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Post by Life's too short. on Mar 30, 2009 8:57:52 GMT -5
University of Memphis coach John Calipari is open to meeting with officials from the University of Kentucky about its head coaching position and could do so as early as today, according to a source close to the situation. As of Sunday night, Kentucky officials had not contacted Memphis asking permission to speak to Calipari, according to sports information director Lamar Chance. After the Tigers returned Friday from Glendale, Ariz., where they played in a fourth straight Sweet 16 last week, Calipari told reporters that Memphis was "where I want to coach." Yet, he apparently is willing to listen to overtures about the job that came open when Billy Gillispie was fired after just two seasons.
Memphis Commercial Appeal
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Post by maestrojpl on Mar 30, 2009 9:32:49 GMT -5
He will jump at this offer IMO.
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Post by tophb21 on Mar 30, 2009 9:52:52 GMT -5
I wonder what makes this job more appealing now than two years ago when UK came calling.
I suppose Wildcat nation will sweeten the deal and give Calipari more than he can refuse.
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Post by tnsooner on Mar 30, 2009 9:53:11 GMT -5
I was there when they got off the plain from the tourney and he said he has no interest, he wants to be in Memphis. He said his name will be linked to every open coaching job out there but he is not going anywhere. Plus, why would he? He has built a monster here and gets whatever he wants because Memphis is nothing but a basketball school.
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Post by maestrojpl on Mar 30, 2009 10:39:52 GMT -5
He would because he knows that even when he wins 25 consecutive games and is ranked #2 in the country he is still not going to get a #1 seed in his region. C-USA is a joke.
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Post by okcubsfan on Mar 30, 2009 12:52:15 GMT -5
Word around OKC is a private jet left OKC airport yesterday for Kentucky (can't remember the airport), but it isn't a normal flight. Travis Ford was rumored to be on this flight.
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Post by Bradimous1 on Mar 30, 2009 12:55:05 GMT -5
I could see Travis Ford going there... but don't see why Coach Cal wouldn't take this opportunity.
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Post by okcubsfan on Mar 30, 2009 12:57:58 GMT -5
I think it depends on money. If Memphis will offer what Kentucky offers, I think he'll stay at Memphis. The guy has had some good recruiting classes and has another one coming in next year. That to me is enough incentive to stay at Memphis if the money is right. Word on the street is Ford will be the guy if the big names, Calipari, Donovan, etc all turn it down.
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Post by maestrojpl on Mar 30, 2009 13:00:17 GMT -5
Supposedly Donovan already said no thanks.
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Post by Bradimous1 on Mar 30, 2009 13:02:23 GMT -5
I think if they are offering the same, you jump to Kentucky... legends are made in Kentucky, not Memphis. Plus, you can only win so many Conference USA titles before some tells you to man up and coach in a real conference (oh wait, not that much talent in the SEC either)
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Post by zacharyjarm on Mar 30, 2009 13:03:17 GMT -5
The major difference is this would be Calipari's legacy if he took the UK job. The Memphis job isn't bad but he can be remembered as an all-time great if he wins at UK.
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Post by okcubsfan on Mar 30, 2009 13:04:27 GMT -5
Yes, so did Jay Wright I believe. I wonder if Mark Few's name will pop up in any big jobs this year. Maybe Arizona? That guy can't stay at Gonzaga forever. He's done a great job with mainly 2nd tier recruits.
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Post by tophb21 on Mar 30, 2009 13:14:39 GMT -5
Yes, so did Jay Wright I believe. I wonder if Mark Few's name will pop up in any big jobs this year. Maybe Arizona? That guy can't stay at Gonzaga forever. He's done a great job with mainly 2nd tier recruits. Mark Few is an interesting candidate. His name is always mentioned, but thus far, his ego hasn't told him that he needs to leave Gonzaga. I heard an interesting interview with him the other day and he sounded like he likes making Gonzaga into a program much like Coach K did with Duke. Granted the conferences are totally different and that may be a reason for him to leave. However, he seemed to enjoy building something from scratch in Spokane rather than leaving to follow in someone else's footsteps.
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Post by eloveku on Mar 30, 2009 13:16:32 GMT -5
I think it depends on money. If Memphis will offer what Kentucky offers, I think he'll stay at Memphis. The guy has had some good recruiting classes and has another one coming in next year. That to me is enough incentive to stay at Memphis if the money is right. Word on the street is Ford will be the guy if the big names, Calipari, Donovan, etc all turn it down. True, but if I'm not mistaken, only 1 of the really big recruits has actually penned a LOI.... usually coaches don't "take" recruits with them, but Cal isn't exactly "Mr. Nice Guy".
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