Cal is not returning next year.

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May 31, 2018
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So you were told Cal was leaving and just said cool? You didn’t ask any other details, where he is going, who is replacing him, how they are going to keep it a secret for three months?

Yeah, I TOTALLY believe you.
You can believe him or you can not believe him but why you have taken on a personal crusade to convince everyone else to not believe him seems a little weird.
 

Urolex

All-Conference
Mar 21, 2010
440
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I have no idea if this will come down as the OP suggests but I have hope. I feel better after reading this thread than I have in quite some time. Hope, hope, hope. I don't care how he leaves, just be gone.

I want the Kentucky Era of Calipari to be over and done with. Going through the same thing every year is getting a little too much. Bring in a basketball coach and let's get back to being UK. And I am not worried about Barnhart being AD during the hire. The new coach will be selected by a committee not just the AD. We have enough basketball knowledge at Kentucky to bring in an excellent coach and it is time to do it.
I agree with this with regards to Mitch's limited role in a new hire. What's strange to me is the Kyle Tucker article detailing what is essentially Mitch hamstringing Cal/UKBB. I'm a little skeptical of the claims---it may very well be a Cal media trick by his 'ol buddy Kyle. But if it's true, it seems those same "committee" people that would select the new coach would also prevent Mitch from tanking UKBB over a grudge against Cal 🤷
 
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Bkocats

Heisman
Jan 2, 2011
80,888
69,896
67
Jesus man, step back and take a breath. You always like this when it comes to basketball?
Look..you seem like a nice guy you really do. And your posts seem respectful
But you do need to understand about Kentucky Basketball. Our fans are like no other. And while we fight amongst ourselves we tend to get our backs up when someone from “outside” has something to say that could be perceived as…well negative
It’s like being a bunch of siblings.

Can’t describe what basketball means to us. It’s more than a game here
 

TheDude73

Heisman
Jan 7, 2006
24,258
23,950
113
Could also be a landscaper. You never know.
 
May 31, 2018
15,280
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A quick search uncovered that former assistant coach and close friend of Cal, who was removed from the basketball program under strange circumstances, is still employed by the University Athletics Dept. Could he be the leak since he would have inside knowledge of the program? 🤷‍♂️
 

aceman509

Senior
Dec 19, 2015
458
805
93
If all this is true, my guess is they either follow him wherever he goes, or they just reopen their recruitment.

However, I’m not just concerned about these recruits, but also our current players that won’t be jumping to the league or graduating. I’m anticipating many of them would leave as well if Cal leaves. Could be a total decimation of the team, making it a very rough few years for a new coach.

Having said that, I much, much prefer Cal stays here at least through next season and gets the chance to coach the class he’s bringing in. They seem to be the prototypical class with which Cal has success. And if he did have success, I’d much rather see him leave on that note. I’m very grateful for Cal’s early years here and the unbelievable fun that was. Along with the Pitino years, they were the best I’ve ever had as a UK fan. Actually, probably even more so than Rick’s years.

Additionally, alluding to what I said earlier, I feel it’s actually in UK’s best interest for him to be here one more season. If he can have good success (not even necessarily a championship), he can leave UK on pretty good terms. That could result in a much smoother transition. With the hire of a good new coach, maybe we actually keep our team intact. We could avoid a possible complete decimation of the team and have success right off the bat!

I realize this probably is not a popular take on here, but it’s just my thoughts.

I actually think most of the current players dislike Cal so much him leaving could increase their chances of staying. Particularly the covid seniors (Wheeler, Toppin, Reeves) as well as Livingston. Thiero is probably the only one more likely to leave if Cal leaves since the only reason he is on the roster is a pre-existing personal connection.
 

TheDude73

Heisman
Jan 7, 2006
24,258
23,950
113
That you can see
Could be clear aligners like InvisAlign or SureSmiles…
Yeah, but does UK actually have or need their own orthodontist? I can see orthopedic MD or even PA, but not a dentist or orthodontist. :)
 

Wildcatfan66

Heisman
Mar 27, 2007
9,855
12,520
113
A quick search uncovered that former assistant coach and close friend of Cal, who was removed from the basketball program under strange circumstances, is still employed by the University Athletics Dept. Could he be the leak since he would have inside knowledge of the program? 🤷‍♂️
Assume you are talking about Robic. Do we know if he is still "employed".. maybe UK is still paying his severance on an annual basis.. that is common
 

BigBlueFanGA

Heisman
Jun 14, 2005
26,435
23,456
0
We? Who do you presume to speak for? There are few things more tiresome on a fan site than someone posing as gatekeeper because they've been posting a long time.

BTW-I remember who you are now. You're the clown who replied to me in another thread you've been calling for Cal's dismissal since 2013 so I should dummy up. Which is really dumb as Cal and the team won the title the year prior.
No, it wasn't dumb. His player turnover became evident and he no longer had a player like Miller as a Sr. I stated that young players eventually wilt under the pressure and Cal has never proven me wrong. His system used to work for winning a lot of games but not titles. Go back and find the discussions with Brianpoe. You'll see exactly what I said and I've been right.
 

westerncat

Heisman
Feb 19, 2012
15,923
20,891
0
I have no idea if this will come down as the OP suggests but I have hope. I feel better after reading this thread than I have in quite some time. Hope, hope, hope. I don't care how he leaves, just be gone.

I want the Kentucky Era of Calipari to be over and done with. Going through the same thing every year is getting a little too much. Bring in a basketball coach and let's get back to being UK. And I am not worried about Barnhart being AD during the hire. The new coach will be selected by a committee not just the AD. We have enough basketball knowledge at Kentucky to bring in an excellent coach and it is time to do it.

I agree
 

Bkocats

Heisman
Jan 2, 2011
80,888
69,896
67
Yeah, but does UK actually have or need their own orthodontist? I can see orthopedic MD or even PA, but not a dentist or orthodontist. :)
I don’t see why not actually. Your oral health affects your physical health. Gum disease can have a negative effect on your heart. Ignoring tooth pain can lead to all kinds of physical complications.
Orthodontia is important to help them look good on camera

Hey can you guess where I work?
 
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CHAMPCAT11

All-American
Jun 16, 2009
10,001
7,566
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Need to keep the Harvey Updike's of UK basketball in line. Steady the course my man.
Why don’t YOU steady the course ? You came to the football board and tried to play the nice guy role and nobody really cares. You get combative if a UK fan takes issue with your vanilla comments. Now you’re posting on the bball board and you’re getting ‘smarter’ with everyone that’s ready for you to back off. Maybe you should let this thread go and stop talking sh*t to real UK fans.
 

TheDude73

Heisman
Jan 7, 2006
24,258
23,950
113
I don’t see why not actually. Your oral health affects your physical health. Gum disease can have a negative effect on your heart. Ignoring tooth pain can lead to all kinds of physical complications.
Orthodontia is important to help them look good on camera

Hey can you guess where I work?
Yep, I can!

Maybe you're correct, and if they have one, he/she is probably on a consultancy basis, not full time. And could be part of the UK dental school.

We do have something in common! I was accepted into dental school way back in 1998, but opted to wait, completed my bioengineering degree, and never tried again. Spent 18 months volunteering as a DA prior to and after my acceptance!
 
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John Henry

Hall of Famer
Aug 18, 2007
35,574
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I agree with this with regards to Mitch's limited role in a new hire. What's strange to me is the Kyle Tucker article detailing what is essentially Mitch hamstringing Cal/UKBB. I'm a little skeptical of the claims---it may very well be a Cal media trick by his 'ol buddy Kyle. But if it's true, it seems those same "committee" people that would select the new coach would also prevent Mitch from tanking UKBB over a grudge against Cal 🤷
I treat the Kyle Tucker and Cal story as a false narrative. He may be throwing that out there to take the heat off of Calipari and blame the AD. I have no idea if the AD is to blame but I do know our basketball program is in the worse state of my years following UK. The head basketball coach is the CEO of our program and his head should roll first.

As soon as we get rid of Calipari we can move forward and address other issues. But the longer he hangs around the more drama will come. I am tired of drama.
 

MoonshineMafia

Sophomore
Sep 8, 2021
84
159
0
I treat the Kyle Tucker and Cal story as a false narrative. He may be throwing that out there to take the heat off of Calipari and blame the AD. I have no idea if the AD is to blame but I do know our basketball program is in the worse state of my years following UK. The head basketball coach is the CEO of our program and his head should roll first.

As soon as we get rid of Calipari we can move forward and address other issues. But the longer he hangs around the more drama will come. I am tired of drama.
Seeing this thread makes me a little more confident in my thought that the Tucker stuff was Cal torching the bridges on his way out after his escape was secured.
 

jjsomer

Senior
Sep 24, 2003
735
968
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This is why I’m skeptical. Cal has such an ego. Will he really want to get talked about how the last 3 years were so bad and he left the program in such terrible shape? Or would he rather bring that class in, have a legit chance at a title, then leave it then and be praised?
He has lost the fanbase...nearly 100% lost the fanbase. Probably 95% will never be happy with Calipari as the coach. His time is over. I think he finally sees it. Even if he wins a title next year at UK, fans are done. Plus, he can take the recruits he currently has with him to the next destination.

This all seems reasonable and likely to me.
 

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
23,014
33,279
66
Reported that Barnhart's top choice to replace Cal would be Scott Drew. IF that is true, I have not kept up with Scott Drew much. How good would he be recruiting and X's and O's?
One Final Four in 19 years at Baylor (and I like Drew) should tell you all you need to know
 

jjsomer

Senior
Sep 24, 2003
735
968
0
You know as well as I do that ONLY 1 of those kids is coming to UK because they love the basketball program.

They are leaving with Cal or going somewhere else.
NIL money and an exciting new coach that gives them as good of a chance to get to NBA millions may choose to stay. The next coaching hire is critical in regards to keeping these recruits.
 

TankedCat

Heisman
Nov 8, 2006
22,792
21,500
0
One Final Four in 19 years at Baylor (and I like Drew) should tell you all you need to know
One thing you can count on is Barnharts short list is going to give fans heartburn.

And he'll make sure the next coach stays under his thumb
 
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UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,159
10,045
77
A quick search uncovered that former assistant coach and close friend of Cal, who was removed from the basketball program under strange circumstances, is still employed by the University Athletics Dept. Could he be the leak since he would have inside knowledge of the program? 🤷‍♂️
That’s not him.
 
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Runnin'Ramel

Heisman
Jan 19, 2005
35,666
13,527
113
Someone should tell Ian Jackson. He’s about to commit here.
No, he'll be committing to John Calipari if he commits. And he'll follow Calipari wherever he goes.

Over the holidays I listened to an awesome podcast with D. Cousins where he talked about his recruitment. As most know, he committed to UAB, then Memphis, then UK ... because he was going to follow the coach .... he "didn't give a f**k" about the campus or where the school was. It was the most genuine, raw look into what recruits actually think about .... as fans just make assumptions.
 

yoshukai

Heisman
Dec 21, 2002
29,939
42,504
102
Texas or TV personality it is then.

Thanks for going out on a limb. Appreciate you.
I could see Cal taking on the basketball version of Lee Corso . You know, where he puts the mascots head on when he choose the winner .
 

TortElvisII

Heisman
May 7, 2010
51,700
96,942
66
One thing you can count on is Barnharts short list is going to give fans heartburn.

And he'll make sure the next coach stays under his thumb
I'll take Scott Drew yesterday.

And if he doesn't work out, we'll move on without a lifetime contract.
 
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UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,159
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77
I am just hoping this is true and Cal is leaving. As many have pointed out IF he leaves at the end of the season the new coach can use the portal and have some good players in place to help. It can be no worse the 1st year as it is this year.
That’s the only reason I posted this information. For folks that are begging for a change. Thought that might bring some hope to folks (like me when I heard it). No way in hell would I start a thread like this if I thought the information was any less than certain.
 
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