Kentucky hires John Welch as an assistant
- Thread starter shaudyshaud
- Start date
Welch won't be restricted. If he is, he'll quit. He's got as many stripes on the wall as possible for an Assistant Coach. He doesn't need this job. If he isn't allowed to work, he'll leave.
I am a UK lover while you are a Cal hater.
I don't know what's worse in these reads. Is it reading the gatekeepers always whining or the 24/7 litter this board with Cal hate whiners. Anywho.
This is an A++ hire. Energy personified. Tireless. Great teacher of the game. Players love him. Basically, instantly, this guy becomes the best assistant coach we've had at Kentucky under Coach Cal.
This is an A++ hire. Energy personified. Tireless. Great teacher of the game. Players love him. Basically, instantly, this guy becomes the best assistant coach we've had at Kentucky under Coach Cal.
Stop with the dribble drive hate.
It’s basically the offense almost every NBA team uses as their base. Now some do option differently off it.
It’s basically the offense almost every NBA team uses as their base. Now some do option differently off it.
No one should care what the NBA does. It’s irrelevant
“I am thrilled to be joining the Kentucky basketball program,” Welch said in a statement. “I look forward to working with Coach Cal and his tremendous coaching and support staff. Helping players grow and develop has always been my passion as a coach, and I can’t wait to get in the gym with our team this summer. It is an honor to become a part of Big Blue Nation’s proud basketball tradition and have the opportunity to assist in the continued success of the premier program in college basketball.”
UK still has an opening for an assistant coach that will also serve as one of the program’s off-campus recruiters. Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman currently hold two of those three positions, with the Cats still looking for a replacement for former Kentucky assistant K.T. Turner, who accepted the head coaching position at UT Arlington in March.
The Herald-Leader was told that Welch’s duties will include opposition scouting and game planning, overseeing the program’s on-court player development plans, and assisting with the team’s offensive strategies. His role is expected to be similar, in some regard, to one previously held by John Robic, who was the longest-serving staff member over Calipari’s coaching career — a total of 19 seasons as a full assistant, with stops at UMass, Memphis and Kentucky — before parting ways with UK’s program in 2021.
Welch, who was born in Maine and grew up in Las Vegas, played college basketball at Nevada before finishing his career at UNLV for the 1985-86 season. He worked for three years as a grad assistant at UNLV under Hall of Fame coach Jerry Tarkanian and then spent two seasons as a full assistant at Long Beach State.
When Tarkanian accepted the head coaching position at Fresno State, he made Welch one of his first hires and retained him for his full tenure with the Bulldogs from 1995 to 2002.
Upon Tarkanian’s retirement in 2002, Welch moved on to the NBA, where he was an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies (2002-05), Denver Nuggets (2005-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15), Sacramento Kings (2015-16) and Los Angeles Clippers (2016-20). Head coaches he worked under at those stops included Hall of Famers Hubie Brown and George Karl, as well as Doc Rivers, who was named one of the NBA’s “15 greatest coaches” as part of the league’s 75th anniversary honors in 2021.
Welch’s tenure in the NBA ended in 2020, when the Clippers parted ways with Rivers, who landed the Philadelphia 76ers head coaching position. Welch was most recently the head coach of a professional team in Mexico.
UK still has an opening for an assistant coach that will also serve as one of the program’s off-campus recruiters. Orlando Antigua and Chin Coleman currently hold two of those three positions, with the Cats still looking for a replacement for former Kentucky assistant K.T. Turner, who accepted the head coaching position at UT Arlington in March.
The Herald-Leader was told that Welch’s duties will include opposition scouting and game planning, overseeing the program’s on-court player development plans, and assisting with the team’s offensive strategies. His role is expected to be similar, in some regard, to one previously held by John Robic, who was the longest-serving staff member over Calipari’s coaching career — a total of 19 seasons as a full assistant, with stops at UMass, Memphis and Kentucky — before parting ways with UK’s program in 2021.
Welch, who was born in Maine and grew up in Las Vegas, played college basketball at Nevada before finishing his career at UNLV for the 1985-86 season. He worked for three years as a grad assistant at UNLV under Hall of Fame coach Jerry Tarkanian and then spent two seasons as a full assistant at Long Beach State.
When Tarkanian accepted the head coaching position at Fresno State, he made Welch one of his first hires and retained him for his full tenure with the Bulldogs from 1995 to 2002.
Upon Tarkanian’s retirement in 2002, Welch moved on to the NBA, where he was an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies (2002-05), Denver Nuggets (2005-13), Brooklyn Nets (2013-15), Sacramento Kings (2015-16) and Los Angeles Clippers (2016-20). Head coaches he worked under at those stops included Hall of Famers Hubie Brown and George Karl, as well as Doc Rivers, who was named one of the NBA’s “15 greatest coaches” as part of the league’s 75th anniversary honors in 2021.
Welch’s tenure in the NBA ended in 2020, when the Clippers parted ways with Rivers, who landed the Philadelphia 76ers head coaching position. Welch was most recently the head coach of a professional team in Mexico.
Calipari had been the head coach at Memphis for two seasons by the time Welch landed his first NBA job in the same city in 2002, as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Following the 2002-03 basketball season, Welch called Calipari and said there was a junior college coach he wanted him to meet.
“I’ve always respected Johnny Welch,” Calipari told Sports Illustrated in a 2008 story that recounted that meeting and what came next. “He’s a Basketball Benny, knows coaches, studies the game. He says, ‘Look, I’ve got a guy coming in here, and I want him to spend some time with you. You ought to look at his offense.’”
Kentucky fans know that the term “Basketball Benny” — when used sincerely, as it was here — is the ultimate compliment from Calipari, and the man Welch wanted him to meet that day — Vance Walberg — ended up having a profound impact on Calipari’s coaching style.
Walberg was the innovator of what is now known as the dribble-drive motion offense, which Calipari adopted aspects of for his Memphis teams after meeting with the coach that summer. The offensive approach became synonymous with Calipari’s teams over the years, and Welch was the facilitator that made it happen.
During his days as a Fresno State assistant, Welch had regularly observed practices run by Walberg, who was a high school coach in the city at that time.
“I’ve been around some unbelievable coaches — Tark, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, now George Karl and Tim Grgurich — and I’ve learned as much from Vance as from anybody else,” Welch told SI for that 2008 article.
Calipari was obviously smitten with Walberg’s techniques, as well.
As Welch’s career took him to several other NBA stops — and Calipari departed Memphis for Kentucky in 2009 — the two coaches remained in contact. And Welch has left behind a string of favorable impressions from some big names in professional basketball.
A 2012 profile in the Denver Post — toward the end of Welch’s eight-year run with the Nuggets — was filled with praise from those around the organization at the time.
“I don’t want to talk about him — because I don’t want any other team to take him,” said general manager Masai Ujiri. “He’s the best, he’s the best in the NBA, there’s no doubt about it. No disrespect to anybody, but he’s the best player development coach in the NBA. He takes basketball seriously — his work, his trade.”
Ujiri ended up winning the NBA Executive of the Year Award after that season and was later the architect of the Toronto Raptors roster that won the 2019 championship.
The praise for Welch also extended to the players.
“He pushes you — if you do a Welch workout, you know it,” said Nuggets forward Corey Brewer, who won two national titles at Florida and spent 13 years in the NBA. “He’s the hardest-working coach I’ve ever played with. He’s there every day, constantly wants to work you out, tries to get you better. And that’s what you need when you’re a young team, no doubt about that.”
Following the 2002-03 basketball season, Welch called Calipari and said there was a junior college coach he wanted him to meet.
“I’ve always respected Johnny Welch,” Calipari told Sports Illustrated in a 2008 story that recounted that meeting and what came next. “He’s a Basketball Benny, knows coaches, studies the game. He says, ‘Look, I’ve got a guy coming in here, and I want him to spend some time with you. You ought to look at his offense.’”
Kentucky fans know that the term “Basketball Benny” — when used sincerely, as it was here — is the ultimate compliment from Calipari, and the man Welch wanted him to meet that day — Vance Walberg — ended up having a profound impact on Calipari’s coaching style.
Walberg was the innovator of what is now known as the dribble-drive motion offense, which Calipari adopted aspects of for his Memphis teams after meeting with the coach that summer. The offensive approach became synonymous with Calipari’s teams over the years, and Welch was the facilitator that made it happen.
During his days as a Fresno State assistant, Welch had regularly observed practices run by Walberg, who was a high school coach in the city at that time.
“I’ve been around some unbelievable coaches — Tark, Hubie Brown, Mike Fratello, now George Karl and Tim Grgurich — and I’ve learned as much from Vance as from anybody else,” Welch told SI for that 2008 article.
Calipari was obviously smitten with Walberg’s techniques, as well.
As Welch’s career took him to several other NBA stops — and Calipari departed Memphis for Kentucky in 2009 — the two coaches remained in contact. And Welch has left behind a string of favorable impressions from some big names in professional basketball.
A 2012 profile in the Denver Post — toward the end of Welch’s eight-year run with the Nuggets — was filled with praise from those around the organization at the time.
“I don’t want to talk about him — because I don’t want any other team to take him,” said general manager Masai Ujiri. “He’s the best, he’s the best in the NBA, there’s no doubt about it. No disrespect to anybody, but he’s the best player development coach in the NBA. He takes basketball seriously — his work, his trade.”
Ujiri ended up winning the NBA Executive of the Year Award after that season and was later the architect of the Toronto Raptors roster that won the 2019 championship.
The praise for Welch also extended to the players.
“He pushes you — if you do a Welch workout, you know it,” said Nuggets forward Corey Brewer, who won two national titles at Florida and spent 13 years in the NBA. “He’s the hardest-working coach I’ve ever played with. He’s there every day, constantly wants to work you out, tries to get you better. And that’s what you need when you’re a young team, no doubt about that.”
Figuring out the best ways to utilize Wagner’s unique skill set — as well as those talented, if unproven, players around him — is likely to be at the top of Welch’s to-do list starting with this summer’s workouts.
“Point guards — he loves point guards — he teaches pick-and-roll stuff, angles,” Karl told the Denver Post of Welch in 2012. “And when you defend this particular way, what your options are, what you have to do. The perimeter guys, he works with their footwork to get ready to shoot the ball. And he can handle the big guys very well, too. He does big-men footwork drills and catches. …
“What I think he does very well is he takes what I want and incorporates it into his drills and repetition. John and I are very seldom not on the same wavelength.”
A few years later, at the beginning of Welch’s four-year run as a Clippers assistant, Rivers and NBA point guard legend Chris Paul were among those who praised his energy level, teaching methods and immediate ability to connect with players and gain their trust on the court.
“He’s got the ear of a lot of our guys,” Rivers said then. “The work has been noticeable, and it’s been great.”
While Welch’s offensive style and teachings have evolved over the years, he’s spoken at previous stops about playing fast and beginning the offensive attack early in the possession, a style that Calipari has had success with in the past, especially when he’s had the type of point guards that Wagner projects to be.
“A big emphasis has just been: push the ball, play as fast as we can,” Welch said while coaching the Kings’ summer league team before the 2015-16 season. “We think everything’s easier early in the clock, whether it’s penetrations, pick-and-rolls, post-ups — we want to get into it as fast as we can. Then sprint back and make the other team play half-court offense.”
In that same interview, it was pointed out that Willie Cauley-Stein — then an NBA rookie after three years at Kentucky — had said that what Welch was doing was similar to the style he had played in Lexington.
“Willie’s way ahead of the game,” Welch said then. “Willie’s done a great job of running the floor and getting down the court early, and then playing behind or under the defense. We try to penetrate a lot, and we want Willie right by the rim to — if we miss a layup — to tip it in. Or as a target on our penetration — to pass it to him for easy baskets.”
UK’s roster remains somewhat unsettled for the 2023-24 season, but Welch should have several talented and versatile players at his disposal while helping Calipari craft an offensive approach for this group of Wildcats.
Welch will also bring a trusted voice to Calipari’s inner circle, an energetic coach who might just open up some new wrinkles to the way Kentucky plays moving forward.
“John Welch has been involved in every level of basketball and been an important part of the development of NBA careers for guys like Carmelo (Anthony), Pau Gasol, DeMarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin and Brook Lopez,” Calipari said Monday. “He loves the game and will be a tremendous asset to our young players and our staff. John has worked closely for decades with Vance Walberg, who developed the dribble-drive offense, and was a pioneer of bringing it to the NBA. With the strength of our guards and perimeter players we need to get back to that style of play.
“John will be involved heavily in our offensive strategy and will be our lead coach in on-court player development. We’re excited to have him join our program.”
“Point guards — he loves point guards — he teaches pick-and-roll stuff, angles,” Karl told the Denver Post of Welch in 2012. “And when you defend this particular way, what your options are, what you have to do. The perimeter guys, he works with their footwork to get ready to shoot the ball. And he can handle the big guys very well, too. He does big-men footwork drills and catches. …
“What I think he does very well is he takes what I want and incorporates it into his drills and repetition. John and I are very seldom not on the same wavelength.”
A few years later, at the beginning of Welch’s four-year run as a Clippers assistant, Rivers and NBA point guard legend Chris Paul were among those who praised his energy level, teaching methods and immediate ability to connect with players and gain their trust on the court.
“He’s got the ear of a lot of our guys,” Rivers said then. “The work has been noticeable, and it’s been great.”
While Welch’s offensive style and teachings have evolved over the years, he’s spoken at previous stops about playing fast and beginning the offensive attack early in the possession, a style that Calipari has had success with in the past, especially when he’s had the type of point guards that Wagner projects to be.
“A big emphasis has just been: push the ball, play as fast as we can,” Welch said while coaching the Kings’ summer league team before the 2015-16 season. “We think everything’s easier early in the clock, whether it’s penetrations, pick-and-rolls, post-ups — we want to get into it as fast as we can. Then sprint back and make the other team play half-court offense.”
In that same interview, it was pointed out that Willie Cauley-Stein — then an NBA rookie after three years at Kentucky — had said that what Welch was doing was similar to the style he had played in Lexington.
“Willie’s way ahead of the game,” Welch said then. “Willie’s done a great job of running the floor and getting down the court early, and then playing behind or under the defense. We try to penetrate a lot, and we want Willie right by the rim to — if we miss a layup — to tip it in. Or as a target on our penetration — to pass it to him for easy baskets.”
UK’s roster remains somewhat unsettled for the 2023-24 season, but Welch should have several talented and versatile players at his disposal while helping Calipari craft an offensive approach for this group of Wildcats.
Welch will also bring a trusted voice to Calipari’s inner circle, an energetic coach who might just open up some new wrinkles to the way Kentucky plays moving forward.
“John Welch has been involved in every level of basketball and been an important part of the development of NBA careers for guys like Carmelo (Anthony), Pau Gasol, DeMarcus Cousins, Blake Griffin and Brook Lopez,” Calipari said Monday. “He loves the game and will be a tremendous asset to our young players and our staff. John has worked closely for decades with Vance Walberg, who developed the dribble-drive offense, and was a pioneer of bringing it to the NBA. With the strength of our guards and perimeter players we need to get back to that style of play.
“John will be involved heavily in our offensive strategy and will be our lead coach in on-court player development. We’re excited to have him join our program.”
I have most likely watched more UK games than you have. I am 77 years old and never miss a game if I can help it. I go all the way back to the Rupp years and know what good basketball games used to be at UK. I don't hate anyone but I don't like the what Calipari is doing to my beloved Wildcats.
It had moved. After reading this, it moved right back. 😑
cal’s ego won’t let him control much.
That is the problem. You are still living in the Rupp era. Things will never be like that again. Too much has changed. One and Done, NIL, Transfer portal, and the SEC is no longer just a football conference. College basketball has changed and in my opinion for the worse. However we need to realize it has changed and accept it or be miserable.
Yea. The team played well in the Bahamas because Cal wasn’t coaching them.
Yall are talking about offense but he’s being mentioned as a player development coach, not an offense coordinator
Shouldn’t take long to teach 7 players a new offense. Can he teach “no fouling” as well?
From what I’ve read, Walberg’s dribble drive offense was much more of a drive and kick to open 3-pt. shooters on the perimeter in comparison to the way Calipari used it – which relied more heavily on the lob instead of the kick out. This might have been a necessary adaption by Calipari due to the personnel he was using (i.e., heavy on the freshmen - which means shooting is not likely to be great). I think Oats at Alabama now runs a truer dribble drive offense; and I think Calipari should adjust his approach to include more consistent 3pt. shooting also.
So, when the coaching vacancy came up and before Welch was linked to the position I was thinking about Vance Walberg. Thinking maybe he would be good for the position. I read he was coaching high school basketball somewhere just for enjoyment, so I thought if he would do it maybe Walberg could push the offense more toward his original version of the dribble drive.
So, do you think Welch would want to push the offense more toward what I’m saying was Walberg’s original intent; and also, if you know (you seem to have a lot of high school/college coaching contacts), do you think Walberg would have taken the position if asked?
And someone who makes sure everyone understands the inbounds play coming out of timeout.
Nothing you stated has ANYTHING to do with Cal's declining coaching ability.
Seems you are the one clinging to an old tired coach and are scared of change.
Like Couch Cal will ever listen to what an assistant has to offer...
Why do I get the feeling that Cal got this Welch guy hired, while reducing the roster to mostly this recruiting class, so that he can say he got the fans what they wanted but that his team was just too young for this day and age of transfer portals? He should have made such a move years ago. Why now?Like Couch Cal will ever listen to what an assistant has to offer...
Friend, it's not even about college basketball anymore. It stopped being that when Emmert and the NCAA administration refused to go after the North Carolinas and Jerry Tarkanians of the game. Once these cheaters smelled blood, it was over. Now it's all "let me reveal my final 10 teams that I'll pick from" and "I'm requesting prayers and privacy as I choose my third or fourth team to transfer to". Give me back the (( old )) Macy's Thanksgiving Parades / commentary and the UK / Arkansa rivalries.
Change is inevitable. We can accept it or not. But it is going to happen.
This is a defeatist approach. It's why we have such a thing called protests. Unless your voice is heard, then either change will happen that you don't want, or you won't get that change that you do want. Sometimes we might not be able to stop change, but we can slow it down enough so that those who have been pushing for it might be able to step back and decide to not proceed. You've got to make yourself heard.
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Cal only hired this guy because his seat was so hot. Keep stoking the fire brothers and we'll finally chase the effing douche bag outta the state!
Lincoln Riley is still looking for his first championship: at a different school.
Now what is Cal going to do? He doesn't have it in him to give someone else the reigns of anything.
You won't see a smidgen of full court press with someone bringing in a NBA agenda.
This is about getting kids to the next level. That's it as long as Cal is here.
But will Cal let him be heavily involved in the offensive strategy?
Probably not. We will see the same sloppy stuff next year, as if this new coach was never hired.
