John Calipari to KY (merged)

#677
#677
Lexvol said:
I'm having trouble reconciling the hypocrisy of the UK fans these days. On one hand they blame Billy for their poor record last year, but at their first opportunity they seem ready to purge their roster (release players on scholarship) in favor of more talented players Cal will bring immediately.

I'm all for competitive advantage. UK will do what they have to do, but if Billy Clyde had released players like this it would have been considered "unethical" by the Blue Dogooders. What gives?
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its the new Hank Steinbrenner approach...
 
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#679
#679
Lexvol said:
I'm having trouble reconciling the hypocrisy of the UK fans these days. On one hand they blame Billy for their poor record last year, but at their first opportunity they seem ready to purge their roster (release players on scholarship) in favor of more talented players Cal will bring immediately.

I'm all for competitive advantage. UK will do what they have to do, but if Billy Clyde had released players like this it would have been considered "unethical" by the Blue Dogooders. What gives?
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I have a problem with this as well, Lexvol. If Kentucky has an open scholarship and Cal wants to bring John Wall, who is STILL uncomittted, thats fine. However, I have a problem with bringing Henry or Cousins, because they are already committed to the University of Memphis. The University of Memphis spent all of the dollars for plane tickets, hotels, food, and all of the expenses to land these kids, only to see them jump ship with their coach.

Would it be a dream to see all those kids at UK... yeah. But not under those circumstances.

and to touch on the the latter part of your posts, I do not agree whatsoever with releasing players. UNLESS, the player approaches the coach and request a transfer.

Unfortunately ethics flies right out the window for most fans when things like this happen.
 
#680
#680
Here's what he said at the presser. He definitely seems ready to take on the challenge. Said all the right things that Gillispie refused to say in two years.

UK AD Mitch Barnhart
--------------------
Says that Calipari sought us as much as we sought him.
Base salary will be 400K, the remainder comes from media packages and conference shares.
8 years, 31M and some change.
The contract is signed.
Full background check was done, no irregularities found.
Introduced wife and kids

Calipari
--------
Thanks Dr. Todd and Mitch to coach "the Commonwealth's team."
Recognized Bill Keightley- said that he treated him like family.
Talked to Joe Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Tubby- none said they'd trade their time at UK for anything.
Has received a lot of calls from former UK players who are excited about him coaching there.
He said that he'd always wanted to coach for Kentucky.
Saying yes to Kentucky was easy, saying goodbye to Memphis was hard.
Puts a premium on graduation.
Has met with team, told them that they had to be students and model citizens, or they can pack their bags.
Stresses that he is "regular people." Wants to be involved in the community.
Is big on discipline, will hold players accountable on and off the court.

Questions
---------
Crazy Memphis female reporter asks "You said in Memphis on Friday that you wouldn't be leaving Memphis." He admitted to saying it on camera, but he wanted to talk to his players first rather than admitting it to the media first. Says that he is returning to Memphis at noon for a presser to say goodbye.

Alan Cutler asks a question (Cutler is the youtube tv reporter who chased Gillispie)....Cal asks him if he is wearing tennis shoes for running (lots of laughing). Cal says about Pitino: "We don't hate each other." Is thankful for Pitino getting him the job at UMass.

Matt Jones asks what Cal knows about the roster- He knows Jodie and Patterson, but admits that he doesn't know much about them otherwise.

Jerry Tipton from LHL asks how he deals with people questioning him. Says that he's fine with being questioned on coaching decisions. Isn't into computers or chatrooms, doesn't listen to talk radio. If there's a handwritten note without a return address, he won't read it.

Plans to implement part of the Dribble Drive offense.

The key to winning: 1. have good players, 2. have good players, 3. have really good players. He says "I am here because I can recruit the best of the best." This may require some difficulties, but the point is changing the culture.

Larry Vaught asks about his staff and scholarship numbers. He doesn't know. Hopes that the Memphis players stay at Memphis. He says that he can't and won't call any of the recruits that signed at Memphis. He has an idea of who he wants to hire, but can't talk about it. "We will have the best assistants in the country."

Cal got a call, asking if he had interest. He had interest, because it would be a "dream job." Was first called to request a meeting, met with former player Mike Pratt, Dr. Todd, and Barnhart.

Says that he is willing to give players second chances and not throw them under the bus at the first screwup, but is not loose on discipline.

Says that he will watch all of our recruits and tell them if they can or can't play at Kentucky.

Memphis reporter asks about soothing Memphians about "betrayal." Cal responds that "we gave 9 years to the Community," hopes that they will respect the decision.
 
#681
#681
Brian McCat said:
Sorry, man. This IS a good opportunity for you to start rooting for the Cats, tho. :)
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i usually do root for the cats if they are not playing the vols. most of my family is from pikeville kentucky so they are all crazed fans. the only other way i usually don't root for them is if you are ahead of us in the east.
 
#682
#682
So... Calipari didn't show up at the press conference this morning wearing a Memphis tie and say, "Got ya!"

Darnit...
 
#683
#683
Calipari
--------
Thanks Dr. Todd and Mitch to coach "the Commonwealth's team."
Recognized Bill Keightley- said that he treated him like family.
Talked to Joe Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Tubby- none said they'd trade their time at UK for anything.
Has received a lot of calls from former UK players who are excited about him coaching there.
He said that he'd always wanted to coach for Kentucky.
Saying yes to Kentucky was easy, saying goodbye to Memphis was hard.
Puts a premium on graduation.
Has met with team, told them that they had to be students and model citizens, or they can pack their bags.Stresses that he is "regular people." Wants to be involved in the community.
Is big on discipline, will hold players accountable on and off the court.


You think he held this standard at Memphis?
 
#684
#684
Railroad Vol said:
Calipari
--------
Thanks Dr. Todd and Mitch to coach "the Commonwealth's team."
Recognized Bill Keightley- said that he treated him like family.
Talked to Joe Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Tubby- none said they'd trade their time at UK for anything.
Has received a lot of calls from former UK players who are excited about him coaching there.
He said that he'd always wanted to coach for Kentucky.
Saying yes to Kentucky was easy, saying goodbye to Memphis was hard.
Puts a premium on graduation.
Has met with team, told them that they had to be students and model citizens, or they can pack their bags.Stresses that he is "regular people." Wants to be involved in the community.
Is big on discipline, will hold players accountable on and off the court.


You think he held this standard at Memphis?
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Yes. Wait, no, not really.

Yours truely,
Jeremy Hunt
 
#688
#688
Brian McCat said:
Here's what he said at the presser. He definitely seems ready to take on the challenge. Said all the right things that Gillispie refused to say in two years.
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What is it about Kentucky basketball that makes your fans need a guy to not only coach basketball, but also to kiss arse all the time? All this "We need a man who understands what it means to coach Kentucky basketball"; "We need an ambassador" crap -- you'd think that a program with UK's pedigree wouldn't be quite so neurotically in need of constant affirmation.
 
#691
#691
Vercingetorix said:
What is it about Kentucky basketball that makes your fans need a guy to not only coach basketball, but also to kiss arse all the time? All this "We need a man who understands what it means to coach Kentucky basketball"; "We need an ambassador" crap -- you'd think that a program with UK's pedigree wouldn't be quite so neurotically in need of constant affirmation.
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I would assume it is the media.
 
#694
#694
myrobbins7 said:
I like Darren, he is good with all areas of sports. About the write up, there is not doubt in my mind that Cal will bring in butt loads of money to UK. Cal knows how to sell a program. It's well worth it.
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Boat loads even.
 
#695
#695
Too bad he didn't do his research. Cal's salary from the university is $400,000 a year. The rest comes from tv and radio/media deals.
 
#696
#696
Brian McCat said:
Too bad he didn't do his research. Cal's salary from the university is $400,000 a year. The rest comes from tv and radio/media deals.
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I read in the C/A this morning how all this started as a joke, that his wife would never forgive him for moving to Lexington and how they have no teeth and all of a sudden Kentucky offers him a 'race-horse' deal, and he can't deny it.I like to refer to it as he played Kentucky and they bought it.
 
#697
#697
utfantilidie said:
I read in the C/A this morning how all this started as a joke, that his wife would never forgive him for moving to Lexington and how they have no teeth and all of a sudden Kentucky offers him a 'race-horse' deal, and he can't deny it.I like to refer to it as he played Kentucky and they bought it.
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The CA's source is wrong, because Memphis counter-offered with more money.
 
#700
#700
Fine Vol said:
Not a good loss for Memphis robbins tough break.
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It was a tough break, but life goes on and I am still as big of a Cal fan as I was 1 month ago and that will never change, even at UK. :)sick:). It just sucks for the city, but they will be ok.
 
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