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LEXINGTON, Ky. — John Calipari told the Kentucky faithful that he is “humbled and excited” to lead such a “storied program” Wednesday when he was introduced as the Wildcats’ basketball coach.
And though Calipari cautioned the Kentucky faithful that he was not the “grand poobah” or the “emperor” , he received a king’s ransom to leave Memphis.
Before the press conference Kentucky’s athletics board approved an eight-year, $31.65 million contract that will make Calipari the highest paid coach in the nation. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart defended the salary, saying that the university paid a premium price to get their guy, and that Calipari “can flat out coach.”
“I’m a regular guy, folks,” Calipari said. “I do not walk on water; I do not have a magic wand.”
He might need to find a way. Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie last Friday after the went 40-27 and the Wildcats failed to make the NCAA tournament.
Calipari, 50, knows what he is getting into. He said before he made his decision, he reached out to several former Kentucky coaches.
“I talked to coach (Joe B.) Hall. I talked to Tubby Smith. I talked to Eddie Sutton. And I talked to Rick Pitino about this job. And ... none of those coaches would trade their time here for anything in the world.
“This is pretty heady stuff for me.”
Calipari is 445-140 in 17 seasons, leading both Memphis and Massachusetts to the Final Four. He said he has long dreamed of coaching college basketball’s winningest program.
“This was a dream I’ve had since we brought our team down here,” Calipari said. “I believe it was 1992, we had won the Alaskan Shootout, came down here to play and I could not believe the environment. At that point I said — ’I would love to coach there some day.” ’
That day has come and he has Calipari has work to do. The Wildcats have not been in the Final Four the past 11 seasons. And Calipari cautioned Kentucky’s fan base not to expect too much too soon, as he had informed Barnhart and university president Lee Todd.
“I told Dr. Todd and Mitch, if you want something to happen in a year, do not hire me,” Calipari said. “That’s now how I do things.”
Barnhart said after firing Gillispie that he wanted to hire a coach that embraced what the Kentucky job meant, on and off the court. Calipari sounded like he understood what they meant.
“Our goals will be to make the entire commonwealth proud of this team, proud of their program, proud of their team by our work on the court and our integrity off the court,” he said.
Calipari’s decision to take the job didn’t come easy. He spent more than a day mulling Kentucky’s lucrative offer while reporters camped outside his home.
“This decision was extremely hard,” Calipari said. “It wasn’t coming here, this was easy. It was leaving Memphis. The support that my family and I received over the years there ... to walk away from that was very difficult.”
Calipari’s deal eclipses the $3.5 million average salary of Florida’s Billy Donovan and dwarfs those of Calipari’s predecessors Pitino, Smith and Gillispie.
Pitino, now the coach at rival Louisville, never made more than $2 million a season during his remarkably successful eight-year run at Kentucky. Smith’s compensation neared $2.1 million at the end of his decade with the program and Gillispie received a base salary of $2.3 million with another $750,000 available in incentives.
The salary nearly triples the $1.6 million salary of Kentucky football coach Rich Brooks, a rarity in a conference where football reigns.
Calipari has a reputation as one of the nation’s best recruiters, and it’s possible some of his latest recruits will follow him to Lexington. Still, the cardboard is hardly bare at Kentucky.
The Wildcats went 22-14 this year, missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1991 despite having two of the SEC’s best players in guard Jodie Meeks and forward Patrick Patterson.
Patterson said after the season he’d likely return for his junior year, while Meeks — a second-team All-American — was going to take his time on a decision.
Hiring Calipari might be all the incentive they need.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 46
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
The Kentucky-Tennessee rivalry just got better!
DarthVol writes:
"Hey", to Goob'.
VolJunkie writes:
Calipari is a good fit for UK not only from a coaching perspective but because he has the "soft" skills that Gillespie totally lacked. His ability to interact with the UK faithful and manage the donor base will help buy him time as he works on rebuilding. If Meeks decides to stay with Patterson and Cal brings some of the Memphis recruits with him, it could be a quick process (IMHO).
CBP is right, this is good for UK and good for the SEC.
Go Vols!
byobbio writes:
How Memphis kept him that long is anybody's guess. I think KY basketball is back which is good for the conference. Maybe they don't have to doze the arena afterall.
PeayPride writes:
CAN WE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE. THIS IS KNOXVILLE NOT LEXINGTON.
I THINK THE TRACK TEAM NEEDS SOME COVERAGE. ITS THE ONLY TEAM THAT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PERFORMER IN THE SEC AND NCAA TRACK MEETS.
VolJunkie writes:
Marc, only the bluest of Tiger fans could not see this coming. I agree, after a disappointing end to this season, expectations were high for 09-10, those expectations have now crashed and burned.
Going after CBP ... hehehe, that is too funny!
BTW, it will be a long time before you see the word "elite" used in regards to the UM program.
GR82BAVOL writes:
Kentucky couldn't have made a better choice. The SEC just got alot better, and the TN/KY game will be the featured game of the week every time as long as Pearl and Cali stay put.
RoyaltyVol#280778 writes:
Even if Memphis was to offer CBP more money, they can't offer him the challenge of the SEC and CBP is a competitor. I can't see him going to Memphis!
PeayPride writes:
Calipari said something like "we was the team to beat on everybody's schedule." HELLO if i was Rice, East Carolina or any other team in C-USA i would want to beat you. That's like saying Dont Peay on my Leg and tell me its raining.
Why would Pearl leave the SEC to go to C-USA?
alfrizzle097 writes:
Well... I did say that Kenucky would have to make a Saban like deal to get ahold of him. Highest paid coach in the country should do the trick.
We'll see how he does. There is going to be a weak base for him to work with in Kentucky, but he is a great recruiter and Kentucky is the easiest place in the country to recruit to. I'm not sure I expect him to have as much sucess as he did in Memphis. Yes... he should in theory be able to get even more talent. But the SEC=several more losses per year, and that translates into a lower NCAA tourney seed. By the time you are a three seed (top 10 still), you have to play enough tough games by the time you get to the round of eight and/or four, that you really don't have a chance against a number 1 or 2 seed. I expect him to do about what Tubby did.... make the elite eight several times and still not satisfy Kentucky fans.
golfballs03 writes:
keep it sleezy.
crappieking writes:
COACH PEARL - GO GET SOME OF CALS RECRUITS. COUSINS, HENRY, WALLS ARE ALL TOP NOTCH PLAYERS. WE DO NOT WANT THEM TO GO TO UK. WITH MEEKS AND PATTERSON, YOU ARE LOOKING AT A TOP 5 TEAM. GO GET THEM AWAY FROM CAL.
CoachNeyland writes:
I was hoping Tim Couch would get the job.... oh well, back to the unemployment line.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Funny how Cal was not much when he was at Memphis but now that he's at Kentucky he is the best coach in the country. Going to revive the SEC etc. Also wondering why all the media is gloating over how great Kentucky will be especially if some of the Memphis recruits follow Cal to Kentucky but you don't hear much about how the Memphis program just got destroyed. We had the top class in the nation coming in and what some were calling the greatest class in the history of college basketball if Wall came.
It's all gone now. He left just as the last players from our great teams of the last 4 years were leaving the program. Everything about the program was based on the recruits coming in. Now, they aren't coming and the program has basically been destroyed. We were looking at contending for a national championship next season to probably not getting in the tournament. When Cal came CUSA was one of the best conferences in the country and now it's a joke. Finding a top notch coach willing to come to CUSA will be tough. So, guess you guys will be beating us for the foreseeable future. Still, I wouldn't laugh too hard.For one thing your days of being top dog in the SEC have come to an abrupt end. Secondly, I wouldn't think it's too much of a joke that Memphis may try to get your coach. It's not the fans that are wanting this but it's being talked about. Now wouldn't that be funny if Memphis stole your mighty coach.
Don't worry, the fans would never accept it. We see thru Bruce like you guys aparently can't. Besides when you've had a top coach for 10 years it's too tough to take that much of a drop off. I don't think he'd be accepted here.
Still we'll try to throw together some local high school talent for next season. That should be enough to beat the Vols.
halloffamebowler writes:
Marc_ash,I know it sounds funny,but money talks.I don't believe Bruce would leave for Memphis,but you never know.In today's world,money has a very loud voice,and dedication to a school or company seems to mean very little.
kman29 writes:
Let me see if I understand this..your saying Pearl had all those coaches fired..
2008- Kentucky 2-0 vs. UT
2007- Kentucky 1-1 vs. UT
2006- Kentucky 1-1 vs. UT
So Pearl going 2-4 over the last 6 vs. the last two UK coaches had them fired huh? ook
Brentwoodvol writes:
Hey boys don't get to excited about recruits, we don't have any scholly's available to give, unless he starts cutting people which is not a good idea!!!!!!!!
Brentwoodvol writes:
Your a sad little man who is bittter and I feel sorry for you. i'm not sure about the BP comment and how we can't see it. I'll keep BP over Cal any day. We gave BP his shot and no way would he go to C-USA what a joke. This is the SEC baby, he may go to NC or another of that type but no way lowly MEMPHIS, we treat you like 2nd class because you act like it!!!!!!
CoachNeyland writes:
Tiger High will always be Tiger High.
Go4Two writes:
Wow 32 million for a basketball coach. Ky should move to the ACC.
bluevol writes:
You people are a hoot. Are you too dumb to see Cal going to Kentucky is bad, not good news for UT. There will be no rivalry. UT has no chance of winning an SEC championship now. The Vols will be totally dominated and annihilated by the Wildcats.
Vol_Jokes writes:
Sorry super-mo but all of my points were valid and true. When Cal came to the U of M it was one of the best basketball conferences in the country. I'd say 3rd or 4th best. We had Memphis, Louisville, Marquette, Depaul, St. Louis, Cincinnati in the Bob Huggins days, UAB and even Charlotte was good then.
You think that statement was incorrect then you don't know basketball.
As far as Pearl, you can keep that ...we don't want it. You are never going any farther than where you are now. He's not capable of getting you there. He was on our news two days ago telling Cal he really needed to think his job offer over. Of course, he doesn't want to deal with what Cal is going to do in the SEC. Now he's got the powerful Kentucky name behind him. SEC is going to become alot like CUSA. One team dominating every year and by the way, it's not going to be UT.
SEC has no good basketball teams right now. It's going to change. I'll drop by over here to read all the fire Pearl posts next season. In the meantime Memphis has always been better than Tenn. in basketball and they always will be.
AirForceVol writes:
It's not just head to head moron. TN has finished ahead of KY three years in a row, Includeing two division and 1 conference title. You don't think chasing TN in the standings will get you canned at KY?
Go4Two writes:
Coach Cal was not that hot of a product when he was hire by the tigers he had just been FIRED.
Vol_Jokes writes:
He was fired from the NBA. I'm not seeing anything NBA on Pearls resume. All I see is alot of division 5 stuff.
As for moving from SEC to CUSA..certainly it's a move down however moving from vuland to the Tigers is a big move up.
Just wondering why mr. Pearls name was not brought up in kentucky's search for the best coach in the country. They seemed on only have Cal on their minds. Oh well, better luck in the tournament next year. Hope you win a game.
bowlinggreenvol writes:
Was C-USA one of the top conferences when Calipari came in? Probably. When he came in Cincy was a perennial top 5 team, the Wade years at Marquette culminated in a Final 4 and Pitino was getting 'Ville back on the map. It was not uncommon to see top 10 games between these 3 or 4 schools. Then you add in Depaul who was consistently decent, albeit not recently. The Big East is now the best conference in the country because of the addition of these schools. Imagine if 'Ville and Marquette were in C-USA this year? Would you still say it as an awful conference? We can be Tennessee fans and despise Memphis, but lets at least be objective!
Vol_Jokes writes:
Sorry but we didn't have a national championship caliber team until after those teams left. We went to the national championship last year. Do you think we might have won cusa with those teams in it. Boy, vols intelligence sometimes. I wonder why I even get on her to mess with you.
DarthVol writes:
Wesley Williams called, he wants to meet you for a hug.
VOLKING writes:
Mr. Class is back again. It must suck to be you. Worst city in the nation, high crime, gangs....and now, no basketball to worship. You went from chokers to jokers in one day. Calipari can recruit, but he can't coach. Give Pearl his talent and we would have 2 national championships by now. Keep thumping your little chest if it makes you feel better. Bottom line....you lose. Now, little crybaby, run on home and don't come back on here until your team is relevant in any sport. How do you spell irrelevant? M-E-M-P-H-I-S T-I-G-E-R-S.
Vol_Jokes writes:
VolQueen.. just concentrate on trying to win a single game in the tournament next year...pathetic. Pearl doesn't have the talent we had and he won't get it. He can't recruit. I'm outta here. Hopefully you guys can at least get your football program fixed next season..oh but wait.. the new coach you hired..ha ha ha.
UKblue02 writes:
You hit the nail on the head RR09. There will be butt whippings handed out and butt whippings taken, thats how it's always been in the SEC and i don't see that changing anytime soon.
Brentwoodvol writes:
At least we will be there!!! You'll be lucky to win the mighty CUSA.
golfballs03 writes:
Memphis fans think they are going to land Pearl or Pitino. Haha
thebjd#424943 writes:
Now that basketball is out of the spotlight Memphis still has this distinction.
http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/C...
Irwin_Linker writes:
Vol Jokes is the only Memphis fan that I have heard, and I know quite a few, that doesn't think Memphis will finish 3rd or 4th in the CUSA next year. Guess who your new coach is going to be. Tony Barbee, I know who the f is that. Your best player is going to be Henderson-Niles. HILARIOUS, I will never forget his negative two point game against Georgetown. Not only will we continue our winning record against Memphis if your program is man enough to continue the series. Which every Memphis fan I know prays you don't. We will continue to make the tournament receive ESPN coverage and win conference titles. Not struggle to get into the NIT every year. You are not welcome here. Come back in 30 years when Memphis is relevant again. PS Your program is not "elite" when one man can break it in .5 a day.
oimo2005#352417 writes:
I think the real question in all of this is whether or not Calipari will honor the scholarships Billy G offered to those middle school kids last year. It's really unfair for them to have to deal with a coaching change this late in their recruitment.
Irwin_Linker writes:
Also, I have heard a lot of Tigers compare their current situation to Roy Williams leaving Kansas. Are you serious? Kansas and Memphis in the same category. That is delusional. Kansas is ELITE Memphis is a Mid Major who had a good 3-4 year run. Its over Tigers, sorry. You can always look forward to Tommy West Ball.
UKblue02 writes:
I'm with you on making the SEC better and the new rivalry, Squid vs the Clam (due to the last name pearl)It can only help everybody at the end of the season when NCAA bids are handed out, We (SEC) has the best football and i hope we have the best bb conference also.
VolJunkie writes:
Good article regarding status of recruits at UM and UK:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruit...
Volunatic writes:
Good find!
I have no doubt that it is true. Granted, if Knoxville had as many great BBQ joints as Memphis, I'd be a lot heavier, too.
givehim6 writes:
I rembemer last year after UT made there 2nd sweetsixteen run that Pearl promise he was going to build a mens basketball empire at UT like what Pat did form womens bsketball. If he does go to UM he will be going back on word. I do not think he would do that.
UKblue02 writes:
I appreciate that, i enjoy talking BB, i have learned more news about all schools from reading the posts here, i believe rival fans can talk about their respective teams to rivals in a rational manner, i have read some of the posts from UK fans Tiger fans and Gator fans their are always troublemakers in the bunch, but i am not into questioning somebodys family tree or how many teeth they have that's just ignorant in my opinion, I bleed blue but i do like to listen to other fans opinions, and thank you for the invite you are a class act.
tenacjim#211887 writes:
Everyone wonders why. Don't you have a life? Your obsession with the Vols is comical. BTW, what happened to your pledge to stay away:
Posted by Vol_Jokes on 3/27:
"Once again.. i commend you guys for staying off our site. I'll stay away from yours in the future."
If a man can't keep his word, why would anyone listen to ANYTHING he has to say?
Raynoch writes:
You are right about one thing. Top notch coaches won't be willing to go to a CUSA school including Memphis State.
The clock has struck midnight. Have fun being an after-thought again.
volongulf writes:
So glad their "cardboard is hardly bare".
Why is it so difficult to get simple things correct? It's not misspelled, it's the wrong word! Let's hope the folks that made the steering on cars coming towards us did their job better.
VolInIndy writes:
So where did the KY President end up on the 8th grade commitments? Does JC have to honor them?
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