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The Kentucky Wildcats have finally landed Orlando Antigua and Ron “Chin” Coleman as they are making the move from Illinois to Lexington to join John Calipari’s staff.
Obviously, we know Antigua who was on Calipari’s staff when he first arrived back in Lexington and was a massive part of the success, we saw in the first half of the Cal era.
Since Antigua left in 2014, the Cats went to one more Final Four the following season with a roster full of guys Antigua helped recruit and develop. Since then, the Cats haven’t been back to the Final Four and continue to miss out of the elite talent in recruiting. Hopefully, the addition of Antigua as well as Colman will change that.
Coleman has been on the Illinois staff since 2017 and mostly worked with the guards as he was crucial to the development of All-American Ayo Dosunmu who was named 2021 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year after averaging 20 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season.
The addition of both Antigua and Coleman is massive for the Kentucky basketball program going forward.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the news:
Kentucky lands Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman #BBN #WeAreUK https://t.co/uspRiu5rKL
— A Sea of Blue (@ASeaOfBlue) May 6, 2021
#LaFamilia ➕ 2⃣#BBN, welcome (back) associate coach @CoachOantigua and assistant coach Ronald "Chin" Coleman.
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 6, 2021
These two are #BuiltDifferent. https://t.co/y1jlNPtj62
Kentucky has officially added Illinois Assistants Orlando Antigua and Ron Coleman to its staff.
— Cats Coverage (@CatsCoverage_) May 6, 2021
Two of the best recruiters in the game. #BBN pic.twitter.com/99q0E199x0
Coach O back https://t.co/rwAUXN7Vv5
— Darius Miller (@DmillerKY) May 6, 2021
Orlando Antigua
— Tres Terrell (@TerrellTres) May 6, 2021
Ron “Chin” Coleman
Jai Lucas
John Robic
John Calipari
The recruiting trail better be worried.
It’s all coming together! https://t.co/6MtlaU4qtY pic.twitter.com/Cre31M0viU
— Done and Won (@UnrealisticFan1) May 6, 2021
Worst kept secret ever. https://t.co/74qUcXOJiD
— Christi Thomas (@ChristiUKsports) May 6, 2021
Most people don't understand the impact bringing Orlando Antigua back, along with Chin Coleman, will have on this program.
— Blocked By Matt Jones (@UKFREAK00) May 6, 2021
John Calipari would like to buy a vowel. pic.twitter.com/rp1iu8J0dm
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) May 6, 2021
Its finally official: Kentucky hires two of the elite assistant coaches in college hoops - Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) May 6, 2021
As I said the other day: John Calipari deserves blame for last year. But this is about as big of a flex as he couldve POSSIBLY pulled this off-season
— Travis Graf (@TravisGraf_) May 6, 2021
Here’s #Illini head coach Brad Underwood’s statement on Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman officially to Kentucky pic.twitter.com/5fSIqcxS1J
— Bret Beherns (@WCIA3Bret) May 6, 2021
Orlando Antigua: "I am excited to be headed back to Lexington. The chance to work at Kentucky again, a program where we built a lot of special memories, is one I am grateful for. I am looking forward to getting my feet on the ground in Lexington and getting this going again."
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) May 6, 2021
Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman helped recruit and develop one of the most talented rosters in all of college basketball as Illinois enjoyed its best season in nearly 20 years.
— Chris Fisher (@ChrisFisher247) May 6, 2021
This is how Calipari been recruiting without Orlando Antigua pic.twitter.com/vDohq1KG8u
— . (@LilJoeBHall) May 6, 2021
Chin Coleman: "Having the opportunity to coach at the University of Kentucky, work for John Calipari and be a member of #BBN is a dream come true. This is a different kind of place, one that coaches and players hope to one day be a part of. I am blessed to live that dream."
— TheCatsPause247 (@TheCatsPause247) May 6, 2021
It’s official, welcome back Orlando Antigua and welcome aboard Chin Coleman. Let’s get back to greatness
— Blue Holler Media (@TheBlueHoller) May 6, 2021
I kinda feel for Illinois. Imagine UK football losing Vince Marrow and Steve Clinkscale in the same offseason.
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) May 6, 2021
Hard to imagine there being an assistant coach recruiting trio better than Orlando Antigua, Chin Coleman, Jai Lucas. Have to give John Calipari props for the moves he made this offseason.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) May 6, 2021
Hope you ready for the next episode pic.twitter.com/Sga8pqj4Rd
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) May 6, 2021
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