John Calipari wanted to be at Kentucky because of the passion of UK fans. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Sporting News college basketball columnist Mike DeCourcy does not think there’s any chance John Calipari will leave Kentucky after this season.
Rumors circulated earlier that Texas had indirectly reached out to Calipari about its head coaching job and many UK fans have been unhappy with UK’s performance this season — and the previous two years.
“I would be very surprised if he is not at UK next year. He has too much energy to retire,” DeCourcy said before UK lost to Arkansas on Tuesday. “Leaving Kentucky for Texas was a fantasy, I wrote that the idea of John Calipari going there was pure fantasy for Texas and also whoever held up a sign at Rupp (encouraging Calipari to leave for Texas).
“He is not leaving Kentucky for a lesser job. He’s got too much ego for that. He will not take a job where his sport is the secondary sport. He wants to be at a place that cares about basketball.
“Kentucky cares more about the college game than anywhere in America. He knows that. That’s why he wanted to be at Kentucky.”
DeCourcy is not predicting a great finish to the UK season and admits he misread some things about this team going into the season like most did. He believes the death of sophomore Daimion Collins’ father greatly impacted him as did Oscar Tshiebwe’s preseason knee surgery.
“Various setbacks did not let the team come together. Then there were some setbacks self imposed,” DeCourcy said. “I have watched the Cats fail at basic scouting report defense. If they had just done that, they would have banked a win over Michigan State and maybe another one that would have really looked good on their (NCAA Tournament) resume.
“I have never stopped believing in John. He’s a great coach. He’s turned things around before. I would not be writing his obituary but his team still has not been as good as it should have been but it might be getting there.”
3 Responses
The next 3 games are must wins to suggest any hope for a "turnaround"…AGAIN. Another home loss or 2 more road losses equals NIT for UK.
7 games to go. most likely 3-4 or 4-3 finish.
The mere fact that DeCourcy is speaking about this subject is all you need to know.
This program is in crisis. John Calipari is responsible for the program or at least should be, rather than the highly-paid NBA agent that he actually is. If he is not accountable for the condition of the program, then that simply confirms what I have been saying for years about his real priorities.
I think his loud critics don’t understand that their temper tantrums aren’t going to make him leave. If anything he will dig in deeper. I would say the only way he leaves before the end of his contract is a title. Maybe not even then. Yet again who knows, he might take his marbles (recruiting class) and go somewhere else.