Kentucky Basketball: The Calipari Double-Standard Deepens
by Glenn Logan on Sep 19, 2010 7:51 PM EDT
in Commentary
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PrintSouth Carolina has serious problems with agents interacting with players. Hello, Steve Spurrier, captain of the ship -- where are the calls for his resignation?
A.J. Green sold his jersey to an agent for ... $1,000? Really? Who would think that $1,000 would be too much to pay for a college player's jersey who's never won a national title? Mark Richt? Bueller? Anybody?
Bruce Pearl commits an outright NCAA violation -- unethical conduct, the very worst violation available, the one that could draw the show-cause penalty -- but Tennessee wants him to be coach for life.
Connecticut gets sanctioned for NCAA violations in basketball. Jim Calhoun gets an extension and his assistants get the boot.
No, I'm not calling for these coach's heads. That, in itself, sets me apart from a hefty percentage of the sports media, who have and continue to call for John Calipari's head, who say he's bad for the game. Even though Calipari has the outright leg up on Pearl and Calhoun and has done no worse than Spurrier or Richt in the sense that players under their charge have allegedly or actually violated the rules of amateurism, that won't stop many fans and sportswriters from waxing all indignant.
I have long argued that there was a double standard playing out against Calipari, and all one has to do is to look at the news anytime over the last month to see how right I am. The fact of the matter is, many coaches have had players violate NCAA rules and never had anyone say a discouraging word. Some have directly violated NCAA rules themselves and nobody ever says boo (I'm looking at you, Roy Williams). Williams presided over the Jayhawk program when there were multiple recruiting violations, not just the post-eligibility gifts that Williams specifically knew of and sanctioned, but apparently did not know were wrong.
Yeah, buddy, the captain of the ship is where the buck stops, all right -- unless you are a media darling like Williams or Jim Calhoun. When you have that "Aw, shucks that weren't no daggum violation," or "Don't blame me, it was my assistants!", or even "I'm sooo sorry I lied [sniff, sniff]. I learned from this you should always tell the truth, not just when you wanna", you don't have a thing to worry about, the sportswriters are just lining up to be the first to buy your story.
Calipari, now, he never blamed his assistants, never got blamed by the NCAA, never broke down in faux tears, never acted like he didn't know the rules, never lied to the NCAA, and yet he is somehow worse. Go figure.
I just want to point out the abject hypocrisy of the media types blasting Calipari constantly. It has come to the point that people who don't know the first thing about Calipari's past dislike him just because of all the ridiculous negativity that sportswriters feel comfortable, nay, even justified in offering up about him. Some, like the New York Times' Pete Thamel, have been driven past the edge of reason into an outright crusade against Coach Cal.
Every time a sportswriter wants to wax all indignant about the smarmy part of college sports and be guaranteed a bunch of hits, a polemic against Calipari is surely forthcoming. Whenever a sportswriter needs the archetype of unethical behavior for the purposes of comparison or rebuke to tighten up his sanctimonious screed, Calipari is always #1 on the list.
The more programs that get dragged into the NCAA's crosshairs for a player answering the siren's call of an agent, the more I hearken back to the UMass "scandal," which is factually indistinguishable from many of today's investigations (unless, of course, the NCAA actually finds these coaches culpable). The only one that isn't is the the case against Pearl, which is much, much worse than anything Calipari has ever been credibly accused of by anyone, and Tennessee is happy to keep him around.
This little diatribe is just to set the record straight. If your coach is under investigation for players being paid by agents, your coach, no matter how beloved, is just as guilty as Calipari -- and more guilty if he knew and did not turn them in.
But hey, keep it up. It gives me nothing but pleasure to expose the hypocrisy and cognitive dissonance surrounding Calipari.
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Looks like Cal must have learned from Roy Williams then doesn't it?
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.
Paris of the "Dark Side."
Just woke up again, eh Paris? You must have had a Lulu of a nightmare. You really should take some hay to bed with you so you can feed that hungry beast. LOL
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
One of the things that bothers me is that the "media"
is like a fraternity. They don’t usually go after each other with the same vitriol that they do “outsiders.” I am on the road everyday and listen to alot of national sports radio. It is unbelievable how many times I have heard a “media-type” say something that is factually incorrect or a very important part was left out of their argument and the host never challenges them. They just let it linger and therefore the listener/fan is left with this incorrect opinion.
Not even an hour ago, I went out and was listening to ESPN radio and the 2 hosts were talking about the Jets and the Inez Sainz (spelling) situation and what they said was factually incorrect. And I am not talking about a small fact, it was the entire premise they were blabbing about. These are supposed to be professionals and they cant even get the facts right. Were they ever corrected on the air? Of course not!
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I’m 69 years old, Seven, and could tell you a lot about what the newsmedia agenda is, but it invovles politics. That subject is not allowed and shouldn’t be. Been there, done that and don’t want to go back. You posted a good thread though.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
I know exactly what you mean....
lots of half-truths, selective sound bites etc. etc. when it comes to the subject of politics.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
Above article.
Keep on truckin’, Tru. I’m convinced that these people hate Cal because he’s NOT a cheat. One can only draw that conclusion by reading their rantings. They can’t be THAT stupid. Just can’t be. They gravitate to the bad guys.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Kent Sterling is at it......still
I will not give him a link, but he “says” TNT is producing a drama in which Andy Garcia is playing a character is simply known as “Cal”. Any guess for the title of the show? Wait for it……..“The Vacator”.
His premise for the show:
sending Cal into a different company each week, fostering a win at all costs environment, and then moving on to another position after his employees learn that there is no winning when the means of the victory are within an acceptable moral parameter.This guy is now making up TV shows he is so infatuated with our coach. Yeah, that has to be it. ;-)
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
Dude is just trying to get attention, don't give it to him
His hero is Bobby Knight…..enough said.
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
OK a2, I know you like to be funny and kid around. I’m going to appear naive here, but is this on the level?
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
I read it, classic Kent Sterling hates Cal. That is all.
Blue... there is no other color to Bleed !!!
I'd Guess There Was A Similar Buzz Against / About Coach Rupp In Early 50's
He was reviled in the media but much loved in KY.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 19, 2010 9:18 PM EDT reply actions
The people who
think Calipari is bad for the game are really afraid he is bad for their game.
They will not quit, they will not let up. Obsession is like a cancer, it eats you up. Their only hope is that something will come up that will actually implicate Coach Cal or cause the UK faithful to turn on him. Think about it, all they can come up with is trying to create a scandal over the eligibility issues for Kanter and fixating on the grade in one class that Eric Bledsoe took as a junior.
It is nothing less than wishful thinking on the Calipari hater’s part that he will be brought down by these situations. Unfortunately it is also wishful thinking for us to hope these clowns will go away.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
kywineman
Absolutely correct. Ignoring these base people will not make them go away. They have no scruples, no morals, no compassion for those whose character they assassinate. Also these folks have the backing of employers who are carbon copies.
Lord, I still wish they would disappear back into the woodwork. In some dilapidated old house
of course. Wouldn’t want them in any decent person’s home.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
I agree with your premise about how Cal seems to be getting treated unfairly with respect to the other coaches. However, I have a few questions.
-Do you think the situation with Cal is different because he has been found guilty at 2 other schools? One or two isolated incidents is one thing but with Cal, it seems to be a trend.
- How did you feel about Cal when he was at Memphis? Did you think he was good or bad for the game?
I am not trying to stir anything up or troll here, these are some questions I am looking to discuss. I like Cal as a basketball coach but cannot condone what he does behind the scenes. Like I said before, I think some of these other coaches do seem to be getting a pass from the media, but do we expect any better?
Calipari has never been found guilty of anything.....
but I know what you mean.
As for your other question, I wanted Coach Cal before we hired the guy whose name I will not mention.
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
I'll try to answer that JoshuaR
1) He has not been found guilty at two other schools. Camby took money from an agent on the side and Cal turned him in to the NCAA. Rose’s SAT was called into question near the end of his initial season at Memphis, no one has proven that Rose did or did not take his own SAT. The only person who can answer that is Rose, who did not man up and either A) admit his fault or B) deny the charge…I guess be earning millions in the NBA he decided he was requried to answer to anyone concerning his HS SAT. Because he did not answer the NCAA’s inquiry, they retroactively made him ineligible after the season. Calipari was never accused (by the NCAA) of any wrongdoing in the Rose situation. Cal did not, as the overseer of the basketball program, ensure that Rose’s brother repay the travel costs that he incurred. He repaid some, not all. So to summarize, he has not been “found guilty at 2 other schools”.
2) I can’t answer for all UK fans about how we felt when Cal was named as a potential coach, but I didn’t know anything more than what the general media fed me…which was that Cal was somehow shady and loose with the rules. As part of the vetting process, ASOB looked at the facts and we (as a fanbase) learned the truth behind the “Cal is a shady character” rumors….which is more of a witch hunt based on jealosy / envy.
Thanks for your comment.
This is exactly the kind of mistaken perception we live to correct here at A Sea of Blue.
Calipari has never been “found guilty” of anything. The closest he has ever come to an NCAA violation was in Memphis, when he allowed Rose’s brother to fly with the team. Rose was supposed to reimburse Memphis for that, but on at least one or two occasions, that didn’t happen.
Calipari should have known better than to do that, and Memphis’ compliance department should have never allowed it. I assure you, Sandy Bell at UK never will. Even still, the NCAA did not find that Calipari broke the rules.
You say you can’t “condone what he has done behind the scenes,” but what does he do? Other than the above paragraph, which I believe was the wrong thing for Calipari to have allowed even if the NCAA did not criticize him for it, he has done nothing demonstrably wrong, ever. So what gives you heartburn?
My assumption is, it is the media meme that Calipari is a scofflaw that has you confused. That meme simply isn’t borne out by the facts. You believe something that is a media creation, a fiction, a non-reality.
But you are not alone in your error.
As far as what we expect, how can Kentucky expect better than a coach with a technically flawless compliance record, and no credible claim that he has ever been involved in any sort of unethical conduct? How does it get better than that?
I suppose we could base our coaching decisions on who other teams think we should choose or put it to a national vote, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that’s probably not in our best interests.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
My apologies
I knew that Cal himself was never found guilty, I meant to word that more as the fact that 2 of his schools (and now possibly 3) have had players that comitted violations. To me, that reflects negatively on Cal, whether he knew about the violations or not (which we may never know and can only speculate on).
That is why I think he has a negative perception with the media. Heck, its easy to do for much of the media and they are so lazy, they just continue to recycle the same story over and over.
So you had no concerns about a coach that had seasons vacated at his two prior schools? I understand your point since he was never found in violation, but you were not concerned about the fact that his players commited violations?
Anyway, thanks for answering my questions and providing insight from a Kentucky fan.
I had concerns.
Like cpacat, all I knew about Cal was what I read from fans and some sportswriters, which was that he was a shady character who operated on the margins, if he wasn’t a downright cheat. I thought he would win a lot of games for us and recruit really well, but how long would it be before he had us on probation? That was the last thing we needed. This is what I told my wife. This is what I told my best friend. No, I wanted Self or Izzo or Riley(!) or D’Antonio.
So, yeah, I had very much the same image of the man as those who currently think he’s a sleazeball. Because I didn’t know any better. And why would I put in any work to find out for myself? I was just a casual observer.
Your question could be answered with a question.
Would you have recruited Marcus Camby? He was at the school for 2-3 years before any of his behavior caught anyone’s eye. None of the violations occurred in the first years of his collegiate career.
If you had no prior knowledge of the Derrick Rose situation, what would you do?
My point of this whole thing is that any other coach, knowing what Cal knew about those two kids, would have brought both of them in. And that is the only thing Cal has been found “guilty” of. Marcus Camby was just put into the UMASS HOF for crying out loud. AND admitted everything and how it happened in his acceptance speech. No one could have known until it was too late.
I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 20, 2010 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
No ...
…because sometimes players do bad things. See above mentioned A.J. Green, likely several Gamecocks, Kansas’ Darrell Arthur from their 2008 championship team, Corey Maggette from Duke’s team, the list goes on and on.
Do you suppose Duke fans are concerned because Maggette took money? Do you suppose KU fans are concerned because Arthur had a grade changed?
I hope you feel me here. :-)
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Yeah, I see what you are saying but has Duke (or Kansas, etc) had any other reported violations since Maggette? None that come to my mind, do you have any?
That was my initial point to the authors question of why Cal is treated differently. Sure, these types of things happen across the country but many of them are isolated incidents. For whatever reason (the type of kids Cal recruits regularly, a string of bad luck, etc) these problems have followed Cal everywhere. The media latches onto this as a belief that Cal is behind this all.
Just because they havent' been caught doesn't mean they haven't done anything
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
btcoop71 Just because......
Whoa. No offense intended but hadn’t we better apply the brakes here? We are starting to sound a little like those reporters we dislike so much. You know, “Just because Cal hasn’t been caught doesn’t mean he hasn’t cheated.” Mabye some contemplation would be in order . Just a suggestion.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
The Difference Is (I Think)
Calipari recruits at a higher level (Top 5-10 players) than either Kansas or Duke.
They go after some Top Shelf players but blend them with Top 50-100 players.
Neither Kansas nor Duke seriously recruited Marcus Camby or Derrick Rose.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 20, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Not What I Said
JC recruits MOSTLY Top 5-10 players.
Duke and Kansas might recruit 1 of them but blend Top 50-100 into their classes.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 20, 2010 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait ...
… How many violations has Calipari had at Kentucky?
Look, Kansas is the most punished basketball program in the NCAA, and beating out UK on that point takes some real effort. So given their history and the fact of the Arthur case, not to mention the ticket scandal going on there right now, one would think that they would be concerned.
UK has been unblemished for 20 years in basketball, Calipari was exonerated by the NCAA at UMass and not really blamed for Memphis.
For God’s sake, when Rick Pitino was hired, he had been disassociated from the University of Hawaii for violations of NCAA rules for which he was personally blamed.
Why, exactly, should Wildcat fans be concerned, again?
Have you ever heard the old adage that lightning never strikes twice in the same place? Did you know that is an absolute fiction? Just because Calipari was present at two instances where players behaved unethically, or even three, how does that make him a cautionary tale?
My point here is that Calipari’s proximity to violations does not imply a relationship between the violation and Calipari. In this case, it looks like little more than a coincidence. In both cases, players behaved unethically on their own time, away from Calipari’s supervision.
How many people are calling for Urban Meyer’s ouster because 30 of his players have broken the law (surely worse than NCAA violations) on his watch? How many people called for Pearl’s ouster at Tennessee when Tyler Smith and others went on a Sunday drive around town with illegal firearms?
These things may look different jurisdictionally, but they are identical as a practical matter. Both involve illicit behavior away from the control of coaches, as does A.J. Green and likely South Carolina, as well as North Carolina’s football team.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
Lightning .... For the record ....
“….US Park Ranger Roy C. Sullivan from Virginia holds the record for the person most times struck by lightning – and living to tell the tale. Between 1942 and 1983, Roy has the dubious distinction of being struck by lightning seven times. He was known as the Human Lightning Rod….”
Human Lightning Roy
Might be a better nickname. Ha!
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 20, 2010 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions
That's....kywineman
007’s line from “Goldfinger” (?) when the guy he was fighting with fell in the bathtub and pulled the lamp in after him. 007 said, “Shocking, positively shocking.” LOL
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Wait....Tru
Right in the center of the bullseye. You couldn’t be more correct.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Not unless you call selling a million dollars worth of tickets at scalpers prices through
your athletic dept a violation……..
I Shall Always Be The Cat......In The Hat!!! The Artist Formerly Known As ABC!
by Greg Alan Edwards on Sep 21, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
"One or two isolated incidents is one thing"
It only took one isolated incident for the media to start drilling Calipari at every turn.
Back in 2004 Dick Weiss wrote an article for the Daily News titled “Calipari Doesn’t Deserve Bum Rap.” Take a look it. Marvel how relevant it continues to be. And remember that this was written well before Rose or any of the more recent issues usually cited as circumstantial evidence against Calipari.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2004/11/19/2004-11-19_calipari_doesn_t_deserve_bum.html
The last two paragraphs
of that story make me think that Jerry Tipton was the lead reporter.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
JoshuaR
In the name of St. Peter, where did you come up with that guilty business? Are you starting to believe those hate mongers who can’t even spell truth must less define it?
With all due respect, sir, I request that you post just ONE article that proves Cal was even accused of a violation, much less found guilty.
We’ll be waiting.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Ok. like I said above, I realize (and knew) that Cal himself was never found guilty. I meant to reference the fact that the players at his schools were found guilty. It was an honest mistake that I corrected.
JoshuaR
I understand. I’ve done the same thing my share of times.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Amazing How Many
Have gotten the impression that JC was found guilty at 2 other schools.
Media spins it that way so the great majority swallow it whole.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 19, 2010 10:55 PM EDT reply actions
I have come to the conclusion that
people will believe whatever they want to believe. Facts be damned!
Slower Traffic Keep Right!
kywineman
Well, the ignorant sure will. And that IS a fact. I think mabye this is what you believe too.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
My comment
was meant to be taken tongue in cheek.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
My comment.....kywineman
OK guy. I’m learning. Have to get used to all of you since we are on a blog site.
Thanks for letting know.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
A little uneasy
I am a die hard UK fan. But it does make me a bit uneasy to constantly worry about us getting into trouble. Tru your article is spot on. My point is…it takes some of the fun out of being a fan to worry about Bledsoe or whatever the latest controversy the media bums stir up. KY is a target now more than ever and we always have been but because if you beat us it made your season. That’s a fun reason to have a bullseye on your back. This extra target of journalists just waiting to pounce with the headline, Ha Told You So! Cal and the Cats are Cheats. Well it’s draining and it steal some of the fun out of being back on top for this fan
by 166leslie on Sep 19, 2010 11:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
That is exactly what these lowlifes are
trying to accomplish. Incite discontent among the wildcat fans so that we start joining the chorus calling for Cal’s head. They can’t beat him any other way.
I woke up feeling BLUE this morning. It's gonna be a great day.
kywineman
You are 100% right on here. Absolutely.
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
Thanks for your comment.
Do what I do — don’t worry about it.
We can get the best recruits in the country and have newspapers and perhaps the NCAA sniffing around a lot, or we can go back to taking four-stars and losing 10-12 games per year.
For me, I trust Sandy Bell and Coach Cal. The Bledsoe thing could have easily happened to Duke or others who were recruiting him (theoretically, at least). Worrying about the consequences of things that are out of your control will drive you mad.
Enjoy the ride. Let the chips fall where they may.
A Sea of Blue -- Kentucky Sports for the Discerning Fan
You don't need to worry
If it ain’t there the columnist will go away. If it is there, you should be so thick skinned after all the ‘Embrace The Hate’ blogs on here there is no way it could be distrubing.
I heard that any publicy about the Cats is good for us anyway.
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.
Jason Parker
Proof that Sandy Bell knows what she is doing.
Parker was rejected TWICE by UNC compliance department. All sorts of accusations were made. He was forced into 5th year Prep school (at Fork Union Military) in 1999 then had his scholarship offer withdrawn in 2000 as “non-admissible” by UNC.
When SB looked at his transcript, she discovered that UNC failed to give him proper (extra) credit for “honors” classes he had taken and completed in HS. These included CORE classes that NCAA uses to calculate GPA.
With proper credit for those HS classes, Parker was ruled eligible by UK and confirmed by NCAA. In fact, he WOULD have been eligible to attend UNC in 1999 if proper credit were given then.
Sandy Bell knows her stuff.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 20, 2010 7:04 AM EDT reply actions
Then after a very good freshman year and what looked like a ton of potential, he was gone.
But that wasn’t Sandy’s fault.
Failed 4 Tests
None of them in the classroom.
by FortyYearCatFan on Sep 21, 2010 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
olliecat
Welcome man. “You really get Blue
With our man Tru.”
Happy days are here again,
The skies are Wildcat blue again,
We have the best recruits again,
Happy days are here again!
I've been out of pocket recently and haven't really followed these stories very closely.
It does seem, however, that about the beginning of every month, some hack who’s long on agendas and short on facts will write yet another story about how Calipari is to blame for all that’s wrong with college athletics, problems in the Middle East, global warming, and the state of the economy. It’s only about a week and a half until October, so look forward to the next installment, boys and girls.
I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
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