John Calipari with his players on the Paul Finebaum Show at SEC Media Days. (Arkansas Basketball Photo)
It was a Mark Pope-John Calipari love-fest at the Southeastern Conference Media Day in Birmingham Tuesday.
Really it should not have been any surprise that the two coaches said all the right things because that is what they have done since Calipari left UK for Arkansas and Pope was named the new UK coach in April.
“You’ll never hear me say a negative word about coach Cal because there’s not a lot to say. He’s a Hall of Fame coach. As a die-hard Kentucky fan and alumnus and former player, I am grateful for everything, all the incredible things that Cal accomplished at the University of Kentucky,” Pope said.
That may just sound like coach speak but I believe Pope.
“He’s also been a good friend. He’s been a terrific mentor, and he’s always been generous to (my wife) Lee Anne and I as we’ve gone through our coaching journey,” Pope said. “So we wish him the best in everything that he does, and I will forever be grateful for everything that he did at Kentucky.
“And we’ll be cheering for him every day like crazy except for February 1st.”
Of course, Feb. 1 is the day Calipari will bring Arkansas to play in Rupp Arena at 9 p.m. in what could be the loudest and rowdiest crowd in Rupp in years — or maybe ever.
“What’s February 1st? That’s my dad’s birthday,” Calipari said when asked about Pope’s comments.
However, he then went on to praise Pope and UK’s decision to hire him.
“I think they hired a perfect guy for that job, and part of it is he played there, graduated there, has a heart for the place and has an idea what that is,” Calipari said. “When I walked in, I had coach (Joe) Hall. I had coach (Tubby) Smith, too, but coach Hall. It’s a different place if you’re just walking in. He’s been there and understands it.
“He and I have talked. I am fully immersed in what I’m doing. I’m like, you won’t believe this, I’m doing a lot of stuff, and I don’t have time for any of the other stuff, any of the things out there.”
Calipari could have stopped there but then his heart might have overruled his head a bit.
“But I’ll be rooting for him. I want Kentucky — come on, man, 15 years. I gave my heart and soul. I want them to do well, except — what date? Okay, that date,” the Arkansas coach said. “But no, he’s a good man, terrific basketball coach. They hired the right guy. They really did.”
2 Responses
It will be a cold day down below before I cheer for Calipari. He is so full of it that all we can say at my house is BS!! He took great pleasure in leaving Coach Pope with an empty cupboard. I do not know how Ms Ellen put up with him for all these years!
You are not alone from what I hear Cricket