John Calipari happy for Tubby Smith because of what he did the right way at UK

Tubby Smith celebrates a Kentucky win at Florida with players Keith Bogans and Tayshaun Prince. (UK Athletics Photo)

Former Kentucky coach Tubby Smith — who won a national championship at UK in 1998 in his first year as head coach of the Wildcats — will have his jersey hung in the Rupp Arena rafters Friday.

That’s when UK will face Smith and High Point at noon.

Current Kentucky coach John Calipari isn’t worried about one day having a jersey hung in his honor at Rupp Arena.

“I’m hoping we just win another game. I’m not worried about jerseys right now,” Calipari said.

However, Calipari understands the significance of this moment for Smith.

“But here’s the thing, and I wanted this for coach (Joe) Hall, and I want it for Tubby: I want guys that were here in this seat, which is a really tough place to be – I love it, but it’s not the easiest place to be – that they are loved by our fans,” Calipari said.

Both Hall and Smith have had barbs hurled their ways. Fans said Hall was too strict on his players, didn’t let them freely shoot, and didn’t let them have fun. Smith was always blasted for winning a title with Rick Pitino’s players and for not recruiting well enough at the end of his UK tenure.

But as time has passed, both former UK coaches have become more and more beloved by Kentucky fans — and Calipari loves that.

“It doesn’t matter about how anybody tries to portray them or move the fans, they’re not moving that way. You can try and move them, but they’re not moving. At the end of the day, they appreciate what Tubby did for this program,” Calipari said.

“He won 27 games a year. Twenty-seven games a year, Final Fours, national title, a class act, and they appreciate it. And so, this honor for him, like, I wish it would have been done before.”

Not that numbers (or facts) matter, but Smith actually averaged 22 wins per year and never made a Final Four after the 1998 title. He did get UK to the Elite Eight three times after 1998.

Still, Calipari’s sentiment is legitimate.

“I remember when we got coach Hall to step on the court and do the ‘Y’ the first time. I think it was in my first year. I think then everybody understood the ovation he got was bigger than any ovation they could have given to a player or a coach,” Calipari said.

“And so, I think Tubby’s in the same thing. I mean, you’re talking about a guy that did so much for this program and did it right, won at a high level. But I’m happy for him.”