This board for some reason is the worst at understanding the coaching situation with regard to programs like UK. I've never understood it, but most here undersell the money and status that the coaching spot at UK offers.
Cal - "I'd crawl over broken glass to get to Lexington". / 2006
I find it odd how Cal is always compared to Nick Saban. Saban is RELENTLESS in reinventing himself, his program, moving people out who aren't as hungry as he is and obsessed with the task of going after championships. Recruiting is year around and he never lets up. Does he win every year? Of course not, but it's not from exhausting every avenue/opportunity to do so and studying the trends in the sport to stay ahead of competition. Even little things that people don't care about but matter like the "Turnover Belt" which Saban's program started--the tents on the sidelines for injured players, he started all of that. FB wise-he is innovative, creative, and demands domination. He doesn't accept winning, he demands it and wants to dominate everyone who opposes him. Someone as accomplished as him at his age (he's 68 or 69) usually softens and if anything I think he's more competitive to prove everyone wrong. All he loves/cares about is what he does. Cal has a lot of other interests and now he's at UK he doesn't have to work as hard to get good enough players to keep people happy. Good enough seasons where he can spew things that many will buy (like last year's team was going to win the NC) and just when you want to light him up-something happens to keep you buying in.
He's a great coach who is settling for being very good. He's not demanding recruiting improves. He's taking guys who want to come to UK because they think they can help them in NBA--not because they are elite NBA Lottery Prospects and want to win at UK. Some of these guys wouldn't even be on UK's list if it was the same Cal/Staff who took over the program prior to the '10 season. He talks in manner of this what happens and we'll just figure it out-well he forgot the work and draining times these guys put on him along way and it's a lot more draining when you are dealing with very good to good prospects and not great. I point to '16 when Golden Boy came on board and he's protected like a sacred cow by media (usually that is a sign you leak team stuff to them) but he's done what exactly? Almost got this guy....would've gotten this guy IF.....BUT---and at some point you need to go get an elite surefire lottery talent and get it done. The guy has hurt the program with most of his signees and wasted numerous time with guys who aren't fit for UK. At some point the light needs to be shined--and it's not like media can't talk with him-he does any/every media hit possible. Just want him gone and think things will improve dramatically but realize it's heresy by some to talk in these terms of Golden Boy.