Ok, I'm officially done enjoying Cals implosion.

[bigbluedon]

You guys are sad! Wow! What short memories you have. This guy took over the program when Kentucky was the laughing stock of the SEC. We had a coach that was a drunk, hanging out at the local bars, and messing with his own players girlfriends. The media was running the guy through the practice facilities.
Cal came in and immediately restored the Kentucky as the Brand of college basketball. Four final fours in 5 years and A national title. He is second in wins on the UK coaching list. Also, what about what he did for the people in Eastern Kentucky during the floods or the people in Western Kentucky during the tornadoes, or the people in Haiti during the Hurricanes. And now you are gloating over his struggles. We wonder why our society is so screwed up. Just SAD!

 

[bigbluedon]

No, people are not only enjoying, they are wishing and praying for it. I heard our fans everyday and just read the headlines of the post. SAD! The part of our fan base that I am ashamed of.

Thanks Ellen. Now go console your coach.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

I really dont know what TF he’s doing. Just retire at the end of the year and quit destroying your legacy. He was considered the best hire in those anonymous coaches polls norlander posts in the offseason so he’s still respected a great deal. Just hang it up before it keeps getting worse. It’s obvious Kentucky was greatly propping him up and now that he’s at a lesser program the wheels have completely fallen off. Losing to 0-3 LSU in a half empty gym. Good grief.

He has surrounded himself with sycophants and yes men. Nobody is telling him the truth.

 

[Mike-D]

You guys are sad! Wow! What short memories you have. This guy took over the program when Kentucky was the laughing stock of the SEC. We had a coach that was a drunk, hanging out at the local bars, and messing with his own players girlfriends. The media was running the guy through the practice facilities.
Cal came in and immediately restored the Kentucky as the Brand of college basketball. Four final fours in 5 years and A national title. He is second in wins on the UK coaching list. Also, what about what he did for the people in Eastern Kentucky during the floods or the people in Western Kentucky during the tornadoes, or the people in Haiti during the Hurricanes. And now you are gloating over his struggles. We wonder why our society is so screwed up. Just SAD!

The classic "think like me" or you're not a good human post. You realize we are talking about our old coach and the game of basketball, right? Good lord.

This is typical fan behavior when their old coach goes to a rival school, takes all of the recruits, and ohhhh, he makes about 8 million dollars a year. What a ****ing travesty.

 

[jedwar]

I don't wish ill on anyone but I will say Cal burned all his good will with UK. The snarky comments, talking down to fans, unwillingness to adapt and change, playing players over obviously better players, see my dogs, not caring about the SECT, bad losses to lesser teams aka St. Peter's and Oakland, bad losses aka Wisconsin, being so arrogant thinking he could violate his contract and stick around, thinking he was so coveted. I could go on but I'm tired.

 

[WeWant9]

I didn’t think Cal would win anything of worth at Ark, but I did think if he were to make some noise it would be this year. I really didn’t see it being this bad for them. I expected them to be a decent seed and then do the typical March crash.

I wish he had some people who could be honest with him and tell him to hang it up. He’s way past his expiration date of being a college coach. I never hated Cal, was ready for him to leave, but this is a little sad to see unfold.

 

[catfan220]

Looking at their schedule, they most likely won't win more than 5 in SEC play. If so, thats a 16-15 record with most likely zero signature wins. I'll pick them against USC, Vandy, at home vs LSU, at home vs Texas and at home vs Mizz. Thats crazy bad.

The team and Cal will have packed it up by then and they won't be pulling off any big wins in the SECT.

If that happens a ton of anger will come down on Cal and even Ellen.

If I'm close Cal really needs to have had a talk with the AD about when he prefers Cal to report his retirement. If he continues, wow, it will be difficult to watch.

After Feb 1 we’ll talk.

 

[kydmb99]

There was no reality where this was not an abject disaster... One of the most shocking declines I've ever seen from a coach.

 

[michaeluk26]

If Cal hadn’t turned into a toxic narcissist and tried to poison everything and everyone around him, then nobody would be…but he has. No one is arguing that Cal was not legitimately great for about 10 years here. He was. No one is arguing that he didn’t do great things for the people in this state during those 10 years. He did. But people change. He’s now a narcissist, condescending asshole who tried to gaslight this entire fanbase that we weren’t seeing what we knew we were seeing, and he’s been that way for a long time. He’s earned this.

Agreed on Ellen, though. She seems like a great lady who deserves better.

This, this and this.

 

[JwUKFan11]

It is kind of sad, but the man never truly understood what UK is all about. Which is mind boggling to me.

I agree it is sad. But I fully think he initially understood exactly what UK was about. I mean go back to his initial Press conference when he talked about what UK hung banners for.

Once he won a championship he thought he could coast and just continue recruiting and everything would be ok. People got fed up with average results and then it was just a bitter divorce from there.

 

[billoliver40]

It's sad when a great one in anything fades.
The first couple of losses were kind of a 'see we were right' deal for us as fans. Now its kinda sad.

 

[Cats192]

Rich people are still people, they're not immune to human emotions. I don't necessarily feel sorry for Cal, but anyone who was at the top of their profession and widely respected in their industry and then seemingly overnight lost their edge, was average at best, and was being mocked for falling off would struggle to deal with it mentally.

He could have changed and adapted. He dug his heels in. He's said multiple times he likes doing it HIS way. He would rather go down doing things his way than admit he needs to change. He's getting what he wants.

I give zero cares about his emotions. He was getting paid 8 million plus here. He's getting paid millions at Arkansas. It's ok to hold people accountable. His "feelings" don't trump accountability. If your feelings are hurt--do better.

This isn't a physical thing. It's not the same as a player just got too old to do it anymore. He just won't adopt a new style of play. And he continues to pay the price. And so have the schools that are paying him millions.

 

[bluecoon1]

It clearly became all about how much money he could get a few kids a year. He chose a weird metric to determine his success by. His fault he’s losing. I’m going to continue enjoying it for as long as the good people at Tyson chicken allow it to happen.

I think talking about generational poverty and draft night being the biggest night of the year became a fail safe when everyone started figuring out the one and done which exposed his coaching ability. It’s like not being good at the project you’re given at work then deflecting with how great your other tasks are.

 

[kenton71]

He could have changed and adapted. He dug his heels in. He's said multiple times he likes doing it HIS way. He would rather go down doing things his way than admit he needs to change. He's getting what he wants.

I give zero cares about his emotions. He was getting paid 8 million plus here. He's getting paid millions at Arkansas. It's ok to hold people accountable. His "feelings" don't trump accountability. If your feelings are hurt--do better.

This isn't a physical thing. It's not the same as a player just got too old to do it anymore. He just won't adopt a new style of play. And he continues to pay the price. And so have the schools that are paying him millions.

Damn right!!!

 

[North Carolina Blue Wildcat]

Was a great day when he came on board and righted the ship, and an even better day when he left to right the ship. Thankful he came when he did and more thankful he left, although much later than he should have.

 

[chroix]

I think talking about generational poverty and draft night being the biggest night of the year became a fail safe when everyone started figuring out the one and done which exposed his coaching ability. It’s like not being good at the project you’re given at work then deflecting with how great your other tasks are.

It’s amazing how many people leverage that kind of BS to make it to the top.

 

[MegaBlue05]

You guys are sad! Wow! What short memories you have. This guy took over the program when Kentucky was the laughing stock of the SEC. We had a coach that was a drunk, hanging out at the local bars, and messing with his own players girlfriends. The media was running the guy through the practice facilities.
Cal came in and immediately restored the Kentucky as the Brand of college basketball. Four final fours in 5 years and A national title. He is second in wins on the UK coaching list. Also, what about what he did for the people in Eastern Kentucky during the floods or the people in Western Kentucky during the tornadoes, or the people in Haiti during the Hurricanes. And now you are gloating over his struggles. We wonder why our society is so screwed up. Just SAD!

This is a “what have you done for me lately?” business, and only a fool would think Cal was doing a good job his last 4 seasons here.

He also talked down to the fans, acted as if he were bigger than the program, admitted he cared more about pushing guys to the league than winning basketball games at UK, and got downright complacent and lazy after receiving the lifetime contract.

I am grateful Cal was smart enough to read the room and leave on his own to prevent a likely nasty divorce.

Interesting second post of the season given the season UK is having. Leading the nation in top 15 wins isn’t post worthy, but admonishing fans for relishing our former coach’s rough start to SEC play is. Cal is just lying in the bed he made for himself. He doesn’t need or deserve our pity because he was good here a decade ago.

 

[Seth_C]

I don't wish ill on anyone but I will say Cal burned all his good will with UK. The snarky comments, talking down to fans, unwillingness to adapt and change, playing players over obviously better players, see my dogs, not caring about the SECT, bad losses to lesser teams aka St. Peter's and Oakland, bad losses aka Wisconsin, being so arrogant thinking he could violate his contract and stick around, thinking he was so coveted. I could go on but I'm tired.

Yeah, the thing is, basketball is a game. I wish Cal health and happiness, but I hope he loses every game he coaches from here on out, and the reason I hope that is because of how he treated the fans and the UK brand. Screw him -- as it relates to the game of basketball. He's richer than any human ever needs to be, so I am confident he will be just fine.

 

[B.B.H.]

If we beat Arkansas on February 1st, my cheering against Arkansas will mostly stop. I wanted to be better than Arkansas. I didn’t want Cal’s life to be entirely destroyed. It has gotten sad kind of quickly. Go Cats

 

[yoshukai]

Seeing how things can be at Kentucky with just effort and selflessness makes me even angrier. Because of his bs, stubbornness and NBA ceap how many FFs, titles did he cost us? How many great players were wasted and how miserable had our lives been, for what? I'm just glad my dad who's not been great health wise has got to cheer and enjoy the cats again.

In time I'll be able to look back at the great times and appreciate Cal, but right now I feel like he's made his bed, time to have a nap in it. Also the ARK fans ran their mouth, the media talked about how crazy we were and wrong so F**k em.

Also, you better believe Cal would be taking pot shots and snarky comments about our fanbase if he was having a good year . He’s had to keep his mouth shut because of the season he’s having.

 

[kats23]

You guys are sad! Wow! What short memories you have. This guy took over the program when Kentucky was the laughing stock of the SEC. We had a coach that was a drunk, hanging out at the local bars, and messing with his own players girlfriends. The media was running the guy through the practice facilities.
Cal came in and immediately restored the Kentucky as the Brand of college basketball. Four final fours in 5 years and A national title. He is second in wins on the UK coaching list. Also, what about what he did for the people in Eastern Kentucky during the floods or the people in Western Kentucky during the tornadoes, or the people in Haiti during the Hurricanes. And now you are gloating over his struggles. We wonder why our society is so screwed up. Just SAD!

Cal decided he didn't care about the program anymore. When he arrived in 2010, he talked banners, and catching UCLA, and in my heart of hearts, I believe he did want those things when he arrived. But he won his title. He then set his eyes on an undefeated season but when that didn't happen, he quit making winning his first priority. The guy used his money and influence to help raise a lot of money for the state of Kentucky when there were disasters. Everyone is grateful for that.

But in the end, he only cared about his legacy of getting kids to the pros. When he left here, we heard he would be rejuvenated and we would become a dumpster fire. When we warned Arkansas fans, we were told we were jealous ex-lovers. Cal could have retired from Kentucky two years ago. Left with dignity but he chose to "show us" so why Cal did a lot of good here, he also did a lot of bad and hurt this program in the end with his ego and defiance. So no..I'll root for a loss for Cal every time he coaches and I hope we embarrass Arkansas when comes to town in a couple weeks.

 

[Deli owl]

My take is he is just another coach in a long line to give us a championship to our resume and now we have moved to the next coach. I felt the same about Tubby. Glad he left but appreciate the title.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Its tough because cal seems like a great father and husband but professionally.....he massively lost his way.

Ultimately i think it is/was ego. After a while, he thought he was the sole driver of his success. He was so sure he burned every professional bridge because he thought they weren't needed. Turned out he was dead wrong, but refused to admit it and still refuses.

 

[yoshukai]

I didn't even stay up to watch that games 2nd half last night. Cal and Arkansas aren't relevant to me. They are like the worst team n the sec and he deserves it all.

I even stayed up and watched most of the Baylor/Zona game , lol . Havent been this interested in college basketball in years .

 

[yoshukai]

A lot of people (including me) are making fun of Cal and rightfully so. But, his teams are always good for one or two massive wins that come out of nowhere. We better be ready to play on 2/1 because the Cats absolutely cannot allow Cal to come into Rupp and get a win

Their players will be PUMPED . The ones that played or were committed to play here will not want to be embarrassed.

 

[yoshukai]

It truly seems as though Cal is becoming the Michael Scott of coaching. His self awareness is totally bankrupt. Maybe he never had it. He worked hard to get to where he is. I don't doubt that. But he did not handle fame and fortune well in the public eye.

Wrong or right, the perception that his good deeds were self serving eroded the public sentiment. The kneeling and especially the losing brought out probably undeserved ire. I liked the guy. But I really don't think he liked BBN.

My God that’s a great analogy!

 

[cathouse]

I don’t want him booed either
I’m hoping for dead silence after his name is announced

I think a single clap would be better. Just clap your hands together one time......then total silence.....
Yes, a moment of silence in Rupp to honor a fallen ex-hero.

 

[cathouse]

It truly seems as though Cal is becoming the Michael Scott of coaching. His self awareness is totally bankrupt. Maybe he never had it. He worked hard to get to where he is. I don't doubt that. But he did not handle fame and fortune well in the public eye.

Wrong or right, the perception that his good deeds were self serving eroded the public sentiment. The kneeling and especially the losing brought out probably undeserved ire. I liked the guy. But I really don't think he liked BBN.

Cal has morphed into Prison Mike....

 

[catben]

Try telling Justin Edwards, Dejuan Wagner, and most Cal players over the last 5 years that win or lose it won’t effect their draft status.

Their performance on the court determined that.

Reed Sheppard or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander weren't expected to go as high as they did BUT their play on the court, win or lose, garnered both a higher draft slot.

 

[cathouse]

This.

I'm honestly surprised at the people that are shaming others on behalf of a millionaire that left the way he did.

I don't "hate" Cal. But I don't feel ashamed for enjoying what's happening. We were smart enough to want out of it. We luckily got out of it. Arkansas acted like they did something by stealing our coach. And now the results tell the real story.

I think part of the frustration for people is what could have been. Calipari can recruit talent as well as anyone in the country. He refused to adapt to modern basketball. Kentucky paid the price.

1st round exit, 2nd round exit, 1st round exit. We were set up to be Arkansas with a worse record if he came back this year. We'd have the same roster (maybe minus Johnell Davis, but it's not like Arkansas has the real Johnell Davis anyways).

Since he wouldn't adapt and we had to pay the price--I'm ok with him continuing to pay the price without us.

If Cal had stayed at UK, we would be worse than Arkansas right now.

You know dam* well Cal would be starting 4 freshmen and DJ and allowing them to "play through" their learning process.

So glad that jerk is in Arkansas. Arkansas has a TON of talent on that team. Can Cal coach them to their potential???
I think we all know the answer to that question.

 

[Digger-Cat]

Cal refuses to learn his lesson. He won't listen to anyone and refuses to believe he is the issue.

The one thing UK had on the good side last year, was the offense. Cal actually allowed a guy to help with the offense and it was great.

But obviously Cal didn't appreciate it, because Welsh decided to go elsewhere and Cal didn't really seem to care. He obviously just wants to surround himself with Yes-men.

If I was Cal, I would have done everything in my power to keep John Welsh and find someone to help with defensive stuff, but no, he decided to be a dumbass, so he can wallow in his own pig slop. I don't feel sorry for him, because he still thinks it's not his fault.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I liked Cal. Glad he isn't the coach anymore, but still like the guy. Hopefully our fans can show some appreciation when Ark comes to Rupp. Give him a round of applause..... then run his team off the court.

Hell nah, you don’t get appreciation at Rupp after destroying the program. Maybe he will get a clap in 20 years.

 

[thebluestripes]

Wonder how the refs will call the game against uk. On one hand they don't like giving uk breaks but onoh they don't like cal either. Could be quite the conumdrum for them

 

[MachineHead1]

Wonder how the refs will call the game against uk. On one hand they don't like giving uk breaks but onoh they don't like cal either. Could be quite the conumdrum for them

Arkansas is bad enough we should beat them by at least a dozen regardless of the refs