Ratto on UA's coaching opening

[Renz]

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/032709source_donovan_leaving_UCF

 

[DWKB]

http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/032709source_donovan_leaving_UCF

If UF fans cared anything about basketball I'm sure they'd be furious. The response from the UF guy in my office was "Billy Who"?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Frank McGuire; 1957 National Championship; 1946 National Finalist. The team is second in all-time wins.



Lew Andreas, Vic Hanson, and Dave Bing; Helms National Champion in 1918 and 1926; The team is 5th in all-time wins.



Eddie Cameron, Dick Groat, and Vic Bubas; National Runners up in 1964 and 1978. The team is 4th in all-time wins.



Above shows that these programs had something before their all-time great coach.



Leaving out '88 on purpose? I don't know what prior to these last 8 years has to do with anything but I'd say from 1986 on we are just as strong as UofA if not stronger.




That's the challenge, isn't it? Can UofA make it back to a Lute Olsen type performance era?

Ahh Jesus. Bringing up all these 1948 championships and such. Damn Internet. Did you know Oregon won the first NCAA champonship - does that make them a power or relevant at all in this day and age?

And I would be willing to be the majority of all those wins for the all time guys are under the coaches I named.

My point was one coach can make a difference. Hell Arizona wasn't even a state until 1948. what more do you want?

As for starting out with 1989 - thats a very important time to remember. Thats when I started watching sports.

 

[DWKB]

Ahh Jesus. Bringing up all these 1948 championships and such. Damn Internet. Did you know Oregon won the first NCAA champonship - does that make them a power or relevant at all in this day and age?

Admittedly I did use the intertubes to get my facts straight, but I knew the basis of most of these programs. Especially that 1957 championship by UNC (3 OT over KU, the difference between them being above us in total NCs). However this does make them relevant in the fact that these schools and teams have history and that history is what the programs were built on, not just the great coach you listed.

And I would be willing to be the majority of all those wins for the all time guys are under the coaches I named.

Probably for Dean since he coached there for 30 years, maybe for Boehiem, no way in hell for K.

My point was one coach can make a difference. Hell Arizona wasn't even a state until 1948. what more do you want?

Which is why it's so difficult to separate Lute from UofA. The program is so young and has only been successful under him. It's not your fault, it's just the way it is.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think when you are a coach of Cal's level and as aware of hisl egacy as he seems to be, having one stellar recruiting class thats coming in being the reason you don't take a job is extremely short sighted and almost laughable as a reason he won't go. Sure there are no recruits for next year at UA - update me here but is he making a decision for his career or for 2009?

Now if it was LAST years class and he wanted to develop all these kids and take another shot next year thats one thing (ala Donovon)- but him coming to UA or not - its not because of incoming recruits. They would be allowed to leave and as we know in college coaching the coach is whats going to do in his best interests.

The way I see it UA is the closest Cal will get to the creme de le creme fo jobs. Hes not going to be a guy at UNC, Duke, or KU and I seriously doubt UK would go the Cal route. Theres a certain stigma about Cal that I dont' think those elitist schools I mentioned would ever consider him realistically.

But he CAN come to a already developed power that has cred among high schoolers, dozens of NBA alums, plays in great weather and facilities, and has Nike on there side. Like Mao keeps saying there just ain't many preemminent WC programs. After UCLA - even after being down for 5 years - we have been the second most consistent program out here this century. And with California being so fertile someone would be crazy not to think a good recruiter can't take advantage of the Arizona brand.

Like it or not that is a real concept.

I also think the Pac-10 is the perfect conference. A heavy weight to go toe to toe with and 3-4 other up and down programs. So its not Big East tough where you can't have a down year but its light years ahead of C-USA in terms of cred and national exposure.

Maybe Cal stays at Memphis. I don't know. There is money there with FedEX and he can recruit nationally. But I don't think so. He might not go to UA for one reason or another but I guarantee you in 3-5 years he's not there.

His legacy (read ego) is too important.

Did you know when Lute first stepped down JL called Roy Williams first to ask about the UA job and gauge it as a opportunity? Williams said it was "Top 5". Maybe he was being nice on the phone but he isn't far off. Top 10 to be sure.

Memphis just can't offer that same cache. I think its going to be the other big fish personally but I don't think Cal is out of the realm of the possibility. Especially not because of an incoming class.

ANything can happen but CAlipari is SO outspoken about non BCS conferences vs BCS that I don't think it's going to stroke his ego to win at a BCS school like UA nearly as much as if he wins a title at Memphis.

He literally rebuilt Memphis from the ashes left behind by, I think he's like to see it through to its logical conclusion, NCAA title, or probation, whatever comes first.

He has fixed some things at Memphis the team GPA is much higher and the graduation rate is higher and he hasn't gotten in trouble despite some innuendo of cheating. I think right now he's more shady than dirty, package deal here, stashing kids at Prepschools to get around grades there.

I think he's reached the point where he's able to get recruits at Memphis, look at recruiting lists half the top kids in the country list Memphis now.

There are many top name coaches I could see wanting the UA job, I would be surprised if Calipari would leave Memphis for ANY job right now.

 

[overseascardfan]

I sort of disagree with the whole Calipari can seal his legacy if he ends up at U of A. The guy has proven that he is a winner, albeit his stint in the NBA the guy builds programs wherever he goes. Right now he can get any recruit he wants at Memphis, if he accepted the U of A job it would make recruiting a little easier as U of A is considered one of the top 10 jobs in the country, but he has sealed his legacy already. The only thing missing on his resume is a NC but he will get it eventually at Memphis if he stays.

I hope he does accept the job at U of A but it won't be to secure his legacy, it will mostly likely be the prestige of the school, the opportunity to coach in a power conference like the Pac-10, and the ability to sell Arizona to recruits.

 

[Skkorpion]

I sort of disagree with the whole Calipari can seal his legacy if he ends up at U of A. The guy has proven that he is a winner, albeit his stint in the NBA the guy builds programs wherever he goes. Right now he can get any recruit he wants at Memphis, if he accepted the U of A job it would make recruiting a little easier as U of A is considered one of the top 10 jobs in the country, but he has sealed his legacy already. The only thing missing on his resume is a NC but he will get it eventually at Memphis if he stays.

I hope he does accept the job at U of A but it won't be to secure his legacy, it will mostly likely be the prestige of the school, the opportunity to coach in a power conference like the Pac-10, and the ability to sell Arizona to recruits.

You've identified the crux of the argument. UA fans firmly believe their coaching vacancy is considered a top ten (if not top five) job. Many others believe a dose of reality and humility is about to be served up.

We'll soon know. Whatever happens, I hope you get somebody good.

 

[Russ Smith]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/27/john-calipari-insists-memphis-where-i-want-coach/

Calipari, who just completed his ninth season with the Tigers, told a group of reporters at Wilson Air Center today that Memphis is “where I want to coach.”

Meanwhile, multiple sources close to the Memphis program told The Commercial Appeal that athletic director R.C. Johnson has been working in recent weeks to secure funding for additional years and dollars to redo a contract that pays Calipari $2.35 million annually. Calipari also has an annuity that averages $1 million per year over the course of his current deal, which runs through 2013.

 

[Renz]

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/mar/27/john-calipari-insists-memphis-where-i-want-coach/

Calipari, who just completed his ninth season with the Tigers, told a group of reporters at Wilson Air Center today that Memphis is “where I want to coach.”

Meanwhile, multiple sources close to the Memphis program told The Commercial Appeal that athletic director R.C. Johnson has been working in recent weeks to secure funding for additional years and dollars to redo a contract that pays Calipari $2.35 million annually. Calipari also has an annuity that averages $1 million per year over the course of his current deal, which runs through 2013.

John Calipari has absolutely no interest in the Arizona job.

Sincerely,

Nick Saban

 

[Dback Jon]

First - Arizona became a state in 1912.
Second - unlike the other "elite" programs, Arizona was mediocre before Lute came. Lute built into an elite program. But so did Jerry Tark at UNLV. The UNLV fans were just as rabid as UA fans. Now UNLV is hampered by not being in a top conference, so it is far easier for Arizona to stay at the top.

Grant was hired at Alabama, Donovan announced he is not interested in UK.

 

[AsUdUdE]

John Calipari has absolutely no interest in the Arizona job.

Sincerely,

Nick Saban

Bob Stoops has absolutely no interest in the ASU Football job

Sincerely,

Nick Saban

 

[Renz]

Bob Stoops has absolutely no interest in the ASU Football job

Sincerely,

Nick Saban

We know. That's why they hired Erickson, a washed-up re-tread.

 

[AsUdUdE]

We know. That's why they hired Erickson, a washed-up re-tread.

exactly my point.. which is EXACTLY what UofA will end up with... Mark it Down

 

[Gee!]

And when we do get that top coach then all those national guys can eat my azz....

Hey yo national media guys, tell arizona's finest how his ass taste.. - Shaq

 

[Gee!]

Hell Arizona wasn't even a state until 1948

Not to nit pick but Arizona became a state in February 14, 1912..

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Not to nit pick but Arizona became a state in February 14, 1912..

You're right - that was Hawaii and Alaska

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

exactly my point.. which is EXACTLY what UofA will end up with... Mark it Down

Of all your bad posts (and there are many) this has to be worst.

 

[AsUdUdE]

Of all your bad posts (and there are many) this has to be worst.

Hey now, I'm sure there are other things your take more offensive ... ok but when it ends up coming true, (meaning when you end up with a 2nd tier coach) will you still look at it as "bad post" or will you come up with some other BS reason of why, like blaming it on your AD.... (which is my guess)

 

[Renz]

For the record, I'd be very happy with Gillispie. I heard the other day that, before this season, he had been Coach of the Year 5 years-in-a-row in the respective conferences he was at at the time.

That's pretty amazing. The man can coach, he just wasn't a good fit at Kentucky.

 

[DWKB]

For the record, I'd be very happy with Gillispie. I heard the other day that, before this season, he had been Coach of the Year 5 years-in-a-row in the respective conferences he was at at the time.

That's pretty amazing. The man can coach, he just wasn't a good fit at Kentucky.

Well Self won the Big 12 COTY award in 2006, but I think Billy G won it in 2005 and 2007. So not 5 years in a row, but still great achievements.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Hey now, I'm sure there are other things your take more offensive ... ok but when it ends up coming true, (meaning when you end up with a 2nd tier coach) will you still look at it as "bad post" or will you come up with some other BS reason of why, like blaming it on your AD.... (which is my guess)

No, you said Arizona would end up with a washed-up retread. The only guy on Arizona's list that somewhat fits that description is Lon Kruger and he's a long shot to get the job.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Ill come out and say it now... Kentucky pretty much threw a curveball right into Arizona's strike zone and froze JL in his tracks.

While Pitino still remains in play, I was expecting Calipari to end up as Arizona's next coach. There was no lack of interest from Calipari, but when Kentucky throws 6 mil per at you its kind of hard to go back to UA and take that job now.

 

[Russ Smith]

For the record, I'd be very happy with Gillispie. I heard the other day that, before this season, he had been Coach of the Year 5 years-in-a-row in the respective conferences he was at at the time.

That's pretty amazing. The man can coach, he just wasn't a good fit at Kentucky.

The rumor amongs UK fans is Gillispie really got canned over behavioral issues.

Not only did he not get along with his players and with boosters etc, but he apparently had a real problem off the court. He apparently didn't like to stay home he liked to go out and party and UK wound up assigning him a personal driver to make sure he got home in one piece and didn't get in trouble. I guess similar to the Dirty Scottsdale site that keeps putting up embarassing pics of Jerren Shipp, some site in Kentucky had several pics of Gillispie out in the bars partying, often with college age coeds.

I guess the idea is if you're a top 10 team they overlook that stuff but they weren't so it became an issue for him.

If that's true I would expect his next job to be more difficult to find.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Ill come out and say it now... Kentucky pretty much threw a curveball right into Arizona's strike zone and froze JL in his tracks.

Not really, most people thought UK would be a factor during this offseason's searches as early as January. And even if not, Arizona should've had a Plan B lined up just in case Memphis won the NC.

While Pitino still remains in play, I was expecting Calipari to end up as Arizona's next coach. There was no lack of interest from Calipari, but when Kentucky throws 6 mil per at you its kind of hard to go back to UA and take that job now.

Arizona was out once UK started throwing around that kind of cash. We have money but that's more than 'Bama just paid for Saban. And I've been firm in suggesting that Calipari was the only one of the Big Four (Cal, Pitino, Izzo, Dixon) that was realistic and him bolting for UK within 48 hours confirms that. If we can land a Few or Capel we'll be fine but after that it gets pretty dicey.

 

[PoolBoy]

sparing the history and money argument, is there any real chance that pitino leaves louisville for UA? Louisville is a program in great shape right now. BigEast regular and tourney champs.... just wondering.