Kentucky Sports Radio
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
[Moderated by Matt Jones]
It’s approaching 7 pm on a very crazy day, but it looks like UK has their man - for somewhere in the neighborhood of $32 million over 8 years. WHAS and WLEX both cited the same report from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal (so did ESPNews) that John Calipari was set to be introduced as UK’s head coach, but after a Memphis news report said otherwise and DeMarcus Cousins said Calipari told him it was “untrue”, things seemed uncertain again. But, Lee Todd confirmed to the Herald-Leader that negotiations with a new coach (never saying it was Calipari) were going to move quickly which seems to mean that the negotiations with Calipari are fruitful to this point. Rick Bozich said that he expects an announcement to come as early as tomorrow or as late as Thursday and I think it’s finally safe to say that when that announcement comes, John Calipari will be named as the new coach of the University of Kentucky.
Thank goodness. He is great photoshop material.
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March 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
first loser!! look at me
March 30th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
first loser!! look at me
March 30th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Cal needs to sign now; don’t wait a minute more.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I rock.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Heard 40 million for 6 years on WKYT
March 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
if he learns anything from BCG, it’s to sign the contract immediately. and never say the word ‘whoopin’. and don’t drink dr. pepper…
March 30th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
WE NEED TO GET THIS OVER WITH BEFORE HE CHANGES HIS MIND!!!…CAL TO UK??..i CANNOT BELIEVE IT…MY DREAMS ARE COMING TRUE!!! UK IS BACK TO THE PROMISE LAND!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
What time do you think a pep rally may happen? Because I’m going to do my
laundary in the morning and have a class at 6:00 pm. And yes I’m a student.
March 30th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Beisner, please keep your mouth shut until this is official….you efffed us big time on the premature Donovan announcement Friday
March 30th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Thanks to the guys who run this site for keeping us up to date with what you knew throughout the day. Work
wasn’t easy for me today, but at least I could come here and have a sanity check and feel informed. Go Cats!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Dr. Todd not mentioning the Calipari by name makes me think that negotiations with Travis Ford are going great.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Marc Maggard will tell you all that he knows if you pay to have his tips frosted.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
6… and all of those kinds of things…
March 30th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
9) I’m sure it was what Beisner said that caused Donovan dumbass to change his mind…He’s the one that has been giving us updates on this circus all day and I for one am glad to hear anything that someone who knows more that I do has to say, regardless of whether it is bad or good. If you don’t want to hear anything from him, go ahead and curl up in the fetal position in the dark corner of your basement and we’ll be sure to let you know when its all over.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
It doesn’t happen until Danielle Santoro says so.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Matt, let’s have a live blog tonight. We need to get a bunch of questions answered. I’m beggin.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Speaking of Marc Maggard. HE IS AN IDIOT. If he confirms anymore of the candidates for coach I will scream. He is a complete dumb ass, doesn’t know anything, and I am quite positive that tip frosting has gotten into his brain.
Hey Marc,
If I confirm every possible candidate, eventually I will be right too. SHUT UP!
Thanks
March 30th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Calipari Love…da da da da da da da…Calipari, knows how to party…
March 30th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
This is great news for UK fans. We’ll no doubt have a better coached team, and great players in the future.
Now, as fans, let’s pledge to do better. No more booing at games, basketball or football. No more bashing players who give it everything they’ve got. And continue the good things: the passion, the cheering, and the sold out games.
Go Big Blue!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
17 I’m no Maggard disciple but he has been pretty close to correct a lot throughout this. He did stutter a little on the BCG gone thing but his info ended up being correct.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Please God, let this happen for us, I did not get anything accomplished today at work,
March 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
20.) He confirmed Donovan as coach. Then he said we were almost certainly going to get Ford. He hasn’t given any ground breaking info.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Has anyone seen this? Report: Calipari is Kentucky’s new coach
http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/stories/2009/03/30/daily12.html?jst =b_ln_hl
Looks like its over.. Thank GOD!!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Seriously alot of the fans have to stop booing…you have to realize your gonna lose games from time to time.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
we wouldnt pay that much for Ford it’s gotta be Calipari!!!!! COME TO BIG BLUE CALIPARI!!!!!! GO CATS BABY!!!!!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
UK lose games and not win the National Championship every year…
We are our own worst enemy. I remember when UK won the SEC tourny and so many people just shrugged because we had one it 3 or 4 year prior.
We kill our icons.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I have been HIGHLY critical of both Tubby (at the end) and BCG the last few years. The fact is if Calipari can’t get it done here then we may need tp re-evaluate where our program is in the national landscape. I have begged for Calipari to be hired for at leqast four years now and I really can’t believe it is about to happen. He is about as sure a thing as there is.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
not next year if we get Cousins, Henry, Dennis, and Wall
March 30th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
NO DAMN WAY SHOULD CALI HAVE TO HONOR VERBALS!!! HELL NO WE NEED BETTER TALENT!!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
i never liked the booing.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
I hate to tell you all this, but - I TOLD YOU SO.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Hopefully with some of our talent returning and (as reported) two players from Memphis coming with Coach Calapari the only “booing” will be reserved for Benedict Rick Pitino and “please quit using Gel” Billy Donaovan.
March 30th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
matt, i second the live blog. can you drag yourself away from a mirror long enough tonight to have one?
March 30th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
I agree a live blog would be great, probably server issues would make it tough though.
I’m so fired up about Calipari. We will definitely be top 10 preseason next year with PPAT, Meeks, and hopefully Cousins and Wall. Imagine that team!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
This is completely out of context but I like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC7iIttp6cY
March 30th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
id rather be underrated as hell next season
March 30th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
No one appreciates what Rick Pitino has done for the UK program more than I do. But I’ll promise you one damn thing…nobody will boo him louder than I do when he rolls into Rupp Arena leading that slimepit of a program called Louisville.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
The old Commodore 64 server got quite a workout there at KSR today didn’t it?
March 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
1. I hope Billy Donovan regrets the day he rejected the mighty BIG BLUE NATION. What the hell makes him think Florida is ever going to compete with the likes of Kentucky? Oh yeah, Pitino.. but I’ll get to that in a second. He COMES from Lexington. I hope is time has come and gone. Its insulting to think this guy thinks he can ever lift Florida basketball to our level. Kentucky Football will win the SEC before he ever tops UK again.
2. How the f$%k can Pitino betray us like this? We made Pitino, he certainly didn’t make Kentucky, but he continues to try to sabotage our program trying to convince us that we should skip elite coaches and go for Ford or f#$kin Pelfrey! You gotta be kiddin me! Pelfrey won 3 total games in the SEC last year. No disrespect, but he has a long way to go. Anyway, I bet Pitino runs off to Arizona. This man is forever banned from my praise.
3. Welcome Calipari.. I can’t wait. GO CATS!!
March 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Is Cousins gonna be able to qualify? I’m getting the impression he is dumb as a board.His quote is, “Calipari to U.K untrue.”Come on is he that stupid?
March 30th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10096463 Hey matt anything to this?
March 30th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
And I know I spelled Patino’s punk @ss name wrong.. GO CATS!!
March 30th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
ESPN is saying somewhere in neighborhood of 5 mil a year, I don’t think were going to have to worry to much about a coach if he decides not to come we just bring in someone from the NBA didn’t know we had that much money to spend. It’s been reported that he hates Pitino, and Pearl you know the media guys will be eating this up should be great lets get READY to RUMBLE.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
The Kentucky Kernel has quoted Larry Orton saying “Calipari’s going to take that job, you know it and I know it.”
The news of that post has prompted many to visit the Kernel’s website, and thus, it is nearly impossible to access the site. Gotta love it.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Boosters Make Last Ditch
Effort to Keep Cal in
Memphis
fox13memphis
Hope he’s still UK bound
March 30th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
ESPN says 8year/$35million. All I can say is it better be him. This is the only coach UK can get that won’t hurt us with the current players and recruits we have. Not to mention…anyone think a Calipari to UK means a John Wall to UK??
March 30th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I’ve been reading on various blogs and have seen a few post that are implying that Pitino may have a health issue that might cause him to leave the Cards. Has anyone else seen or heard this. What I heard was a very serious ilness.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
45 - I hope that is not true and if it is, he deserves his privacy
March 30th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
this never gets old…
http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/zstrat/?action=view¤t=calg raphic.gif
March 30th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Yeah 45 it’s called Coach Cal itis ;-).
March 30th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I honestly don’t believe that it’s about the money and Coach Cal wants to come to Kentucky for the Big Time Program and not play in Conference USA.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
If he is hired, he should only have to honor those that have signed a LOI & still want to come to UK (Orton, Hood, & Vilarino). He should not be required to honor any oral commitments(this includes Konner Tucker who verballed a week before BG was fired).
March 30th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
47, that was possibly funnier than watching the live feed from outside the Memphis building
March 30th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
42- the sheer force of Big Blue Nation can cripple what Al Gore invented. Take that you smartypants Duke punks.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I’m lovin it about now. It’s goin our way for a change. Come on down Cal! Go Big Blue!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
At leat Cal is not as old as Izzo
March 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I always honor all oral committments………
March 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Does any1 think this could all be some huge PR scam from the CAL camp in an effort to get what he wants at Memphis???? I hope it’s not im just saying to all my Big Blue brothers and sisters don’t sale your sole yet????????
March 30th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
I suggest that everyone go to the herlad leader site and read Mark Story’s latest self righteous ramblings.
Then after your blood is boiling I suggest you e-mail him at mstory@herald-leader.com and share with him your thoughts. After that I suggest you cancel your subscription to that newspaper whose soul purpose in life is to keep the UK Basketball team down.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Has anyone seen Mark Story trying to screw with anything good UK has going again? http://www.kentucky.com/232/story/744647.html
March 30th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Seriously? Less than 60 comments on a day like this?
And… I thought Story raised some interesting points. Don’t need to be “Suttoned” again.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
It’s been reported by numerous sources that Memphis has requested to speak with the Mizz Coach about the vacancy. When they called our players in for the meeting, that sealed the deal for me anyway. Can’t wait until it’s offical, Let the Party Begin!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
#59-The server has been overloaded, probably a very small percentage of the people trying to post have been able to. The server has been crashing since Friday due to the overload of Traffic. Believe me, there is Plenty of Interest.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I love Calipari as Jack Donaghey on 30 Rock.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Mark Story has zero influence on UK’s coaching decision nor Calipari’s acceptance or not.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Worldwide Wes http://men.style.com/gq/features/landing?id=content_5735
March 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
I am as excited about Calipari as anybody, but Story raises some fair points. Getting swept up in the excitement of a new coach and not taking an honest look at some of his pitfalls is what got us here in the first place. That Wesley Williams relationship does make me a little anxious. Those kind of relationships are going to exist if we target one-and-done players who have a bunch of people riding on their coattails for money.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
All coaches in major programs deal with the player troubles Story mentions. Tubby had his share of bad apples.. the underage drinking, the fight ont he airplane, hell, Mr. Clean Chuck Hayes was accused of raping a woman in Wildcat Lodge.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I guess paying Orton’s Dad for his time at the camps last summer gave you warm fuzzies. ALL coaches stretch the rules. If he screws up we need to cut him lose quick. If Mitch and Dr. Todd don’t put in provisions for this then shame on us. By that time or when Cal is ready to go honorably hopefully Pelphrey will have turned it around at Arkansas.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Like Beisner said, Great Photoshop material: http://www.truebluekentucky.com/
March 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I think the Mark Story article is totally legit. I mean, those are the same concerns that many UK fans have about hiring Calipari. He’s clearly the best candidate on the surface, but you have to be concerned about his recruiting efforts. As much as right now sucks, a recruiting scandal would suck 10x more. You have to ask those questions to make sure UK is protected against something like that. I would even ask that a clause be put in the contract that any type of recruiting violation requires Cal to repay millions to the university.
Although, the discipline stuff doesn’t really matter, but the recruiting concerns have to be there.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
47, Funny Shit
March 30th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Thanks for the Link #57-I just sent him a nice piece to read, if his P.C. doesn’t melt. People that follow his rambling banter are already on zanex anyway. He is a drama king, who acts like he just found the body of Jimmy Hoffa. I feel confident that before this deal is made, that their will be no smoke screen from either direction. Kentucky Basketball is the most observed program in college sports and everyone including Calipari knows that. And that is in no way saying that he would do anything shady otherwise. He doesn’t have to, look at his track record, its’ not like there is a history of his players being thugs, or anything other than the Camby thing back in the day involving the agent. He is a winner, and he will bring winners to the program. He sees this as his destiny, and he will handle it like glass slipper. So all of you Na Sayers, get a grip. I hope that you have not allowed yourselves to become enshrined in mediocraty, because we are getting ready to go from a pony ride to the Derby Baby………..
March 30th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
68. that rocks!!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
47—–THAT IS SOOO FUNNY!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I know everyone worries about his recruiting….However, paying Orton’s dad to speak at camp seems a little shady to me. Cal is good and he is not stupid either. He hasn’t gotten busted at Memphis and Camby made his own decison!
March 30th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Yea, I even heard rumors about Porter receiving some money,,,,,,,,,,But he came anyway.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
would love to hear from Matt, but I guess he’s to busy brushing his hair. 200 strokes a night you know.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Billyclyde-superglide: Good point about the scrutiny at UK. That’d be enough to keep any coach in line, eh? Well, I mean… except Eddie Sutton.Right?
March 30th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
ok so why cant people just accept hes the best recruiter in the nation?
March 30th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Is Matt Jones alive? MM’s source says he’s disappeared to Mexico. MM can confirm this. Maybe, South America. They’re Latino too, right?
-MM
March 30th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Thought some might like to know that in response to the email I sent Alan Cutler last Friday, I received a reply apologizing for his not-well-thought-out pursuit of Billy Gillispie on Friday. He has also approached the University with a contrite heart. I was happy to accept his apology.
Sarita McKnight
UK ‘73
March 30th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Here is arguably the funniest thread I’ve seen in a while…per the CJ (wish I could take credit for this one, but can’t, props to sleeting)
sleeting wrote:
News alert - Since everyone saw the new commercial with the coaches in their boxers singing, they have offered Rick Pitino a job. He will be leaving UofL to model underwear and hair wigs and plugs.
3/30/2009 9:52:59 PM
March 30th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
My biggest concern with Calipari is that will UK be able to hit free throws in the
finals.lol
March 30th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
#78–I think he’s a dynamite recruiter. But there is just too much baggage to think he totally does it with his charm alone. The FedEx intern program is incredible. I don’t think LexMark can match it. Worldwide Wes is powerful, and maybe just a bit dirty. Cal might not work directly with him, but perhaps turns a blind eye? Either way, I hope UK gets someone good. Cal is fine though. With much less talent, Pearl went 2-2 vs him. UT had slightly more talent than UK the last 2 years and was only 1-3 against BCG.
March 30th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
macon good point man but i still think CAL is the ONLY man for the job.. good recruits exciting basketball and everyone would love him
March 30th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
come on Matt where are you? I hope you have been crawling through the heating ducts at Wildcat Lodge.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Danielle whats-her-face at WHAS 11 is an idiot.
Last night she set up a clip for Scott Padgett, and called him David Padgett.
They, of course, have now been the FIRST to officially report of Calipari’s hire.
$500000000 says that in the coming weeks, their stupid self-absorbed commercials will cite how they were the “first to break the news of Gillispie’s firing and Calipari’s hiring.”
We should put her, Cutler and Story on a freaking boat to Mexico.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Does anyone wonder if Calipari is doing this for a raise? If he backs out on this UK basketball is over.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
#84–I agree. UK missed the boat last time. Just hope he’s not playing you. If he has an ego, he HAS to be UK’s next coach!
March 30th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
87. agreed
March 30th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Just got a tweet from Matt - discussions still ongoing - detailed and wide ranging. Still looking good.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
LEX 18 reporting it is a done deal??
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=10096463&nav=menu203_1_16
March 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
#75 Yeah that IS true…….. I offered him $25K ! But……Like you said, he came anyways.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Okay. Am I the only one that feels uneasy about this?
I want to believe Cal is coming to UK but something is telling
me not to believe until I hear it from him or at a UK press conference.
Is there anything recent that would suggest that Memphis was
not able to match our offer? Seems like there would have been a
definite announcement that everyone was reporting.
Watching the ESPN bottom line seeing the same thing over and over
is driving me crazy. And I also didn’t get anything done at work today.
I hope we get confirmation tomorrow.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Coach Cal keep it clean in Lexington were not Memphis and they don’t call it the fish bowl for nothing you’ll soon find that out.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Memphis message board are saying Calipari has been in a meeting with memphis boosters for over four hours is he there or negotiating with us
March 30th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I know its not official yet, but I cant wait for UK and Calipari to thump UofL next year! I also hope that the UK athletic department always does the opposite of what Pitino recommends when it comes to advice.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
He allegedly gets his former players to take them back to Puerto Rico if they de-commit. Look into the Alejandro Carmona recruitment out of Troy, OH about 5 years ago for more information. Calipari allegedly has his associates and former players doing his dirty work for him. This is how he allegedly stays so clean.
http://bearcatnews.com/recruiting/bio/90
March 30th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Ever wonder how Calipari keeps all these top notch recruits?
There is one theory out there. He allegedly gets his former players to take them back to Puerto Rico if they de-commit. Look into the Alejandro Carmona recruitment out of Troy, OH about 5 years ago for more information. Calipari allegedly has his associates and former players doing his dirty work for him. This is how he allegedly stays so clean.
http://bearcatnews.com/recruiting/bio/90
March 30th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Does anybody know why the peeps on ESPN keep on talking about meeks and PP as if they might bolt to the NBA?
March 30th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I just hope this man does things the right way. I think i speak for a lot of the people in the big blue nation when i say: I’ve been a big blue fan my whole life (ride or die), “football” & basketball(4 those who might say i havnet been around for the bad times lol) I just simply love the big blue it means a lot to me. Having said that I just want some1 who “wants” to be there not who gets “bought” there. Whether or not that is Cal, I personally DON”T know but as a life long KY fan I just hope whatever comes down within the next few days is in the best interest of the bball program as a “whole” not just the “short” term.
FYI Im not against CAL or “…..any of those things” lol (as billy would say) i just hope it all works out
GO BIG BLUE!!!!
March 30th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
just got a twitter from Matt,said no announcement until contract is signed Calipari likely in Lex tomorrow
March 30th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I’ve got the champagne ready to pop open when this becomes official! If this happens…WE ARE BACK BITCHES!!!!
On another note:
Just curious…has there been any news on where ol’ BCG may end up? Any truth to those rumors that he had been talking to Texas Tech towards the end of the season?
March 30th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Alright folks…how many are with me on the trip to memorial to welcome the new coach this week?
March 30th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
Just curious but where does UK fly their plane out of?
March 30th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
According to andy K on ESPN if John C doesnt take the Job
then Travis F will be the coach.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
105) Memorial will be packed and probably flooding outside on this one! This is HUGE for Kentucky Basketball!
March 30th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I’m seriously starting to think this guy is just milking memphis for more money
March 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
109) I disagree and think it will be official within the next 24-48 hours.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
MB MUST hit a home run this time and the thought of Travis Ford equates to being a bunt or foul tip at best. Besides, do you honestly think UK will take Pitino’s advice after Mr. Wigman had a say in Billy D turning us down, not once, but twice. Let’s be realistic. If it’s not Cal, then it’s somebody bigger than the midget in Oklahoma.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
the stories out of memphis are backing up now and saying that they are still chasing calipari and there is a late nite meeting with the biggest booster going on right now hope not or hope so i hope they try to keep him offer him the same money and he comes anyway that would make it about more than money here hoping for the best