John Calipari and his players visited Fort Knox earlier this summer. (UK Athletics Photo)
Could John Calipari be interested in coaching in the NBA again? Yahoo Sports’ Ben Rohrbach and Vincent Goodwill have a story indicating he could be. The Kentucky coach says it is just another annual rumor at this time of year.
It does seem like almost every year when the summer recruiting period opens, the Calipari to the NBA speculation surfaces. Maybe it is a coincidence. Maybe the UK coach drops a few hints to put his name in the national headlines for recruits to see. Maybe there is some interest.
Bottom line, no one knows.
Calipari has not been a head coach in the NBA since 1999 when the Nets fired him. But he’s also coming off a 9-16 season, his worst year at UK. The Yahoo article included Calipari in a list of 10 potential NBA head coaching candidates based on what the writers said multiple sources told them.
“He may have maxed out at Kentucky,” a high-ranking NBA executive told Yahoo Sports.
“College basketball is a sinking ship,” another executive told Yahoo Sports. “He is much different than his first go-round but that ego is hard to tame.”
Calipari didn’t need long to go on Twitter Wednesday to say the rumors were just rumors.
“It’s that time of the year! Why do rumors always start when we’re in the middle of recruiting? I have the best job in the country w/ the best opportunity to impact young people & add value to their careers – and that hasn’t changed. This season can’t come fast enough! Let’s go!” Calipari tweeted.
I will say this. Calipari does seem rejuvenated this summer. He’s going to satellite camps across the state. He has players doing community service. He’s allowed players and coaches to talk to the media. He brought back assistant coach Orlando Antigua.
Kentucky has been active on the recruiting trail and Calipari continues to talk about the upcoming season.
Again, I don’t see him leaving — not with the contract he has at UK. But a little national buzz right at the start of recruiting never hurts and once again that’s what the UK coach is getting whether he wants it or not.
2 Responses
This is same story circulating as the last, how many years? Seems like a slow time, these reporters reach down into their, “will always create interest” bag of stories & bring this up.
But the stories do put Cal’s name in the national spotlight, so who really knows where the rumors might start or get planted