Expectations are high, so the coach's pay is, too

expectations of uk fans start high and go higher

Jerry Tipton / Herald-Leader Staff Writer

Calipari defends deal in CBS interviewNew UK coach says he'll share his "blessing." Page B4

At some point, John Calipari might wonder about what he's gotten himself into. Here's five incidents from the past that made a lasting impression. Perhaps the new Kentucky coach will find them revealing.

■ Jim Valvano had the right idea: Don't give up, don't ever give up.

When Tubby Smith was coach, a fan called his radio show.

"Coach, I know the team's record is 22-3," the fan said. "I just want you to know I haven't given up."

Yes, expectations are high.

■ Friends in low places.

Street & Smith magazine, once the Bible of preview publications, rated Kentucky No. 2 in its pre-season top 20.

Fishing for a note, a reporter called the magazine's editor to talk. Had Kentucky fans reacted to the ranking?

"Oh yes," the editor said. "We've had a big reaction from Kentucky fans."

How did the fans react?

"They were angry," the editor said. "They wanted to know how we could rank Kentucky so low."

Have we covered the great expectations that surround the program?

■ Every coach falls short of the glory of Kentucky basketball.

When C.M. Newton looked to hire a coach in 1989, fans objected to P.J. Carlesimo. His beard and game attire (gasp — a sweater) were not suitable for a UK basketball coach.

When Eddie Sutton was coach, some questioned whether he could recruit to UK standards.

As if in reaction to those questions, Sutton answered with a recruiting crop one year that covered all the bases. Highly regarded national prospects. In-state favorite sons. Even a high school scholar who would boost the UK team's grade-point average.

On national signing day, a fan called the Herald-Leader to ask what recruits Kentucky added to its roster.

It took several minutes to go over the seven signees, their pluses and minuses, what recruiting analysts had said about each player.

After silently listening to the rundown, the fan had one question: "Who do you think Kentucky will sign next year?"

■ Booooo.

UK fans will voice their displeasure. The home team has heard boos several times in Rupp Arena.

Sometimes the fans direct their displeasure at an individual player (for instance, Rob Lock) or the coach.

Even Rick Pitino, who led a renaissance for the ages, was not immune.

One night in Rupp Arena, Mississippi State threw long over the UK press. After a long inbounds yielded a basket for the third time, boos erupted.

Kentucky won by 29 points.

■ Al McGuire had it right.

When he was the hot coaching name UK fans coveted, McGuire recoiled from such speculation.

The eternal spotlight was too unceasing for him.

"Being Kentucky coach is like being Wilt Chamberlain," McGuire said. "You can never hide."

Leverage

When looking for a coach two years ago, UK didn't even call John Calipari.

Now, UK called no one but Calipari. Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart described the process as "one and done."

UK not only hired Calipari, but gave him the richest contract in the history of college basketball.

What made the difference?

Leverage.

In 2007, Kentucky could be picky about who it hired. A noisy (and sadly mistaken) group of UK fans welcomed Tubby Smith's departure and would be happy with about any new coach.

In 2009, Kentucky was desperate to make amends for the "bad fit" hire of Billy Gillispie. When UK wanted to interview on Monday, Calipari said that was too late. UK moved up the interview.

"He's not going down there as a guy begging for a job," ESPN commentator Dick Vitale said a few days before UK hired Calipari. "It's the other way around."

Speaking of Barnhart, Vitale said, "He can't roll out another guy on a trial basis."

By Vitale's reasoning, Barnhart's predicament worked in Calipari's favor. "It gives (Calipari) the freedom to do things he wants to do," the ebullient broadcaster said.

Lovely assistants

No word yet on John Calipari's staff. But Howard Avery, the father of the eighth-grader who committed to UK, let it slip that an assistant coach suggested Michael Avery re-open the recruiting process.