Rumblings within the program

[chroix]

OP don’t shoot the messenger but my source said your source does not exist.

 

[BGCATFAN2012]

In Cals eyes he wants to leave with Saben and Belicheck. So he can say he went out in the greatest retirement year ever.

 

[Bigblueamdyou]

rumblings within the program,lmao

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Didn't we have this same stuff said last season too?

I guess if the ms. Cleos of the board keep saying it they will find the acorn like the blind squirrel one year.

 

[Zissou87]

Lots of guys. Beard, Drew, Few, Shaka Smart, Oates , Musselman, Richard Pitino, Thad Motta, or any number of guys I've seen suggested by the Rafters faithful in the last 4 or 5 years.

Richard Pitino...pure yikes

 

[Rockfly78]

Calipari will still get paid by UK if he does ultimately decide to just retire, he would become an ambassador for the program.

He gets that whenever he retires. He’d still be walking away from his yearly salary

 

[cathouse]

First of all I just want to say I’m not here to spread misinformation.

With that being said I was told late last night by a source close to the program that there are some rumblings within the program about Cal stepping away after this season.

Now obviously this is subject to change, but Cal is considering stepping away, I believe the outcome of this season will ultimately be the deciding factor for him.

Many people within the program went into this season assuming it was his last but now there are some whispers within to back this up.

Again I don’t want to spread any misinformation and I trust my source. Take this for what you want.

That "rumor" is likely coming from the Cal Camp, ie. Cal himself.

He is trying to rally support for his failing regime at UK.

Never forget who Cal is. If he can play the sympathy/fear card and rally his supporters, it will help silence the noise around his inability to make it back to the FF.

And, I am NOT saying this team will not get there. Maybe even win a NC (even though I don't think so based on performance against more mature teams with better coaching).

What I am saying is Cal is laying the groundwork for blind support from his fans if he does fail in March............again.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

Op, you are a big fat Tease.

 

[cathouse]

Didn't we have this same stuff said last season too?

I guess if the ms. Cleos of the board keep saying it they will find the acorn like the blind squirrel one year.

Did Cal need support last year for another failing team???

Yes. It is almost like magic.

 

[true blue1]

It should but it won’t. He has to much money left on his contract to walk away.

 

[JonathanW]

Not doubting what you heard. I think it would beneficial for everyone if he did. But like it’s been stated here a million times he isn’t walking away from 30-40 million dollars. I wouldn’t.

You or I wouldn't walk away from 30-40M, because we don't already have 30-40M (at least I'm no where close!).
But if you already have say 60-80M, then while you may not want to walk away from 1/2 that much more, it's not as insane as if you or I did it. He probably already has more than he could ever spend.
Secondly, I think if the Admin wanted him gone at the same time he kinda wanted to leave, there is a good chance they might reach some agreement if he "leaves on his own terms" rather than is fired, for example he walks away and gets 1/2 of his remaining contract (15-20M would be quite a nice parting gift).

 

[Bluegrass79]

I be saying for over a year that a title this year is retirement.
A bad finish to the season is retirement.

A final four loss is the ONLY way Coach CCC returns........

 

[susan2361]

I still think we get at least another 2/3 years of Cal, unless we just absolutely tank this season.

He isn't recruiting like a guy looking to retire within a few months. And I don't just mean that in terms of results, I am referring to sheer effort. He is personally going all over the place to watch / meet with prospects. You just don't really see that if a coach is about to retire, because at that point, you are literally lying to kids.

All that aside, he's got a lot of things working in his favor.

- A commitment to modernize his approach to the game.
- His best staff at UK yet.
- Really good 2024 class in the bag already
- Potentially a historically-good 2025 class that he has already acknowledged publicly.

I agree. He's not going anywhere UNLESS he really tanks this season and the right people finally get fed up. With this team, if we don't go far (ie. at all) in the SEC tournament, lose the SEC regular season title AND lose in the first round of the NCAA tournament, then MAYBE those "right people" may get fed up. But doubtful.

GO BIG BLUE!!!💙💙💙

 

[NociHTTP]

Yeah, huge amount left on his contract and a nice 24 class coming in.

Someone said on here the '24 class can't shoot. Maybe he wants to go out strong.

 

[dcw62]

If he can get to a final four with this bunch, He should step down. This WILL be the best shot he's had in a number of years

 

[Montana81]

I'd love for this to be true but the OP is an obvious troll account

I can’t find anything in their post history that is a dead give away.

 

[Bluesbrother]

Yep and I'm going to walk away from 9 million to.

9 mil, as a percentage, of what he's worth isn't probably a big deal ... not to mention what he's made in investing his wealth of several decades. His wife commented when they arrived in Lexington that they didn't really need the money. At some point, the benefit of salvaging his battered ego will become too much to pass up and pulling the plug well beyond the term of the contract may become desirable. Just an opinion but Cal doesn't need the money.

 

[jeffky]

 

[JFCats22]

That "rumor" is likely coming from the Cal Camp, ie. Cal himself.

He is trying to rally support for his failing regime at UK.

Never forget who Cal is. If he can play the sympathy/fear card and rally his supporters, it will help silence the noise around his inability to make it back to the FF.

And, I am NOT saying this team will not get there. Maybe even win a NC (even though I don't think so based on performance against more mature teams with better coaching).

What I am saying is Cal is laying the groundwork for blind support from his fans if he does fail in March............again.

It’s not a rumor. It’s a random dude on a message board.

 

[rolaid]

It’s time for sure - his time has passed - move to Nashville and be with the kids

 

[JFCats22]

Someone said on here the '24 class can't shoot. Maybe he wants to go out strong.

Well, if someone here said it then it’s definitely true

 

[UKAlum84]

A Fresh Face might be hungrier.

But really, the disappointment is not necessarily the lack of championships as it is the way we lose to teams at times. And somehow these young players get drafted and make an impact in the NBA anyways...The amount of players he coached to the NBA is astounding.

I want to believe if he'd finish first or second in the conference every year.......we would not be thinking about this.

 

[DCFseattle]

I almost guarantee he will be back.

If I keep you anonymous, can I quote you on this? It'll just be as a message board post.

 

[UKAlum84]

In the past 10 years, we have finished 4 times not first or second in the conference. That includes 8th place in 20-21. We are currently tied for 5th place in the conference this year...

 

[UKAlum84]

How'd Tubby Smith have his first 8 years be tops in the conference. Thats pretty tough to do.

 

[cawoodsct]

Nope

 

[ukfan1622]

It’s not a rumor. It’s a random dude on a message board.

That almost sounds like the definition of a rumor.

 

[Disappointed Cat]

First of all I just want to say I’m not here to spread misinformation.

With that being said I was told late last night by a source close to the program that there are some rumblings within the program about Cal stepping away after this season.

Now obviously this is subject to change, but Cal is considering stepping away, I believe the outcome of this season will ultimately be the deciding factor for him.

Many people within the program went into this season assuming it was his last but now there are some whispers within to back this up.

Again I don’t want to spread any misinformation and I trust my source. Take this for what you want.

Too good to be true.

 

[IowaMuse]

I don’t think Cal would go the way of K. The media doesn’t like Cal like that so it wouldn’t be a year long love affair.

Plus I don’t think Cal’s accomplishments warrant that type of reverential send off.

 

[Jjohnb5393]

If he ‘steps away ‘ on his own , nothing will be ‘worked out’ to pay him anything . I think he has a contractual option to stay on as an advisor and fundraiser, but if he skips town he isn’t getting anything from UK

 

[TNCatfanforever]

If he does leave, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire team bolted and the recruits pulled their commitments. A new coach would have to field a team entirely from the portal. We have a losing season in '25.

And you know what? I would be OK with that. Because we need a restart in the worst possible way.

Still, I prefer to win it all. Cal steps down. Half the team stays. A new coach comes in. And the beat goes on...

Why would you think that. There are lots of great players who would die to play at UK. Nearly every coach in America would die for the UK job. We are UK not U-Cal

 

[Catman100]

If he does leave, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire team bolted and the recruits pulled their commitments. A new coach would have to field a team entirely from the portal. We have a losing season in '25.

And you know what? I would be OK with that. Because we need a restart in the worst possible way.

Still, I prefer to win it all. Cal steps down. Half the team stays. A new coach comes in. And the beat goes on...

I have absolutely zero problem with any of that.

Give me an NIT next year, as long as the next season we are starting to see progress from a coach and from players who want to play for UK, and not the NBA minor league.

 

[CatPhight]

Cal stays on as ambassador recruiter, Dwayne Casey comes in as interim coach, Peevey comes back as AD and Brainfart is demoted to concessions at volleyball games.

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

LAST year it was said by a vast majority on here that THIS was the year,make or break, final four or nothing. Now with season more than half over,I am not hearing that. Why not.

 

[ukjenning44]

LAST year it was said by a vast majority on here that THIS was the year,make or break, final four or nothing. Now with season more than half over,I am not hearing that. Why not.

Because it’s looking like Cal can’t lead this team to a FF so they will be saying give him one more year in March.

 

[Rockfly78]

I have absolutely zero problem with any of that.

Give me an NIT next year, as long as the next season we are starting to see progress from a coach and from players who want to play for UK, and not the NBA minor league.

lol I got news for you bubba. Those kids that you want, the ones that want to play for big blue. Those ones that WANT to play for Kentucky and the state pride and all that……yes those kids don’t exist. They ALL have one goal and that’s the NBA. Believe it. Not even our golden legacy boy Reed is gonna stick around to see a junior year. It don’t matter who the coach is. This is a business and in business folks do for them and theirs

The kind of nostalgic thinking that you’re exhibiting is gonna break your heart in the future as much as it does right now.

 

[Fox2monk]

My dream scenario this season would be UK winning it all, with Cal riding off into the sunset.

Maybe, I’d prefer to win it, have Cal rejuvenated with this run and team. Keep the updated offense and recruiting mojo and go to 4-5 final fours the next 6 years.

 

[Fox2monk]

This isn’t the 80’s. Yeah, let’s get left in the dust and not recruit the best players and only those that bleed blue. What exactly does bleed blue mean anyways? Just recruit local kids that grew up loving the Cats? Sounds like a disaster and would never happen if UK wants to stay competitive. Kids come to schools for the coach for the most part and now for NIL. This isn’t going to change other than getting the occasional Reed Sheppard from time to time.

Yeah look at Indiana. Honestly that is exactly what they want. They want Indiana kids to bring back the tradition. While they wait year after year.

 

[ukcatz12]

We are currently tied for 5th place in the conference this year...

You could also say we're currently tied for third only 1 game out of first. But you do you, whatever makes you miserable I guess.

 

[WeWant9]

Maybe, I’d prefer to win it, have Cal rejuvenated with this run and team. Keep the updated offense and recruiting mojo and go to 4-5 final fours the next 6 years.

I mean, yeah, that would be great and all…but 4-5 FFs in 6 years? That isn’t happening in this era of college bball. I also don’t trust Cal’s system to continually produce results like we saw from 10-17.

I think too many coaches overstay their welcome and don’t know when to hang them up. If he pulls this group to a second title, take it and go off to the next journey in life.