By LARRY VAUGHT
Has Kentucky coach John Calipari changed the way he treats players this year?
Calipari apologized on his Twitter and Facebook pages today for a cursing freshman Terrence Jones during UK’s loss at Alabama Tuesday night. The tirade was caught on camera and it was not hard to tell what Calipari was saying to Jones, who led UK’s comeback from a 20-point deficit before the Cats lost by two points.
Earlier today a vaughtsviews.com reader  Chris â€â€posted this message:
“Win or lose, I hate to see the coach treat the players like he has been. He likes to say it’s not life or death but he’s been acting as if it is. These young guys are going to lose some games. I’m not saying they need to be coddled but nobody deserves to be verbally abused like Calipari has been doing to this team. It’s like he’s channeling Bob Knight or something.
“Cal’s reputation as a players’ coach will be greatly diminished if he keeps acting like a maniac and embarrassing his players on national TV. I hate to see UK lose as much as anyone but he needs to handle himself better with the players. They are just 18-20 year old kids. I would think he could teach them basketball without being so insulting and abusive. If they were his children, he’d be getting a visit from social services.â€Â
What do you think? Has Calipari become too abusive? Is he pushing his players too hard?
Or is too much being made of this because the Cats have lost more often this year? Are some folks just looking for a reason to criticize Calipari?
Let me know what you think.
46 Responses to Is Calipari being too abusive with players?
Leave a Reply
Blue Zoom Radio Show
Polls
Loading ...Choose Your Favorite!
I believe that part of the job any coach has at UK is one of projecting the image to the public that shows the program in the best light. In my opinion, it is possible to make a point with a player without the public profanity, and that is what I would prefer.
I understand that this conduct has been commonplace on college sidelines and has been for as long as I can remember. Rupp’s tongue could be scathing, and the list of examples is a long one. However, my hope is that Calipari will keep those extreme tongue lashings in private within his team, and not on public display.
I think the choice of words could have been better chosen. There is nothing I hate more is that certain word and any form of it. It is uncalled for, useless and disrespectful. I understand that certain cultures the word is just like any other word in their daily language but that is not how you get a point across. Thankfully I did not see it, it must have been one of the times I was pacing. After reading several articles today it brought back to my mind the verbal abuse that one certain coach used preceding Cal. Cal is only human, he was upset, he was made, he was besides himself, however, that did not dignify using that word. I think some people will lose some respect for him after this if it happens again. We don’t know what goes on in practice, we don’t know what goes on in the locker room at half time and maybe that is a good thing. I have been thinking for awhile that Terrence has not been the player Cal wants him to be because he ‘degrades’ his performance at times. The boy can shoot, why would you not want him to shoot if he is open. I think he has lost some confidence. Sure he needs to pass more, sure he needs to get more rebounds, but let him shoot too. We need his 20+ games. Go Cats!
I am a UK Grad concerned about Cal’s sideline behavior. His facial features, demeanor, and language is a concern. I believe he is a great coach and I would not presume to tell him how to coach. However, I have noticed a trend this year where he is a lot more animated on the bench. Maybe he has to coach this bunch this way. Most of our games are on TV and many carried nationally. He has to be aware of the cameras and the perception.
Last night, Eloy Vargas deserved to be pulled from the game. However, Cal met him on the court yelling; Your out!, Get out! Now! He cursed Terrence Jones on TV. It was mentioned yesterday that Trevor Lacy was in attendence. I wonder what he thought.
The stakes are always high at UK. Cal was never Cool-Hand-Luke on the sideline last year. However, this year he appears that he is under an immense amount of pressure and is not enjoying the job like last year. Maybe it’s the Kanter situation, Deandre Daniels recruitment, or maybe he is having a tough time getting through to his players. Even so, I would like to see him have more fun on the sideline and if that is not possible maybe more restraint. At least nothing he has to apologize for the next day.
My dad was a Drill Sgt. for a large part of my early years. But he figured out that that approach didn’t always work at home or will all 8 of us. He had to adjust his technique for each of us.
My only issue with the tiraid is the look Jones had on his face as he walked back up court. It seemed a combination of disbelief and misunderstanding.
I too would like to not see that type of display on the side lines. He can do other things to let them know his displeasure or what is expected. We as UK fans have seen “The Glare” “The Foot Stomp” “The Coat Throw” “The Scorers Table Fist Slam” and bunches I can’t remember.
Coach knows the guys better than I do so I will expect that he knows which player can handle that type of tounge lashing. An excoach use to say”when I am mad at Derek Miller I scream at John Pelphrey because the screaming would make Miller shut down.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
I think people are just being more critical because of the losses. We all know that sometimes you have to go to extremes to get through to a young person when other avenues are unsuccessful. It was classy of him to apologize, but none of us know the situation as well as they do. Let’s not judge.
I don’t know, has he locked anyone in a bathroom stall or kicked them off of a team bus, like the previous knucklehead?
Love Coach Cal and want him to stay around a lifetime, but I personally don’t want to be around that type of behavior and would no want my child. It is bad for recruiting and it’s demeaning as an individual to be treated that way,,, especially by someone you think cares about you. These guys are playing their hearts out and trying to learn. Please don’t tear them down.
I attended the game in Tuscaloosa last night, and I have to say, I can’t blame him for losing his temper. The game was ugly, the Alabama fans were ugly, and I had half a mind to use some expletives myself.
It’s a shame that it was caught on television, but Calipari has already done his part and apologized. I think it’s a one off, and I certainly don’t think it’s a trend that will continue.
A little bit of “situational awareness” would probably have been to Cal’s benefit last night. But what is done is done. If any of you weren’t cussing (Or doing whatever you do instead of cussing), then you weren’t watching the same game I was. Cal lost his composure, but sometimes circumstances just get the better of you and you forget who you are and how you should act. I won’t be holding this episode against him. If anybody chooses to, that is their right.
This team has been beyond frustrating to watch (And probably more-so to coach) and I completely understand the explosion from Cal. Could and should it have been handled differently? Probably. But I still don’t blame him.
I, for one, am glad he at least has the passion that most of the fanbase has. As frustrating as it was to watch on TV as a fan, I can only imagine how upsetting it was to watch in person, on the sideline, as the coach. For as much time and effort as he invests, I’m sure he expects more than a ho-hum effort for a full 40 minutes. That being said, I’m proud that they fought back and made it a game…these are all growing pains.
It would be easy to cast stones not being in Cal’s shoes. In this case I will reserve judgement until we see how this episode impacts future behavior…his and the team’s. I think anyone who has played competitively can relate to the frustration he is going through and hopefully he will step back, take a deep breath and gain some different perspective on the whole situation. I will say though that coaching is about teaching and I can’t remember learning much from anyone who cursed at me to get their point across. In the words of Guy Morriss ” Don’t curse me and tell me that I am stupid and did it wrong, show me how to do it right”.
I THINK THAT COACH CAL MORE THAN THE REST OF US KNOWS BY NOW WHICH APPROACH WORKS BEST WITH THESE GUYS. HE IS WITH THEM ON A DAILY BASIS AND I’M SURE THEY WERE NOT FOLLOWING HIS INSTRUCTIONS. I SAW A LOT OF DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWNS LAST NIGHT AND I WAS USING SOME NOT-SO-NICE LANGUAGE AT MY TV. BOTOOM LINE, OUR UNIVERSITY IS PAYING HIM TO DO A JOB, AND AS THE ONLY GUY TO HAVE 5 CONSECUTIVE 30 WIN SEASONS, WE AS BBN NEED TO TRUST HIS METHODS. I SAW THE TEAM RESOND IN A POSITIVE WAY AFTER THIS INCIDENT AND THEY ALMOST STOLE A WIN IN AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION.
I SUPPORT COACH CAL 100% AND REFUSE TO SECOND-GUESS HIM OR HIS METHODS.
Jim I agree.
What I saw was a coach with a passion to win. Don’t know if I ever saw a coach work harder than coach Cal did last night. Terrance Jones will be the best player in college basketball when he accepts the coaching he is receiving from coach Cal. To come from twenty points down in a hostile enviroment and have a chance to win in the last minute, it doesn’t get any better. What other coach could lose five first round players and two other valuable subs and still be in the top twenty-five? Cal’s players love him and that’s the bottom line.
I was embarrased for Coach Cal and for Jones to have that be on national TV. I don’t think the harsh words are going to do anything to make Jones a better player, just make him afraid of Coach Cal. Don’t get me wrong, I admire and respect our great coach, but he got too caught up in the moment. He seems to be constantly experimenting with different approaches. I’d think by now, that he would have a method that works with all types of players and their personalities. Just be yourself Cal and let the players develop. They are so young and not quite the talents we had last year. We will be OK this year and I want it to continue being fun for all of us.
I was at the game as well last night. I kinda wanted to curl into a ball and cry, but nevertheless – I do think it is always inappropriate to curse at a student/athlete. I don’t have a problem with them cursing around the players because they have heard it before. I work with regulations all the time and certainly don’t mind someone saying “these regulations are a load of crap.” However, I don’t think it is appropriate under any circumstances for someone to say to me, “Sarah, you are a piece of crap.” But, for the record, here in TN they stayed on him all the time for cursing so badly in Memphis – so he didn’t learn the behavior in Kentucky. Ironically, some are upset with Coach Pastner in Memphis because he doesn’t curse at all.
Ran out of room – BUT, he apologized on Twitter for the fans and his image, not for Terrance. I hope he apologized to Terence first before he started repairing his image. For the record, the Ole Miss basketball coach curses beyond belief! Coach Cal isn’t in the ballpark with him on this issue.
who gives a ??? if he cursed or not!! let it be!! we got another game on saturday. i guess watching this group struggle this much makes everybody want to curse a word!!
I have always liked Coach Cal, but it have become increasingly concerned about his demeanor and the way he handles himself and the players this year. He never seems happy, and anything they do never seems good enough. It seems as if he takes opportunities to belittle players on TV or in public. Even though he might not name names, everyone knows who his comments are directed towards. Just tonight on the news there were clips from his postgame where he said he obviously went to the wrong player(s) at the end of the Alabama game….he was commenting about Brandon Knight’s charge. Brandon Knight was probably the best player to go to, but the play didn’t go as planned – that will continue to happen. These guys are 19 and 20 years old, doing the best they can with tons of pressure to perform on the court and in the classroom.
When the cameras rests on other coaches during the game, you will catch them clapping and saying “that’s all right” trying to encourage their players after a bad call or a play that didn’t go as planned. Cal is lately always screaming or making faces or looking disgusted. Yes, we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors, but what goes on in front of the world is important, too. It is a reflection on not just our basketball program but also our state. I will take a reputation of class and respect over wins any day.
I am sure there are frustrations that go with this job – trying to make others do what you want them to do under intense scrutiny and expectations. These guys are young and inexperienced…they are human. Cal seemed happy to send the fabulous five off to the pros last year, but maybe now he sees that the rebuilding hasn’t been easy or fun. He can mostly blame himself for that.
You do not build people up by tearing them down. I cringe when I see him blasting a player (and last night’s rant at Jones is far from the first). He is a father figure to lots of these young players (not to mention the thousands of young fans across the state). We would frown on this kind of behavior and treatment and influence from anyone else.
We all agree that Coach Cal was a bit raw last night and out-coached, too. There is a certain line that one does not cross and Billy Gillispie used to trip over that line repeatedly. He was the worst and let us not even put Coach Cal in the same sentence as BG. Coach Cal did lose his cool not once, but several times during the course of the game. Coach Cal is a good recruiter, probably the best, but when the heat is on and he has to actually coach or be out-coached. He will often lose his cool and as a result, the players catch the brunt of his anger. What was heard on TV was very unfortunate and inapropriate and there is no place for that kind of verbal assault in any form ,in any place. There are ways in conveying one’s irritation with a play gone wrong or someone out of position for the hundredth time. Coach Cal did apologize and the person who recieved the verbal battery also stated that he and Coach Cal were still good. We will see this happen from time to time with Cal because everyone loses their cool from time to time and because we are human, we all make mistakes that we wish we could take back. I know Coach Cal probably feels this way today….
and yes Big Bear….the “you’re out, out, out, out” being yelled at Vargas was not the first time that has happened to him in the last couple of weeks. It was like an ‘in your face’ taunt. Imagine how that felt. They will get better with more experience, confidence, support, and playing time – and Cal has to be the one to make sure it happens for them. And Pacman’s Guy Morris quote was right on.
No “Martyman” we do not all agree that coach Cal was out-coached last night. You must have never played a sport in your life. Coach Cal called a perfect play the last play in the game. Knight broke down the right side and and Lamb the left. Lamb was wide open for a three to win the game and Jones refused to pass and thru-up a half court shot. Go back and replay. Ever watch Coach K? Ever watch Izzo? Ever watch Donavan? Did you watch the Alabama coach last night when Ky was making the comeback? NO all you saw was what the camera wanted you to see. Grow-up and get a set.
Had some personal things going on last night and did not see the game, and I do hate that incident happened with Coach Cal and Jones, but I like many others have watched basketball games for years and have seen coaches from all schools act the same way sometimes worse, I’ve seen coaches grab players by their jersey and jerk them around and I’ve heard coaches say all kinds of curse words and call players all kinds of obsene things. I’ve also seen players of all schools say things like Cal said last night may not hear them but you can tell what they are saying,and sometimes you can hear them while the game is going on.
There is so much pressure put on coaches and teams to win that it is overwhelming at times, sometimes the pressure wins out over common sense. I’m sure Cal would love to have that moment back and I’m sure it has caused him enough problems that he will try to be more aware of what he says and when. He not only has to read what every sports writer in the country has to say, and hear it on the radio and tv but he also had to go home and face his family and I bet that botherd him more.
I think that what we are seeing out of Cal this year is because he knows just how good these players can be and they just don’t seem to be getting it. Cal loves these kids and he wants them to be the best they can be, but it might just take more than one year for them to do it.
Rupp would have not lasted A year in todays enviroment,take,m to wood shead Cal.He that is with out sin let him cast the first stone.Hell fire I had said A few things last night I need to ask to be forgiven for,I was,nt on TV.
What great comments here on each side of the issue. Lot of terrific points and emotion. Count me as a Cal backer. I think it was just Cal being Cal and his players know that. I’m impressed he apologized and know he’s sorry it got blown up so much. But the man won’t change. He coaches to win  and sometimes that passion might get a bit carried away but in the long run I think players like it. I remember when players playing for Joe Hall thought he was too tough. Then they all came back to his reunion a few weeks and loved on him like he was their father. Same way these guys will be with Cal one day.
Well, paint me somewhere in the middle. I like Coach Cal and i think he will get it all worked out. I personally think Cal is frustrated at this group of players lack of grasping his coaching, not bad kids, just not picking things up fast enough. Sure is frustrating but great kids and we all know they are trying. Kanter would have made a huge difference to this team.
This is just something else that is going to be used against Cal by the haters. His choice of words were unfortunate. It was wrong to use it on national TV, but I am sure those kids have heard it before and am almost positive they have used it. Cal was mad, really mad and that got the best of him. I don’t like that he used that in front of the nation but it’s over and done. Thank God his choice of words were not worse.
Hey guess what. UK coach is human just like us and is very frustrated with this team. From the wonderful seats we had on the front row the other day agains LSU I got to see and hear Brandon Knight getting all over Jones. Jones doesn’t seem like a kid with an attitude problem but a kid that lacks basketball maturity. I think they can get all over him and he still doesn’t get it. Going into the game last night he did not have 1 assist in SEC play. Thats ridiculous. When he gets it though look out. Coach K does this all the time but ESPN protects him. I wish some of you that sit behind the vistor bench would comment on the language you here.
This is a mountain being made out of nothing in my opinion. In fact it wouldn’t be a topic at all had Cal not stepped up and apologized!
Time to move on.
I def don’t have a problem with Cal cussing out Jones. This happens all the time. Anyone forget how tubby used to drop the f bomb at his players when a play didnt go right? Anyone remmember Tubbys press conference where he singled out his players for wanting to play in the NBA saying they didnt have their game yet?
Or what about college football coaches? They get in every kids face all the time. In the NBA, you don’t think he wont hear this from the coach and his teammates? The language used was less than desirable but this is how the world of college sports works. The only reason its an issue is because there is a mike and a ton of cameras. Jones assists have gone partly due to forcing bad shots and not passing the ball.
As for Vargas, please please improve your game or don’t waste a scholarship. This a problem UK is going to face all season long with teams that have half way decent bigs. UNC, UCONN, Georgia, Alabama, they all did us in. Cal is frustrated because he thought these guys would have gotten better, instead they have regressed. A big man in the paint also has to give you some points. Against LSU josh only had 2 points, against AL 3 points. This will not cut it on the road. I predict this team will lose most of its road games if they get rattled this bad.
I can understand why Cal is so upset with Jones and Vargas. In Jones he has a guy who can be the best player in college this year if he would only listen to the coaching he is getting. His size and what he can do in the paint will help him at the next level more than trying to be a point guard and shoot threes. As for Vargas, I think he is afraid of contact. Cal needs to play Hood more, he can’t do any worse than Vargas.
Katbluefan, I don’t think anyone can be worse than Vargas. I will gladly take Hood at this point as well. How vargas averaged 25 and 14 at Miami Dade is a mystery to this point. I would also like to know who coached him at Miami Dade. Clearly, that individual needs a new set of eyes.
If this were not KY and Coach Cal would anyone be talking about this incident? Most everyone knows the language around sports gets ‘salty’. Let Coach do his job. We can find something better to debate.
Great point SuzieCat. Think you nailed that.
And have to agree about Vargas. It’s time for him to man up and play or just stay seated
I’ve read every post and have enjoyed the each and every opinion. The words Cal used the other night for TJ were not well chosen. Still Terrance needs to understand this team needs an inside presence to become a winning team. Our coach knows this and is just getting frustrated with the results. I do believe he felt his team was getting the shaft from the men in the striped shirts also. Illegal screens, charges, pushing and shoving were called on one end then overlooked at the other. The officiating in this conference is terrible.
In the Vandy-Tennessee game. Taylor for Vandy is bumped and knocked down in the final seconds. He slides across the floor losing his dribble and nothing is called. Anyone with knowledge of the rules knows the call is walking or a foul everyone except the refs.
Then in the Georgia-Tennessee game. Williams for Tenn. camps out in the lane for a count of 5 sec. while awaiting a last second shot. He goes over a Georgia players back and throws in the winning shot. Again nothing is called. They don’t have Bruce but who needs him with the officials are on your side. Larry are league officials open to questions or are they in line with the ncaa. Untouchalbes.
Don V.
This isn’t a forum for you to launch a personal attack upon others. You are the one that is need of some growing up. Yes, I played sports as a kid and teenager. Yes, there was always the use of expletives, too. These coaches are supposed to be well educated people with extensive vocabs, and unlike yourself should be able to conduct themselves accordingly while in the heat of the battle. IF he loses his cool against Bama, what in the world is he going to do in a very tight and tough tourney game? Of course, you have all of the answers…..
Was Cal’s choice of language appropriate? No. Was he frustrated by his team’s play and his team repeating the same mistakes over and over. I know I was. Have we all said things in the heat of the moment that we wished we hadn’t? You bet. But, as I recall, one of the first things Cal said at Kentucky was that he will sometimes get angry and say stuff to players in the heat of the moment, but would apologize when he calmed down. By all accounts, Cal apologized to Terrence and the team. I have no reason to believe that the apology was not heartfelt. It was an unfortunate incident caught on national TV, but it’s time to move on and not make more out of it than it was.
I am with Karen 100%
Gary, SEC officials are basically off limits and seldom will anyone comment on calls like the ones you mentioned. And what about some of the home calls South Carolina got against Arkansas last night. Felt sorry for John Pelphrey
I just wish that everyone would just take a chill pill and leave the coaching to the staff and shut up. I also wish people would quit trying to be so politically correct and just root for the WILDCATS. They have a lot of growing up to do, and time will tell if these guys are man enough to step up and do what Coach Cal and his staff expects of them.
I watched Cal up close at Memphis for 9 years. His language was the same here. I always wondered how long it would take to become an “issue”. I guess the honeymoon is over.
I am glad Cal is at UK (I grew up in Lexington so am a UK fan). The cussing and pushing the line on recruiting 5 star players (I did not say crossing) are part of the package. So are winning and getting to watch exciting basketball palyed by top tier talent. Enjoy the journey so you can appreciate the destination. That means taking the good with the bad. Cal will get it done at UK but it will be his way.
I posted this on another thread. Cal is mild compared to another coach that use to be at IU. Google Bobby Knight angry motivational speech. I was going to post it but the language is a lot worse then what Cal used. Very adult language. It was released after he left IU and was recorded in the locker room by a student, not sure if it was a b-ball player or a student manager. GO CATS!
Cal will weather the storm, T.J. will be fine and so will everyone else in blue if the Cats can just beat South Carolina
I do regret the situation happened and feel language like that is always inappropriate. I understand that in a heated moment it can happen. What i do know and have seen from coach Cal over the past year and 1/2 is he cares for his players and they know that. They kow he is not attacking them personally, he is just venting his frustrations
I guess some of you whine bags would rather go back to the days of Tubby’s stupid stare, Gillispie’s dumb grin. I like a coach who wants to win as badly and I hope as badly as all the rest of you do. Stop complaining it could be worse remember.
In all honesty, the “F-word” is one of the most malleable words in the English language. That, along with its increasingly common colloquial use – VPs Joe Biden and Dick Cheney in recent years to name but a couple of many – makes it difficult to publicly indict. Cal’s verbal outburst notwithstanding, he loves those kids and that has to count for much, much more than what some may deem an inappropriate comment. Oh well, two tears in a bucket . . .
I wasn’t home and didn’t get the chance to watch the Arkansas game Larry. If SC was at home I’m sure John’s team didn’t have a chance.
I thought that was the rule for officials and the media. These men determine the outcome of a game as much as the players yet cannot be questioned. How about the head of officials are they above questioning? Someone sure needs to be held accountable. If a coach questions a call to the media he is hit with a heavy fine. So how do we fight city hall.
I say hire Dale Brown to lobby for college sports fans around the nation. He has no love for the ncaa and would be a good speaker for the cause. We could put a tip jar in stores around the nation to pay him. In this state alone he would make a killing.