Koby Brea and other UK players see the presence of John Calipari daily at Memorial Coliseum but will be hoping to beat him and Arkansas Saturday. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Speaking on his “Live with Coach Cal” radio show this week former Kentucky coach John Calipari said “My guess is I’m going to get booed” when he returns to Rupp Arena Saturday night as coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.
I am guessing he is right but not just because some UK fans were upset with how the last few years of his 15-year stay in Kentucky went. I think he’s right because almost every successful opposing head coach that comes into Rupp Arena gets booed by UK fans. It’s just part of college basketball and not just something that happens in Rupp Arena.
Former Kentucky All-American Jack Givens knows “people will be people” but after UK’s win at Tennessee Tuesday he encouraged fans to be respectful to Calipari.
“Coach Cal did some really, really good stuff for my university and for my basketball team,” Givens said on the UK Radio Network postgame show. “That’s the way I look at it. I just hope we make him feel appreciated when he comes back.
“I hope when his name is announced … I am going to give him a standing ovation because he did some wonderful things. I hope when the game starts we kick his rear end. But I hope we give him the respect he deserves for what he did here.”
He did do a lot with a national title in 2012, a 38-0 start to the 2014-15 season, Final Four berths, and a bevy of fundraisers that helped many in need in our state and internationally.
Not only will Calipari be returning to Rupp Arena but so will former UK players Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, and DJ Wagner along with several staff members, including former UK player Tyler Ulis.
“My guess is they’re gonna get booed. My guess is I’m gonna get booed … But that’s all part of it. I mean, shoot, you get booed. I’ve done this so long. I tell you I got bazooka holes in my body,” Calipari said on his radio show. “So when you shoot arrows, it doesn’t even hit skin, it just goes through one of those bazooka holes.”
Kentucky fans obviously have heard the “bazooka holes” line a lot but that’s just Calipari. He added his return will be “interesting and I can’t say I’m looking forward to it.”
That’s because, despite the tension of the final few years and UK’s postseason failures, Calipari had a lot of good times and big wins at Kentucky. He also sent numerous players to the NBA who are now star players.
“I’m looking forward to coaching, but to walk in and you know, the vibe I don’t know how I’m gonna take it to be honest with you. I mean that was a special time in my life,” he said noting that his wife Ellen and him gave 15 years to Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky is 15-5 and 4-3 in the SEC after the upset win at Tennessee. However, UK did lose its last home game to Alabama.
Arkansas is 12-8 overall but just 1-6 in SEC play. The Razorbacks are in 15th place in the 16-team SEC.
National media members seem obsessed with predicting how UK fans will react to Calipari’s return and how the fans should react. But just like any other game for any other team/coaching coming into Rupp Arena, fans have a right to share their feelings. Some will boo. Some will cheer. Some will be silent.
However, there is one given as Givens noted — when the game starts all BBN fans will want the Cats to kick butt just like they do every game no matter who Kentucky is playing.
7 Responses
Not only I hope Cal gets respected, the former players as well.
I have a long list of reasons that make me want to boo him. I have a shorter list of why I should cheer him.
If DJ, Big Z and Theiro care anything about Cal, booing is going to make them play harder. Theiro plays hard no matter what. DJ can do some damage if he’s inspired. And, I still remember the Georgia game from last year when Big Z played like Pistol Pete Maravich.
Everybody can do what they want but, if you really want to aggravate Ole Swaggy, just be silent but cheer for DJ, Big Z and Theiro.
Sound logic UKfan
BBN fans and Kentucky are Bigger than him. He never understood that. It is his loss. Maybe he will hear the cheers for our Cats and not him and finally get what Kentucky really is! We have moved on! Go Cats!
I expect he will get booed at his introduction. He deserves it not so much for what he did his last 5 years at Kentucky, but for his statement that winning championships didn’t matter as long as he got his pets in the NBA. There will be plenty of Calipari lovers there, but after we give the Hogs a 30 point asswhooping, they should appreciate Mark Pope for what Calipari wasn’t.
Yeah! I Totally Agree with Barry! A 30 point blowout! Let Cal Kiss a Muddy Hogs Butt!!
He was the right coach at the right time for Kentucky basketball. Improved our brand back to the highest level. Carried the torch. Loved the job, the school and the state. Gave us some heartbreak in the last few years but so much more joy. Think big picture and give him a standing ovation.