Emailbag: Kentucky basketball fans weigh in on John Calipari
As you might expect, Kentucky’s first-round loss in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament last week has brought a considerable amount of email to the inbox. Some samples:
Bryan writes:
“Having read your article regarding UK’s loss to St. Peter’s, and stating not to be ridiculous about the coach being fired — how about you not being ridiculous, get off your high horse, and spare us your arrogant, sanctimonious sportswriter mentality.
“If you are good with what happened, that’s your problem. I am not, and I am not happy with the performance from last season, no title since 2012, and players not playing for the school, and the roster being tantamount to a NYC subway turnstile. And, for a salary of $8MM, I expect far, far more from a coach than what we, as the BBN, have been getting lately. That’s what is ridiculous.”
Glenn writes:
“John, why not discuss the obvious! Cal was outcoached again! With 21 seconds left we have the ball, Cal again refuses to call timeout (add to his collection) and we shoot a forced brick. Why did Toppin not play more? What happened to Hopkins?
“You writers are way too easy on a coach who’s style has gotten old and the game has passed him by.”
Al writes:
“I am very disappointed with coach Cal.. The Peacocks seemed to be able to run the SAME play and score time after time. I believe coach Cal had an opportunity to guide his team with suggestions on how to defend this (but he failed to do so).
“Grady has been in a real slump. Could coach have tried someone (ANYONE) else? TyTy has not been the same player since his injury — Does he need coaching to guide him out of whatever he is going thru? Would this have helped this young man? Wheeler had 6 turnovers, should coach have called him out to sit on the bench?
“The whole team seemed to rely on Oscar. could they have been COACHED differently — to not rely on one guy so much?
“I am very disappointed and searching for some explanation.”
Carl writes:
“Two seasons in a row under our $5,000,000 coach that were the worst in UK history. And he gets off by blaming this one on injuries 6 weeks ago and ‘not being able to get them loose.’ What a sad egotist in charge, has destroyed the biggest icon of Ky, (and that includes the Ky. Derby). What a shame.
“What a sad ending for Oscar, maybe the best player ever for Ky, and I have been around since the Spivey days. All that talent and all our coach is interested is having his legacy show how many he sent to NBA.”
Jack writes:
“John, Like many Kentucky fans, I question John Calipari’s ability to make coaching decisions in tight games during the final minutes and seconds. I believe there are tens of dozens of college coaches at all levels who are better game coaches than Calipari. To that end, I think it would make a good story to find out how other college coaches would rate Calipari’s game management and X-and-O skills if they could do it anonymously.”
Mark writes:
“Feel free to add up how many NCAA Tournament games UK has lost under Cal because of brutal free throw shooting.
“It’s time to make a change.”
Doug writes:
“Your Tennessee friend here. Read your article on Coach Calipari and was struck at how so far his tenure at UK is strikingly similar to that of Phil Fulmer here.
“It’s almost like a Berlin Wall dividing the first half of their tenures and the second half. Don’t know enough about UK hoops but Fulmer was brought down by mediocre asst coaches more than anything.”
Andrew writes:
“First things first, I disagree with your premise about Calapari not being fired because he is a HOF coach who ….. If I am correct, he was inducted into the Hall in 2015 and he has not done squat (as per UK standards) since then. For what he gets paid, and given what he has accomplished in the last 7 years, he has failed and in my opinion, the real reason he is not going anywhere is because of the moronic lifetime contract he was given by the AD.
“Actually, you make the case why he shouldn’t be around. Your references and quotes make him look stupid and out of touch. Actually, he should be muzzled because his comments make no sense to many of us. Help me understand how his new hires will help him regain prominence and make him a better coach. He was committed to the one and done model and it was serviceable until he could not get the top recruits. Certainly, his recent performances are not going to help return his recruiting prowess; he has no credibility.
“This year he decided to go with older players and look what happened. To me, Calipari is just a sound bite who is in love with his voice but, cannot adapt ( a sign of intelligence). His audience is not UK fans but the national media. To me he is the ultimate phony.
“So given your insight, what is the future of Kentucky basketball under him? Personally, I am not a rabid UK fan ( but I do love basketball) but, I hate it when no one states publicly that ‘the emperor has no clothes on.’”
Ted writes:
“We fired Rupp (forced retirement) who won 4 National championships and 20+ SEC championships. He was fired because he lost the touch.
“Cal has also lost the touch. Not same coach as he was up to 2015. His credentials since that time is no better than Tubby. And we fired Tubby. How many more mediocre years will we suffer because Cal was a mega-star years ago?
“Ask yourself this? If he was the CEO of your company with his latest track record, wouldn’t you fire him?”
Wayne writes:
“UK has been overrated all year and we should have been a 4 or 5 seed. At least it would not feel as humiliating. Being a two seed made as much sense as TN being a #3 and TA&M being left out of the fray.
“I had us as 0% probability of losing in the first round, 50% in the second and 90% in the Sweet 16. My brackets that are now in tatters have TN winning it all. At least I can pull for a couple of SEC teams.
“It felt bad at the end but I was more sorry for Oscar who took it hard. He should be the only Wildcat drafted in the first round and willingly make the move. Everyone else with eligibility should return.”
Tony writes:
“Hit the road Cal
and don’t you come back
No more, no more, no more, no more
Hit the road Cal and don’t you come
back no more”
