What is your opinion of Coach Calipari ?

[Hurricanefballfan]

I know there is very little ground when discussing this, what i consider, great and exciting coach... My opinion is that no one else in the game has the imgination, creativity, and the ability to change as does Cal. I just thought back to when most of the good teams left CUSA, and everyone was giving memphis up for dead. Cal simply scheduled a few tough out of conference foes, and in the process recruiting five star talent, which created a unique situation for himself... The AASA offense that know one had heard of has went from a supposed gimmick, into destorying teams in this tournment and quite possibly becoming the wave of the future in college basketball.

I believe from the begining that alot of people framed their perception around Cal, by what the mass media said ( good coach, bad coach). There are no black and white coaches in the college game, only grey area... Cal takes chances in recruiting, but we shouldn't act as if he is the only one. In fact some of the things he has done such as given milt wagner a job to get his son, is really no different than what we have done in the past... So what is your opinion of Coacl Caliapri, and would you ever want to see him on the sidelines at UK... I know people will talk about recruiting thugs and so forth, but realize that Cal is at memphis, he has to take some chances. Also realize that the incident with Marcus Camby proceeded without Cal's knowledge, and Caliapri was cleared of any wrongdoing..

[DCWildcat]

My opinion of his ability to coach has risen this year, that's for sure. Previously, the dribble-drive offense seemed to me to be pretty simple:

1) Drive at basket
2) If you can't get a layup, pass it to the perimeter
3) Repeat

He's good at motivating his players, but his system requires a lot of talent. This year, he's got a perfect storm of players for his system. He's definitely capable of getting the athletes he needs to play, the question is whether or not he'll be able to strike gold with as well-balanced a team as this one.

I've also been curious about why no big schools have been going after him...

[Wildcat Larry]

I have always had a theory that there are lots of coaches out there with pretty good systems. However, it's seldom that coaches are able to assemble the right players, talent-wise and brain-wise, to properly operate their systems. When they do, they are suddenly great coaches, but they have had their system somewhat perfected for many years.

As I've heard many people say, it's great players that make great coaches. Well, to an extent, that's correct, but it goes further than that. What it takes is great players that fit the coaches great system. I could coach the Memphis team and come out with a pretty good record and probably even make the NCAA Tournament. I couldn't coach the Memphis team to wins over Texas and UCLA. Why? Because those players don't fit my system ..... heck, I don't have a system, so I know they don't fit my system.

This Memphis situation this season has been aptly described as catching lightning in a bottle. It doesn't happen very often. Florida's teams the last couple of years could be described the same way. However, a lot of NCAA Champion teams have won pretty much strictly on talent.

[4theluvofbilly]

I have always had a theory that there are lots of coaches out there with pretty good systems. However, it's seldom that coaches are able to assemble the right players, talent-wise and brain-wise, to properly operate their systems. When they do, they are suddenly great coaches, but they have had their system somewhat perfected for many years.

As I've heard many people say, it's great players that make great coaches. Well, to an extent, that's correct, but it goes further than that. What it takes is great players that fit the coaches great system. I could coach the Memphis team and come out with a pretty good record and probably even make the NCAA Tournament. I couldn't coach the Memphis team to wins over Texas and UCLA. Why? Because those players don't fit my system ..... heck, I don't have a system, so I know they don't fit my system.

This Memphis situation this season has been aptly described as catching lightning in a bottle. It doesn't happen very often. Florida's teams the last couple of years could be described the same way. However, a lot of NCAA Champion teams have won pretty much strictly on talent.


No, I wouldn't want him at UK. I am satisfied with our current coach.:icon_mrgreen:

[DTBrand]

would you ever want to see him on the sidelines at UK...


Sorry, we have a coach.:thumbup:

[Wildcat Larry]

To preface this, this comment is not meant for some of the previous posters, but just as a general comment about message boards. It always amazes me that people who have not interest in a thread, ot think a thread is a "dumb" thread, always have to post that sentiment on the thread. That brings the thread back to the top of the forum and goes directly counter to what they say is their opinion of the thread.

Threads are for discussion for those who want to discuss the topic. As a rule of thumb, I don't post on threads where I don't want to discuss the topic. Apparently a lot of folks want to discuss this. I think that's why these are called "discussion boards". :shrug1:

[DTBrand]

With all this dicussion about a people talking about other coaches here has kinda got a little up-tight.

Cal is an unbelievable coach to get back on topic. I think he represents both the up and down stlye of play and half-court defense. That is why I think he will get the NCAA championship. (Did I mention he can recruit too)

[Hurricanefballfan]

My opinion of his ability to coach has risen this year, that's for sure. Previously, the dribble-drive offense seemed to me to be pretty simple:

1) Drive at basket
2) If you can't get a layup, pass it to the perimeter
3) Repeat

He's good at motivating his players, but his system requires a lot of talent. This year, he's got a perfect storm of players for his system. He's definitely capable of getting the athletes he needs to play, the question is whether or not he'll be able to strike gold with as well-balanced a team as this one.

I've also been curious about why no big schools have been going after him...

I think the offense is alot more complicated than what is a common perception that it is simply street ball and little else... since Memphis went to the elite eight the last two years, and with mostly the exact same cast of characters. What made yesterdays game against UCLA, different from the game against UCLA two years ago, Caliapri was just putting in the system and the players have said since that game two years ago, that they weren't quite comfortable with it.. whether that is true or not, is a matter for debate. however, the system runs patterns jsut like princeton, but at a much quicker pace and using drives instead of passes.. I was NEVER of the belief that Memphis just got the right players this year.. The system is set up for players to simply be inter changable parts. Case in point, if Cal doesn't bolt for the NBA, watch Tyrkee Evans run the system as effectively as Derrick Rose did this year..

Memphis's run, I also think it refutes alot of opinions people had about Memphis, that they couldn't play together, couldn't hit free throws(i believe that was a concern of yours before the tournment started) playing in CUSA, and all of the rest of it...I don't think any old money schools have went after caliapri because of his personality, and the perceptions around him... Coach to me is there to make as much money as he can and promote himself.. Which in this era of college sports, that is really the name of the game. No matter what AD and others try to say or project...

[JWORLD]

For the record,before we hired Gillispie, my short list of candidates for the UK job were Donavon,Calipari,Ford,Pelphrey, and yes Mr. Slick Rick himself Pitino...................

Glad we have Gillispie now and i think everything has worked out the way it was supposed to unless he bolts on us:icon_lol::icon_lol:.

[DCWildcat]

Case in point, if Cal doesn't bolt for the NBA, watch Tyrkee Evans run the system as effectively as Derrick Rose did this year..


I agree with most everything in your post except this. Rose is an exceptional talent and I don't think a more suited basketball player has ever lived than Rose for this Memphis team.

Evans is not a good team player right now. I don't see him as a big time replacement for Rose.

[Rosie]

I, of course, have one to offer. I have always believed that Calipari is one step ahead of NCAA investigation and enforcemnt. He left UMass amid talk of the possibility of an impending investigation up there, the particulars of which I don't remember. He always appeared to recruit talent that was not of the usual type of "student" athlete. Now my glasses aren't rose colored, but his teams are always staffed by, for lack of a better description, a little rougher kind of youngster.

When I take this remembrance of Calipari, and look at him now at Dana Kirk Enterprises(Memphis U.),, I simply believe that the fuse is burnin', boys. Get your head down, cause she's a gonna' blow.

[JDHoss]

I, of course, have one to offer. I have always believed that Calipari is one step ahead of NCAA investigation and enforcemnt. He left UMass amid talk of the possibility of an impending investigation up there, the particulars of which I don't remember. He always appeared to recruit talent that was not of the usual type of "student" athlete. Now my glasses aren't rose colored, but his teams are always staffed by, for lack of a better description, a little rougher kind of youngster.

When I take this remembrance of Calipari, and look at him now at Dana Kirk Enterprises(Memphis U.),, I simply believe that the fuse is burnin', boys. Get your head down, cause she's a gonna' blow.


My opinion as well. No doubt to me that he can coach & recruit. However, IMO he's one of the biggest envelope pushers around when it comes to recruiting. By that I mean he operates in the gray area of the rules. The FedEx intern program really helps his recruiting out as well. Does anyone remember the incident where an apartment shared by 4 players was broken into? According to a police report, the burglary resulted in the theft of $3,600 in fake fur coats belonging to the girlfriend of one player; $4,000 in custom-made shirts; $6,000 in shoes; $5,000 in pants; and $2,150 in throwback jerseys. Here's a link to some of Squid's Memfuss episodes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=1999549

Does anyone think for 1 minute this guy would survive more than a couple of years under the microscope of the Kentucky media, or the enormous pressure cooker job that is UK basketball?

[Hurricanefballfan]

My opinion as well. No doubt to me that he can coach & recruit. However, IMO he's one of the biggest envelope pushers around when it comes to recruiting. By that I mean he operates in the gray area of the rules. The FedEx intern program really helps his recruiting out as well. Does anyone remember the incident where an apartment shared by 4 players was broken into? According to a police report, the burglary resulted in the theft of $3,600 in fake fur coats belonging to the girlfriend of one player; $4,000 in custom-made shirts; $6,000 in shoes; $5,000 in pants; and $2,150 in throwback jerseys. Here's a link to some of Squid's Memfuss episodes.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=1999549

Does anyone think for 1 minute this guy would survive more than a couple of years under the microscope of the Kentucky media, or the enormous pressure cooker job that is UK basketball?


I don't think you are being quite fair, Memphis is a very rough city, full of corruption and trouble... Similiarly, memphis isn't a basketball power house and he has had to take some chances.. the above poster that talks about memphis being rough kids is, to me at least, just spewing talking points.. i believe players like Derrick , Rose, Chris Dougals Roberts have never been into any type of trouble and were recruited by top flight programs.. i would lvoe to have a troubled player like derrick rose on our team..jmo

[bellbrass]

He was my first choice to replace Pitino; he was my first choice to replace Tubby.

[John Clay Rice Jr.]

Hell of a coach.

[JDHoss]

I don't think you are being quite fair, Memphis is a very rough city, full of corruption and trouble... Similiarly, memphis isn't a basketball power house and he has had to take some chances.. the above poster that talks about memphis being rough kids is, to me at least, just spewing talking points.. i believe players like Derrick , Rose, Chris Dougals Roberts have never been into any type of trouble and were recruited by top flight programs.. i would lvoe to have a troubled player like derrick rose on our team..jmo



Fair or not, he could not survive at UK recruiting the guys he has recruitied at Memfuss. He has a great dislike for the media in general, and don't think for a moment his every movement wouldn't come under scrutiny. Try to imagine what it would be like if some UK players had an aparment broken into and reported thousands of dollars in custom made shirts, furs, shoes, etc. stolen. The LHL would have their own investigation underway of how college students were able to afford those types of things. Like I said, there's no doubt he can recruit & coach, but he will NEVER be on the sidelines at UK.

[Will Lavender]

I think the offense is alot more complicated than what is a common perception that it is simply street ball and little else...

No it isn't. Calipari himself has called it a simplistic system.

It's basically drive the ball, try to get a lay-up, kick out, try to get a three, do the same thing again.

As for "creativity" -- I don't see it. It's basically a utilitarian system.

It's a risky style. You need to have a lot of talent to win big with it, as it comes straight from the NBA and utilizes speed and athleticism above basketball intelligence and hard work. This is evidenced in the fact that Calipari has done little at Memphis until the last two seasons, when the talent level has been very high.

I wouldn't want him. I think he's done some shady things that go beyond Milt Wagner. But it's an exciting style to watch -- of course any system that has the talent Memphis has is exciting.

[blewis18]

No it isn't. Calipari himself has called it a simplistic system.

It's basically drive the ball, try to get a lay-up, kick out, try to get a three, do the same thing again.

As for "creativity" -- I don't see it. It's basically a utilitarian system.

It's a risky style. You need to have a lot of talent to win big with it, as it comes straight from the NBA and utilizes speed and athleticism above basketball intelligence and hard work. This is evidenced in the fact that Calipari has done little at Memphis until the last two seasons, when the talent level has been very high.

I wouldn't want him. I think he's done some shady things that go beyond Milt Wagner. But it's an exciting style to watch -- of course any system that has the talent Memphis has is exciting.

Yep!

[FCFS82]

I've also been curious about why no big schools have been going after him...


Really, from his point of view why would he leave? He is in a conference he dominates. He has great facilities and a solid fanbase in/around Memphis. Also, he can schedule tough opponents and compete for a 1/2 seed each year.

Why leave all that and jump in with a big school that has to fight off tough conference foes both on the court and in recruiting? He can win just as much at Memphis as he can even here at Kentucky.

My next prediction for a program to emerge like this will be Lon Kruger at UNLV. Get a top-flight recruit at guard and forward and the Rebels could easily schedule harder and get 30 wins and a good seed.

[DCWildcat]

I don't have anything there to quibble with, but I'm wondering about other schools' interest in him, not vice versa. Why, for instance, hasn't his named been mentioned as a possible contender for any of the open BCS jobs this year? Perhaps he's let everyone know that he doesn't have interest in any other job, but usually there's at least some public surfacing of interest.

[wildcatdon]

I like him..he is a fine coach and I too wanted him here..Rosie,Wil and some others,you all have yet to make any statements of proof of Cal and shady recruiting..You all are letting the Marcus Camby thing cloud your judgment..How about that Umass team that year? They beat us very early in the season and damn near did it again in the semi finals..Sounds like sour grapes to me..Read up on him and see all the good things he does for the Memphis program and different groups in the Memphis area..Cal can recruit and he can coach...Give him a break..

[Backrate]

he just seems to have a big ego imho. as far as coaching skills i would give him a c+. If you have good enough players they can overcome even bad coaching .Just look at fisher and Mich

[TrueblueCATfan]

I like him..that is why I want Memphis to win...not a big Bill Self fan

[Grub]

You all are letting the Marcus Camby thing cloud your judgment..How about that Umass team that year?

Indiana is wishing they had let that phone call thing cloud their judgement on old Calvin Samualson right about now. I agree with JDHoss - he's an NCAA investigation waiting to happen.

[billoliver40]

Just one more opinion. I wouldn't want Calipari at Kentucky. UMass
went to the final four thanks to Coach C. They also have been put on
probation for things that happened on his watch.

Calipari had the job at NCState signed, sealed and had his entire assistant staff ready to go. Then a meeting with the chancelor to discuss graduation expectations (so the netrumors and interreporting go) and back to Memphis he goes.

Has Calipari's graduation rate been any higher than Bob Huggins' was? Look at the heat and the hit he took for that.

I'm not saying Calipari is a bad guy. Many coaches, however, feel that their job is win....period. Little or no regard for the academic side of the
equation. Welcome to it....I've learned lots and lots of fans feel the same
way....just win, baby.

I just don't think that's the way college athletics should be. Not trying to
get on a pedestal or high horse about it, just don't feel college and pro
should be the same.

Nope...Cal is a fine coach....wouldn't have him unless I had a pro team.

[Will Lavender]

Whatever happened to furcoatgate, anyway?

Oh, that's right. Nothing. Calipari, like Pitino, has that magical ability to sweep things under the rug. The Allen kid must have done something hellaciously awful to get thrown off the team on Final Four week.

FWIW:

Calipari gives big credit to former Pepperdine coach Vance Walberg. Walberg was a proponent of the drive and kick system, and when Calipari saw him clinic he began adopting the system.

Funny thing, though. Vance Walberg fielded one of the worst teams in college basketball before he was axed. Calipari fielded one of the best this season and last.

Lesson? It's about the players, not the system.

[Hurricanefballfan]

No it isn't. Calipari himself has called it a simplistic system.

It's basically drive the ball, try to get a lay-up, kick out, try to get a three, do the same thing again.

As for "creativity" -- I don't see it. It's basically a utilitarian system.

It's a risky style. You need to have a lot of talent to win big with it, as it comes straight from the NBA and utilizes speed and athleticism above basketball intelligence and hard work. This is evidenced in the fact that Calipari has done little at Memphis until the last two seasons, when the talent level has been very high.

I wouldn't want him. I think he's done some shady things that go beyond Milt Wagner. But it's an exciting style to watch -- of course any system that has the talent Memphis has is exciting.


I don't know if i agree with that... Every system needs certain type of players to run it.. though with memphis and other systems such as PNR( Duke, Umass) and AASA it seems those systems have inter changable parts than other systems, like Former Coach Smith's system or the system that someone like Crean runs... I don't know if you need great talent to win with it, because it seems that i read about a rural high school that went 11- 20 and then implenmented the AASA and thrived, going all the way to the state semi finals, if i recall. Also such programs such as Bob Hurley have been running it and are very successful... Many junior college coaches, whose teams struggled before implementing AASA, and see much mucb better results the following year... Vance Walberg himself was a Junior College Coach who had monster success, and but didn't always have the best talent to run it... So i don't really know if that line of arguement is logical.. It maybe simple, but not overly simple..

I submit to you the notion that the reason Memphis only advanced to the elite eight the previous two years, and especiall against UCLA in the elite eight, was that the system was still being worked out... The system requires for players to be at specific moments at the exactly right time, and runs alot of patterns similar to princeton.. So if you believe other systems ( Five and out, Four and 1 and others that use princeton and flex principles as complex systems, then you have to give the same credit to AASA..

Also, you need to give proof of shady activites and not just conjecture derived from mass media perception....

[Will Lavender]

Addendum to the above post:

I love the drive and kick. And teams all over the country have adopted bits and pieces of the system (and others, including Rick Pitino, have done similar things for years), so it's not like Walberg and Calipari are doing anything novel.

But it is, as I said above, tremendously risky.

You have to have big-time slashing speed on the perimeter, and/or you have to be able to really knock down outside jumpers. Calipari's never had above average shooters, and that's one reason he's struggled. This year he's got BIG-TIME slashers, and so the system works.

[Will Lavender]

I submit to you the notion that the reason Memphis only advanced to the elite eight the previous two years, and especiall against UCLA in the elite eight, was that the system was still being worked out.

Eight years in?

Okay.

Heard the same thing about Donovan. He's coming into his own now! He's finally got it! It just took him some time to become one of the premiere coaches in college basketball!

That guy sure had a fantastic season.

It's about the players. Give me Douglas-Roberts and Rose and I think I could do some solid work with them. I've never coached a game of basketball in my life.

[FCFS82]

Eight years in?

Okay.

Heard the same thing about Donovan. He's coming into his own now! He's finally got it! It just took him some time to become one of the premiere coaches in college basketball!

That guy sure had a fantastic season.

It's about the players. Give me Douglas-Roberts and Rose and I think I could do some solid work with them. I've never coached a game of basketball in my life.

Especially in C-USA. I can promise you I could have won 20-25 games with Memphis' team without drawing up a single play.

[Hurricanefballfan]

Whatever happened to furcoatgate, anyway?

Oh, that's right. Nothing. Calipari, like Pitino, has that magical ability to sweep things under the rug. The Allen kid must have done something hellaciously awful to get thrown off the team on Final Four week.

FWIW:

Calipari gives big credit to former Pepperdine coach Vance Walberg. Walberg was a proponent of the drive and kick system, and when Calipari saw him clinic he began adopting the system.

Funny thing, though. Vance Walberg fielded one of the worst teams in college basketball before he was axed. Calipari fielded one of the best this season and last.

Lesson? It's about the players, not the system.


actually, walberg came by to observe memphis as he has done with many different coaches over the last twenty years, and he told Cal what he ran at a dinner, totally by chance.. this has been reported and told in many many different articles... also, walberg inherited a team that was totally opposite to what he wanted to do...there was nothing to work with, even a little bit.. pepperdine was a half court methodical defense first team... he had a recruiting class coming in, that has been unverisally lauded, that would have shown what he was capable of.. i am not discountingthat players make a system, but you can't put square pegs in a round hole.. some players can run many different systems, some can't..

[Hurricanefballfan]

Eight years in?

Okay.

Heard the same thing about Donovan. He's coming into his own now! He's finally got it! It just took him some time to become one of the premiere coaches in college basketball!

That guy sure had a fantastic season.

It's about the players. Give me Douglas-Roberts and Rose and I think I could do some solid work with them. I've never coached a game of basketball in my life.


here u go will, for reference..

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/grant_wahl/02/12/memphis0218/index.html

[Ukosumu]

Can Tigers' Coach Change His Stripes?
http://sports.aol.com/ncaabb/story/_a/can-tigers-coach-change-his-stripes/20080406194809990001

“If I was at Stanford, I would recruit players who could be successful at Stanford. I’m at Memphis."

[Will Lavender]

Can Tigers' Coach Change His Stripes?
http://sports.aol.com/ncaabb/story/_a/can-tigers-coach-change-his-stripes/20080406194809990001

“If I was at Stanford, I would recruit players who could be successful at Stanford. I’m at Memphis."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you want no part of Coach John Calipari.

I do like to watch them play. I was amazed when I saw them in New York. As I've posted, they put on the most unbelievable pre-game display I've ever seen. They're long (I love length), quick (I love speed), they don't shoot threes that much (I hate threes), they've got great guards (I love guards), and they're tough (I love grit). They're everything you want in a college basketball team.

But they're coached by a guy who has done some serious rule-bending in his time. A guy who, I think, is going to get his first NC tonight.

Good for him, but ours is coming. We've got a beast of a coach.

[jdeasy]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why you want no part of Coach John Calipari.

I do like to watch them play. I was amazed when I saw them in New York. As I've posted, they put on the most unbelievable pre-game display I've ever seen. They're long (I love length), quick (I love speed), they don't shoot threes that much (I hate threes), they've got great guards (I love guards), and they're tough (I love grit). They're everything you want in a college basketball team.

But they're coached by a guy who has done some serious rule-bending in his time. A guy who, I think, is going to get his first NC tonight.

Good for him, but ours is coming. We've got a beast of a coach.



I agree with you on our coach. That does not diminish Calipari. Cal is a very good basketball coach. He has taken two small conferecne schools to the final four playing two distinctively different styles. He has shown that he will adapt to the the game and the players.

Yes, the dribble drive motion offense needs talent to run properly. So, he went out and got the talent. Guys love to play the ddmo. Guys love to play for Cal.

I would love to have him at UK if we were looking for a coach.