UK coach John Calipari and Darius Miller exchange hugs at the celebration at Rupp Arena Tuesday. (Clay Jackson photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Even before Kentucky beat Kansas in the national championship game, rumors were already flying that John Calipari could well be coaching the New York Knicks next year.
No way.
That was my reaction and has been. Calipari likes it at Kentucky and could be establishing a run of success few coaches will match and has changed the way everyone has to think about recruiting with his success at UK. His wife likes Lexington and his son, his youngest child, is a high school student. I just can’t see him uprooting Brad to coach a pro team. His son interacts with the UK players often and travels with the team. Just can’t see him doing that with a NBA team.
Plus, Calipari has made it clear time after time he’s not ready to leave. Anyone who saw the emotion at the Adolph Rupp Award ceremony when Calipari cried as he presented the award to Anthony Davis would understand why Cal is a college coach.
But don’t take my word for it. Look at what Calipari posted at coachcal.com today — AND BELIEVE HIM.
Calipari: “Big Blue Nation, breathe. Relax. Calm down. Enjoy the championship.
I just talked to Mike DeCourcy and Andy Katz and they asked me if I was going to jump to the NBA. What?! I We just won the championship a day and a half ago. The only three things I’m trying to decide on is when I’m going to go see a few recruits, how I’m going to get through all these voicemails and when do I get a chance to get some sleep.
But for those of you that need to hear it again, let me repeat what I told Andy and Mike: I’m not going anywhere. I have the best job in the country. Why would I leave after we’ve just won a national title? We’re trying to catch UCLA, folks. I’ve got more money than I’m ever going to need or my family can spend, so I don’t have to make a decision based on finances.
Let me assure you that you will see me at NBA games this summer … to watch our former players. I’m not going to give up my lifestyle based on a few rumors, and I will continue to go to NBA games to see my family, friends and former players. I’m even going to a game tonight.
But relax, Big Blue Nation. Sit back and enjoy this special time. We’ve waited 14 years for this, so let’s not let anyone ruin this for us. No one’s stealing my joy or my players’ joy. Don’t let them steal yours.”
14 Responses to Calipari: Don’t let NBA rumors “steal” your joy because he’s not
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Best news I have heard all day! I am still enjoying #8!
I believe! Never thought he was even thinking about it. Cal is a straight shooter; if he does ever decide to check things out, we’ll hear it – from him!
Cal should stay at UK if for no other reasons but this. In seven years we could pass UCLA in tournament titles, he would be the winnigest college coach of all time. He would posively affect more lives of young men by bringing them through his system at UK than he would ever locked down in a pro club. He has witness what happened to Rick when he left. So why wouldn’t want to lead the BBN and UK say to 12,13,14, or maybe 15 titles be the top college coach and replace Bonny Knight on ESPN.
Certain media types just have to try to generate some stink so people who enjoy stink will pay attention. I also think Cal has the best job in sports. Sure he could make more money coaching pros but money isn’t everything. Cal will be back. I’m sure lots of people think he will go pro but look at the respect he gets at UK. The BBN is nothing to sneeze at. Very few places care as much about their team as we do. That can be very rewarding when you play a big part in making the dreams of many come true. Why didn’t Wooden leave? Well Wooden was probably getting paid more for coaching UCLA than Cal would be for coaching the Knicks. But not every school has a Sam Gilbert paying the bills.
The real bottom line is we love our coaches especially when they win. That much has been shown to be the case already. Cal is on top of the world and he’s answering so many critics it isn’t funny. A person can only spend so much money. There are more important things and the love of millions of BBN fans is a really good thing.
I agree 100 % King…loved Cal’s statement ” were trying to catch UCLA, folks “. King, your a good man and I apologize for our banter and I do enjoy reading your deep insight. How bout them Kentucky Wildcats…wish I could send you a picture of my Ky Wildcat Car…Peace Brother, Larry
Look he knows that he is on the verge of something VERY SPECIAL. College BB runs in cycles and the ncaa’s one and done rule have created Cal’s turn on the top. He is poised to grab his 4th straight #1 recruiting class. Has anyone notice how all of his statements have a refence to playing together, sharing the ball and playing defense.
That guy was recruiting from the podium, the press conference and in his sleep (LOL). I expect him to recruit while on Jimmy Kimmel Thursday night.
He has the best Coaching job in America not matter the sport. Why leave?
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
“We’re trying to catch UCLA, folks.”
Best line in the whole article.
AND he stated on ESPN he wants to coach a team to go unbeaten before he leaves KENTUCKY!!!
Three years ago, shortly after John Calipari arrived here, there was a TV show, I think called “John Calipari, In His Own Words” and he told his story, and how he came to be at Kentucky. He said he believes things happen for a reason, and his reason for being at UK at this time is to restore UK to the top, including passing UCLA’s Championship totals.
Today, he returns to that theme in his statement.
I believe John Calipari. I believe he is a Wildcat at his core. I believe he not only understands where he is, but he fully embraces his opportunity. If he is serious about this, as I believe he is, then he will leave UK as the only coach worthy of direct comparisons to Adolph Rupp with at least 4 Championships, and potentially five.
He had a vision before his phone rang in March 2009. He had a plan ready to put into motion. That is why he hit the ground running when he arrived here on April 2, 2009, and was able to pull a Championship Contending team together from the wreckage he inherited.
Back in 2009, the rumors of Gillispie’s demise began to circulate in my circles in late January, and I distinctly recall John Calipari’s name surfacing, not in the form of a rumor, but in the form of a clear statement of eventuality. A lot happened between the rumors of Billy out John in, but that is the way it all played out in late March and early April 2009.
John Calipari wanted this job. Now it is his, and so long as he retains the fire in his belly and his sanity, I believe he will remain our coach.
Cal shouldn’t even be CONSIDERING the NBA until he puts the following perceptions to rest:
-That he is a great recruiter, but not even a good coach
-That he just “rolls the balls out”
-That he can’t win the “Big One”
-That no one can win a title with one-and-done players
Oh CRAP.
Okay, maybe he will just realize that this is the perfect place for him and stay because of that.
The rumors of Coach Cal leaving KY was most likely started in Looserville or Gainesville. It has to be just killing two coaches that he has won a National title in only three yrs at KY and one of them has been at his present job 10 or 11 yrs and hasn’t won one yet, do ya think the fans are getting a little upset after the Cats have taken FOUR in a row from the Birds ? Now for down south we all know that that one has been on hard times until this year and John has run over him also. Three yrs ago they tried to hang some tricks on KY but it didn’t work so now they are eating crow. So when you lie it come back to bite you in the A$$ Billy Boy & Ricky P
Cal’s place is with young boys who are willing to work and sacrifice to achieve their dreams. He is a mentor, a father figure to some, a teach of life, a roll model and a coach. He is not meant to coach multimillionaire poncho’s who won’t listen to him. As he said, he has more money then he or his family needs and he is happy. I don’t think he would be happy in the NBA, it’s not his personality to coach there. He needs to be where he is now. I think he is still in awe of the devotion of the BBN. I think he would not want to leave and have the vile things said and felt about him like one other coach. Cal needs us as much as we need him. Money does not buy happiness, although when you have a job you love and you are happy, money is just the icing on the cake. Sometimes I worry the pressure and stress of the Kentucky job will burn him out. Hopefully not for a long time. Livin’ Blue and Lovin’ It!
I really don’t think he feels much pressure or stress. I think he is in his element and all of the expectations just make him stronger because they mirror his own and motivate him.
He was made for this job and I think/hope he knows it.
I think Cal likes being on the biggest stage in basketball and there is no place better to do that than UK.
Don’t take lightly the statement Larry made about Brad. Cal is a family man, uprooting Brad now is not part of the plan.