Outsiders looking at UK

[Wildcats1st]

If I were a fan of another team I would be happy UK is paying cal 10 million on a lifetime contract because i would know he isn’t winning another title and 2 nits in 10 years is a failure. That’s what you want from your rivals a coach who implements a system that’s doomed to failure. Of course they aren’t gonna complain. We though have high expectations

 

[Cats_2010]

Look, I believe Cal sincerely wants to do both. He's a competitor and he wants to win, thats why he yells for 40 minutes straight every game. And he wants to win championships for everybody including his legacy. I also believes he likes the idea of helping guys reach their dreams but at the same time used that as the springboard to get the top guys here each year.

I think Cal's ego played a part in him going all in with this approach because it was unique and he wanted to show everybody he could do both, get one and dones drafted and win championships. And I think it has rattled him some that it hasn't worked out to the level he or everyone else thought and he's struggling now.

The issue I have more than anything is the quote above and the notion that he's on a sacred crusade to help kids. If thats the case he would be much better position to do that by quitting his job where he is only able to help a few each year and head up a community center or non profit where he could help thousands. You dont have to provide kids a way to become a mega millionaire to fulfill their dreams in life, you can help thousands just get a good education and a good job they enjoy and raisie a family with and do the same thing. Cause if its just about helping kids there are a bunch of 2 and 3 star guys out there that would love that opportunity. Or even 4 star guys that never get a chance to show it because they are stuck on the bench never to see their dream.

i do think he cares about winning as well but it’s not his top priority which refutes the Fitch poster who called another poster an idiot for thinking otherwise. There’s no need to speculate cal has said it himself. Winning a title is secondary to getting kids to the league. If we happen to win a title so be it. It’s why he takes players like SKal and uses them where he thinks they will be used at the next level to perfect their craft as opposed to playing to their strengths in college. Also it baffles me why he doesn’t share the same affinity for players like Dontae Allen. Few mistakes and banished to the bench for game after game after game. Boston on the other hand has free Reign to mess up time after time.

 

[Glenn's Take]

It's not the losing season. It's the way he runs the program and the disdain he has for the fans. Me being sick of Cal has been going on for a few years now.

 

[revcort]

My friends and colleagues that are non-UK
fans (even the ones who don’t like Cal) don’t beat him up as badly, as this board. They give him the “benefit of the doubt” for having a poor season.
They see K struggling also, and assume both coaches will figure if out and right their respective ships next year...
Just sayin, it’s interesting to see a different point of view.
Now, caring on....

Before some of you fell the need to start going crazy on me....this is NOT a post saying Cal is above criticism and that the team is not hot mess. This team sucks donkey balls.

My attitude is similar to those you mention. I am beyond frustrated with this particular team. I have seen some progress, but there are multiple problems here that seem un-fixable to me. This seems to me to be a broken team. On paper, this team should be great but on the court they have been awful. It's hard to explain. But I don't think we can lay all the fault here at the feet of Calipari. Yes, he's being paid $10 million a year to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen and he certainly isn't above criticism, but his track record speaks for itself. I will not be surprised when he has this team performing well by February and March. It may be too little, too late but they may be a dangerous team if they can make the Dance. In my view, his past performance earns him a mulligan on this season. If this becomes a pattern, I have a feeling he will see the writing on the wall and head to greener pastures where he doesn't have to deal with a bunch of rabid idiots who eat, sleep, and live for 18-21 year old kids playing with a ball. Until that day comes, I will be supporting this coach. I will also be cheering for this particular team and hoping for the best for this season, and not a total collapse like it seems some would love to see.

 

[Blueaz]

My attitude is similar to those you mention. I am beyond frustrated with this particular team. I have seen some progress, but there are multiple problems here that seem un-fixable to me. This seems to me to be a broken team. On paper, this team should be great but on the court they have been awful. It's hard to explain. But I don't think we can lay all the fault here at the feet of Calipari. Yes, he's being paid $10 million a year to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen and he certainly isn't above criticism, but his track record speaks for itself. I will not be surprised when he has this team performing well by February and March. It may be too little, too late but they may be a dangerous team if they can make the Dance. In my view, his past performance earns him a mulligan on this season. If this becomes a pattern, I have a feeling he will see the writing on the wall and head to greener pastures where he doesn't have to deal with a bunch of rabid idiots who eat, sleep, and live for 18-21 year old kids playing with a ball. Until that day comes, I will be supporting this coach. I will also be cheering for this particular team and hoping for the best for this season, and not a total collapse like it seems some would love to see.

as per your usual... excellent post.
All points covered, and sadly their are a lot of posters in your last sentence. Wanting so bad, to say "I told you so"

 

[TheOtherGreatOne]

There is nothing to say to someone of your stupidity. If you think cal prioritizes the draft over winning and developing his players/team to make a run for the title each year, well you are a lost cause.
He doesn’t make some of the adjustments I would like with each team, and this is really frustrating right now, but damn. You are stuck on stupid and there is no helping you.

I sir am not stupld and I also believe that Cal prioritizes the draft over molding the best college team that he can. Just listen to him talk about how much money his players make in the nba. I could care less about the nba, I love college basketball. It would not bother me one bit if the nba never played another game.

 

[Cats_2010]

It just get's tiresome that many on here every year complain about Cal's salary and they honestly have no right to mention it. If your not a season ticket holder or buying tickets to the games or a donate money to program then you or anyone else has a right to complain.

I have seen some idiotic post on here but this ranks right up there. I am sure anyone that post here owns UK apparel so they have provided some level of financial support to the university. Also hard pressed to believe that anyone that post her can say they have never been to a game ever. Also let’s say you are a season ticket holder then who do you get to complain to if your not happy with the results being churned out.

 

[yoshukai]

My friends and colleagues that are non-UK
fans (even the ones who don’t like Cal) don’t beat him up as badly, as this board. They give him the “benefit of the doubt” for having a poor season.
They see K struggling also, and assume both coaches will figure if out and right their respective ships next year...
Just sayin, it’s interesting to see a different point of view.
Now, carry on....

Before some of you fell the need to start going crazy on me....this is NOT a post saying Cal is above criticism and that the team is not hot mess. This team sucks donkey balls.

Outsiders thought we were crazy with not being happy with Tubbys results also . They don’t care .

 

[morgousky]

For the record, it was NOT just Jay Bilas and Vitale. Also, many fans would stop by and tell us how great of a man Tubby was, to keep him, and we'll be fine.

They hated Calipari, now rival fans think we should settle down, Cal is a "good guy" and will turn it around.

It is actually very similar.

 

[jessieshorts8]

I would be thrilled too by what's going on if I wasn't a UK fan.I don't get your point.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

It just get's tiresome that many on here every year complain about Cal's salary and they honestly have no right to mention it. If your not a season ticket holder or buying tickets to the games or a donate money to program then you or anyone else has a right to complain.

I could be mistaken, but I believe Cal is the highest paid state employee in the Commonwealth. That makes his job performance the business of every taxpaying citizen in Kentucky. I pay my taxes; I have every right to complain.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

i do think he cares about winning as well but it’s not his top priority which refutes the Fitch poster who called another poster an idiot for thinking otherwise. There’s no need to speculate cal has said it himself. Winning a title is secondary to getting kids to the league. If we happen to win a title so be it. It’s why he takes players like SKal and uses them where he thinks they will be used at the next level to perfect their craft as opposed to playing to their strengths in college. Also it baffles me why he doesn’t share the same affinity for players like Dontae Allen. Few mistakes and banished to the bench for game after game after game. Boston on the other hand has free Reign to mess up time after time.

That team needed Skal to be what Cal wanted him to be.

 

[bluegrasshickory]

Look, I believe Cal sincerely wants to do both. He's a competitor and he wants to win, thats why he yells for 40 minutes straight every game. And he wants to win championships for everybody including his legacy. I also believes he likes the idea of helping guys reach their dreams but at the same time used that as the springboard to get the top guys here each year.

I think Cal's ego played a part in him going all in with this approach because it was unique and he wanted to show everybody he could do both, get one and dones drafted and win championships. And I think it has rattled him some that it hasn't worked out to the level he or everyone else thought and he's struggling now.

The issue I have more than anything is the quote above and the notion that he's on a sacred crusade to help kids. If thats the case he would be much better position to do that by quitting his job where he is only able to help a few each year and head up a community center or non profit where he could help thousands. You dont have to provide kids a way to become a mega millionaire to fulfill their dreams in life, you can help thousands just get a good education and a good job they enjoy and raisie a family with and do the same thing. Cause if its just about helping kids there are a bunch of 2 and 3 star guys out there that would love that opportunity. Or even 4 star guys that never get a chance to show it because they are stuck on the bench never to see their dream.

THIS. there are literally a million better ways to more effectively help the disenfranchised than grandstanding over 10 kids a year (there are 345 million americans) who were probably going to a professional league of some sort with our without Cal. for real. its so inane. just deflection and self aggrandizement.

 

[kyjeff1]

Actually it doesn't. The basketball program is self funded and doesn't need any funding from the state.

So I have to drive over an hour, pay a ridiculous amount of money and sit in the nose boards to post facts bout our coach and what UK plays him? It's public information and I have a right to discuss it. it’s not like I'm giving out his ssn.

Hell, I used to live in Michigan, that would be a ridiculous drive just to be able to state facts about how much Cal makes off UK.

Take a hike if you don’t like it.

 

[CB3UK]

The grass isnt always greener on the other side. And theres all manner of factors that go into why a fan base feels as it does. Auburn just fired Gus Malzahn.....we would kill to have the results he had at Auburn. Im not going to go tell Auburn fans they should be OK with what Gus has done because from a UK perspective its great. That makes zero sense man.

 

[CB3UK]

Actually it doesn't. The basketball program is self funded and doesn't need any funding from the state.

Cal is a university employee and as such an employee of the state. His base salary, something like $200K or whatever it is, does come from those funds.


The rest is from endorsements and incentives and such

 

[bassworship]

Cal is a university employee and as such an employee of the state. His base salary, something like $200K or whatever it is, does come from those funds.


The rest is from endorsements and incentives and such

I have read articles stating that his salary is completely funded by the program. It does not some through taxes and funds of the State.

 

[morgousky]

I have read articles stating that his salary is completely funded by the program. It does not some through taxes and funds of the State.

From what I know he gets a base salary from the state. I don't think you're right here, and it wouldn't matter anyway. The fans are the customers, they are right. If they don't like the direction, things change.

My family has put more money into UK than they put into me. And my opinion, or theirs, is no more important than a poor family from the boondocks.

Your posting on this issue is in really bad taste and unfair.

 

[morgousky]

I was actually joking with the first comment in stating it and done so mainly because of the amount of people yearly calling that Cal is severely overpaid. Mainly done it at the original poster because he is one of the biggest whiners on the board lol.

I hear you, but this notion that because people cannot afford what you can makes them less important is one of the saddest things written on this board. Some people are doing everything they can to get to a game once every 10 years, and their way of support is to scream and shout and cry over UK basketball. To me, that is the real fan.

 

[TankedCat]

.

players first is not meant to sound good to fans but to players and thier families. Sounds better than “come to Uk, we have a tradition you don’t care about and if you come we will make sure that you sit on the bench until you are a junior and by the time the nba knows you exist, you will have squandered the most valuable thing a highly rank player has which is benefit of the doubt given due to youth.

What are schools like UNC saying? and more importantly, why isn't what Cal is saying working with the "best of the best of the best" as he stated when he was hired here. Whatever he is selling, they ain't buying.

UNC certainly gets the occasional one and done but they are just as likely to have strong players that stay and develop their career at their school. They've had up and down seasons but Roy has done well.

 

[morgousky]

Man give it a rest. There is more garbage posted on here in 1 hour by regulars daily. Again I was joking when i said it. My family no longer have season tickets either so I know first had what your saying. This is my last response to this but if you really want to be the moral police on this board your going to be quite busy.

I'm not interested in being the morality man, that's Calipari.

I just think it's in poor taste for people to consistently put down people who don't have resources. I made 1 or 2 post to you consisting of a few sentences. lol. Pipe down.

 

[Woodrow24]

My attitude is similar to those you mention. I am beyond frustrated with this particular team. I have seen some progress, but there are multiple problems here that seem un-fixable to me. This seems to me to be a broken team. On paper, this team should be great but on the court they have been awful. It's hard to explain. But I don't think we can lay all the fault here at the feet of Calipari. Yes, he's being paid $10 million a year to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen and he certainly isn't above criticism, but his track record speaks for itself. I will not be surprised when he has this team performing well by February and March. It may be too little, too late but they may be a dangerous team if they can make the Dance. In my view, his past performance earns him a mulligan on this season. If this becomes a pattern, I have a feeling he will see the writing on the wall and head to greener pastures where he doesn't have to deal with a bunch of rabid idiots who eat, sleep, and live for 18-21 year old kids playing with a ball. Until that day comes, I will be supporting this coach. I will also be cheering for this particular team and hoping for the best for this season, and not a total collapse like it seems some would love to see.

Every blue blood program or even decent program have bad fans. I think coaches for the most part are used to it. I really believe Cal when he says he doesn’t pay attention to it. He’s been at this for so long he’s probably heard it all as far as that goes lol If he can turn this team around it would be one of the best, if not the best coaching seasons he has had as far as player development goes. Our coaching staff has a tough task ahead of them, and I hope they get it done. It will be interesting to see what “tweaks” they do to try to improve moving forward with this season. I personally prefer for Cal to go back to his old school recruiting philosophies. We need more veteran leadership and less roster turnover, IMO.

 

[CB3UK]

I have read articles stating that his salary is completely funded by the program. It does not some through taxes and funds of the State.

Yeah it definitely is mostly funded from outside. I want to say he's paid some sort of minimun that is required of the position. Im sure someone on here actually recalls the specifics. Regardless, Im certain he does recieve a small university salary.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

Cool, what about this year?

 

[TankedCat]

Yeah it definitely is mostly funded from outside. I want to say he's paid some sort of minimun that is required of the position. Im sure someone on here actually recalls the specifics. Regardless, Im certain he does recieve a small university salary.

it not so much about the fans financially involved in the actual payment of his salary, its the fan support of him earning that salary.

If no one gives a rats butt about the coach or he is disliked, is he going to get endorsements? a lucrative salary for a radio show?

not likely. Coach Cal pimping products to a receptive fan base drives that salary to some extent

so when the salary is so high that fans are questioning their return on the investment for the university, there is a larger issue in that they are generally unhappy and less receptive to whatever he is selling.

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

again if message boards are your sources... i got nothing for you

He’s not wrong. ESPN, led by Dickie V spread the narrative that we were spoiled by Tubby and even racist for wanting him gone. This is common knowledge.

They made blanket statements and accusations targeted at all of BBN.

 

[Blueaz]

He’s not wrong. ESPN, led by Dickie V spread the narrative that we were spoiled by Tubby and even racist for wanting him gone. This is common knowledge.

They made blanket statements and accusations targeted at all of BBN.

if you see my other posts, I mentioned Dick...Dick is not the masses.

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

if you see my other posts, I mentioned Dick...Dick is not the masses.

Dick and ESPN were spreading these accusations to the masses. And a lot of them believed them, thus his comment about the masses.

 

[RunninRichie]

this is a direct quote from Cal following the 14-15 season


“Last year we started the season with a goal. You may think it was to win a national title or win all the games, [but] it was to get eight players drafted. Well, how can you be about your team if you’re worried about getting players drafted? We kind of work it the other way. What are your dreams? What are you looking for? What are you trying to get out of life? How can we help you with that?
“For me, the mission for me is to be a vehicle to help others reach their dreams, to be the stone that creates the ripple in their lives that goes on and on and on. Now in our state, they want my mission to be, ‘win national titles, win national titles.’ My mission is bigger than that.”

Sounds to me winning a championship is a by product of his players success but not the priority. Seems I recall (and honestly not sure) that he made a statement along the lines of he rather have players drafted and not win the title rather than win a title but not have any players drafted. His priority is draft night, always has been. Winning the title is nothing but icing.

get him outta here

 

[toll_booth_guru]

It just get's tiresome that many on here every year complain about Cal's salary and they honestly have no right to mention it. If your not a season ticket holder or buying tickets to the games or a donate money to program then you or anyone else has a right to complain.

Exactly, he should not be expected to hold his end of the bargain. It’s really more about feelings and Cal feels pretty good when he says he has a mission to better all humanity UK will allow him to so he can spring them to the D league for 2 years then use that one year of futile classes that qualifies one to fry fish at Captain D’s at the age of 20. He should get a Nobel peace prize...or at least a couple coupons for a First Mate combo meal at Captain D’s.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

My friends and colleagues that are non-UK
fans (even the ones who don’t like Cal) don’t beat him up as badly, as this board. They give him the “benefit of the doubt” for having a poor season.
They see K struggling also, and assume both coaches will figure if out and right their respective ships next year...
Just sayin, it’s interesting to see a different point of view.
Now, carry on....

Before some of you fell the need to start going crazy on me....this is NOT a post saying Cal is above criticism and that the team is not hot mess. This team sucks donkey balls.

of course.... UK winning doesnt matter to them. ask a bama fan if they'd want Saban gone if they had a 1-4 start and hadnt made the final four since 2015.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Really I don’t even know for sure what we’re disagreeing about right now. I thought it was pretty common knowledge and accepted that we took a pretty good beating nationally for being unhappy with Tubby. I guess we live in different countries.

Well yeah the UNC-Dookie sniffer media would hate for UK to have a coach who went to final fours

 

[MakinMusic_rivals]

It is funny, when we’re doing well the outside talk I always hear is that Cal sucks and is overrated (all I heard from 2010-2015) but when we struggle we need to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Take from that observation what you will.

Very similar narrative as the end for Smith.....Kentucky fans wanted him gone but outsiders continued to tell Kentucky n they were racist and he’s a good coach and a good man. We can’t expect championships every year, etc.

Other fans love To see Kentucky struggle. Always keep that in mind.

 

[cats#1again]

When you take the job at UK and you make 10 mil a year, you should expect criticism. For that kind of money we expect the best.

So don't hate him because he beats to his own drum. What do u want, him to crumble at criticism?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

I understand the frustration but the people who absolutely hate Cal I don’t get. We have had some pretty good teams even though they haven’t been pre-2016 great. I really believe Fox, Bam, and Monk would have maybe won it all had they gotten a fair whistle against UNC. The elite 8 loss to KSU wasn’t warranted, and Hero’s team should have beat Auburn but stuff happens.

This team just isn’t great but Cal has provided great moments and got us back on top. I’ll give him time to fix this. I won’t ever flat out hate him because he did make us king again.

Bball goes in cycles. It looked like Roy Williams was done years ago and he went on another tear. Cal can do the same.

 

[CatsIndy2010]

The real test is the sec schedule this year. If Coach Cal can turn things around before the sec team play, we may be thinking differently of him.

 

[Trinity45]

So don't hate him because he beats to his own drum. What do u want, him to crumble at criticism?

Who said I hated him, just said he is the head coach he should take the criticism, and he is well paid as well, hell for 10 mil a year you can call me any name you want.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

Actually, there aren’t too many ‘outsiders looking in,’ in all reality. Much to the chagrin of this message board (I know), the vast majority of people in the USA don’t give a damn about college basketball. It isn’t really that big of a deal.

Which severely compounds the issue. We are some of the only people who care. Our coach is financially compensated to maintain and meet our expectations. And yet we're 1-4.

 

[Blueaz]

of course.... UK winning doesnt matter to them. ask a bama fan if they'd want Saban gone if they had a 1-4 start and hadnt made the final four since 2015.

your are not getting the point or don't want to get the point:; either is okay... I am not going to argue

 

[Blueaz]

Dick and ESPN were spreading these accusations to the masses. And a lot of them believed them, thus his comment about the masses.

no his comment was that the masses were all over us... the masses were not.
just because a message is out there; doesn't mean everyone follows or supports... 2020 is a prime example

HE doesn't like Cal and will push ANY narrative to justify it. You may be in the same boat, idk.

Tubby deserved to leave and so should Cal if this continues into next season...IMO