1. In His Dream Job: Coach Calipari has stated numerous times that being Kentucky’s head coach was his dream job. He stated to Andy Katz that he was actually willing to take less money for the job.
"I don't want you to tell Kentucky this, but I would have taken less money to go to Kentucky," Calipari said. "Because it's Kentucky. Don't tell them that, though.”
When meeting with his Memphis team to make them aware of the opportunity, he described Kentucky as “the Notre Dame of college basketball.”
2. Awareness of History: In his first press conference, Calipari alluded to Dan Issel, Tayshaun Prince, Kyle Macy, “Mr. Wildcat” Bill Keightley, Rex Chapman and Nazi Mohammed. Various times since accepting the job, he has mentioned the great history and tradition of Kentucky basketball.
3. Acceptance of Former Cats: When Coach Calipari held his first practice at Kentucky, former Wildcat Kyle Macy was watching from the sidelines. Calipari went over to Macy and exchanged greetings with him. He asked to be the university’s representative in Detroit this weekend when Tayshaun Prince was honored with his Olympic gold medal.
There has been a rumor floating around that he might even be willing to bring a former Kentucky player on as an assistant coach.
4. Willingness to Show Face on Campus: Calipari has already visited a Kentucky football spring practice where he spoke to the team. He told Andy Katz that he won’t be a stranger on campus. He said he won't stay in his office and avoid interacting with the other coaches or teams. He plans on attending football, baseball and women's basketball games as well as other sporting events.
In his press conference, Calipari announced, "I'm a regular guy, folks. I do not walk on water."
5. Loves Representing the University of Kentucky Nationally: Calipari has been all over television and radio since the accepted the Kentucky job. He has been on Rome is Burning, SportsCenter, the Final Four Pre-Game Show, Mike and Mike, Pardon the Interruption, Sirius Radio and more.
3. Acceptance of Former Cats: When Coach Calipari held his first practice at Kentucky, former Wildcat Kyle Macy was watching from the sidelines. Calipari went over to Macy and exchanged greetings with him. He asked to be the university’s representative in Detroit this weekend when Tayshaun Prince was honored with his Olympic gold medal.
There has been a rumor floating around that he might even be willing to bring a former Kentucky player on as an assistant coach.
4. Willingness to Show Face on Campus: Calipari has already visited a Kentucky football spring practice where he spoke to the team. He told Andy Katz that he won’t be a stranger on campus. He said he won't stay in his office and avoid interacting with the other coaches or teams. He plans on attending football, baseball and women's basketball games as well as other sporting events.
In his press conference, Calipari announced, "I'm a regular guy, folks. I do not walk on water."
5. Loves Representing the University of Kentucky Nationally: Calipari has been all over television and radio since the accepted the Kentucky job. He has been on Rome is Burning, SportsCenter, the Final Four Pre-Game Show, Mike and Mike, Pardon the Interruption, Sirius Radio and more.
There was even a 30-minute show Friday on FoxSports South titled Let's Meet John Calipari.
6. Work Ethic: It made a great first impression on many Wildcat fans when an understandably tired John Calipari flew to Kentucky just before midnight, got out of bed early for a Kentucky press conference and then immediately flew to Memphis for a good-bye press conference. The first impression was made when he ended the Memphis press conference and flew to Oklahoma City to make contact with Kentucky recruit Daniel Orton’s family.
Calipari didn’t stop with that. He has already had a couple of practices with the current Kentucky players and has spoken to nearly all of the recruits that were recruited by Billy Gillispie. Add to that the fact that he has flown all over the country recruiting and representing UK and it is hard to not appreciate Calipari’s work ethic.
7. Recruiting: Speaking of recruiting, Calipari has stirred up more recruiting excitement in one week than there’s been in Kentucky for the last 10 years. He single-handily has Kentucky listed on the prospective lists of basically every top, unsigned player in the nation. Kentucky was previously listed on the #22 (Orton) and #32 (Hood) players in the Rivals Top 150 List. Now, Kentucky is listed on #1, #2, #3, #22, #32, #67, #75 and #140. That excludes several players that have already committed to Memphis that might consider following Calipari to Lexington.
For many years, Kentucky has focused on recruiting lower-level players that can be developed into solid contributors. It is refreshing to see Kentucky listed beside the likes of Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and UCONN on the lists of some of the nation’s top recruits.
8. Personality and Charisma: Calipari has the perfect persona to become a beloved Kentucky coach. He is comfortable when speaking in public and he displays a witty humor that captures the audience. His humor was evident in his first press conference. He looked at the notorious Alan Cutler (famous for chasing former coach Billy Gillispie through the basketball office for an interview) and stated, "Did you chase that guy? Do you have tennis shoes on right now?"
He sarcastically asked, "Do they question coaches here?"
Throughout the press conference, his witty jokes drew laughter from the anxious audience. His personality and charm allow him to be in control, while still being likeable.
9. His Offense: He will bring a brand of basketball to Lexington that the Big Blue Nation has longed for since the Rick Pitino days. If you have not already done so, do some research on the Dribble-Drive Motion offense and prepare to be excited.
The Dribble-Drive Motion: A Look at the Numbers
10. The Potential Rivalries (imagine the possibilities):
- Calipari vs. Pitino
- Calipari vs. Pearl
- Calipari vs. Donovan
- Calipari vs. Horn
- Kentucky vs. the SEC
10. The Potential Rivalries (imagine the possibilities):
- Calipari vs. Pitino
- Calipari vs. Pearl
- Calipari vs. Donovan
- Calipari vs. Horn
- Kentucky vs. the SEC
Imagine the possibilities...
Image: ESPN.com
Source: Andy Katz Interview
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1 comments:
I wish Kentucky and coach Cal the best of luck you are going to need it.As a Memphis fan you will see what I am talking about coach Cal will let you know there are some people that don't like him I don't understand why he would say that but it is ture . Memphis had 9 years with Cal and you get to know what you have too look forward to . These are 10 good reasons too like Cal I'am not going to tell 10 reasons not too you can find this out on your on anyway you would just say I was just either mad or whining and I'am not either one . Cal was great for Memphis and he will be great for Kentucky just go too www.600wrec.com to hear Cal radio show in Memphis for a preview of what is too come good luck in blue nation you will need it .
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