John Calipari has been spreading his message to fans and recruits all summer. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Does Kentucky coach John Calipari really have his swag back? Did he ever really lose that swag?
After a 9-16 finish in the 2020-21 season and NCAA Tournament first-round loss to Saint Peter’s to end the 2021-22 season, questions arose about Calipari’s drive. But he’s turned back into a relentless recruiter and goodwill ambassador with UK fans this summer.
Thursday I asked assistant coach Orlando Antigua, who was with Calipari during the glory years at UK before leaving and then returning to UK, if he heard the talk about Calipari having his swag back and if he agreed with that perspective.
“I don’t know. I think he is Cal. He’s been the same guy I have always known,” Antigua said Thursday. “I do not know the perception of fans or whatever it is.”
“He’s in a good space and has been that way since I have been back with him in terms of motivation and putting a team together to win a national championship.”
Kentucky’s recruiting brand seems to be resonating again nationally and Calipari could be on the verge of one of his best recruiting classes — and certainly the best in several years.
Assistant coach Chin Coleman, who came from Illinois with Antigua before the 2021-22 season, says recruiting has been about consistency, hard work and selling Calipari.
“We all shop for coach Calipari’s groceries and we need to continue to preach the gospel and sermon of coach Calipari,” Coleman said Thursday. “We are preaching the gospel of coach Calipari and that has been the most important thing.”
Coleman said they have to keep selling Calipari to players.
“Getting these kids to understand who he is and what he’s about and how great a coach he is. I think for us, that has been the positive,” Coleman said.
So is that Old Testament or New Testament gospel Coleman is preaching about Calipari?
“I think it is the Old Testament. We are just re-preaching the old gospel of coach Cal. It has worked so well before and it is working now,” Coleman said.
6 Responses
The old testament gospel of Calipari reads like a comic book.
I don’t think he lost anything, he has always been good at making adjustments, adapting, doing what it takes to be a top professional. You don’t survive at his level for decades as he has if you are not that personal. So sure he has been making adjustments ie too many injuries, we get a new strength & conditioning leader. Plus various other adjustments, some of which we can see and others are deep in the background.
Good points BlueBlueBoy
You nay-sayers do yourselves an injustice. Cal understands the role he is in and is a bigger man than you can ever come to terms with. He coaches players into what THEY want to become. He leads every one of them into being better people on and off the court.
Harold, you are right. He does develop better people off the court as well as making a lot much better on the court
But he just can’t handle all the talent that he gets.If he wants to teach he’d be better served at a juco school teaching lesser talent.He should have at least 3 chips.