How one 60 year UK fan sees the program today

[Gromcat]

But they didn’t. It has been political for some people since the moment they kneeled. You’ve denied it a bunch but clearly you have to acknowledge it is a factor here.

He shouldn’t have added that, but I don’t think most fans care as long as the coach wins. Everyone knows Calipari is a democrat, he’s always been one. Never was a factor before. Losing will make everything grow brighter.

 

[Lempface]

It's a factor yes. For me certainly. But it isn't the impetus for most. For most it's just more gas on the fire. There's a difference.

Blinded by your own ignorance.

 

[CB3UK]

Blinded by your own ignorance.

Rub some dirt on that puss Nancy.

 

[CB3UK]

He shouldn’t have added that, but I don’t think most fans care as long as the coach wins. Everyone knows Calipari is a democrat, he’s always been one. Never was a factor before. Losing will make everything grow brighter.

Exactly.

 

[kywildcat41035]

Well, hopefully one day you will reach 60. And I hope when you do you will remember that comment and realize how ignorant it was.

I’m 42 and neither one of my parents made it to 60 so I cherish every minute I have left on this earth. I was raised the right way and I respect my elders and I respect any aspect they have on life because they have been there and done it!

 

[Cawood86]

Saw the age was 60, didn’t read.

Yeah....nobody over 60 matters.....says the guy who voted for a 78 year old

 

[HalHR2500]

There comes a point where Cal and UK will negotiate a buyout

Cal will flee before the heat gets too intense

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Yeah....nobody over 60 matters.....says the guy who voted for a 78 year old

He did not even understand what was posted. A 60-year fan does not equal 60 years old.

 

[bigbluedon]

Saw the age was 60, didn’t read.

And that’s because you’re a moron. Read it and try to comprehend.

 

[sambowieshin]

Kneelipari?? The program has issues right now but kneeling is at the very bottom of them.

 

[Cawood86]

I skimmed for the same reason. If I wanted to hear my Dad's thoughts I would call him.

You sound like a kid to be ashamed of

 

[Cawood86]

My dad isn't an idiot. The person quoted is.

You're right, your dad isn't...

 

[Backer cutter]

Minus the booze and 600 victories, 1 national championship, 6 SEC championships, multiple final fours with 3 different programs, induction into the college basketball HOF, multiple top recruiting classes and on and on. Never once has Cal done anything that has embarrassed the program. Actually the exact opposite. He has been a great ambassador for the program on and off the court.

If I ever meet Cal, I will offer him a drink, 100 proof. Then we’ll see

My dad isn't an idiot. The person quoted is.

Never imagined he was. Room for debate on his offspring though.

 

[chroix]

It's a factor yes. For me certainly. But it isn't the impetus for most. For most it's just more gas on the fire. There's a difference.

I get it. It’s gas on a fire for sure. Morg had denied it a couple of times when I’d raised the issue so wanted to quote his acknowledgment.

 

[CB3UK]

And now you guys see exactly why I made sure to point out the age deal in my first post. Totally predictable lazy ass response by the usual derps. Because the idiots saying it's an age issue are the same age as me, and I'm telling you it has nothing to do with having been around when Rupp was here, because I sure as hell wasn't. I don't even remember Sutton on our sidelines.

 

[bluefaithful]

On another note that is not completely Hogwash. Jethro turned 83 today. He is last living Beverly Hillbilly. Max Baer Jr is the son of the famous boxer Max Baer.

Go Cats!!!

 

[bluefaithful]

And now you guys see exactly why I made sure to point out the age deal in my first post. Totally predictable lazy ass response by the usual derps. Because the idiots saying it's an age issue are the same age as me, and I'm telling you it has nothing to do with having been around when Rupp was here, because I sure as hell wasn't. I don't even remember Sutton on our sidelines.

Either did Sutton, he was drunk but a very good coach

 

[BigBlueFan19]

The more I read here on RR, the more I can feel myself not caring because of people like this. You don’t own the program because you “FUND” it. You don’t have a say so, as an individual. Though, I’d be willing to bet that you think think your opinion matters more than others somehow, but it doesn’t. Using big words caught a few people above me, I see. You don’t sound intelligent, rather like a jealous ex trying to justify your side of the story. Also, one more thing. Being a fan for 60 years doesn’t make you a better fan or anything like that. It doesn’t make what you say more important than others. It just makes you a old fart with very little knowledge. Adios!

 

[rodserling]

I think many of his observations are a bit harsh. I believe some of his statements could have been expressed in a tamer, less critical personal attacks.
That said, as an over 60 year supporter of the great UK basketball program, I must agree in principle with most everything the OP stated. If Cal is allowed to continue his downward spiral, our program is in jeopardy

 

[berniecarbo]

How sad that we are now at the point where anyone in the basketball world trolls us!

 

[Cawood86]

And now you guys see exactly why I made sure to point out the age deal in my first post. Totally predictable lazy ass response by the usual derps. Because the idiots saying it's an age issue are the same age as me, and I'm telling you it has nothing to do with having been around when Rupp was here, because I sure as hell wasn't. I don't even remember Sutton on our sidelines.

Nailed it

 

[Gromcat]

I get it. It’s gas on a fire for sure. Morg had denied it a couple of times when I’d raised the issue so wanted to quote his acknowledgment.

I don’t believe I acknowledged anything you were looking for.

Calipari was hired in a white, southern, conservative state and supported by nearly
Every basketball fan in the state while everyone knows he’s a Democrat. Correlation doesn’t equal causation, and the kneeling was magnified, not of itself, but on TOP OF losing. If Calipari had the number 1 team America and winning, it wouldn’t matter if he had Hillary Clinton do the Y . That is not questionable and you know it.

I think kneeling is stupid and the grievances misplaced. I think most people realize that but because of accepted soft bigotry and political expediency for votes we don’t call it what it is. And I personally couldn’t care less, if it helps recruit I’m willing to fire up the gas chambers for accepted people to hate (old man whitey) or hire Manson after he commits his 25th homicide. Obviously I’m joking, or am I? I’m joking, amirite?

Win the f’n games or get out. At this point it’s all excuses to cover for a washed up coach. I’m not falling for any of it.

Why would he want out? Nobody else is gonna pay him the kind of money he’s owed here. And he ain’t walking away from the most lucrative contract in the history of the sport.

UK has no negotiating leverage if he wants to stay. And, even if it did, negotiated to what? Even if you chopped it in half, it would still be far more than any buyout ever paid in history.

This could end up like a bad marriage where the couple stays together simply to avoid the pain of divorce. We can’t afford to fire him, and he’s still owed too much to leave on his own. Thanks “lifetime contract.”

he’ll want out when everyone is dying for him to leave. Calipari’s ego cannot handle staying at UK against everyone’s wishes just to collect some cash he doesn’t need. He’ll want to move on, it’s too much pressure.

He will settle at the end of next season, or simply take another job and leave unexpectedly. I do not see our program improving, and it looks like the NIT this year is a real possibility. He’s using covid to collect as many years as he can. Cal has no interests in winning anymore.

2023 is Cals last year at UK. Mark the post.

 

[Gromcat]

Manson and the gas chambers are a joke.

But winning is not a joke. Win or leave. He’s not winning. The story ends there. Hurry up.

 

[Cawood86]

The more I read here on RR, the more I can feel myself not caring because of people like this. You don’t own the program because you “FUND” it. You don’t have a say so, as an individual. Though, I’d be willing to bet that you think think your opinion matters more than others somehow, but it doesn’t. Using big words caught a few people above me, I see. You don’t sound intelligent, rather like a jealous ex trying to justify your side of the story. Also, one more thing. Being a fan for 60 years doesn’t make you a better fan or anything like that. It doesn’t make what you say more important than others. It just makes you a old fart with very little knowledge. Adios!

 

[natchezrule]

Saw the age was 60, didn’t read.

Good for you. Go claim your trophy

 

[cats#1again]

We are within 18 months of having a new coach. Maybe sooner. Mark Pope will probably be the guy because no other top level coach will be interested in trying to baby sit a fan base. We struggled to find a coach in 2007 and I would think it will be very similar

 

[BigBlueTom1]

At this point I don't care who we get as long as we get a COACH who wants to COACH a TEAM to win college basketball games instead of a TRAINER who wants to TRAIN INDIVIDUALS to get to the NBA!!

 

[know1]

I firmly believe we have needed a new coach for a few years now, but I can't agree with much in that post.

 

[BigBlueFan19]

You leaving us, Wood? Would hate to see you go! 😉

 

[seccats04]

But they didn’t. It has been political for some people since the moment they kneeled. You’ve denied it a bunch but clearly you have to acknowledge it is a factor here.

Well, when you purposely piss off the majority of your fanbase you can expect blowback, especially when your on court results are piss poor. It's no different in the business world. You take a political stance and your customers don't like it they won't shop at your business anymore. No different here.

 

[seccats04]

Saw the age was 60, didn’t read.

Maybe she should text it to you so you'll comprehend.

 

[DanCat17]

Wall of text.

 

[LowCountryCat]

#BelieveAllWomen

 

[RipThru]

Yea it's as if some belive Calipari will be here forever. If the outcry is loud enough at some point over the next couple of years, he will be gone, buyout be damned. Because as you said, those things are negotiated.

By next year if things haven’t changed Calipari will want out and the buyout will be negotiated.

Honestly is this some of y’all’s first rodeo? Because I keep seeing this everywhere and it doesn’t make much sense. Buyouts are negotiated and Calipari will do the same.

 

[RipThru]

The NBA will be Cal's downfall. His whole recruiting premise is based on getting players to the NBA. He will play 5* recruits to a fault, regardless of production. He is married to the model, and it doesn't work unlesss you get the elite of the elite. His bench coaching is stale; a high ball screen late in the shot clock ala the NBA. Refusal to play any zone at all because the NBA doesn't. His days are numbered if he doesn't adapt, and soon.

 

[RipThru]

Cal is not leaving. Go find another team if you aren't supporting him. Joe B won one national championship in how many years? Pitino in how many years? Cal has addressed the change by grabbing new assistants and signing a early cal class which is ELITE. This is a carryover year, always has been. Still think this team has a chance but christ all you debbie downers are going to wish a losing season into existence.

Sorry Chief. You don't get to tell others how to be a fan. I'll support whatever damned team I like, and I'll speak my mind while doing it.

 

[warrior-cat]

Well, hopefully one day you will reach 60. And I hope when you do you will remember that comment and realize how ignorant it was.

They won't realize it. They will continue to push the age limit on that thought and stay ignorant and unwise. Some have the same arrogance posted about in the OP. They never learn.

 

[JwUKFan11]

I love these threads. As if anybody gives a damn about how old you are. “I’m old af listen to my opinion”

 

[kl40504]

Observation about the situation UK basketball finds itself, by a 60 year supporter and FUNDER. I support this position, but did not author the insights;

"As a UK fan for over 60 years, I feel compelled to share a few perspectives on the man who has turned our beloved program into something unrecognizable. A man whose coaching career has been hall-marked by two distinctive and notable traits: a superior innate talent for marketing and salesmanship and a self-centered, profound ego…..one that mandates him to be the focus of attention and demanding unfettered loyalty. Such an extreme sense of self perhaps stems from not having a healthy, balanced identity ……who knows? Nevertheless, his career is highlighted by his having to constantly seek the limelight by making himself the center of attention…evocative of a spoiled, petulant child. Before he got to UK and was coaching in the mid- majors, he focused on being flamboyant on the court perhaps hoping his coaching persona could help him get on a sports show highlight reel now and then as a way to keep himself relevant on the national stage . It was the only way he could ever get the kind of attention that he craved. He knew he couldn’t make it to the big leagues on coaching skills alone. His controversial hiring at UK provided him with what his ego -driven, self-focused persona needed the most….an indisputable credential that he had arrived at the pinnacle of the game where he didn’t have to account to anyone. With sycophant UK fans who held him in abject idolatry and an embicilic administration that gave him a ridiculous contract that no one could justify, he became, in his own mind, bigger than Kentucky basketball itself….he was a God ….or perhaps he thought. Winning the title in 2012 with arguably the greatest player in a generation, cemented his status as the unassailable overlord of the program, and provided him a platform where the accolades were focused all on him without regard to the fans, the players, or the program. The 2015 Wisconsin game however, changed everything. He was exposed as the charlatan he is. As fans began to criticize his clear lack of in -game coaching abilities, he took on a biting, condescending attitude to those who dared question his motives or his results. His one and done recruiting philosophy revitalized his reputation for a few years until it became obvious he couldn’t win with talent either, causing him to more recently shift to a recruiting strategy which focused on acquiring transfers….a strategy which undoubtedly has proven disastrous. As the criticisms have recently mounted and he being finally laid bare as the unfettered empty suit he has always been, he took on the woke political agenda…perhaps as a way to rub it into the fans faces, while seemingly content to allow the movement to destroy Rupp’s reputation without saying a word in his defense. Rather than shouldering any of the blame for the debacle he has now turned the program into, he continues with a litany of absurd excuses which become more pathetic every day. His slovenly appearance is a reflection of and emblematic of what is now a clear indication of his lack of regard for the program and the rich heritage of UK . In a word, it is apparent he doesn’t care anymore. Without the idolatry that his ego demands, he is content merely going through the motions as the program wastes away to mediocrity .Fans in response have in large part turned off as has been recently demonstrated by the unimaginable attendance numbers at home game which sadly signifies that the generational passion for the program is now on life - support.

Folks, Kentucky basketball is at a cross-roads. Either the alumni bond together and resolve to rid the program of this insidious, legacy -destroying influence and attempt to re-establish our state birthright, or stand by in silence and watch it slip into the abyss of irrelevance. Let your voices and your dollars be heard….Kneelipari must go!"

I concur 100%

rr

Feel better?

 

[warrior-cat]

On another note that is not completely Hogwash. Jethro turned 83 today. He is last living Beverly Hillbilly. Max Baer Jr is the son of the famous boxer Max Baer.

Go Cats!!!

Yep, and Jethro is smart too, he went to Oxford.