Cal saying that helping players fulfill their dreams is his priority is exactly what he should say. Cal is recruiting the best of the best each year those kids and most of those parents want to know what is he doing for me/us and that is what Cal is telling them.

 

If anyone thinks winning isn't important to him then you evidently don't understand basketball.

 

If anyone thinks that Cal says some crazy things that we don't understand about his game management then you don't understand protecting your players and not caring what others think of you.

 

If anyone thinks there is a coach Kentucky CAN ACTUALLY hire that would be a better fit for Kentucky please name him.

 

Cal has taken UK from it's lowest point in over 20 years and has been to two Final Fours, Won a title and made a Region Finals in his four seasons...I think I'll give him a chance and stick with him.

How big of a problem was he in your mind when he was holding the National Championship trophy 2 short years ago?

 

Never was and never will be? I've been saying that all along

Never was and never will be? I've been saying that all along

 

I read it wrong. :thumb:

Shouldn't coaches number one priority be making their players dreams come true? Cal knows what's important and it's getting the players ready for the future not trying to fulfill career accomplishments like most coaches. 17 NBA players in the past 4 years, that's what good he is doing.

 

I would say his #1 priority would be to the University of Kentucky and helping to make and keep the men's basketball team at the top tier of the NCAA. I don't really want to think of UK as a minor league team for the NBA, but I'm not naive either. For all that play at that high level, lots of kids want to get there but only a fraction make the NBA. It's great to have guys from UK get to the NBA but I like to watch success for the school at the NCAA level. With all that being noted, Cal is crazy like a fox.

Julius Randle tip in away from a 3 game home losing streak.. Insane.

No, not at all!!!

 

that is just buying into Cal's speak. Who pays his salary? UK, what do they pay him for? To coach the UK basketball team. That should far and away be his #1 priority. If he wants to get p,ayers to the NBA as his #1 priority then he should become an NBA agent and or scout.

 

The job of a college coach is 1. Coach his team and make them the best they can possibly be and compete for titles period.

 

You talking about 17 players in the NBA as if that is what this is all about. Who cares how many are in the NBA. As a UK fan, if I had a choice of 17 NBA players in the past 4 years and 1 NCAA Championship or 2 NBA players and 3 NCAA Championships in the last 4 years, I'd take the 3 Championships in a heart beat and any coach who is getting paid to coach and win championships better also choose the 3 titles too or he's not doing his job.

 

His job is not to get kids to the NBa, his job is to win games.

 

Who was the last team to win 3 in 4 years?

Yes! I agree with most that he shouldn't go, but he needs to get his priorities straight. But as I said in another thread, one more season like this, and I see the pitch forks out and I see Cal deciding to leave. Plus, he has said from the beginning that he won't be here a long time, and mentioned how after awhile the best thing to do is part ways.

 

As was mentioned, you don't have Frosh leaders like we did in 2011-12, plus we didn't play just 7 Frosh, we had a few players with experience. I don't like his "Talent beats anything" attitude, as clearly talent alone isn't going to get it done. You need to COACH! And as others have mentioned even from the beginning, he can recruit, but he isn't in the best when it comes to actual coaching and in game changes. Start recruiting some players who will stay more than a year or two, and players who care about winning and not run to the computer after each game seeing how their NBA stock is doing.....

It is pretty funny people take Cal's public recruiting pitch at face value. 90% of what he says is a recruiting sales pitch that he wants out in the media...

It is pretty funny people take Cal's public recruiting pitch at face value. 90% of what he says is a recruiting sales pitch that he wants out in the media...

 

That's what I said. When he says UK is a players first program he is talking to recruits, not old farts sitting on their couch.

As for the question if Cal's job is on thin ice there is a simple answer. NO.

 

So....Now I am going to say something here that I have to include myself in as well, maybe not to the extent of some, maybe so is why I am as guilty as anyone................

While we all get frustrated with this team, some with Cals coaching as well I think that all including myself need to take a step back and look at this years team. Looking back I think the main problem is lack of / absence of veteran players that help in more ways than on the floor.

As for this season losses - All but Two were by single digits, meaning if just a couple more made FG's and/or a few more made FT's and we are looking at a one or two loss team at the most and a no doubt top three or four ranking. With that all the threads would be about a final four run, all SEC national title game with Fla. / U.K. . When I took a step back this morning and was calmed down from the S.C. game I started looking at these things. College basketball is like that in that most top programs can look back and see a few things that if just a little different then their season could be far better, that they are not that far off.

So, having said that I personally am getting behind this team even more. Although all see it as less probable I think that most if not all could say that when bonding together, playing like they can that with the talent a deep tourney run is still possible. So, although yes I get frustrated at times I am going to park myself firmly with this team and be pulling, believing that a deep tournament run is still possible.

Should anyone say they quit on this bunch, give up then that's fine but don't come back jumping on the bus if they get things going.

The job of a college coach is 1. Coach his team and make them the best they can possibly be and compete for titles period.

 

I think he has done a pretty good job thus far regarding competing for titles. I will expound on that point later.

 

talking about 17 players in the NBA as if that is what this is all about. Who cares how many are in the NBA. As a UK fan, if I had a choice of 17 NBA players in the past 4 years and 1 NCAA Championship or 2 NBA players and 3 NCAA Championships in the last 4 years, I'd take the 3 Championships in a heart beat and any coach who is getting paid to coach and win championships better also choose the 3 titles too or he's not doing his job.

 

Is that the standard that you are going to judge him by? Unless I'm mistaken, in the entire history of college basketball only one coach has ever won 3 titles in 4 years, no one else has even come close, and even then questions abound as to whether or not it was achieved without a little rule bending here and there. If we are going to have hypotheticals might as well make it a realistic option. I'll play along, let UK cut Cal loose, who are they going to bring in to get you these 3 titles in 4 years?

 

job is not to get kids to the NBa, his job is to win games.

 

I'd suggest that he has won games. Quite a few games actually. Let's take a look at the coaches that have served the University of Kentucky and see just how Cal stacks up among his peers in the quest for winning games and championships:

 

1) Adolph Rupp - 41 seasons, 82.2% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 48.8%, Elite 8 or better 36.6%, Final Four or better 14.6%, National Champion 9.8%

 

2) Joe B Hall - 13 seasons, 74.8% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 61.5%, Elite 8 or better 46.2%, Final Four or better 23.1%, National Champion 7.7%

 

3) Eddie Sutton - 4 seasons, 69.3% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 50.0%, Elite 8 or better 25.0%

 

4) Rick Pitino - 8 seasons, 81.4% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 62.5%, Elite 8 or better 62.5%, Final Four or better 37.5%, National Champion 12.5%

 

5) Tubby Smith - 10 seasons, 76.0% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 60.0%, Elite 8 or better 40.0%, Final Four or better 10%, National Champion 10%

 

6) Billy Gillispie - 2 seasons, 59.7% of games won

 

7) John Calipari - 4 / 5 seasons, 80.9% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 75% / 60%, Elite 8 or better 75% / 60%, Final Four or better 50% / 40%, National Champion 25% / 20%

 

*The percentage show for Cal in 5 seasons is based upon the assumption that this years team fails to reach the Sweet 16. Any success beyond the 2nd round of the tournament would thus improve the percentages shown.

 

** Personally I really believe that had Noel not gone down when he did last season that the season might have had quite a different conclusion.

 

*** Please recall that Rick Pitino's 2nd team for the 90-91 season was ineligible for the NCAA tournament, however, this team finished the season at 22-6 and likely could have advanced to at least the Sweet 16 which would improve Pitino's percentages.

 

**** To be fair since I am pointing out that injuries have hurt Cal, Pitino very likely would have won back to back championships had Derek Anderson's ACL stayed intact.

 

Based upon the above, although the sample size of seasons for Cal is small, he has reached the Final 4 and won championships at UK with more frequency than any other coach at UK, and only Pitino reached Elite 8's with more frequency than Cal (assuming that this years team falls short of the Elite 8).

 

I'm not sure what other coach (who would realistically come to UK) is capable of doing what Cal is currently doing.

It is pretty funny people take Cal's public recruiting pitch at face value. 90% of what he says is a recruiting sales pitch that he wants out in the media...

 

Always thought Calipari would make a great car salesman, used or new.

I think he has done a pretty good job thus far regarding competing for titles. I will expound on that point later.

 

 

 

Is that the standard that you are going to judge him by? Unless I'm mistaken, in the entire history of college basketball only one coach has ever won 3 titles in 4 years, no one else has even come close, and even then questions abound as to whether or not it was achieved without a little rule bending here and there. If we are going to have hypotheticals might as well make it a realistic option. I'll play along, let UK cut Cal loose, who are they going to bring in to get you these 3 titles in 4 years?

 

 

 

I'd suggest that he has won games. Quite a few games actually. Let's take a look at the coaches that have served the University of Kentucky and see just how Cal stacks up among his peers in the quest for winning games and championships:

 

1) Adolph Rupp - 41 seasons, 82.2% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 48.8%, Elite 8 or better 36.6%, Final Four or better 14.6%, National Champion 9.8%

 

2) Joe B Hall - 13 seasons, 74.8% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 61.5%, Elite 8 or better 46.2%, Final Four or better 23.1%, National Champion 7.7%

 

3) Eddie Sutton - 4 seasons, 69.3% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 50.0%, Elite 8 or better 25.0%

 

4) Rick Pitino - 8 seasons, 81.4% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 62.5%, Elite 8 or better 62.5%, Final Four or better 37.5%, National Champion 12.5%

 

5) Tubby Smith - 10 seasons, 76.0% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 60.0%, Elite 8 or better 40.0%, Final Four or better 10%, National Champion 10%

 

6) Billy Gillispie - 2 seasons, 59.7% of games won

 

7) John Calipari - 4 / 5 seasons, 80.9% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 75% / 60%, Elite 8 or better 75% / 60%, Final Four or better 50% / 40%, National Champion 25% / 20%

 

*The percentage show for Cal in 5 seasons is based upon the assumption that this years team fails to reach the Sweet 16. Any success beyond the 2nd round of the tournament would thus improve the percentages shown.

 

** Personally I really believe that had Noel not gone down when he did last season that the season might have had quite a different conclusion.

 

*** Please recall that Rick Pitino's 2nd team for the 90-91 season was ineligible for the NCAA tournament, however, this team finished the season at 22-6 and likely could have advanced to at least the Sweet 16 which would improve Pitino's percentages.

 

**** To be fair since I am pointing out that injuries have hurt Cal, Pitino very likely would have won back to back championships had Derek Anderson's ACL stayed intact.

 

Based upon the above, although the sample size of seasons for Cal is small, he has reached the Final 4 and won championships at UK with more frequency than any other coach at UK, and only Pitino reached Elite 8's with more frequency than Cal (assuming that this years team falls short of the Elite 8).

 

I'm not sure what other coach (who would realistically come to UK) is capable of doing what Cal is currently doing.

 

Good, very good post. :thumb:

Now, just who told you that one could go and throw common sense in to the equation ? You should know that's not the normal way of doing things here ! :sssh:

I think he has done a pretty good job thus far regarding competing for titles. I will expound on that point later.

 

 

 

Is that the standard that you are going to judge him by? Unless I'm mistaken, in the entire history of college basketball only one coach has ever won 3 titles in 4 years, no one else has even come close, and even then questions abound as to whether or not it was achieved without a little rule bending here and there. If we are going to have hypotheticals might as well make it a realistic option. I'll play along, let UK cut Cal loose, who are they going to bring in to get you these 3 titles in 4 years?

 

 

 

I'd suggest that he has won games. Quite a few games actually. Let's take a look at the coaches that have served the University of Kentucky and see just how Cal stacks up among his peers in the quest for winning games and championships:

 

1) Adolph Rupp - 41 seasons, 82.2% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 48.8%, Elite 8 or better 36.6%, Final Four or better 14.6%, National Champion 9.8%

 

2) Joe B Hall - 13 seasons, 74.8% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 61.5%, Elite 8 or better 46.2%, Final Four or better 23.1%, National Champion 7.7%

 

3) Eddie Sutton - 4 seasons, 69.3% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 50.0%, Elite 8 or better 25.0%

 

4) Rick Pitino - 8 seasons, 81.4% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 62.5%, Elite 8 or better 62.5%, Final Four or better 37.5%, National Champion 12.5%

 

5) Tubby Smith - 10 seasons, 76.0% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 60.0%, Elite 8 or better 40.0%, Final Four or better 10%, National Champion 10%

 

6) Billy Gillispie - 2 seasons, 59.7% of games won

 

7) John Calipari - 4 / 5 seasons, 80.9% of games won, Sweet 16 or better 75% / 60%, Elite 8 or better 75% / 60%, Final Four or better 50% / 40%, National Champion 25% / 20%

 

*The percentage show for Cal in 5 seasons is based upon the assumption that this years team fails to reach the Sweet 16. Any success beyond the 2nd round of the tournament would thus improve the percentages shown.

 

** Personally I really believe that had Noel not gone down when he did last season that the season might have had quite a different conclusion.

 

*** Please recall that Rick Pitino's 2nd team for the 90-91 season was ineligible for the NCAA tournament, however, this team finished the season at 22-6 and likely could have advanced to at least the Sweet 16 which would improve Pitino's percentages.

 

**** To be fair since I am pointing out that injuries have hurt Cal, Pitino very likely would have won back to back championships had Derek Anderson's ACL stayed intact.

 

Based upon the above, although the sample size of seasons for Cal is small, he has reached the Final 4 and won championships at UK with more frequency than any other coach at UK, and only Pitino reached Elite 8's with more frequency than Cal (assuming that this years team falls short of the Elite 8).

 

I'm not sure what other coach (who would realistically come to UK) is capable of doing what Cal is currently doing.

Last I checked I said I wouldn't want anyone else here coaching UK.

Now that we have our facts straight, try and address what my point was instead of going off on a tangent that has absolutely nothing to do with my position.

Now

Do you mind actually dealing with what the original post talked about and that is getting his priorities right and that is to coach this team, not get as many recruits as he can to the NBA.

 

Nice post by the way and I pretty much knew everything you posted while you avoided many other points I made.

I would say his #1 priority would be to the University of Kentucky and helping to make and keep the men's basketball team at the top tier of the NCAA. I don't really want to think of UK as a minor league team for the NBA, but I'm not naive either. For all that play at that high level, lots of kids want to get there but only a fraction make the NBA. It's great to have guys from UK get to the NBA but I like to watch success for the school at the NCAA level. With all that being noted, Cal is crazy like a fox.

This this and THIS!!!!!