Transfer talk, throwback officiating, Derby prep moves and more random notes
Random notes:
▪ During his in-home video conference call on Zoom on Tuesday, UK basketball coach John Calipari gave a thumbs down to the proposed new NCAA transfer rule that would allow student-athletes to transfer once without penalty.
“All the other teams can be farm teams for us,” Cal said. “You get them ready, then we’ll take them here and we’ll win and help them get where they’re trying to go. That alone should get the NCAA to say we’re not doing this.”
I get Cal’s point. A school recruits a player, signs a player, gives that player athletic instruction, academic support, nutritional support, weight training, health training, and then the player leaves for another school. A freshman star at a smaller program jumps to the bigger program.
But isn’t the same true of coaches? A school hires a new coach, provides him with an opportunity as well as a support staff, academic counseling for his team, possibly other perks such as radio show income, television show income, commercials, automobiles, country club membership, etc. And then after a good season or two, the coach leaves the smaller school for a bigger school.
What’s the difference between the player and the coach?
Other than, of course, the coach is under contract.
▪ People say working from home, you can wear whatever you want. Not when you’re doing Google Hangout staff meetings and Zoom video conference calls. By the way, Ellen Calipari set up John Calipari’s video call on Tuesday.
▪ I admit I don’t miss the NCAA Tournament as much as I thought I would, but that may be because there is just so much other stuff going on — more important stuff.
▪ Louisville basketball is holding its breath after one of its top commitments, junior-college star Jay Scrubb, announced that he will toss his name in the NBA Draft hat. Scrubb’s father says his son’s intention is to turn pro, but he’ll see how it goes. A 6-foot-6 wing, Scrubb averaged 21.9 points per game last season for John A. Logan College. Scrubb played his high school basketball at Trinity.
▪ Two things stuck out to me watching the infamous 1992 Kentucky-Duke Greatest Game of All Time last Saturday on CBS. No. 1, the officials really sold every call with over-the-top body gyrations. No. 2, the Kentucky bench objected to every call, right down to the managers and strength coach Rock Oliver. (And boy didn’t Rick Pitino and Coach K both look young back then.)
▪ Wouldn’t you know it, just when the Cincinnati Reds decide they’re going to change course and start trying to win again, the whole Major League Baseball season is in jeopardy because of a pandemic.
▪ The Kentucky Derby prep schedule is in constant revamp mode thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. NYRA has now canceled all New York racing until April 5, which means the Grade 2 Wood Memorial, scheduled for April 4, is being pushed back to who knows when. The Arkansas Derby has been moved to May 2.
Gulfstream Park is still planning on running Saturday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby, without spectators, despite requests from the Hallandale Beach city council to close up shop. Gulfstream has said it will sue the city if any action is taken toward shutting it down.
▪ If you’re keeping score at home, Turfway Park canceled its final three race days this weekend. Woodbine has postponed the start of its Thoroughbred race meet in Canada. Ireland has shut down racing until at least April 9. The Racing Post, which specializes in European race coverage, has suspended publication. Sam Houston in Texas has canceled its meet.
▪ Peyton Manning has reportedly turned down a sizable offer to be the new analyst on “Monday Night Football.” So, don’t worry, if football does resume, we’ll get another year of the Booger McFarland “that’s a really nice job” drinking game.
▪ Former Missouri and Vanderbilt football head coach Woody Widenhofer died this week at age 77. As the Commodores’ coach, Widenhofer was 1-4 against UK, his only win coming against Hal Mumme in 2000. Mumme liked Widenhofer so much, he convinced him to be Hal’s defensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana and then New Mexico State.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 4:51 PM.
