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Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 03-20-2019, 06:18 PM:

From KSR:

quote:

The Kentucky men’s basketball team is officially in Jacksonville, Florida to prepare for their opening-round matchup with No. 15 seed Abilene Christian, but the focus right now isn’t necessarily on the Xs and Os of the game itself. We started out with endless rumors yesterday surrounding PJ Washington’s foot injury, with Kentucky head coach John Calipari saying today that the sophomore forward sprained his foot against Tennessee this past weekend. He’s expected to play this weekend, but he’s seeing a second specialist just to be certain. Now, there’s a rumor out involving Calipari’s future at Kentucky. According to Tracy Pierson of 247 Sports, there is significant mutual interest between John Calipari and the UCLA basketball program for the team’s head coaching vacancy. “According to various sources, the Hall of Fame coach is showing what some have described as “serious interest” in coming to Westwood,” the report claims. “It’s known that Calipari has always liked the UCLA job, loving Los Angeles and the lifestyle.” In fact, Pierson claims that Calipari was one of the main candidates who “seriously reciprocated” interest when the school reached out. “It’s known that Calipari UCLA, in doing its due diligence since firing Steve Alford on New Year’s Eve in December, has had time to kick the tires on all the big-named coaches in the game to gauge interest. Calipari was one who seriously reciprocated,” said Pierson. On The Herd today, college basketball analyst Doug Gottlieb said that he has heard UCLA is preparing to offer a deal worth over $10 million a year for the Kentucky head coach. 247 Sports’ Evan Daniels, one of the most connected insiders in the game right now, confirmed the rumor, at least on UCLA’s end of things. “Yes (I heard about it),” he said. “I actually had an industry source tell me earlier today that they are waiting to make a big play for him.”

quote:

Let's all hope this isn't true.

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-20-2019, 06:23 PM:

I could see Cal going to UCLA. If so, I hope UK can keep Kenny Payne. I think he would be a terrific replacement for Cal (not that I want Cal to go).

Cal isn't stupid. If he would take that job he has immediate access to all the high school kids out West and he knows the competition isn't as intense for those recruits. I'm getting sick to my stomach just thinking about that scenario.

[ 03-20-2019, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-20-2019, 06:39 PM:

Unfortunately, I agree with you Trey. I never really thought Cal would be interested in another college job but I can see where UCLA might intrigue him.

I would disagree about Payne being hired as his replacement.

[ 03-20-2019, 06:42 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by Trey Ball (Member # 332) on 03-20-2019, 06:43 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by handycat:
Unfortunately, I agree with you Trey. I never really thought Cal would be interested in another college job but I can see where UCLA might intrigue him.

I would disagree about Payne being hired as his replacement.

I just assumed you were going with Cal to UCLA. [Wink]

That is why I said Kenny, but I do think Kenny would be a great head coach. I always get the feeling that is very in touch with UK's players.

I'm sure that UK would probably make a run at Billy Donovan or maybe even Brad Stevens or who knows maybe they bring Rick back to Lexington. LOL.

[ 03-20-2019, 06:48 PM: Message edited by: Trey Ball ]

Posted by Old Norm (Member # 1482) on 03-20-2019, 07:20 PM:

I think (and hope) this is all Bull Hockey. I can't see Cal stepping downhill, and IMO, that's what he would be doing. I just can't imagine ANYONE going voluntarily to Mexico North.

Posted by PaulCat (Member # 513) on 03-20-2019, 07:39 PM:

Is it April 1st already?

TI don't think there's a snowball's chance in hell of him going to UCLA.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-20-2019, 07:40 PM:

Hope you're right Norm and Paulcat. Setting here thinking about it and it has me worried.
Lifestyle would be more to Cal's liking. At least that's what I believe. Pretty sure Cal's political leanings are more toward California folks than Kentucky. He would be going to a university that has a storied basketball tradition. It would be a new challenge but he would inherit a program that has a ton of backers. I believe Cal would fit right in with heHollywood crowd.

Yep, it scares me

[ 03-20-2019, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: handycat ]

Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 03-20-2019, 10:02 PM:

handy i'm afraid your right but only time will tell.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 03-20-2019, 10:39 PM:

I can see how the story sort of makes sense, but I just think Cal will ultimately say no.

More than the fertile recruiting grounds, the PAC-10 is weak, while the SEC is starting to get stronger.

[ 03-20-2019, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]

Posted by Naskats (Member # 1904) on 03-20-2019, 11:12 PM:

From Cal's Facebook page:
Before I go to bed, let me just say this: I’m coaching at the University of Kentucky. In my opinion, there is no better job in the world to coach basketball. My plan and my desire is to retire at Kentucky. I think the university feels the same as I do and we’ve talked openly about it. Now let’s focus on this game tomorrow.

Posted by blue hoot (Member # 398) on 03-20-2019, 11:32 PM:

I just saw that too. Even though I don't think he would ever leave, I still don't buy what he said. I remember Pitino said the exact same thing about 2 weeks before he left to take the Celtics job. Coaches lie like a rug.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 03-21-2019, 03:20 AM:

From Cal yesterday via KSR:

quote:

BBN, you can exhale. John Calipari isn’t going anywhere. On Wednesday afternoon, rumors began circulating Coach Calipari showed “serious interest” in leaving UK to accept the UCLA head coaching job. Wednesday night, Calipari took to Twitter to respond to the speculation. He wrote: “Before I go to bed, let me just say this: I’m coaching at the [University] of Kentucky. In my opinion, there is no better job in the world to coach basketball. My plan and my desire is to retire at Kentucky. I think the university feels the same as I do and we’ve talked openly about it.” Whew. Rick Pitino, the Bruins’ job is all yours. In the mean time, the BBN should take Coach Cal’s advice:

quote:

Thank Goodness.

Posted by handycat (Member # 2323) on 03-21-2019, 07:09 AM:

I never believed this for a minute as Cal never said anything to me about it. You guys all know how close Cal and I are. I was just funnin you guys with the above posts.

Posted by CatFanInYankeeville (Member # 2025) on 03-21-2019, 09:30 AM:

I can't see Cal wanting to leave UK. I see him coaching a couple more seasons then hanging it up. He's got his titles, he's got all the money he'll EVER need...what's left to prove? I just hope we hang another championship banner or 3 before he's done.

Posted by WHO?UK (Member # 2286) on 03-21-2019, 09:49 AM:

He is already the highest paid coach in college basketball. UCLA offered him a blank check as if he didn't already have one with UK. My opinion is, Cal is waiting to win one more championship then he will ask for the lifetime/retirment contract from UK worth over 10 million.

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 03-21-2019, 11:13 AM:

Cal's words clearly indicate he is negotiating with UK. He wants to retire from UK... and he is in discussions. WTF? So, is the UCLA thing just a tool for Cal to use to negotiate?

This happens every year. Cal is "talking" with Barnhardt, and "wants" to stay. What happens if UK doesn't play along? I believe Cal will walk.

Posted by SCWC (Member # 2464) on 03-21-2019, 12:46 PM:

Great point Tiptree, you never know about Cal. When is enough money enough???? 2 million dollars more than UK is paying him would only cover his cost of living in California, especially in the LA area.

[ 03-21-2019, 12:47 PM: Message edited by: SCWC ]

Posted by Tiptree (Member # 844) on 03-21-2019, 06:14 PM:

I don't think it is the money, per se. It is ego.

Money is just a tangible way to stroke his ego. He wants to be appreciated, admired, respected, adored. At UK he gets most of that, but the fan base has never really embraced the 'player first', road-to-the-NBA mentality Cal has nurtured. No matter that it was a brilliant adaptation to the NBA's rules, it went against the sacred traditions of UK basketball, where the program reigned supreme. Now that other coaches are beating him at his own game, it may be time for a new venue.

I don't think the Lakers, er, I mean Bruin fans could care less if Cal continued his "players first" program if he brought them back into the national conversation (which he certainly would do). And with the kind of shady, uber-wealthy backers that UCLA has always had around, I think Cal would surpass coach K once again in recruiting.

If I sound a bit pessimistic, you are correct. I give it a greater than 50% chance that Cal leaves UK for UCLA.

[ 03-21-2019, 06:17 PM: Message edited by: Tiptree ]