I spoke to former Kentucky Wildcat Allen Edwards tonight and we did a brief Q&A over the phone. Edwards was a part of two national championships and another Final Four appearance during this UK career. He played some semi-pro ball after his Kentucky career and then transitioned into the coaching world. He has enjoyed coaching stints at Morehead State and Virginia Commonwealth. In 2009-10, he will be on the sidelines with Pat Kennedy and the Towson Tigers.
I became friends with Edwards during his time at Morehead State. We played several seasons and actually won a championship together on the Downtown BP team in the Morehead City League. I can honestly say that Edwards is one of the nicer guys that you could ever meet and he has the makings of a great coaching future.
In our conversation, Edwards discusses his time at UK, his coaching career, his thoughts on Rick Pitino and more. Here is my chat with Allen Edwards:
Allen, thanks for taking the time to speak to me today.
To start with, you came to Kentucky in 1994 from Miami. What was the transition from Miami to Lexington like for you?
It was a culture shock for me. Most people didn’t know it, but I committed before even taking a visit to Kentucky mostly because of Gimel Martinez. We played on the same high school team and were great friends. I committed to the Kentucky program. The weather was tough to deal with. To a certain extent, the people in general were tough to deal with at first.
You enjoyed a nice four-year run with the Wildcats that included two National Championships and three Final Four appearances. When you look back at your UK career, what are some of the things you take away from your time in Lexington?
I think the biggest thing…I mean winning the championships were great, but going through what it takes to get there was greatest thing. Those guys on that team are some of my best friends. I think just going through the battles and hanging out with the guys was the best part. I greatly enjoyed just going out to eat and things. You know, basically just enjoying the college experience.
Who are some of your best friends today that you were teammates with at UK?
I’m still really close to Antoine Walker, Nazi Mohammad and Scott Padgett. And there’s Derek Anderson and Wayne Turner. I’m still close to Walt (Walter McCarty) and being in the same profession and type of job, we talk pretty often. I would say Antoine and Nazi stand out as the two I would call my closest friends. Padgett’s wife and my wife are best friends so I talk to him pretty often, too.
What does it mean to you that you were able to wear that Kentucky jersey on your chest for four seasons, especially considering that you were able to cut down the nets in 1996 and 1998?
It was an achievement. I think I have kind of a different perspective coming from a place outside the state. I didn’t realize the passion in Kentucky until I experienced it. It was a little different coming in as an outsider. I wore that jersey with respect, though. I played for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back.
Allen, what stands out as your greatest memory during your Kentucky basketball career?
Um, both championships stick out. In 1996, we were expected to win and it was a big accomplishment to finish the season with a title when we were expected to the whole season. Then in 1998, we weren’t expected to win. We had a new coach and less mega-stars. Also during that season, I dealt with the loss of my mother and I will always remember the love and compassion of teammates during that time and then being able to win the title. That was just really special to me.
Who was the greatest basketball player that you had the opportunity to play with at Kentucky?
I would say talent-wise it was probably Antoine Walker. Another player that I really respected and looked up to was Tony Delk. He was really special to be able to do all the things he did at his size. Derek Anderson and Rodrick Rhodes were really talented, but overall if I had to choose one, it would probably be Antoine.
Is the 1995-96 UK team the best overall team in the history of college basketball?
Your coach at Kentucky was Rick Pitino, who will go down as one of college basketball’s best all-time coaches. What was it like playing for Rick Pitino?
I think what was great about Coach Pitino is that he gave us the tools to help not only in basketball, but also in life. He gave us the preparation that correlated to real-life situations.
Obviously, Pitino has been receiving some negative press lately. As someone that knows Pitino behind-the-scenes, I’m curious to hear your comments on the Rick Pitino/Karen Sypher situation. Any comments?
You know, I’m in a good place spiritually. I’m sure I don’t have all the info either, but people make mistakes. No man is without sin and Pitino is no different. I respect him as a person and as a man, but no man is perfect. It’s unfortunate with him being in the public eye that the situation picks up so much attention, but the fact of the matter is that all men fall short. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad person. I know for a fact that he’s a good husband and a good father, but he made a mistake. He’s human. He made a mistake and one of the toughest things to do is ‘fess up to it. I’m not saying I condone what he did. I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying he made a mistake, he’s fessed up and he’s trying to move past it.
Do you still follow Kentucky basketball?
I did for a long time but I kind of got away from it when I got into this profession. I still keep up with it, but probably not as much as I would like to.
What are your thoughts on John Calipari as the new Kentucky head coach?
I am very comfortable with Calipari as the head coach. He is going to get the program back to the level that it should be. He’s already off to a great start. It was going to be Calipari or Billy Donovan at Kentucky and both would have been good fits. He’s a great hire.
Let’s talk a little about your career after Kentucky. Did you play any professional basketball?
I played some semi-pro ball in the CBA, IBA and IBL
When did you get involved in coaching?
I came back to school at UK and became a special assistant in 2002. Then, my first season at Morehead State was in 2003.
You spent several successful seasons at VCU on Anthony Grant’s staff. Grant took the Alabama job, but you didn’t end up in Tuscaloosa. Was there a mutual decision to go a different direction? Why was the ex-VCU staff split-up during the move to Alabama?
At the end of the day, there were no problems between us. I have great respect for Coach Grant and he was a great role model for me. It just wasn’t a good fit. He decided to keep Pettway on his staff at Alabama. He played for ‘Bama and has strong ‘Bama ties. I wouldn’t say it was mutual. I would’ve loved to go, but in the end it wasn’t a good fit and my job went to Pettway.
You are now a member of Pat Kennedy’s staff at Towson. Tell me a little about your new job and how things are going at Towson.
Well, it’s the same conference I was in (CAA). I am very familiar with the team, even though they have been on the other side for several seasons. My relationship with Coach Kennedy goes back a little. He coached my older brother Doug at Florida State and actually recruited me some to play there. My job here will basically be the same. I’ll be recruiting, scouting, managing and on-the-floor coaching. It has been great so far. I am really excited about the opportunity and very comfortable in the position.
Have you had a chance to evaluate your new team? Give me a name or two to watch out for during the upcoming season.
I have. We recently took a trip to Canada and it was great to get to know the players as a member of the team rather than as opponents. I think we have enough talent to compete for the conference championship. The team is athletic, we can shoot the ball and we’re getting better at defense. A player to keep an eye on will be Josh Thornton. He is a transfer from Georgetown College. He’s a nice shooter and will be our starting two-guard. I would also say Robert Nwankwo. He’s a 6’9” big guy that has a tremendous wingspan and plays much bigger. He’ll be key for us down low this season.
What will Allen Edwards be doing in 10 years?
I’ll be a head coach running my own program at the college level.
I know it’s a difficult choice, but which means more to you – the 1996/1998 NCAA National Championships or the Morehead City League Championship that we won together during your time at Morehead State?
Allen, it has been great talking to you. I said many times during your stay in Morehead that you are nothing but a class act and a great representative for your institution and the game of basketball. Keep up the good work and best of luck this season.
Hey, I want to wish you success with your site. I haven’t had an opportunity to sit down and check it out closely, but I have been told that you have a great site and that you do good work on it. Thanks for reaching out to me.
I really appreciate that and I’ll be touching base with you as we get into the season.
To start with, you came to Kentucky in 1994 from Miami. What was the transition from Miami to Lexington like for you?
It was a culture shock for me. Most people didn’t know it, but I committed before even taking a visit to Kentucky mostly because of Gimel Martinez. We played on the same high school team and were great friends. I committed to the Kentucky program. The weather was tough to deal with. To a certain extent, the people in general were tough to deal with at first.
You enjoyed a nice four-year run with the Wildcats that included two National Championships and three Final Four appearances. When you look back at your UK career, what are some of the things you take away from your time in Lexington?
I think the biggest thing…I mean winning the championships were great, but going through what it takes to get there was greatest thing. Those guys on that team are some of my best friends. I think just going through the battles and hanging out with the guys was the best part. I greatly enjoyed just going out to eat and things. You know, basically just enjoying the college experience.
Who are some of your best friends today that you were teammates with at UK?
I’m still really close to Antoine Walker, Nazi Mohammad and Scott Padgett. And there’s Derek Anderson and Wayne Turner. I’m still close to Walt (Walter McCarty) and being in the same profession and type of job, we talk pretty often. I would say Antoine and Nazi stand out as the two I would call my closest friends. Padgett’s wife and my wife are best friends so I talk to him pretty often, too.
What does it mean to you that you were able to wear that Kentucky jersey on your chest for four seasons, especially considering that you were able to cut down the nets in 1996 and 1998?
It was an achievement. I think I have kind of a different perspective coming from a place outside the state. I didn’t realize the passion in Kentucky until I experienced it. It was a little different coming in as an outsider. I wore that jersey with respect, though. I played for the name on the front of the jersey and not the back.
Allen, what stands out as your greatest memory during your Kentucky basketball career?
Um, both championships stick out. In 1996, we were expected to win and it was a big accomplishment to finish the season with a title when we were expected to the whole season. Then in 1998, we weren’t expected to win. We had a new coach and less mega-stars. Also during that season, I dealt with the loss of my mother and I will always remember the love and compassion of teammates during that time and then being able to win the title. That was just really special to me.
Who was the greatest basketball player that you had the opportunity to play with at Kentucky?
I would say talent-wise it was probably Antoine Walker. Another player that I really respected and looked up to was Tony Delk. He was really special to be able to do all the things he did at his size. Derek Anderson and Rodrick Rhodes were really talented, but overall if I had to choose one, it would probably be Antoine.
Is the 1995-96 UK team the best overall team in the history of college basketball?
Your coach at Kentucky was Rick Pitino, who will go down as one of college basketball’s best all-time coaches. What was it like playing for Rick Pitino?
I think what was great about Coach Pitino is that he gave us the tools to help not only in basketball, but also in life. He gave us the preparation that correlated to real-life situations.
Obviously, Pitino has been receiving some negative press lately. As someone that knows Pitino behind-the-scenes, I’m curious to hear your comments on the Rick Pitino/Karen Sypher situation. Any comments?
You know, I’m in a good place spiritually. I’m sure I don’t have all the info either, but people make mistakes. No man is without sin and Pitino is no different. I respect him as a person and as a man, but no man is perfect. It’s unfortunate with him being in the public eye that the situation picks up so much attention, but the fact of the matter is that all men fall short. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad person. I know for a fact that he’s a good husband and a good father, but he made a mistake. He’s human. He made a mistake and one of the toughest things to do is ‘fess up to it. I’m not saying I condone what he did. I’m not saying that at all. I’m saying he made a mistake, he’s fessed up and he’s trying to move past it.
Do you still follow Kentucky basketball?
I did for a long time but I kind of got away from it when I got into this profession. I still keep up with it, but probably not as much as I would like to.
What are your thoughts on John Calipari as the new Kentucky head coach?
I am very comfortable with Calipari as the head coach. He is going to get the program back to the level that it should be. He’s already off to a great start. It was going to be Calipari or Billy Donovan at Kentucky and both would have been good fits. He’s a great hire.
Let’s talk a little about your career after Kentucky. Did you play any professional basketball?
I played some semi-pro ball in the CBA, IBA and IBL
When did you get involved in coaching?
I came back to school at UK and became a special assistant in 2002. Then, my first season at Morehead State was in 2003.
You spent several successful seasons at VCU on Anthony Grant’s staff. Grant took the Alabama job, but you didn’t end up in Tuscaloosa. Was there a mutual decision to go a different direction? Why was the ex-VCU staff split-up during the move to Alabama?
At the end of the day, there were no problems between us. I have great respect for Coach Grant and he was a great role model for me. It just wasn’t a good fit. He decided to keep Pettway on his staff at Alabama. He played for ‘Bama and has strong ‘Bama ties. I wouldn’t say it was mutual. I would’ve loved to go, but in the end it wasn’t a good fit and my job went to Pettway.
You are now a member of Pat Kennedy’s staff at Towson. Tell me a little about your new job and how things are going at Towson.
Well, it’s the same conference I was in (CAA). I am very familiar with the team, even though they have been on the other side for several seasons. My relationship with Coach Kennedy goes back a little. He coached my older brother Doug at Florida State and actually recruited me some to play there. My job here will basically be the same. I’ll be recruiting, scouting, managing and on-the-floor coaching. It has been great so far. I am really excited about the opportunity and very comfortable in the position.
Have you had a chance to evaluate your new team? Give me a name or two to watch out for during the upcoming season.
I have. We recently took a trip to Canada and it was great to get to know the players as a member of the team rather than as opponents. I think we have enough talent to compete for the conference championship. The team is athletic, we can shoot the ball and we’re getting better at defense. A player to keep an eye on will be Josh Thornton. He is a transfer from Georgetown College. He’s a nice shooter and will be our starting two-guard. I would also say Robert Nwankwo. He’s a 6’9” big guy that has a tremendous wingspan and plays much bigger. He’ll be key for us down low this season.
What will Allen Edwards be doing in 10 years?
I’ll be a head coach running my own program at the college level.
I know it’s a difficult choice, but which means more to you – the 1996/1998 NCAA National Championships or the Morehead City League Championship that we won together during your time at Morehead State?
Allen, it has been great talking to you. I said many times during your stay in Morehead that you are nothing but a class act and a great representative for your institution and the game of basketball. Keep up the good work and best of luck this season.
Hey, I want to wish you success with your site. I haven’t had an opportunity to sit down and check it out closely, but I have been told that you have a great site and that you do good work on it. Thanks for reaching out to me.
I really appreciate that and I’ll be touching base with you as we get into the season.
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