It was only a matter of time before the rumors began to swirl of long coveted college coach, John Calipari finally leaving the University of Kentucky to join two of his former players in New Orleans. But before they could even get started, Coach Cal put an end to any possible rumors. While on The Dan Patrick show, Calipari made it clear that he was not going anywhere.
“Not happening,” Calipari said. “I’d rather be in the situation that I’m in to be help, to be a mentor, whatever they need me to be. I’ve got a position where it’s more than just basketball. What moves me now at my age is we’re creating hope for people and kids.”
Photo Credit: Chet White/UK AthleticsIf anyone can get the most out of the newly cemented best frontcourt of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, it would be the one who recruited and coached both former Wildcats. But Calipari said it will now be up to current Pelicans coach, Alvin Gentry to create a harmonized style of basketball between two of the best big men in the NBA.
“Alvin Gentry, who I think is one of the bright offensive coaches out there is probably working day and night to figure out, ‘How do we start playing and then where do we go from there. What are we trying to look like?'” Calipari said. “They got to get some guards, they got to get a couple perimeter guys.”
Coach Calipari has had success at every single college that he’s coached up to this point. He turned the basketball programs of UMass, Memphis and Kentucky all into winners. The only stain on his resume as a coach was his tenure with the New Jersey Nets from 1996-1999. In that short span, the Nets went 72-112 with one postseason appearance that ended quickly at the hands of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.
