Calipari to Kan-tuck-ee

by Scipio Tex on Mar 30, 2009 4:35 PM CDT in Texas Longhorns and Other Basketball

This article says its close. I'm hearing it's a done deal. It will be the largest contract in college basketball history. If you've got some time to kill: watch that door!

Memphis: There is a John Wall recruiting war on. How is it you are headed east?

Calipari: Well, I kinda face to the north and real sudden-like turn right. Then I tell World Wide Wes that his Fed-Ex drop offs will be in Lexington.

A huge move by Big Blue after the Gillispie humiliation. The Kentucky Wildcats are back.

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I bet Scott Drew is really feeling good about his hiring of Dwon Clifton right about now.

by srr50 on Mar 30, 2009 4:46 PM CDT reply actions

WOW!

by Yarldboro on Mar 30, 2009 4:52 PM CDT reply actions

Why did you leave Kentucky?

Because they have a GREAT ASS!

by Eskimohorn on Mar 30, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

This is one of your best articles.

by Sobrieski on Mar 30, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions

Great magnificent things come in humble packages, don’t they?

by laftan on Mar 30, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

I feel faint.

by Mckenzie on Mar 30, 2009 4:58 PM CDT reply actions

i LOOOOOOVE Kentucky more than my entire collection of Elvis records.

by TRITONIC tenn on Mar 30, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

Where’d you find her, Scipio?

by Simone on Mar 30, 2009 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

I don’t like her.

by Maria Diaz 2009 on Mar 30, 2009 5:04 PM CDT reply actions

Well…that bitch better take her long ass thighs and move on! She can’t satisfy a cheesestick yet any ol’boy in Texas, Kentucky-or anywhere else for that matter! She no super model, no super anything but a first class ho!

by Betty Rodriguez on Mar 30, 2009 5:10 PM CDT reply actions

You got that right.

by Maria Diaz 2009 on Mar 30, 2009 5:11 PM CDT reply actions

You compare me to John Calipari? How dare you, sir.

by Hawkeye on Mar 30, 2009 5:40 PM CDT reply actions

And so Kentucky sells it collective basketball soul to become relevant on the hardwoods again.

by TxTower on Mar 30, 2009 5:50 PM CDT reply actions

‘past couple of ours’

huh? the whole country spends WAY too much time on the internet.

by glenn on Mar 30, 2009 5:52 PM CDT reply actions

uhh . . . go to the john clay blog.

at least he got ‘quiet’ right in that sentence.

english is a cool language. we in this country should endeavor to learn it some day.

by glenn on Mar 30, 2009 5:54 PM CDT reply actions

And so Kentucky sells it collective basketball soul to become relevant on the hardwoods again.

Ha ha. You don’t really follow Kentucky basketball, do you?

by Scipio Tex on Mar 30, 2009 5:56 PM CDT reply actions

Last of the Mohicans. Nice.

by Big Satan on Mar 30, 2009 5:57 PM CDT reply actions

Gue$$ this mean$ that the Memphi$ recruiting cla$$ is up for grab$.

by ponderos on Mar 30, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions

I wouldn’t say that ponderos. I’m guessing if Calipari goes anywhere, a few of those Kentucky players not good enough to win in the SEC will be shown the door in favor of Henry, Cousins and probably Wall.

by hiphopopotamus on Mar 31, 2009 8:26 AM CDT reply actions

Not really but if you’re inferring that their souls are already fully mortgaged, just wait. Calipari will have no problem selling their children’s souls as well.

by TxTower on Mar 31, 2009 9:31 AM CDT reply actions

I’m inferring you meant implying. I fucking love to fish.

by Jim Harrison on Mar 31, 2009 10:40 AM CDT reply actions

I’ll take “Nerdy English Majors” for $200 please Alex!

by Sean Connery on Mar 31, 2009 2:32 PM CDT reply actions

I am curious about Calipari’s likelihood of success at Kentucky (I am talking about the success their crazy fans think they deserve not a return to Tubby Smith level of success). He has always managed to get blue chip recruits to his not-so-hot locations in weak conferences and has won. After his brief and unassuming stint in the pros I have always wondered just how good of a coach he really is. His tournament record suggests he is a solid coach, but blue chippers who get a ton of confidence playing cupcakes can also coast through the early rounds of the tourney. What happens when the competition’s talent level is closer and the possibility of riding a 15-game win streak is not longer there?

He takes over Kentucky at a good time considering the overall conference seems relatively weak. If he starts with a strong recruiting class he could quickly compete for an SEC title.

by Ricky on Mar 31, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

Coach Cal is an excellent X’s and O’s coach who gets buy-in (no pun intended) on the defensive end from a bunch of prima donnas. And you know he recruits lights out. Kentucky will win, but the discriminating UK will feel all dirty inside doing it.

by Trips Right on Mar 31, 2009 3:18 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with Trips. I find Calipari very objectionable as a human being, but he’s an excellent coach.

Kentucky is an incredible job with essentially unlimited resources, great tradition, and a passionate, rabid fanbase.

Add in Calipari’s demonstrated ability to work with runners, street agents, and embrace the seamier side of basketball and you’ve got a quick ticket back to the top.

by Scipio Tex on Mar 31, 2009 3:49 PM CDT reply actions

It’s a match made in FedEx Heaven.

Kentucky is the perfect elite program for Calipari — they both believe in getting what you pay for — and they both are willing to pay top dollar.

by srr50 on Mar 31, 2009 5:01 PM CDT reply actions

Don’t understand the cult of personality in coaching to justify paying 35 million. Where would a coach like Calipari be without the playas? Why not just pay WW Wes a couple of mil to be an assistant and then hire a reasonably priced coach. Would there be any difference? Why is Calipari needed as a 35 mil middleman?

by hot wire on Mar 31, 2009 5:58 PM CDT reply actions

hot wire:

You’re on to something.

by Scipio Tex on Mar 31, 2009 9:21 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks guys. The General slammed college coaches as just riding their talent compared to pro coaches. I think its a gross oversimplification but seems like an apple to oranges comparison. I mean, how do you compare Gene Bartow to George Karl?

I was thinking Calipari might be the incarnation of the type of coach the General was talking about, but he also has tournament success which to me is the difference between guys who have talent and ride it and those who actually coach.

by Ricky on Apr 1, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

Scipio, your a perspicuous “Barker”, so why the distraction?

by I see dead people..and hear 'em on Apr 1, 2009 3:05 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks. And, what?

by Scipio Tex on Apr 1, 2009 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

Apparently ESPN’s Pat Forde thinks UK could be asking for trouble with this hire.

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