Kentucky blue him away -- Calapari goes to UK

[SShorefan 4.0]

Let the fun begin!!


from espn:

Calipari taking Kentucky job
ESPN.com news services

After over a day of deliberation, John Calipari is headed to Kentucky.

The coach sent a text message to ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Tuesday evening saying, "I am accepting the UK job! Go Big Blue, coach Cal."

A source told Katz that Calipari will receive an eight-year, $35 million deal. He gets a $2.5 million signing bonus and $3 million per year for the first four years. In Years 5, 6, 7 and 8, Calipari will get an additional $1.5 million per year, so for the last four years of the contract his salary would be $4.5 million. Incentives push the deal up a few more million to get to the $35 million mark.

The contract is the richest in college basketball.

"Why did he wait so long?" said former Calipari assistant Bruiser Flint, the head coach at Drexel. "He said he didn't have to take the job. He's 50 years old. He felt good at Memphis. It was a good place for him. But at the end of the day, it's Kentucky."

Sources told ESPN.com's Pat Forde that Kentucky began planning for a Wednesday announcement earlier Tuesday. The Lexington television affiliate that has the school's athletic broadcast contract was told to prepare for an announcement in the late morning or early afternoon, and plans were made to transport Calipari by private plane to an airport near Lexington.

[Donoghus]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

[SShorefan 4.0]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

[Donoghus]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Didn't realize that Memphis offered to match. Kinda surprised Memphis would offer to match those numbers. Kentucky is that "glamour" position and there comes a lot of attention there.  Also, its a chance to fix things up there.

[SShorefan 4.0]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Didn't realize that Memphis offered to match. Kinda surprised Memphis would offer to match those numbers. Kentucky is that "glamour" position and there comes a lot of attention there.  Also, its a chance to fix things up there.

I think Memphis realized that without their coach they are an also ran.  The money (4 mil roughly) is small compared to the exposure he brought to the school.  Without the coach the school fades away for another 15 years.

[Thruthelookingglass]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Quite a blow to the City of Memphis.  Hope they can find a topnotch replacement. Without a basketball team all Memphis has to brag about is Graceland. 

 

[SShorefan 4.0]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Quite a blow to the City of Memphis.  Hope they can find a topnotch replacement. Without a basketball team all Memphis has to brag about is Graceland. 

 

I love Graceland.

[RebusRankin]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Quite a blow to the City of Memphis.  Hope they can find a topnotch replacement. Without a basketball team all Memphis has to brag about is Graceland. 

 

They still have the Grizzlies. Oh wait you said brag.

[Thruthelookingglass]

They still have the Grizzlies. Oh wait you said brag.

Gotcha!   

[hardlyyardley]

Very happy for him and Kentucky.....been in that beautiful state twice and both times had to visit both Churchill Downs and Rupp Arena....both historic

Other than Pitino the C's have had success with Kentucky lineage....traded Cliff Hagan in the Russell deal....Ramsey was the original sixth man...Rick Robey was here in 81 and the traded for DJ...Toine, Waltah and Ron Mercer from the 96 championship and even Tony Delk....now Rondo ....

[SShorefan 4.0]

Very happy for him and Kentucky.....been in that beautiful state twice and both times had to visit both Churchill Downs and Rupp Arena....both historic

Other than Pitino the C's have had success with Kentucky lineage....traded Cliff Hagan in the Russell deal....Ramsey was the original sixth man...Rick Robey was here in 81 and the traded for DJ...Toine, Waltah and Ron Mercer from the 96 championship and even Tony Delk....now Rondo ....

tp

[KCattheStripe]

Calipari chasing the money?  Shocking. 

Memphis offered to match.  I think he's chasing history.  Staying at Memphis wasn't a challenge, although I think he could have become the winningest coach in NCAA history had he stayed in Memphis.

Quite a blow to the City of Memphis.  Hope they can find a topnotch replacement. Without a basketball team all Memphis has to brag about is Graceland. 

 

And the Stax and Civil Rights museums. They are tremendous.

[goCeltics]

is memphis under investigation? 

[Donoghus]

is memphis under investigation? 

They probably will be in 2 years. 

[indeedproceed]

Anyone watch the press conference?

I think Calipari has them top 5 by pre-season 2010.