College basketball coaches have a few responsibilities.
They are supposed to win basketball games in order to create a buzz around their program. It’s also important that they make sure their athletes learn the game of basketball in a way that could develop them into NBA-level players. And, most importantly, they’re supposed to be positive role models for men between the ages of 18 and 21.
The nation’s No. 3 team (Kentucky) is led by a man that does not fulfill the third important requirement—John Calipari.
Yes, Calipari wins basketball games. Yes, he produces NBA players. But, look back to each step of his road in coaching and you’ll see that he is far from a role model, both on and off-the-court.
At Massachusetts, he “unknowingly” allowed a star player (Marcus Camby) to receive payment during his time in Amherst. He also then almost got into a fistfight with legendary Temple coach John Cheney at a press conference. He fled before NCAA sanctions came down on the school.
In Memphis, Calipari led another stacked team deep into the NCAA Tournament, losing in the championship game to Kansas. But, his star player (Derrick Rose) was found to have cheated on the SATs, forcing the school to vacate a record season in wins. Calipari was gone before the NCAA ruled on the Tigers’ fate.
Now in Lexington, Coach Cal has as talented a team as he’s ever assembled. Point guard John Wall is a lock for No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft but Calipari continues to demean him in public, even after a near double-double performance this weekend against Vanderbilt.
Then, he has the audacity to tell Wall to call his former players in the NBA (Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans) for advice. Good call, Coach. Have the 18-year-old kid call two one-and-done players for life counseling. That’s really doing your job.
John Calipari may win basketball games, but I’d never want him leading my program or coaching anyone I care about.
Monday, February 1, 2010
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