans in Akron he was going to stay a Cav. He owns the whole state now. What does he need in another state? There is only so much money to be spent. He can buy the team now!
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
thanks for the comment...
glad to see it coming from a source with closer ties to chicago. i said the same based on watching Cal operate in memphis – but because it was just my opinion was criticized a bit by a newcomer. and to be clear, i was not being critical – in fact, i believe it makes sense from Cal’s perspective. in may be counter intuitive, but i believe getting his name associated with nba jobs actually improves his ability to recruit…
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
by memphis wildcat on May 11, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Off topic but I gotta ask....
I just read your profile and it sounds like you’ve been around UK basketball for a year or two. My dad played with Elgin Baylor on the Seattle U team that lost to Kentucky in the 1958 title game. I rememeber dad saying that SU was leading into the second half before going into a stall, at which time UK turned it up and won going away. When they held the Final Four in Seattle a few years back there was a picture in the program of Adolph Rupp and my dad standing next to eachother after the game. In your profile you reference other games in the late 50’s. Any recollection of the ‘58 Finals? If you’re so inclined, I can give you my personal email if you prefer not to clutter Tru’s blog. Thanks, John.
P.S. Thus, my interest in UK basketball.
Link To Boxscore And Game Article
http://bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19580322Seattle.html Seattle led until Elgin Baylor got into foul trouble in 2nd half.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 12, 2010 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Saw The Game
I was a junior at UK at the time and made the drive to Louisville with fraternity brothers and some coeds. Tickets were easy to come buy and must have been inexpensive because I never had much money. Don’t recall being worried during game — but who worries as a 20-year old — Seattle led, I believe by double digits in first half but switched to a zone primarily to protect Baylor and allowed Cats to catch up. Game was close at half but UK dominated boards and pulled away in second half. Johnnie Cox was hot I remember. Also I think UK won without having to leave the Commonwealth. Great ceremonies in Memorial and a good talk by Ed Beck, or maybe that was later. A better game was semifinals where UK beat Temple by one
"There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison
And this is one reason UK fans are so great,
great memories of watching the games, even if it were a couple of years ago. Sounds like it was fun WW.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Thanks WW
I was 1 year out of high school. There was no tv or at least here in Western Kentucky. I can’t remember the details but I do remember being behind. I’m glad you have such recall for RhinoDawg. Like you said about that day and time, we had a lot on our minds:-) Most of it wasn’t pertaining to basketball!
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
WW
Way back when 1959 North Marshall Jets won the state tournament. Pat Doyle a young man from that team caught Mr. Rupps eye. He went to Uk in 60. Us locals used to get tickets from him and drive up to Lexington. One trip he got a better offer for the tickets before we got there and rounded up student passes for us. Anyway to make a short story short. After the game we all went to Hagan Hall for a snack before curfew. After lights out we all met up at a “spot” just for UK ball players. It was in the rear of a bar or restaurant. We had a blast. Meet all the players and thought we were something. I’m guessing that you know about this place.
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
Sounds like the same idea as the "Hip Joint" 10-15 yrs ago.
Micheal Bradley and Jamal Magloire frequented this establishment (which had a back door leading into a picnic area), as well as many other UK players. The place was a hangout for the fake punkers and hippies that seemed to be very prevalent in those days.
"all the way"
Thanks ro
I know I’m talking 50 years ago. The place probably doesn’t even exist now. Not many places survive that long. The reason I asked WW was he was there then. The best part was meeting Cotton Nash,Scotty Baesler,Allen feldhaus and others. I used Allen feldhaus student pass to get in. Like I all ways say “those were the days”
Happy Days are here again The sky is all ways BLUE again Happy days are here again !
Link
http://bigbluehistory.net/bb/statistics/Games/19580322Seattle.html UK’s most unlikely title?
by FortyYearCatFan on May 12, 2010 6:57 AM EDT up reply actions
It means what every UK knows deep down
which is that he will eventually leave when the right NBA offer comes and they will come every year
Maybe.
Maybe not. Nobody knows, it’s all just speculation.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
by Glenn Logan on May 12, 2010 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Here is some comments from three different sportswriters
which believe exactly the way most of us do, and that Coach Cal is not going anywhere until he gets that ring at least
Anything else just would not make a lot of sense……to me anyway.
I AM THE CAT......The Cat In The Hat!!!
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