How long will the UK brass be patient with John Calipari?

[Montana81]

He needs to make the Elite Eight this year or I believe it will get very unpleasant for him and they would potentially look at negotiating a buyout. The buyout after this year is $33.67 over 5 years, or $6.7 million/year. Here are 3 names that have been mentioned on here as Cal's replacement and what their salary is in 2023:

Eric Musselman - $4.1 million
Nate Oats - $3.4 million
Danny Hurley - $2.9 million

The going rate for a big time coach at a big time program seems to be around $5 - $6 million a year. There are only 5 coaches in college basketball higher than that (Cal, Self, Izzo, Barnes and Pearl) and the other 4 are all below $6 million. I think they could offer a coach $6 million and their annual coaching expense, with the Cal buyout, is at $12.7 million. Crazy numbers, but only about $3 million more annually than what you're spending now.

The question UK would need to ask themselves if they feel the program doesn't get back on track this season....is $3 million annually worth it to move on from Cal?

I just don’t want Musselman. He’s been good but not great imo. He’s already 58. And his style of play is too similar to Cal. Plus he placed no value on roster continuity similar to Cal and that is not a recipe for consistent success. The programs that have been good more often than not in modern college bball(Gonzaga, Kansas, Jay Wright Nova, Baylor recently) get guys back.

Hurley has had one standout season in 13? as a D1 coach now. But maybe he figured something out last year. Because they were dominant aside from one bad stretch in the middle of conference play. I’m still somewhat intrigued by Oats. But i don’t know that strictly 3 or layup is a recipe for consistent tournament success. I think you’re more likely to win a title that way than how Cal has tried to play the last several years.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Agree 1,000 percent, but blame Barney he threw the $$$ at Cal.

Well, it's not so much the dollar figures as much as there doesn't seem to be any expectations attached to that figure. I don't know the man, but I get the impression that he rather pay a coach an asinine amount of money if he thinks it will save him from having to hire someone new and go through that whole process. Which is Barnhart's job. I mean I really like Stoops, but to give him a top 10 FB coach's salary without expecting consistent top ten results is just dumb.

 

[Emarc]

Who is Kyle Tucker?

 

[bthaunert]

I just don’t want Musselman. He’s been good but not great imo. He’s already 58. And his style of play is too similar to Cal. Plus he placed no value on roster continuity similar to Cal and that is not a recipe for consistent success. The programs that have been good more often than not in modern college bball(Gonzaga, Kansas, Jay Wright Nova, Baylor recently) get guys back.

Hurley has had one standout season in 13? as a D1 coach now. But maybe he figured something out last year. Because they were dominant aside from one bad stretch in the middle of conference play. I’m still somewhat intrigued by Oats. But i don’t know that strictly 3 or layup is a recipe for consistent tournament success. I think you’re more likely to win a title that way than how Cal has tried to play the last several years.

I wasn’t advocating for any of them. I was just sharing salaries of guys that get talked about on here regularly that I can easily find their salary.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Tucker can his opinion. Whomever he thinks the "brass" is at UK may think like him? The real brass does not. Nor do any of the big donors. Cal will coach UK as long as he wants with the full blessing of the real decision makers. Those backers want to win and they think Cal is the guy to win. Plus he's a great ambassador for UK as a whole. There's not been even a hint of a scandal under his watch. We are one season removed from a 2 seed and this team overachieved. Cal abandoned getting other's leftovers and went back to what he knows. The cupboard is fully stocked again.

Whiners like Tucker are a blip on the UK radar. He doesn't even have an opinion other than what will get message board hits. The average person walking down the street knows more about UK basketball than Tucker.

 

[rick64]

Most UK fans I know have been fed up with CCC for a while now. And wouldn’t lose a wink of sleep if he retired/resigned.

 

[bthaunert]

and don't foregt the lifetime contract, lots of$$$$ involved to move him out.

His contract ends in 2029. There is no lifetime contract.

 

[Mike-McD]

Tucker can his opinion. Whomever he thinks the "brass" is at UK may think like him? The real brass does not. Nor do any of the big donors. Cal will coach UK as long as he wants with the full blessing of the real decision makers. Those backers want to win and they think Cal is the guy to win. Plus he's a great ambassador for UK as a whole. There's not been even a hint of a scandal under his watch. We are one season removed from a 2 seed and this team overachieved. Cal abandoned getting other's leftovers and went back to what he knows. The cupboard is fully stocked again.

Whiners like Tucker are a blip on the UK radar. He doesn't even have an opinion other than what will get message board hits. The average person walking down the street knows more about UK basketball than Tucker.

How do you know none of the big donors think like Tucker does? Have you talked to all of them?

 

[kywildcat41035]

Faaaaaaaar Cal.

Let this season end like the last few and that wish will be granted…

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

Tucker can his opinion. Whomever he thinks the "brass" is at UK may think like him? The real brass does not. Nor do any of the big donors. Cal will coach UK as long as he wants with the full blessing of the real decision makers. Those backers want to win and they think Cal is the guy to win. Plus he's a great ambassador for UK as a whole. There's not been even a hint of a scandal under his watch. We are one season removed from a 2 seed and this team overachieved. Cal abandoned getting other's leftovers and went back to what he knows. The cupboard is fully stocked again.

Whiners like Tucker are a blip on the UK radar. He doesn't even have an opinion other than what will get message board hits. The average person walking down the street knows more about UK basketball than Tucker.

I’m starting to think this is a troll account started by someone who doesn’t like Cal. I mean this account is so over the top in its support of Cal it’s starting to feel disingenuous.

 

[RondoBaller21]

Final four or bust. This is his last chance.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I still think there's a good chance this ends naturally after the season. We have no recruits for next year except a 4-star player.. lot of departures coming, and with the transfer portal, it wouldn't be shocking if we lost 75% of the roster. We're very unlikely ever getting a recruiting class like this again. I think the writing is on the wall for Cal as a coach here. And further, I could see him taking some sort of NIL/business position with UK.

It would be the perfect time to hang it up.

 

[Big Cat fan]

The fan base is not a factor. He has a life time contract.

 

[NociHTTP]

Kyle just needs a hush about it.

No, he doesn't. Writers need to be more questioning about things the fans would want to know about. Coaches and players should be called out and questioned.

 

[NociHTTP]

He needs to make the Elite Eight this year or I believe it will get very unpleasant for him and they would potentially look at negotiating a buyout. The buyout after this year is $33.67 over 5 years, or $6.7 million/year. Here are 3 names that have been mentioned on here as Cal's replacement and what their salary is in 2023:

Eric Musselman - $4.1 million
Nate Oats - $3.4 million
Danny Hurley - $2.9 million

The going rate for a big time coach at a big time program seems to be around $5 - $6 million a year. There are only 5 coaches in college basketball higher than that (Cal, Self, Izzo, Barnes and Pearl) and the other 4 are all below $6 million. I think they could offer a coach $6 million and their annual coaching expense, with the Cal buyout, is at $12.7 million. Crazy numbers, but only about $3 million more annually than what you're spending now.

The question UK would need to ask themselves if they feel the program doesn't get back on track this season....is $3 million annually worth it to move on from Cal?

It would absolutely be worth moving on from him, but it would have to be paying a coach big-time money if it's believed he can turn the program around, or bring in an unknown coach who has attributes most other coaches don't to help compensate for lack of experience or pedigree.

 

[bthaunert]

The fan base is not a factor. He has a life time contract.

I’m wish they never used the term lifetime contract. There is nothing lifetime about it. His contract ends in 2029.

 

[UKNothinButNet]

Well, it's not so much the dollar figures as much as there doesn't seem to be any expectations attached to that figure. I don't know the man, but I get the impression that he rather pay a coach an asinine amount of money if he thinks it will save him from having to hire someone new and go through that whole process. Which is Barnhart's job. I mean I really like Stoops, but to give him a top 10 FB coach's salary without expecting consistent top ten results is just dumb.

Or naming Joker HCIW without even attempting to find a HC with experience. He took the easy way out, and backs up your hypothesis.

 

[kyjeff1]

I believe we've been patient enough. I hope Calipari does well this year and every year, but I just don't know that he has the drive anymore. I think he wants that money but not so much the grind that goes with it. I don't know how much money a man needs, but he sure acts miserable from where I sit. He don't like being questioned on things and he has a very think skin and the things he said he wanted when he first arrived in Lexington don't line up with the things he says or does now.

I know Cal lovers will bash Cal haters and the Haters will bash the lovers so I just try to stay out of all that shit. If he can win and win big I want him. If he can't, I just want him to go on. I don't have much faith or confidence in the man anymore. I don't think he gives a damn. I also don't like people that have attitudes like Calipari who talks all that shit and then if he can't back it up he wants you to feel sorry for him, but as soon as he wins a couple of games he is back up barking. Fans want to win. So when he signed up to coach here he already knew what went with it. He could've stayed at Memphis if he just wanted to put kids in the League. Nobody would be mad there if they don't win or go to Final Fours. If UK was your dream job you can't get mad and be thin skinned when ppl get on you when you not producing.

Great post, especially the part where you said the things he said in 09 aren't lining up with what he’s doing now.

The only thing I disagree with, is the part where you said he has no drive and doesn't care. I think he lost his drive after the contract Mitch gave him, but he's definitely driven right now and I think he always cared.

The issue is, this is the best he can do. The game changed and in addition, he couldn’t get a team full of top shelf recruits anymore, coach K was kicking his ass and without Orlando, he ain't shit on the recruiting trail.

Calipari is not willing to change his desire to feed the draft, or change his style of play. He is bound and determined to show everyone his way works and that you can prioritize next level basketball and still win with a new team every year. You can't, you just can't. If you aren't prioritizing the program and championships, you aren't going to beat the programs that are.

Now we have to sit here and read comments talking about "it's this year, or bust", well, we have said that each year since 9-16. At some point, everyone has to mean it.

But, it really is this year or bust, this is the team everyone has pointed to: "this is the type of team Calipari wins with". Well, if he doesn't kill it this year, I don't know how anyone can believe in him going forward.

UK is behind so many programs right now, because Cal decided to prioritize the NBA draft, so now we're looking up at programs like Baylor, Arkansas, Alabama and even Kansas State. That’s awful.

 

[nickhorvathsuxazz]

I’m wish they never used the term lifetime contract. There is nothing lifetime about it. His contract ends in 2029.

I thought the lifetime contract kicked in after his coaching tenure...1 million a year as some type of "ambassador" to the program?

 

[storm1507]

I have no idea how long the brass will be patient. I, however, have been looking at this year as the make or break point for a few years now.

I hope we (he) wins it all and goes on with a decade of winning and in discussion with one of the greatest ever. But, another disappointing season and I'll be ready to change direction.

 

[kyjeff1]

no doubt since the IQ, Maxey, Richards team we have not had the product we all desire
for the most part Cal gave the fans what they wanted in older experienced players
that has not worked out very well

this years team has a couple of experienced players and a whole lot of high end young talent
basically the type of team where Cal is at his best

So what will you say when this team goes 24-10, doesn't win the SEC, doesn't win the SECT and loses by the sweet 16?

If he can't win with experienced players, that’s on him. That '19 team made it just as far as the '17 team, Cal just decided to let Hagans play for the other team. Hagans was never UK material, neither was Wheeler, or sideshow Bob. Who brought those guys in?

But if you have to have a team full of NBA talent, with supreme athleticsm just to have a chance at beating teams that have no NBA talent, well, you're not a very good coach to be blunt. At that point, you're just an agent.

But, I'll be interested to see if you say, for the 4th year in a row, "Cal's got this, he’s going to win this year, he didn't have the perfect mix of perfect players the last 4 years, it's the players fault"

Give me a break Charlie Brown.

 

[kyjeff1]

If you thought the media firestorm when we forced Tubby out was bad, can you imagine if we forced a hall of fame, championship coach with multiple final fours and a coach who has taken three teams to the final 4 out the door?! Don't get me wrong, I've been a Cal fan but the last few years have been unacceptable but to think that UK is going to fire the guy is just words. It will not happen.

It won't be the fans getting the blame for this one. If UK decides to buy him out, that can’t be put on the fans.

Also, it doesn't have to be an ugly seperation, it can be a mutual agreement, but that's only if Cal doesn't run his mouth about it after he cashes in on his huge buyout.

 

[bthaunert]

I thought the lifetime contract kicked in after his coaching tenure...1 million a year as some type of "ambassador" to the program?

That also expires in 2029. It was a 10 year contract from the get go, regardless if it was all coaching or coaching/admin split. They used the term lifetime because he would end his career at UK when the deal expired.

 

[Larry Skaggs]

Cal is UK brass

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Those days are over regardless of coach IMO.

SEC is way deeper and stronger than the past.

All that said, need to win the SEC this season.

Amazing what happens when other SEC teams invest in basketball. Rupp’s old formula for winning games won’t work anymore.

 

[gracetoyou]

No, he doesn't. Writers need to be more questioning about things the fans would want to know about. Coaches and players should be called out and questioned.

How about some of that same "accountability" for officials? They have zip. Write about that & remove the ridiculous privacy protections they have.

It's not like this issue with Cal has not been hammered in the ground since last March. Kyle is just trying to keep it alive. This team needs a different vibe from the fanbase this season & not a bunch of negative Nancy's. Let's not waste this groups year by keeping it up. You talk after season & then let it die as a new season approaches.

 

[K_TIME]

THe stupid lifetime Mitch contract bars any real conversation of expectations/patience when it comes to Cal.

I'm glad to see the roster resurgence that feels like an improvement for next year.....but I'll believe it when I see it from Cal in terms of on court/results.

 

[NociHTTP]

How about some of that same "accountability" for officials? They have zip. Write about that & remove the ridiculous privacy protections they have.

It's not like this issue with Cal has not been hammered in the ground since last March. Kyle is just trying to keep it alive. This team needs a different vibe from the fanbase this season & not a bunch of negative Nancy's. Let's not waste this groups year by keeping it up. You talk after season & then let it die as a new season approaches.

Oh, the officials are problematic, too. But that's mostly a problem all teams have to deal with. There are the annoying exceptions such as TV Teddy who I feel sometimes lets the spotlight affect his decision making. We have to deal with Calipari. Most underachieving coach in history, given the amount of talent he's had, and some of the tournament brackets he's been gifted. This is not debatable, not should it ever be brushed under the rug. Cal has even taken it a step further by enabling players to come here and sit in out when they feel like it, or if they have draft status to protect. No other coach in America.......

 

[NociHTTP]

I thought the lifetime contract kicked in after his coaching tenure...1 million a year as some type of "ambassador" to the program?

I want him nowhere near the program when he's done coaching. Some of the things he's made "okay" here are appalling. He's a Yankee and wanted the spotlight of UCLA. Encourage him to move along.

 

[westerncat]

It is all going to depend how this season goes. If we have a bad year I think the boosters will be ready for him to go but if we have a great year he may stay longer.

 

[HagginHall1999]

1. I doubt the boosters will pony up anything near buyout. I think Calipari would negotiate an exit if pressure got too much.

2. I refuse to think we will be mediocre again.

 

[HagginHall1999]

He needs to make the Elite Eight this year or I believe it will get very unpleasant for him and they would potentially look at negotiating a buyout. The buyout after this year is $33.67 over 5 years, or $6.7 million/year. Here are 3 names that have been mentioned on here as Cal's replacement and what their salary is in 2023:

Eric Musselman - $4.1 million
Nate Oats - $3.4 million
Danny Hurley - $2.9 million

The going rate for a big time coach at a big time program seems to be around $5 - $6 million a year. There are only 5 coaches in college basketball higher than that (Cal, Self, Izzo, Barnes and Pearl) and the other 4 are all below $6 million. I think they could offer a coach $6 million and their annual coaching expense, with the Cal buyout, is at $12.7 million. Crazy numbers, but only about $3 million more annually than what you're spending now.

The question UK would need to ask themselves if they feel the program doesn't get back on track this season....is $3 million annually worth it to move on from Cal?

Scheyer makes $7.3m, Cronin $5.5...just fyi. According to site I read.

Point taken though...

 

[gracetoyou]

Oh, the officials are problematic, too. But that's mostly a problem all teams have to deal with. There are the annoying exceptions such as TV Teddy who I feel sometimes lets the spotlight affect his decision making. We have to deal with Calipari. Most underachieving coach in history, given the amount of talent he's had, and some of the tournament brackets he's been gifted. This is not debatable, not should it ever be brushed under the rug. Cal has even taken it a step further by enabling players to come here and sit in out when they feel like it, or if they have draft status to protect. No other coach in America.......

It's very debatable.

 

[BasketBallJunkie-UK]

Listen to Jon Rothstein on Sources say. Much better source that Kyle Tucker lmao. I think there's quite a few Cal naysayers that will change their mind after this upcoming season. There's a handful that has a bug up their arse about Cal and nothing will change their minds. They wouldn't know a basketball if it hit them in the face lol. I could care less what those few noise makers have to say.

What has Cal done to correct what went wrong. The Staff. The style of play. The number 1 recruiting class. 2 solid guys in Reeves and Mtichell. A super pickup from Croatia. 2 Solid sophs returning. 2 other recruits, 1 who is 6'9"" versatile and the other a shooter. Playiing 4 and 5 out, the assists are unbelievable. A bunch of guys who are play makers, solid 3 pt shooting across the board. And we actually have point guards. With Ulis working with them, I have no doubt they'll get it done in a big way.

They are going to be fun to watch. Sorry about you guys that would prefer to stay miserable lol.

 

[Tubbyfan78]

you would think some are smart enough to wait until this season plays out
but i guess they have to get their digs in now because they may not be able to later

Kyle Tucker has defended Cal many times over the years so if he's saying this you have to listen. You're right that him saying it now is ballsy. All the more reason to take it seriously and appreciate it. The fact that you're saying that should mean if he struggles this year then you have to admit what that means.

Final four or bust. This is his last chance.

That's my opinion too but UK will never see it that way. As long as UK is in the tournament and competitive they're not paying that buyout.

 

[bbncal02]

Listen to Jon Rothstein on Sources say. Much better source that Kyle Tucker lmao. I think there's quite a few Cal naysayers that will change their mind after this upcoming season. There's a handful that has a bug up their arse about Cal and nothing will change their minds. They wouldn't know a basketball if it hit them in the face lol. I could care less what those few noise makers have to say.

What has Cal done to correct what went wrong. The Staff. The style of play. The number 1 recruiting class. 2 solid guys in Reeves and Mtichell. A super pickup from Croatia. 2 Solid sophs returning. 2 other recruits, 1 who is 6'9"" versatile and the other a shooter. Playiing 4 and 5 out, the assists are unbelievable. A bunch of guys who are play makers, solid 3 pt shooting across the board. And we actually have point guards. With Ulis working with them, I have no doubt they'll get it done in a big way.

They are going to be fun to watch. Sorry about you guys that would prefer to stay miserable lol.

All about results at the end of the day. Otherwise you're rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

He has made some changes. Let's see if they stick. I hope they do.

 

[NociHTTP]

1. I doubt the boosters will pony up anything near buyout. I think Calipari would negotiate an exit if pressure got too much.

2. I refuse to think we will be mediocre again.

The two are mutually inclusive, for sure. Addition by subtraction.

 

[kyjeff1]

Listen to Jon Rothstein on Sources say. Much better source that Kyle Tucker lmao. I think there's quite a few Cal naysayers that will change their mind after this upcoming season. There's a handful that has a bug up their arse about Cal and nothing will change their minds. They wouldn't know a basketball if it hit them in the face lol. I could care less what those few noise makers have to say.

What has Cal done to correct what went wrong. The Staff. The style of play. The number 1 recruiting class. 2 solid guys in Reeves and Mtichell. A super pickup from Croatia. 2 Solid sophs returning. 2 other recruits, 1 who is 6'9"" versatile and the other a shooter. Playiing 4 and 5 out, the assists are unbelievable. A bunch of guys who are play makers, solid 3 pt shooting across the board. And we actually have point guards. With Ulis working with them, I have no doubt they'll get it done in a big way.

They are going to be fun to watch. Sorry about you guys that would prefer to stay miserable lol.

So you're saying Cal has done a great job the last 6 years? You have no problem with the job he has done?

 

[Mike-D]

you would think some are smart enough to wait until this season plays out
but i guess they have to get their digs in now because they may not be able to later

I'm fine with waiting, and hoping we have a great season, but those are some terrible stats.

 

[Mike-D]

I’m starting to think this is a troll account started by someone who doesn’t like Cal. I mean this account is so over the top in its support of Cal it’s starting to feel disingenuous.

That is most definitely a ****ing troll account. Dude claims he's a booster, the whole 9 yards. FOH