"Great Coach"???

[AGEE11]

not sure if you are referring to a specific incident, but in the 2001 final against arizona kzryzewski left marblemouth in the game with 3 first-half fouls, and he was beaten to a loose ball by jason gardner, who he then knocked over

gutless refs swallowed their whistle. they couldn't wait to put KAT in foul trouble though

and kzryzewski did nothing to prepare williams--a pretty significant talent--for life as an nba point guard

Was referring to this game exactly. If you remember he did it like 4 times in the first half. I remember Lute Olsen saying he would have fouled out in an NBA game in the first half. Even Dookie V (who was excessively Duke leaning then) couldn't refute it.

I remember watching Sportcenter after the game because Olsen blew the refs up after they lost. You could see all the Duke lovers trying their hardest to avoid the fact the game was called so one sided

 

[ZenCatFan73]

Those are all great coaches except for Pearl. I'd put him in the "very good", not "great" category. The others' resumes speak for themselves. Being a good X's and O's coach is fine and all, but winning is what matters. People can say Cal and K aren't great X's and O's coaches, but who cares? Look at their resumes. Coach Cal, K, Izzo, and yes Pitino are all HOFers.

 

[bucsrule8872]

Got to have at least one title before I consider you a "great coach."

Pearl is a good coach, but not great.

If he takes Auburn to a title (without major violations) then he deserves the label for sure.

Heck, if he takes Auburn to the Final Four, I might even have to change my criteria and include him in the "great coach" conversation. That would be a major accomplishment.

 

[Icecoldbrewdoggy]

Is Cal a great coach and are the other such as K, Izzo, Pitino, or Pearl? A coach, particularly in college is the sum of all his roles: recruiter, motivator, role model, educator, strategist(Xs and Os), community leader, and mentor. These are the roles the results he should be judged on are: Team success, which is wins and losses and ultimately post season results. Player success in both giving them the best chance to succeed in life as both a professional and a person. The institution's success in regards to being a strong and viable basketball program. Did the coach make the program better than when he received it?

Based on this I believe Cal is easily a great coach and so do those that put him in the Hall of Fame. By no means perfect but certainly a great coach.

Some will blame Cal for not winning more championships. So it was Cal's fault that the 2010 team couldn't throw the ball in the Ocean against WVU? It was Cal's fault that Willie got hurt against Louisville 2 years ago? Its was Cal's fault that Alex got hurt and couldn't defend Deker last year? It was Cal's fault that Willie didn't show up last year? Then there's people like me that wonder how in the world was Cal able to right the ship and lead us to the Final Four in 2011 and 2014.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

My ideal UK coach is one who maximizes our chances at a national title on a consistent basis. I know we can't win every year, or even close to that, but I want to be a legit threat (almost) every year.

With that as my criteria, I cannot think of a single person who I would prefer to coach our team other than John Calipari.

He isn't perfect, but I truly do think he is great.[/QUO
I think Cal has a few short comings with in game situations.....I agree with Dep...He keeps us relevant and in the hunt.....unlike the previous two coaches.

 

[Ripcord65]

I disagree with some of the criteria.

The easiest factor to point out, with which I disagree, is the question: "Did the coach make the program better than when he received it?"

It certainly would not have required "a great coach" to have made the U.K. basketball program "better than when he received it" from BCG.

One missing factor that I think is necessary in the evaluation of "a great coach" is whether he got the most that was reasonably achievable from the material he had to work with. For example, Brad Stevens did not win a national championship, but I think it is beyond legitimate dispute that (a) he got the most that was reasonably achievable from the players he had to work with at Butler, and (b) Brad Stevens is "a great coach."

Just MHO, of course.

 

[CloverforkCat]

People toss the word ' GREAT' around much too easily. Rupp, Wooden, Knight, K all qualify due to longevitivy, wins, and NC's. Roy Williams would be almost in that catagory, if he wins the Title this year, I would put him there. This is his 28th seaon, won 2 NC's took 2 different teams to the Championship game.
How Bruce Pearl got in this discussion is laughable, Tubby has done MUCH more than Pearl ever has or will.
As far as Cal being in the Great catagory, he like Williams is right there on the threshold. One or 2 more NC's would clinch it.