Rumor has it UK has found their new coach

[savage1]

Listen, I love my job...if my owner asked me today if I had plans on leaving, I would tell him point blank 'no'. And if another company called me up tomorrow and offered me a job at a world renowned facility that was recognozed as one of the top jobs in my industry, paying me double what I am right now...I would ask them 'where do I sign up'. If that makes me a mercernary, then so be it.

The circumstances are somewhat different as pointed out by mavskid-you unlike Calipari would not be using university funds solely to advance your own career!
I am THRILLED that Calipari lost in the Tournament both last year and this one.

[mavskidd02]

Listen, I love my job...if my owner asked me today if I had plans on leaving, I would tell him point blank 'no'. And if another company called me up tomorrow and offered me a job at a world renowned facility that was recognozed as one of the top jobs in my industry, paying me double what I am right now...I would ask them 'where do I sign up'. If that makes me a mercernary, then so be it.

Yes, and that's all fine and good, you have to do what's best for you, but the situation does not translate 3J. Because Calipari is stealing kids from Memphis, and hurting Memphis' program. You taking that job is not really hurting your previous work place. The analogy doesn't really translate.

[savage1]

Savage, are you serious? Do you actually think that plays a significant part in most high ranked HS athletes? It may play a part in most HS players thinking, but you are talking about players in the TOP 5 in HS!!! They are going to go to the coach who will develop their game so they have a chance to be a first round NBA draft pick, get a guaranteed contract that will set them and their families up for life. Nothing more, nothing less. Of course they are going to follow Calipari....

Its too bad that rather than go through the facade of attending college for a year or two just to showcase themselves for the NBA, that they simply set up a league after highschool for students/athletes who simply want to play in the NBA or the NFL for that matter.
It appalls me no end that some of these players wouldn't have a prayer of being admitted to some of these schools(meaning they are not smart enough and/or motivated enough academically)if it weren't for their athletic abilities.
Of course, as we all know, some of these prized "students" and are "tutored" and "helped" along the way to be sure that they do pass the exams and get through college so that they can continue to play sports-for both the good of the "student" and for the school itself of course.

[BillMill71]

I doubt two of the three have the grades to get into Kentucky, that is why they were going to Memphis in the first place.

As far as the "mercenary" comments, please, save the preaching, NCAA sports are a money printing machine, why was no one enraged when the big college program fired Gillespie 2 years into his long term hire? Calipari and UK were given permission to negotiate, Memphis lost. The list of college coaches fired in one to two years (not nearly enough time to turn around a program) is long and distinguished where is that outrage? Coaches shoudl get what they can get when they can get it.

As far as stealing the recruits, the argument has been made, these kids would NEVER have come to Memphis without Calipari, oh and by the way Memphis would never have been like 192 - 30 or whatever they have over the last 9 years or so without Calipari. Oh and like I said in the first sentence, Calipari would not been as nearly succesful without the universities less than stellar admission policies. He did not plan to leave to go to UK for the last 5 years he has been wooing these knuckleheads that committed this year at AAU games since they were 11.

It is a business.

[wayne1218]

Let me get this right Wayne. Tell me where I'm misinterpreting........

Because Calipari brought Memphis back to a high ranked program, he can (essentially) do whatever he pleases. And because he made them money, he has the right to take the kids Memphis spent money on and walk over to UK with them??


Memphis paid Calipari to do his job, he did it, but how the f**k does that entitle him to take recruits that are Memphis'?? Calipari made Memphis money, and by your logic he can do what he wants with that money, including SPENDING IT ON ANOTHER SCHOOL!!!! Come on now, you can't think its fair that Memphis spends money to get kids, and UK ends up with them basically without spending a dime.

C'Mon man, did you think he was going to be there for 40 years or something and never leave? The guy has the right to move on. He gave Memphis some great years and he did a great job when he was there. What's wrong with accepting that and liking him for what he did do for Memphis? I was just taking a shower and caller after caller on sports radio was calling for Memphis. They were all sad to see him go but none were surprisingly angry. Most to a man said they loved his time there and they wish him luck. Why the bitterness?

[BillMill71]

Its too bad that rather than go through the facade of attending college for a year or two just to showcase themselves for the NBA, that they simply set up a league after highschool for students/athletes who simply want to play in the NBA or the NFL for that matter.
It appalls me no end that some of these players wouldn't have a prayer of being admitted to some of these schools(meaning they are not smart enough and/or motivated enough academically)if it weren't for their athletic abilities.
Of course, as we all know, some of these prized "students" and are "tutored" and "helped" along the way to be sure that they do pass the exams and get through college so that they can continue to play sports-for both the good of the "student" and for the school itself of course.

And as stated earlier the colleges make hundreds of millions off these "students" to provides stronger programs to real students.

[wayne1218]

Saying Calipari is stealing kids from Memphis .... Has to be the most ridiculous thing i have read in this whole thread. C'Mon mavs, you can't be serious.

[wayne1218]

Memphis should hire Bobby Knight!

[mavskidd02]

C'Mon man, did you think he was going to be there for 40 years or something and never leave? The guy has the right to move on. He gave Memphis some great years and he did a great job when he was there. What's wrong with accepting that and liking him for what he did do for Memphis? I was just taking a shower and caller after caller on sports radio was calling for Memphis. They were all sad to see him go but none were surprisingly angry. Most to a man said they loved his time there and they wish him luck. Why the bitterness?

Wayne, I replied to this already, he wants to leave fine. I don't care if he wants to leave, that's fine. He has no right to take Memphis' kids. That's my point. I don't care if he wants to coach at UK, that's not what I'm bitter about. I'm pissed that this asshole is taking recruits that Memphis has paid for. It's the recruits and nothing more that makes me hate Calipari.

[mavskidd02]

Saying Calipari is stealing kids from Memphis .... Has to be the most ridiculous thing i have read in this whole thread. C'Mon mavs, you can't be serious.

I'm DEAD serious, how is he not?

[BillMill71]

Memphis should hire Bobby Knight!

A friend of mine and season ticket holder from Memphis said the same thing, I laughed, almost as much as when I heard Mike Anderson. A no name coach here would be a death sentence to that program. What about Lavin the old Cal coach now ESPN talking head. They need a name

[BillMill71]

Wayne, I replied to this already, he wants to leave fine. I don't care if he wants to leave, that's fine. He has no right to take Memphis' kids. That's my point. I don't care if he wants to coach at UK, that's not what I'm bitter about. I'm pissed that this asshole is taking recruits that Memphis has paid for. It's the recruits and nothing more that makes me hate Calipari.

Colleges dont "pay" for recruits, that would be illegal. If they have signed a LOI (which most haven't as the deadline is a month plus away) there is an intentional clause that allows signed players to leave if the coaches leave, because as stated earlier for the most part THEY COME TO PLAY FOR THE COACH

[mavskidd02]

Colleges dont "pay" for recruits, that would be illegal. If they have signed a LOI (which most haven't as the deadline is a month plus away) there is an intentional clause that allows signed players to leave if the coaches leave, because as stated earlier for the most part THEY COME TO PLAY FOR THE COACH

You think Memphis didn't spend money to get these kids. They don't pay them directly, but they pay a lot of money to have these kids commit.

[wayne1218]

I'm DEAD serious, how is he not?

And people have answered this already too.

[wayne1218]

Wayne, I replied to this already, he wants to leave fine. I don't care if he wants to leave, that's fine. He has no right to take Memphis' kids. That's my point. I don't care if he wants to coach at UK, that's not what I'm bitter about. I'm pissed that this asshole is taking recruits that Memphis has paid for. It's the recruits and nothing more that makes me hate Calipari.

He isn't taking anybody. Take your blinders off for a minute. Nobody is being forced to do anything and the KIDS HAVE THE CHOICE. If they want to go to Memphis, they will. You are so wrong, it's beyond belief. You act like it is a crime of kidnapping.