Kentucky Basketball: Calipari Wants to Stay at Kentucky
by Glenn Logan on May 5, 2010 3:32 PM EDT
in Kentucky Wildcats Basketball
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PrintI step away from the computer for 24 hours and the Kentucky section of Al Gore's Folly melts down over rumors of Calipari accepting a coaching job with the Chicago Bulls in the NBA.
Folks, I warned some time ago that these rumors were going to plague us throughout Coach Cal's tenure here in Kentucky, just as they did when Rick Pitino was here. In Pitino's case, they finally came true (to his ultimate regret), but I am of the considered opinion that Calipari is different.
Why do I say that? Here's a very recent article from Matt May of The Cats Pause, in which Calipari explains thus:
"Mitch [Barnhart] approached me about 10 days ago and said, 'I want to extend your contract. I want you to be here until you retire.' I looked at him and said I'd like that but I don't want to compensation to change [sic], I'm doing fine, but if there is anything you want to do to make this a better program for our players, our staff, I'm all for it. Let's figure it out and make it happen." [emphasis mine]
When was the last time a coach was interested in a contract extension without an increase in compensation? It may have happened, but if so, I have never heard of it.
To me, this speaks volumes about what this job means to Coach Cal. It means he has arrived, and he isn't even remotely interested in proving he could do what his rival 60 miles west could not.
So relax, and live a little. Calipari isn't going anywhere, in my opinion. Not for any amount of money. All of us in the Big Blue Nation profess to believe that the Kentucky job is the absolute pinnacle of the college basketball profession. Why don't we start acting like we really mean it when we say it?
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Calipari
will be roaming the sidelines at Rupp Arena for years to come. Cal will be dazzling mothers and fathers in their homes and facilitating top recruits into top 5 picks on behalf of the BBN for the foreseeable future.
On the other hand, one would have to listen if an NBA team had a great group of young superstars and were able to lure the King himself to their team. Couple the possibility of competing for an NBA title with what would have to be a huge pay increase, it would be enticing. Can’t blame him if he were to at least listen. But I think it will take an awful lot to lure Cal away at this point. After all, NBA coaches are hired to be fired. Not so much at the college level.
I am not going to stress this one bit. Cats reign in 2011!
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
My thought
Wonder if those words or somewhat similar ones were ever said about Rick Pitino?
I have be correctly accused of having a 'football fetish'. You know, someone who doesn't think football is the warm up sport to basketball season.
Actually UK Improved (Slightly) When Pitino Left
UK was 63-13 (average 31.5 W) and 9-1 (90%) in NCAA the 2 years AFTER Pitino left Kentucky.
Pitino was 183-30 (average 30.5 W) and 22-5 (81%) in NCAA games in the 6 years he coached UK after probation ended.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 5, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep, The New Coach Did Better With Pitino's Players Than Pitino Did
Kind of ironic but Pitino’s better, more talented recruits (Mashburn, Walker, Delk, Mercer) were long gone.
So the new coach did better with Pitino’s LEFTOVERS than Pitino did with his BETTER recruits.
Hmm.
by FortyYearCatFan on May 6, 2010 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I always felt that Pitino would leave someday
because he never did anything to indicate that he wouldn’t. By the end, I was so sick of the annual “will he stay or will he go” routine that I was ready for him to go. For the kind of money the Celtics threw at him, I would have gone too. Maybe Cal will do the same, but I think he may be less inclined to do so because of, if for not other reason, his age. If memory serves me correctly (and it seldom does at my age) Calipari is four or five years older than Pitino when he left. I know his name will come up early and often in the future and I’d rather have the coach that everybody wants rather than the one that nobody wants. In the future, I hope he’ll put the kibosh on the rumors early on. That will be better for my blood pressure.
I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
+1
If an NBA team offers the kind of package RP got, you’d have to be certifiable to turn it down. But, I think it would be a huge mistake for Cal to leave, same as it was for RP. Same as we can’t blame the kids for turning down school for that big, fat paycheck.
by bigbill992001 on May 5, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
After stories of bad grades and improper (but not illegal) contact with a recruit...
… and season long accusations about Cal coaching “thugs” – I am glad that we do not have to defend Cal and our players over allegations that one of his players is accused of rape.
[For those that don’t yet know, Pilgrim has been accused of (but not yet charged with) rape. I know a lot of fans still lament that we let Pilgrim get away. NOTE: I am not assuming he is guilty. I’m just glad we don’t have this PR issue also right now.]
Yeah.
That’s unquestionably a good thing not to have to deal with a problem like that.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
I believe
This is another slow news day so a lot of people know a guaranteed fish that will bite on a lure: Kentucky Fans. Our passion, which makes us great, is also our weakness. We’re like that large mouth bass defending its nest, even a crappie lure going by will draw a strike (pun intended).
Just means we’re relevant.
Love it.
by BluebloodinNaptown on May 5, 2010 5:16 PM EDT reply actions
maybe coach Cal
should call RP and ask him if he should leave or stay, wonder what ole Rick would tell him ??…lol
After listening to Cal's Lexy
I was mildly surprised that he didn’t want anymore money. Almost anyone in his position would have had dollar signs in their eyes and gravitated toward more money.
Congrats Cal. You have shown me that the even with your slick exterior that is still a decent human being residing beneath.
Good point..
but anybody in his position WOULD have asked for more money. So it makes me feel better that he didn’t.
make no mistake....
Cal will get more money from any new contract. it might not be directly in salary, but there will be something that results in higher pay for him….
not saying he deserves or not – just saying do not fool yourselves….
only one rule in my house - uk has to be your favorite college bball team
Contract Extension
I just waiting to see how many Haters will comment on Cal not wanting more money on a contract ext. Not a whole lot they can say about it.
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