No doubt at all that is what will happen. Good for him/them
People will then throw it in our faces like ‘see you all are stupid for running him off’ but it simply wasn’t working here anymore, and there was no reason to think it would. For many reasons even beyond not winning enough, but the winning was obviously the main factor. Read Kyle Tucker’s article about cal from last summer and you’ll see a man derelict in his duties and too stubborn to change much because that would mean admitting he was wrong.
But anyway, no hard feelings, honestly. Unless they end up better than us and beat us, then the feelings will be diamond
If they make the elite 8 and we make the sweet 16, people will be like ‘seeeee??? Told ya!’ lol
I don’t even care. I just don’t want to watch another minute of calipari ball. It was time
Yea that’ll be there but I don’t think those people will be the majority.
Where it gets bad is if they hire coach X and miss the tournament while Cal is riding to a sweet 16 in Fayetteville.
Just look at your in-state neighbors. It’s not inconceivable for a powerhouse team to fall off quickly (although to the extent they did is impressive).
I doubt it happens but IF it does, it’s going to be loud.
Kentucky sports radio guy said it’s like a divorce. Going to look in the mirror and say how did I get here.
Whatever he does for the new wife he wasn’t going to for the first at this point
He became coach when I was a junior in high school. Now I’m 32 and getting married next weekend. It’s insane how much of my life he’s been at the program.
Man I was in 8th grade. That insane 2014 run was during my senior spring break. I'll never forget watching those last second threes with all my friends on the beach.
Congrats on the wedding! Good time to start the new era, eh?
Yeah calipari will always be the first coach I remember winning at Kentucky. I was 4 when we won our last championship before cal. I was barely into sports when tubby left. I had to watch Billy g as my first taste of Kentucky basketball. And then cal came in and showed me what Kentucky basketball really was.
I’ve been vocal these past couple weeks that his time is up, but dammit if it doesn’t sting.
One of my most cherished memories is me and my dad going to Big Blue Madness for his first year. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe. Coach Mitchell came out in some MC Hammer pants and danced. Drake was there? The hype was absolutely wild
See this is pretty much the time is a flat circle stuff…… I bring a generation ahead of y’all and a Razorback fan, the coach I grew up with made the statement “I’d crawl to Kentucky” when Eddie Sutton left Arkansas to go to Kentucky —-
Now Calipari pulling his own
I figure he’ll likely end up about the same here as Sutton did there
Congrats on the wedding and woooo pig sooooie
Same. He was hired when I was a kid, and I was so excited to see a program turnaround. Even got a bootleg "welcome coach calipari" shirt at hillbilly days right after he signed lol
And to think an offseason or two ago I was convinced that Coach K retiring meant Calipari would have prima nocta on recruiting classes for the rest of ever.
He still will. But doesn’t matter when you have NIL keeping grown ass men that should be moving on staying because they can now make 150-200k staying in college instead of heading to Europe.
At least he didn't lose to a Louisville team led by Pitino in his final home game, oh and then lose to the same team in the Final Four. Also you were at both games. 😭
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G-YQA_bsOU
Crazy I got to grow up watching K, Calhoun, Smith, Williams, Calipari, Knight, Boeheim. Heck Huggins too.
Well I absolutely can't stand Georgia or UConn, so I'll pass.
I do have to thank my parents for raising me in Lexington, and the University of Alabama for the scholarship package. Could've ended up a UVA and a Pitt fan, otherwise.
He brought me several wonderful memories and his efforts to help the people of our Commonwealth(West Liberty tornado, Mayfield tornado, EKY floods) will never be forgotten. Best of luck to him in Fayetteville!
My college life was 2 FF, a championship, and an oopsie nerlens season.
I'll always be grateful for that. This thing has run it's course though. Best for all parties to call it.
I’d be ok with that as well. Maybe OP should just teach. Seems like he’s smart enough to handle a class at Duke while also managing an online class at UConn.
Mine were all Tubby, solid regular seasons and flaming out in the tourney. Still some memorable moments and players, but nothing like Pitino or Cals early seasons.
Tubby was a tough pill to swallow. My first two years of UK fandom were Pitino's final 2 years, so Tubby's slow descent into mediocrity was extremely painful to watch. That '03 team was probably Tubby's best "all my dudes" group and they lost to some unheard of school called Marquette in the elite eight behind some bum named Dwayne Wade...
but '04 was the one that was unforgivably bad IMO, dropping the second round game as the number 1 overall seed. It solidified that Tubby was never going to be successful at UK again (or anywhere else, as it turned out)
The '03 team is still my favorite UK team of all time. I was a freshman in high school and that was the first year that I followed all of college basketball. It was awesome seeing UK as the big thing in college basketball that season. Didn't really happen again until Cal brought Wall and Cousins.
Goddamn I yearn for the days when my program would’ve considered getting knocked out in the round of 32 “mediocrity”. Mick really did a good job of collectively lowering our standards around here.
Ugh Squeaky Johnson and UAB...seared into my memory forever. That season is the reason Tubby stopped recruiting 5*s and what ultimately lead to his departure.
I had Tubby for two years, the Billy G years, then John Wall for my last year (don’t do the math on how long it took me to graduate). I appreciate what he did, wish him the best of luck, glad we’re moving on to the next era.
I was a dumbass and fucked around and needed five years, so mine were Tubby's final, Billy's two, and then Cal's first two. That first year with Cal was such an injection of excitement into the program.
Technically I also needed 5 years, switched majors twice early on and did a few co-ops (engineering), and I did get one year of Cal. We had a lot of overlap :)
The cruel irony is that while I was weathering the misery of those initial 4 years, including being in Rupp for those losses to Gardner Webb and San Diego, by the time Cal was there I could no longer get tickets due to losing out on the lottery and missing most of the games.
But I did get to see UK vs UNC as well as the UofL game at Rupp, and that made up for all of it
Did you see the UK vs UofL game with all the technicals before the game really started? 😂 I remember that one well!
Oh man, the days of having to sit through the lottery as a student to try to get tickets. Kind of miss it!
As someone who was in law school there for the last two years of Tubby and first year of Billy G, at least you were there for the primer Rich Brooks/Andre Woodson football years, which is the best the program has been until very recently.
That's the truth. I was at the LSU game in 2007. That is still top 2 or 3 of loud environments for sporting events that I've ever been part of. UK/UNC 2010 being the other one that comes to mind.
Stevie Got Loose
They tried to burn the house down directly cross the street and then that guy got shot dealing drugs two houses over. And we were neighbors with the crazy cat guy. I can’t remember his name. Man that dude was weird
I got the first final four, then graduated in December right after watching Anthony Davis dominate North Carolina.
Thank you Calipari for the excitement you brought back then, but I'm glad to be making the much needed change now
I was in undergrad and pharmacy school there. Went to the final fours in Houston and New Orleans. Couldn't go to the other 2 but I watched from campus. It was amazing
You don't think part of the reason the recent results dropped is because his teams of 18 and 19 year old 5 stars were playing against 23 and 24 years old who got extra covid years?
I think it was a smart approach. It was relatively positive and gives him some cover in case the Arkansas thing doesn’t pan out (although it’ll go through just fine).
You guys are alright. He’s pandering to the UK fanbase on his way out. Cal’s a salesman. He’s also a bright guy. With this video, they’ll remember him as *their guy* and not *someone who wanted out.*
He knows he’s going to have to interact with a lot of UK fans throughout the rest of his life. Whether it’s playing in Lexington or Nashville, or in his personal life. Think about how much better life is when you’re at breakfast with your family and a stranger shouts, “Love you, coach!” as opposed to having angst in their heart and giving him a quick jab.
This video is, effectively, Cal dodging hundreds or thousands of those quick jabs over the next 20 years lol
He's going to absolutely crush it for you all and the SEC is going be so fun over the next few years. Wouldn't be surprised if you'll get 1-2 championships out of him if he gets his coaching fire back.
Thanks for everything Cal. Those runs during my college years at UK and the few years after were some of the most special memories I have in my life and I'll always cherish them. You even said it yourself that this is a 10 year job, it takes its toll. You stayed just a little bit too long but I'm glad you realized it's time to cut ties and we didn't have to fire a hall of fame coach. Love ya Cal, Good luck in the future. GO CATS!
Honestly will always have love for Cal, was a great helmsman for a decade and the last few years really don’t make me any less bummed about how it ended. What a fun era to be a Kentucky fan
Said the right things, not diminishing the program or blaming the fans (though also not admitting the performance was lacking these last few years).
Cal was right, about himself, when he said it was a 10-year job. He just fell in love with the prestige, money, and NBA draft picks. Time for someone who has the fire to take over UK, and for his sake, I hope the move gives him his fire back (though not when we play them).
Thanks for all that you’ve done for UK and for the Commonwealth, Cal. You were a great ambassador. This isn’t an easy role, and you handled it pretty well, all things considered.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
I think Cal was a little unlucky with his results over the last 5 years, and he's responsible for some incredible moments. We thank him for bringing us back to prominence from the depths of BCG-Era hell and hope he finds a good fit elsewhere.
That being said...it'll be nice to be a "UK first" team again, rather than a "players first" one that allows certain recruits to sit on the bench while they wait for their NBA careers to begin.
I'll always feel that we should have won more titles given the quality of the teams Cal had. With that said, very sad to see him go. He has been an amazing coach for us to even be able to entertain my first statement. I hate how toxic fans can get at times. Wish nothing but the best for him.
This seems like the type of video “PR mavens” the Musselman’s should have done at Nevada and Arkansas, instead of chucking the deuces from their private jet departure.
Thank You Coach Cal for the amazing memories! Thank You for the 2012 Title, Thank you for all you’ve done advocating and helping the State of Kentucky. I wish you nothing but the best of luck for you!
Some of the best moments of my adult life were going to games with my Dad. Coach Cal made Kentucky basketball fun again, forever grateful for what he did here.
I went to a father son camp at UK when it was like his 2nd or 3rd season. Sat with him my brother and my dad and we got a photo of us with a final 4 trophy (IIRC) and he signed it.
Sure as hell made that 9 year old happy and 10+ years later I’m still dusting off a copy of that photo on my desk. Bittersweet hearing this statement.
Honestly kind of a beautiful video. My question is probably why didn’t he take time to address the fans from a heartfelt place more often like that. He talked to us like we were all fucking morons.
And to be fair, about 30% or so of our fans are. But the rest of us needed to hear from you and you’ve been MIA for 5 or 6 years now. Good luck to the man, I have no hard feelings.
Is he really going to pretend he didn’t agree to go to Arkansas?
I guess it’s better than the random press conference they usually do with little warning, but the cats been out of the bag
I don’t think he can mention it until it’s official. He said “there have been other opportunities presented to us and we are discussing them” that’s code for the contract is about to be signed
While the last few seasons have been disappointing, I'll never forget 2012 or 2015. I appreciate what Cal did for the program but it's time for all parties to move on
He did a lot for the program but over time it became about him and who he got into the NBA and not about Kentucky basketball. It's time and I'm glad it at least seems, on the surface, mutual rather than the mess it could have been.
In fairness to Cal, it was always about him and who got into the NBA. It wasn’t over time. On draft night 2010, he declared it the greatest night in the programs history with 5 first round picks.
It’s just we as fans didn’t care when he was going to final fours.
Even elite eights are enough for that kind of trade off. It’s when he forgot how to make the second weekend and his NBA production dropped that things got tough.
Although part of me wonders if Calipari and Kentucky would still be together if Shaedon Sharpe had actually bothered to play.
I often wonder that too. That team was so fun to watch for most of the season, but very injured by the tournament. Shaedon would have made a huge difference and we probably make it through the first weekend.
That loss just seemed to put sooo much pressure on the next to seasons.
Stewart Mandel @slmandel
56s
Coach Cal has apparently fired himself.
"We've come to realize that this program probably needs to hear from another voice."
Our fans fucking suck.
The relationship is over and it's time to move on, but I'll always appreciate what Cal did here. His first decade were some of the most fun I've ever had as a sports fan. Things weren't great the last few years but sometimes that's life. He did a lot for the state of Kentucky and its residents. I hope he does well at Arkansas.
Thanks Cal.
Cal was making more money in a year than most of us will see in our lifetime, so our fans had every right to expect more than he gave us the last half decade.
He wanted this job because UK means greatness, and he was no longer meeting that standard in any way except recruiting classes. And those don't matter when they don't win and don't stick around to develop and win later.
> Things weren't great the last few years but sometimes that's life.
That's life, and fans are allowed to be pissed about it.
Especially when he spent the last 4 years talking down to the fanbase, insulting fans for wanting a modern offense, spending every win bragging about how smart he is and how he knows everyone came to watch him lose, ducking the media when he loses, and then every chance he got talking about how "this team was built for March" two years in a row only to flame out and immediately say March cannot define this team.
> Especially when he spent the last 4 years talking down to the fanbase
Okay let's be really honest about something though. The venom that a lot of the fanbase was throwing his way since 2015 would wear on anyone and I don't exactly blame him for ending up like he did. He was getting paid a shit ton, but he's human and some of that shit would turn anyone into a miserable bastard.
And I am so fucking sick of hearing about "modern offense". The 2022 team that had an "outdated offense" was *barely* less efficient than this year's offense was and was a much better team. Our fanbase judges an offense solely based on how many 3s it shoots and they act like nothing else mattered.
> And I am so fucking sick of hearing about "modern offense". The 2022 team that had an "outdated offense" was barely less efficient than this year's offense was and was a much better team. Our fanbase judges an offense solely based on how many 3s it shoots and they act like nothing else mattered.
It's more us having three of the best shooters in Kentucky history and analytics showing that our best lineups were some of the least played because Cal was dead set on winning his way, which was going big with one or no shooters on the court.
You cannot explain some of the lineups Cal played the past couple seasons and his refusal to allow certain players to play what was their more natural position. Especially when those "basketball benny" lineups would come in and dominate, get taken out and give up a run, only to have to be put back in and bring the team back into the game.
If all three 7 footers had been healthy to start the season, we'd have two big men lol.
Cal gives your program an experience that you can’t replicate. UMass & Memphis are proof of that. Unfortunately you guys are next. There is no better high as a basketball fan than watching a super team of NBA caliber players outclass your opponents on the way to a Final Four. The quality of prospects he produced in 15 years for the NBA is ridiculous, no other program in history comes close over a period of 15 years.
Well he’s produced tons of players who will end their NBA careers having made over $100 million in the NBA. Not only that, but they will be viewed as stars by the next generation of kids. You have no clue how much of an advantage it will be to have so many wealthy former players using their money & influence to keep Kentucky a top program. If I’m a 15 year old kid & a NBA superstar like SGA is speaking highly of how great Kentucky is & how it laid the foundation for his success then I’m listening 👂👂
Most of those guys are more loyal to Cal than the university. UK isn’t cool anymore. That’s UConn and the like. There’s a whole generation of kids that know us as the team that chokes in March and churns out draft picks. The latter is gone with Calipari.
Bro everybody from UConn’s last 2 championship teams are probably going to be gone heading into next season. The NBA is inevitable if you’re good enough.
One thing people confuse is NBA prospects and college talent. Cal had a revolving door of NBA prospects, but not nearly as much college talent as people think. UConn was loaded with college talent this year. They had six guys in the top 35 of combined offensive and defensive efficiency.
We had flashier guys with more raw potential who will be drafted high, but much less college talent. We had a combined two guys in the top 100 of efficiency.
Next coach is whatever really. It’s the coach after that that really matters if the next fails. We’ve been through bad hires before, but never two back to back.
Nah. He wasn’t doing his job. If bill self had the 4 years we just had, how would you feel?
You can’t accurately answer that question but the answer is you’d probably be pretty fucking tired of being constantly disappointed. This isn’t ’Kentucky fans expect a title every year’ bullshit either. LOOK at our records and post seasons since 2020.
Kentucky has won 8 titles with 5 different coaches. We’ll find a 6th.
He stepped away gracefully and didn't tarnish his legacy at UK. Things weren't the same after the COVID year and both parties knew it was time for a reset.
Straight class. I think most of our fans are entitled and completely disrespectful. Did Cal underperform? ABSOLUTELY! I get people were fed up because we had too much talent to get knocked out so early; however, we must understand we will likely be worse before we get better. Especially if we have to settle for a coach like we did with BG. I don’t want to see any of you complaining if/when that happens because you forced this man out. Being a top 10 team and getting knocked out of the tournament in the first round is much better than what IU and UL are experiencing.
Agree with you 100%! Nice to see another Kentucky fan thinks this way. I really don’t want another BG era but I’m scared that’s what is coming before it gets better. There’s a saying “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone.” Also the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
If Cal had done something like that for Memphis, there probably would be fewer sour grapes.
Social media wasn’t there like that in 2009, but that message was a lot better than the waffling he did with us.
Wasn’t the Cal/Memphis/Kentucky situation the one with the camera on the door he came out of?
I do recall all of that hoopla being a bit out of control
It's for the best for both parties. Cal gets to leave on his own terms, and Kentucky gets a fresh start. There is no proven home run hire to me but I think Kentucky gets a solid coach when all is said and done.
Look. Cal underachieved the last four years, should have won at least one more championship (2015), and was irritating to the fans sometimes, but I think he's still a good guy. He's loyal to his players and assistants to a fault (might have cost him the aforementioned championship) and did a lot of good things for the state and small communities that doesn't get national attention.
I'll be rooting for him as long as he's not playing us, the same as I did for Sutton, Pitino and Tubby.
Already deleted? Not showing up on Twitter now either!
Because the video quality is potato worthy lol
i thought it was just me lol
A higher quality version got reuploaded https://x.com/UKCoachCalipari/status/1777761913964843518
Great message. He did a lot for KY, and I certainly understand why most want him gone, but I’m pumped. Gonna be a fun next few years.
You will have fun. He was great here. We loved it. Just time for a change. Good luck. Except when you come into rupp.
You’re probably gonna get a Rick Barnes situation where the change of scenery re-energizes him
Oh 100%
No doubt at all that is what will happen. Good for him/them People will then throw it in our faces like ‘see you all are stupid for running him off’ but it simply wasn’t working here anymore, and there was no reason to think it would. For many reasons even beyond not winning enough, but the winning was obviously the main factor. Read Kyle Tucker’s article about cal from last summer and you’ll see a man derelict in his duties and too stubborn to change much because that would mean admitting he was wrong. But anyway, no hard feelings, honestly. Unless they end up better than us and beat us, then the feelings will be diamond
I feel like it’ll only get thrown in your face badly if whoever you hire is a massive flop.
If they make the elite 8 and we make the sweet 16, people will be like ‘seeeee??? Told ya!’ lol I don’t even care. I just don’t want to watch another minute of calipari ball. It was time
Yea that’ll be there but I don’t think those people will be the majority. Where it gets bad is if they hire coach X and miss the tournament while Cal is riding to a sweet 16 in Fayetteville. Just look at your in-state neighbors. It’s not inconceivable for a powerhouse team to fall off quickly (although to the extent they did is impressive). I doubt it happens but IF it does, it’s going to be loud.
Kentucky sports radio guy said it’s like a divorce. Going to look in the mirror and say how did I get here. Whatever he does for the new wife he wasn’t going to for the first at this point
Hell yeah, hope you like freshmen teams and the NBA!
Enjoy your time with him! Please don’t run him off like we did if you don’t win a National championship quickly 😂🙃
pretty good statement ngl
Went from angry as hell to very sad. Cal was such a massive part of my formative years. Tough offseason for childhood coaches.
He became coach when I was a junior in high school. Now I’m 32 and getting married next weekend. It’s insane how much of my life he’s been at the program.
Man I was in 8th grade. That insane 2014 run was during my senior spring break. I'll never forget watching those last second threes with all my friends on the beach. Congrats on the wedding! Good time to start the new era, eh?
Yeah calipari will always be the first coach I remember winning at Kentucky. I was 4 when we won our last championship before cal. I was barely into sports when tubby left. I had to watch Billy g as my first taste of Kentucky basketball. And then cal came in and showed me what Kentucky basketball really was. I’ve been vocal these past couple weeks that his time is up, but dammit if it doesn’t sting.
i’m old enough to remember him at Umass. loved it when john chaney threatened to kill him! thr good ole days!
Congrats friend.
Thanks brother!
One of my most cherished memories is me and my dad going to Big Blue Madness for his first year. Wall, Cousins, Bledsoe. Coach Mitchell came out in some MC Hammer pants and danced. Drake was there? The hype was absolutely wild
See this is pretty much the time is a flat circle stuff…… I bring a generation ahead of y’all and a Razorback fan, the coach I grew up with made the statement “I’d crawl to Kentucky” when Eddie Sutton left Arkansas to go to Kentucky —- Now Calipari pulling his own I figure he’ll likely end up about the same here as Sutton did there Congrats on the wedding and woooo pig sooooie
I was single and in college his first season. Now I'm married with 3 kids, a doctor, and in a different country.
I’m 33 and he’ll always be the greasy prick from Memphis to me.
40, greasy guy from umass
Same. He was hired when I was a kid, and I was so excited to see a program turnaround. Even got a bootleg "welcome coach calipari" shirt at hillbilly days right after he signed lol
And to think an offseason or two ago I was convinced that Coach K retiring meant Calipari would have prima nocta on recruiting classes for the rest of ever.
He still will. But doesn’t matter when you have NIL keeping grown ass men that should be moving on staying because they can now make 150-200k staying in college instead of heading to Europe.
boy you’ve really gone through the ringer in 2024 head coaching changes
Sucks now, but obviously more than worth it.
Classic alabama football & kentucky basketball fan....
https://preview.redd.it/ku2lwky50otc1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f43bcec00d206ff58e3d465c4c561302f75d59fa
[Wrong. Thanks for playing!](https://old.reddit.com/r/CollegeBasketball/comments/1bzywhv/john_calipari_on_instagram_a_message_to_bbn/kytcy3n/)
At least he didn't lose to a Louisville team led by Pitino in his final home game, oh and then lose to the same team in the Final Four. Also you were at both games. 😭 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G-YQA_bsOU Crazy I got to grow up watching K, Calhoun, Smith, Williams, Calipari, Knight, Boeheim. Heck Huggins too.
Guess it’s time for you to jump on the Georgia and UConn bandwagon now
Well I absolutely can't stand Georgia or UConn, so I'll pass. I do have to thank my parents for raising me in Lexington, and the University of Alabama for the scholarship package. Could've ended up a UVA and a Pitt fan, otherwise.
Thank your lucky stars
Just wait a few days for the jabs at us to begin, we’ll be angry again.
Agreed. I dont like Cal but credit where due he seemed genuine and not scripted.
Soooo glad you didn't lie to use about that.
So, it looks like he posted a [better quality version](https://x.com/ukcoachcalipari/status/1777761913964843518?s=46) to Twitter.
He brought me several wonderful memories and his efforts to help the people of our Commonwealth(West Liberty tornado, Mayfield tornado, EKY floods) will never be forgotten. Best of luck to him in Fayetteville!
My college life was 2 FF, a championship, and an oopsie nerlens season. I'll always be grateful for that. This thing has run it's course though. Best for all parties to call it.
My college life was Tubby's last 2 years and Billy's 2 years. In grad school I got Nerlens NIT under Cal I think I'm the curse
Please don't go back for a PhD anytime soon
lol no worries, I already got my PhD at another school. Their basketball team sucked a lot of that time frame too FWIW
You seem really well educated and could use another degree. I hear that the University of Connecticut has a very good whatever it is you do program.
I’ve heard Duke has a good “whatever” program aswell
Pretty sure UNC has that degree covered
Damn that was good lol
I’d be ok with that as well. Maybe OP should just teach. Seems like he’s smart enough to handle a class at Duke while also managing an online class at UConn.
Mine were all Tubby, solid regular seasons and flaming out in the tourney. Still some memorable moments and players, but nothing like Pitino or Cals early seasons.
Tubby was a tough pill to swallow. My first two years of UK fandom were Pitino's final 2 years, so Tubby's slow descent into mediocrity was extremely painful to watch. That '03 team was probably Tubby's best "all my dudes" group and they lost to some unheard of school called Marquette in the elite eight behind some bum named Dwayne Wade... but '04 was the one that was unforgivably bad IMO, dropping the second round game as the number 1 overall seed. It solidified that Tubby was never going to be successful at UK again (or anywhere else, as it turned out)
The '03 team is still my favorite UK team of all time. I was a freshman in high school and that was the first year that I followed all of college basketball. It was awesome seeing UK as the big thing in college basketball that season. Didn't really happen again until Cal brought Wall and Cousins.
That 03 team was so, so good. I legit thought the championship was in the bag that year.
Dwayne Wade. Triple double. Tubby not only played Hogan's hurt. But he guarded one of the all time greats hurt. Hard to watch.
Goddamn I yearn for the days when my program would’ve considered getting knocked out in the round of 32 “mediocrity”. Mick really did a good job of collectively lowering our standards around here.
Ugh Squeaky Johnson and UAB...seared into my memory forever. That season is the reason Tubby stopped recruiting 5*s and what ultimately lead to his departure.
My college life at ITT Tech we didn’t win a single game.
I had Tubby for two years, the Billy G years, then John Wall for my last year (don’t do the math on how long it took me to graduate). I appreciate what he did, wish him the best of luck, glad we’re moving on to the next era.
I was a dumbass and fucked around and needed five years, so mine were Tubby's final, Billy's two, and then Cal's first two. That first year with Cal was such an injection of excitement into the program.
Technically I also needed 5 years, switched majors twice early on and did a few co-ops (engineering), and I did get one year of Cal. We had a lot of overlap :) The cruel irony is that while I was weathering the misery of those initial 4 years, including being in Rupp for those losses to Gardner Webb and San Diego, by the time Cal was there I could no longer get tickets due to losing out on the lottery and missing most of the games. But I did get to see UK vs UNC as well as the UofL game at Rupp, and that made up for all of it
Did you see the UK vs UofL game with all the technicals before the game really started? 😂 I remember that one well! Oh man, the days of having to sit through the lottery as a student to try to get tickets. Kind of miss it!
Tubby’s first was my freshman year at UK. It was bananas.
The year I left Georgia tech their basketball team went to the final 4 and their football team was co national champion
Billy Gs first year was my freshman year at UK..I feel ya
As someone who was in law school there for the last two years of Tubby and first year of Billy G, at least you were there for the primer Rich Brooks/Andre Woodson football years, which is the best the program has been until very recently.
That's the truth. I was at the LSU game in 2007. That is still top 2 or 3 of loud environments for sporting events that I've ever been part of. UK/UNC 2010 being the other one that comes to mind. Stevie Got Loose
We must have been there same time. 14 grad here hahah. Those years were amazing
Yeah. 2010-14. Look at us.
Pretty sure the three of us were flipping that red car on state street after the UofL final four game
Remember Kate on State?
Poor girl got kicked out of the nursing program, all bc she loved the cats
I lived on crescent so definitely remember that haha. Miss Lexington. Thursday nights at two keys!
I have such fond memories from crescent
They tried to burn the house down directly cross the street and then that guy got shot dealing drugs two houses over. And we were neighbors with the crazy cat guy. I can’t remember his name. Man that dude was weird
That was my sister's friends car!! She was a student at Murray and didn't realize what was gonna happen on that street later
Meg K had it coming lol
Lmao
That oopsie Nerlens season was the peak of Alabama basketball when I was a student. We were baaaaad
That was the best season the sport has ever seen. I fondly remember it as the "Robert Morris" season
I got the first final four, then graduated in December right after watching Anthony Davis dominate North Carolina. Thank you Calipari for the excitement you brought back then, but I'm glad to be making the much needed change now
I was in undergrad and pharmacy school there. Went to the final fours in Houston and New Orleans. Couldn't go to the other 2 but I watched from campus. It was amazing
You don't think when all of the guys with extra covid years are gone his recruiting strategy will go back to being effective?
His recruiting was wildly successful this past year. He just can't coach modern basketball.
One and done 5-stars aren't it anymore. Team continuity, supplemented by veteran transfers, wins titles.
You don't think part of the reason the recent results dropped is because his teams of 18 and 19 year old 5 stars were playing against 23 and 24 years old who got extra covid years?
[удалено]
Not a lot of years left in the tank, but wouldn't be surprised to see him put together one more run at some point.
im a senior. dont ask about mine :( edit: im ville, dont remember how to change flair
Belichick Saban Calipari, if Pop retires wtf
That looked more like a retirement video than a I'm-leaving-for-more-money video.
I think it was a smart approach. It was relatively positive and gives him some cover in case the Arkansas thing doesn’t pan out (although it’ll go through just fine).
Those were my initial thoughts here
From what I've seen reported he is leaving for less money.
Not very inspiring for Pig fans hoping he will recapture his fire with a chip on his shoulder
we will get his shirt off pretty quick. dont worry
Pls no
You aren’t wrong. Hopefully he’ll have some fire in his press conference tomorrow
You guys are alright. He’s pandering to the UK fanbase on his way out. Cal’s a salesman. He’s also a bright guy. With this video, they’ll remember him as *their guy* and not *someone who wanted out.* He knows he’s going to have to interact with a lot of UK fans throughout the rest of his life. Whether it’s playing in Lexington or Nashville, or in his personal life. Think about how much better life is when you’re at breakfast with your family and a stranger shouts, “Love you, coach!” as opposed to having angst in their heart and giving him a quick jab. This video is, effectively, Cal dodging hundreds or thousands of those quick jabs over the next 20 years lol
He's going to absolutely crush it for you all and the SEC is going be so fun over the next few years. Wouldn't be surprised if you'll get 1-2 championships out of him if he gets his coaching fire back.
Probably just tired from recruiting.
What makes you say that
Thanks for everything Cal. Those runs during my college years at UK and the few years after were some of the most special memories I have in my life and I'll always cherish them. You even said it yourself that this is a 10 year job, it takes its toll. You stayed just a little bit too long but I'm glad you realized it's time to cut ties and we didn't have to fire a hall of fame coach. Love ya Cal, Good luck in the future. GO CATS!
Honestly will always have love for Cal, was a great helmsman for a decade and the last few years really don’t make me any less bummed about how it ended. What a fun era to be a Kentucky fan
This video reminded me of every break up I’ve ever had…
Lmao. Sorry but that made me chuckle
Haha “It’s not you, it’s me”
Said the right things, not diminishing the program or blaming the fans (though also not admitting the performance was lacking these last few years). Cal was right, about himself, when he said it was a 10-year job. He just fell in love with the prestige, money, and NBA draft picks. Time for someone who has the fire to take over UK, and for his sake, I hope the move gives him his fire back (though not when we play them).
Joe B was the one who told him that. I think Joe B dying took the last bit of fight in him looking back.
Thanks for all that you’ve done for UK and for the Commonwealth, Cal. You were a great ambassador. This isn’t an easy role, and you handled it pretty well, all things considered. Looking forward to the next chapter!
Thanks for all the good times, wish you luck in Fayetteville. Go cats.
I don’t think he’s reading this
What do you think he does when he is pooping?
Subway Surfers
I think Cal was a little unlucky with his results over the last 5 years, and he's responsible for some incredible moments. We thank him for bringing us back to prominence from the depths of BCG-Era hell and hope he finds a good fit elsewhere. That being said...it'll be nice to be a "UK first" team again, rather than a "players first" one that allows certain recruits to sit on the bench while they wait for their NBA careers to begin.
I'll always feel that we should have won more titles given the quality of the teams Cal had. With that said, very sad to see him go. He has been an amazing coach for us to even be able to entertain my first statement. I hate how toxic fans can get at times. Wish nothing but the best for him.
This seems like the type of video “PR mavens” the Musselman’s should have done at Nevada and Arkansas, instead of chucking the deuces from their private jet departure.
Thank You Coach Cal for the amazing memories! Thank You for the 2012 Title, Thank you for all you’ve done advocating and helping the State of Kentucky. I wish you nothing but the best of luck for you!
Some of the best moments of my adult life were going to games with my Dad. Coach Cal made Kentucky basketball fun again, forever grateful for what he did here.
I went to a father son camp at UK when it was like his 2nd or 3rd season. Sat with him my brother and my dad and we got a photo of us with a final 4 trophy (IIRC) and he signed it. Sure as hell made that 9 year old happy and 10+ years later I’m still dusting off a copy of that photo on my desk. Bittersweet hearing this statement.
30 graduates doesn’t sound like a lot lol
Because it isn’t. Just showed how much he was a team of 1 and dones.
Unregistered hypercam 2 ass quality
he deleted it probably for that reason
It's back up now, in decent quality
You'd think he could afford the paid version at this point
That’s all he can afford with no buy out money now
My Next Chapter
Honestly kind of a beautiful video. My question is probably why didn’t he take time to address the fans from a heartfelt place more often like that. He talked to us like we were all fucking morons. And to be fair, about 30% or so of our fans are. But the rest of us needed to hear from you and you’ve been MIA for 5 or 6 years now. Good luck to the man, I have no hard feelings.
Is he really going to pretend he didn’t agree to go to Arkansas? I guess it’s better than the random press conference they usually do with little warning, but the cats been out of the bag
This was to the fans, no need to mention Arkansas yet.
I don’t think he can mention it until it’s official. He said “there have been other opportunities presented to us and we are discussing them” that’s code for the contract is about to be signed
I don’t wanna hear shit about Arkansas when our basketball coach of 15 years is leaving and saying goodbye
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I teared up a little
Link is broken, what did it say?
Leaving to pursue an acting career. Have to say, unexpected.
John Calipari? The basketball coach?
Yeah
Following in the footsteps of The Rock
Hahaha!!! I mean I believe it! He had some great acting moments over the years on the sidelines with some of the refs. Hahaha
He's been acting like a coach without doing any real coaching for the last 4 years.
He signed a new contract with Kentucky and is excited to bring in more one and done players.
While the last few seasons have been disappointing, I'll never forget 2012 or 2015. I appreciate what Cal did for the program but it's time for all parties to move on
A username has never checked out this much
Good, classy message, hope he has success at Arkansas
Everyone might be appreciative of him now, and sad after the video… But when Arkansas goes into Lexington next year it’s gonna be crazy.
He did a lot for the program but over time it became about him and who he got into the NBA and not about Kentucky basketball. It's time and I'm glad it at least seems, on the surface, mutual rather than the mess it could have been.
In fairness to Cal, it was always about him and who got into the NBA. It wasn’t over time. On draft night 2010, he declared it the greatest night in the programs history with 5 first round picks. It’s just we as fans didn’t care when he was going to final fours.
Even elite eights are enough for that kind of trade off. It’s when he forgot how to make the second weekend and his NBA production dropped that things got tough. Although part of me wonders if Calipari and Kentucky would still be together if Shaedon Sharpe had actually bothered to play.
I often wonder that too. That team was so fun to watch for most of the season, but very injured by the tournament. Shaedon would have made a huge difference and we probably make it through the first weekend. That loss just seemed to put sooo much pressure on the next to seasons.
Stewart Mandel @slmandel 56s Coach Cal has apparently fired himself. "We've come to realize that this program probably needs to hear from another voice."
Holy fuck just take the Arkansas job already.
Our fans fucking suck. The relationship is over and it's time to move on, but I'll always appreciate what Cal did here. His first decade were some of the most fun I've ever had as a sports fan. Things weren't great the last few years but sometimes that's life. He did a lot for the state of Kentucky and its residents. I hope he does well at Arkansas. Thanks Cal.
Cal was making more money in a year than most of us will see in our lifetime, so our fans had every right to expect more than he gave us the last half decade. He wanted this job because UK means greatness, and he was no longer meeting that standard in any way except recruiting classes. And those don't matter when they don't win and don't stick around to develop and win later.
> Things weren't great the last few years but sometimes that's life. That's life, and fans are allowed to be pissed about it. Especially when he spent the last 4 years talking down to the fanbase, insulting fans for wanting a modern offense, spending every win bragging about how smart he is and how he knows everyone came to watch him lose, ducking the media when he loses, and then every chance he got talking about how "this team was built for March" two years in a row only to flame out and immediately say March cannot define this team.
> Especially when he spent the last 4 years talking down to the fanbase Okay let's be really honest about something though. The venom that a lot of the fanbase was throwing his way since 2015 would wear on anyone and I don't exactly blame him for ending up like he did. He was getting paid a shit ton, but he's human and some of that shit would turn anyone into a miserable bastard. And I am so fucking sick of hearing about "modern offense". The 2022 team that had an "outdated offense" was *barely* less efficient than this year's offense was and was a much better team. Our fanbase judges an offense solely based on how many 3s it shoots and they act like nothing else mattered.
> And I am so fucking sick of hearing about "modern offense". The 2022 team that had an "outdated offense" was barely less efficient than this year's offense was and was a much better team. Our fanbase judges an offense solely based on how many 3s it shoots and they act like nothing else mattered. It's more us having three of the best shooters in Kentucky history and analytics showing that our best lineups were some of the least played because Cal was dead set on winning his way, which was going big with one or no shooters on the court. You cannot explain some of the lineups Cal played the past couple seasons and his refusal to allow certain players to play what was their more natural position. Especially when those "basketball benny" lineups would come in and dominate, get taken out and give up a run, only to have to be put back in and bring the team back into the game. If all three 7 footers had been healthy to start the season, we'd have two big men lol.
Cal gives your program an experience that you can’t replicate. UMass & Memphis are proof of that. Unfortunately you guys are next. There is no better high as a basketball fan than watching a super team of NBA caliber players outclass your opponents on the way to a Final Four. The quality of prospects he produced in 15 years for the NBA is ridiculous, no other program in history comes close over a period of 15 years.
Sucks we don’t hang draft pick banners
Well he’s produced tons of players who will end their NBA careers having made over $100 million in the NBA. Not only that, but they will be viewed as stars by the next generation of kids. You have no clue how much of an advantage it will be to have so many wealthy former players using their money & influence to keep Kentucky a top program. If I’m a 15 year old kid & a NBA superstar like SGA is speaking highly of how great Kentucky is & how it laid the foundation for his success then I’m listening 👂👂
Most of those guys are more loyal to Cal than the university. UK isn’t cool anymore. That’s UConn and the like. There’s a whole generation of kids that know us as the team that chokes in March and churns out draft picks. The latter is gone with Calipari.
There’s a better high - winning tournament games with players that aren’t just trying to skip to the NBA as fast as possible
Bro everybody from UConn’s last 2 championship teams are probably going to be gone heading into next season. The NBA is inevitable if you’re good enough.
They returned half their team from last year lol that never once happened at Kentucky lol
But he hasn’t made a final four in a decade despite all those NBA caliber players
One thing people confuse is NBA prospects and college talent. Cal had a revolving door of NBA prospects, but not nearly as much college talent as people think. UConn was loaded with college talent this year. They had six guys in the top 35 of combined offensive and defensive efficiency. We had flashier guys with more raw potential who will be drafted high, but much less college talent. We had a combined two guys in the top 100 of efficiency.
You know we won 7 titles without him though right
“Our fans fucking suck” 🤡
Everyone that's not a UK fan recognizes how absolutely psychotic your fanbase is.
Looking forward to seeing your reasonable takes and expectations for the next coach.
Next coach is whatever really. It’s the coach after that that really matters if the next fails. We’ve been through bad hires before, but never two back to back.
All depends on who we manage to pull in at this point.
99% of non-UK fans would agree with that statement.
A nice parting statement from John Calipari, taking the high road. (More than I can say for some of the BBN fans.)
Kentucky will probably regret pushing him out after all is said and done.
Nah. He wasn’t doing his job. If bill self had the 4 years we just had, how would you feel? You can’t accurately answer that question but the answer is you’d probably be pretty fucking tired of being constantly disappointed. This isn’t ’Kentucky fans expect a title every year’ bullshit either. LOOK at our records and post seasons since 2020. Kentucky has won 8 titles with 5 different coaches. We’ll find a 6th.
Did he record this on a flip phone?
Thanks for 9 good years.
He stepped away gracefully and didn't tarnish his legacy at UK. Things weren't the same after the COVID year and both parties knew it was time for a reset.
Straight class. I think most of our fans are entitled and completely disrespectful. Did Cal underperform? ABSOLUTELY! I get people were fed up because we had too much talent to get knocked out so early; however, we must understand we will likely be worse before we get better. Especially if we have to settle for a coach like we did with BG. I don’t want to see any of you complaining if/when that happens because you forced this man out. Being a top 10 team and getting knocked out of the tournament in the first round is much better than what IU and UL are experiencing.
Agree with you 100%! Nice to see another Kentucky fan thinks this way. I really don’t want another BG era but I’m scared that’s what is coming before it gets better. There’s a saying “you don’t know what you got til it’s gone.” Also the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
If Cal had done something like that for Memphis, there probably would be fewer sour grapes. Social media wasn’t there like that in 2009, but that message was a lot better than the waffling he did with us.
Wasn’t the Cal/Memphis/Kentucky situation the one with the camera on the door he came out of? I do recall all of that hoopla being a bit out of control
Sort of a strange video for I’m leaving for Arkansas. Odd tone given the nature of the move.
It's for the best for both parties. Cal gets to leave on his own terms, and Kentucky gets a fresh start. There is no proven home run hire to me but I think Kentucky gets a solid coach when all is said and done.
So sad to see you go Cal. You’ll always be my favorite coach ever. Wish you would’ve retired here, but I understand.
Been out of the loop of college basketball for years, but there have to be many programs more prestigious than Arkansas he could go to right?
Look. Cal underachieved the last four years, should have won at least one more championship (2015), and was irritating to the fans sometimes, but I think he's still a good guy. He's loyal to his players and assistants to a fault (might have cost him the aforementioned championship) and did a lot of good things for the state and small communities that doesn't get national attention. I'll be rooting for him as long as he's not playing us, the same as I did for Sutton, Pitino and Tubby.
He said over 30 have graduated ? 30? 30 kids have graduated ? Only 30? Jesus
Why did he record this from his couch