We will be down for a few years when Cal leaves.. because he will leave the cupboard empty for the next coach.
Maybe....we will also be down because the coach that comes in will be unproven. There are no proven coaches who would take the job today. Few, Beard, etc. are still in the unproven category. Few won’t take it because he would crumble in the massive Kentucky program. He’s a west coast, hide at my little school that is happy being somewhat relevant, position. Beard hasn’t proven anything yet. Stevens isn’t leaving the NBA to deal with Kentucky fans and college basketball, even for a lot more money. I could go on and on with examples of unproven.
We are likely looking at an Archie Miller type hire when Cal leaves. It may work out fantastically but the odds are not in our favor. That’s the reason I believe we will be down 4-5 years when Calipari leaves. It will take a shining newcomer some time to get it rolling. He won’t have a stable of horses about to come in to his already successful, final four bound, program like Calipari did in 2009 that are willing to follow him.