Chances coach Cal is the next head coach at Kentucky

[olivebranchhog]

I say its 75 or more. But, I'm stuck in the Hope not category.

[WilsonHog]

I wouldn't want to put a percentage on it, but I would say this. If Cal doesn't take Kentucky's offer now it's a safe bet he'll be in Memphis until someone starts humming "Nearer my God to Thee" over his casket. 

[Oliver]

I'm in the 75% or More AND Hope Not Category.  Jeez, there is already a chance that Mike Anderson and Anthony Grant come to the SEC this offseason.  I don't want John Calipari leaving us further behind.

[The Hogfather]

I wouldn't want to put a percentage on it, but I would say this. If Cal doesn't take Kentucky's offer now it's a safe bet he'll be in Memphis until someone starts humming "Nearer my God to Thee" over his casket. 

I wouldn't leave if I was him.  He has a very sweet gig at Memphis.  Beat 25 bad/average teams a year, win a couple against tournament teams, get a inflated seed that allows you a fairly easy road to at least the Sweet 16 every year, get paid a lot of money, and play in an NBA arena.

I'd stay at Mumphiss.

[WilsonHog]

I wouldn't leave if I was him.  He has a very sweet gig at Memphis.  Beat 25 bad/average teams a year, win a couple against tournament teams, get a inflated seed that allows you a fairly easy road to at least the Sweet 16 every year, get paid a lot of money, and play in an NBA arena.

I'd stay at Mumphiss.

But as great a gig as the Memphis job is right now, it ain't ever going to be Kentucky.   

[Oliver]

I wouldn't leave if I was him.  He has a very sweet gig at Memphis.  Beat 25 bad/average teams a year, win a couple against tournament teams, get a inflated seed that allows you a fairly easy road to at least the Sweet 16 every year, get paid a lot of money, and play in an NBA arena.

I'd stay at Mumphiss.

Hell, if I was Memphis, I'd let Calipari walk to Kentucky and hire one of those 30 to 40 coaches (not named Self, Krzyzewski, Dixon, Calhoun, Boeheim,  Capel, Barnes, Williams, Jay Wright, Donovan, or Pitino) that could also win 30 games per year for a LOT less money.

[Kevin]

none, they want somebody who understand uk basketball

donovan then ford

[WilsonHog]

none, they want somebody who understand uk basketball

donovan then ford

Pel understands Kentucky basketball.

[The Hogfather]

Hell, if I was Memphis, I'd let Calipari walk to Kentucky and hire one of those 30 to 40 coaches (not named Self, Krzyzewski, Dixon, Calhoun, Boeheim,  Capel, Barnes, Williams, Jay Wright, Donovan, or Pitino) that could also win 30 games per year for a LOT less money.

That was an exaggeration.  But, the ones I named were the "name" coaches that I'm relatively certain could win 30 games a year at Memphis.  There are probably quite a few others that could as well (or get pretty close), who are not considered "name" coaches right now.

[donewithdale]

Don't know the odds but put me down for Hope So.  The SEC needs to get better and needs UK to be great. 

[The Hogfather]

But as great a gig as the Memphis job is right now, it ain't ever going to be Kentucky.  

I'm not sure about that right now.  What does it have that Memphis doesn't?  He out-recruits Kentucky, plays in a league with not much resistance (helps build their recent tradition and win totals), yet can still be considered a good enough team to receive a 1 or 2-seed in the NCAAT, allowing for great runs.  They might pay him a little more, although that Memphis fan said he gets a $5 million bonus after next year.  I think the pros outweigh the cons for staying at Memphis.

[The Hogfather]

Don't know the odds but put me down for Hope So.  The SEC needs to get better and needs UK to be great. 

I agree with this.  He'd make the league better.  I'm all for it.

[donewithdale]

But as great a gig as the Memphis job is right now, it ain't ever going to be Kentucky.  

For any other coach, I could likely agree.  Cal has a great gig at Memphis that I don't know can be topped by UK outside of outbidding Memphis(FedEx).  And how much more money does he need?  Its obvious from his recruiting that he can get the talent capable of competing for F4's and NC's.  That is why coaches would take the UK job.  He doesn't need to do so.  And I'm not sure if the SEC or UK's academic requirements are any higher than Memphis' but I know they wouldn't be lower.  Rupp has fantastic tradition but the Forum is attractive to today's recruits.  The ease of the conference has already been stated.  The expectations and demands by the UK fans could be a drawback to his current situation.  And at UK, a NC would place him in a group instead of being The Man if he ever gets one at Memphis.  The one positive I could see, living in Lexington over Memphis.

[scorekeeper]

Correct me if I'm wrong but are some of you implying that Memphis is being handed a 1 or 2 seed instead of working for it?  Because if you are implying that you are so far from the truth.  Memphis is a damn good basketball team.  With a coach who understands X's, O's, and $'s.  Cal is a good recruiter; he is able to get 5 star players to come play ball in Memphis.  While it seems true that Kentucky could pay more money we should also remember this Cal is beloved in Memphis, plays in a weak conference(not his fault), and he has FedEx money backing him.  He doesn't need Kentucky as much as they need him and it will take a lot in my opinion for them to do that.

[The Boar War]

Kentucky gets Donovan.  Florida gets Grant.  Alabama gets Anderson.  Arkansas gets screwed.

[Oliver]

Kentucky gets Donovan.  Florida gets Grant.  Alabama gets Anderson.  Arkansas gets screwed.

Hell I haven't ruled out Georgia POSSIBLY pulling a rabbit out of their hat either.

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

Honestly? Memphis is in the running for the premier college basketball program of the past 5 years. He's got money, TV appearances, down conference. At this point, today, Memphis is a better job than Kentucky. I understand tradition and all that, but most recruits out there probably don't remember Kentucky winning it's last title anyway.

They know Memphis is on national TV beating the stuffing out of Tulsa, Memphis plays in the Fedex Forum, Memphis is more popular in it's own town than their NBA team. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

[donewithdale]

Hell I haven't ruled out Georgia POSSIBLY pulling a rabbit out of their hat either.

Hope all of that happens.  The SEC needs to get better.  This will give our PTB the incentive to do so as well whether that is keeping Pel if he gets this turned around or going after qualified coaches.  Plus what guarantee do we have that Grant could recruit as well to UF as Donovan?  If not, he'll just be a less successful version.  And at least we would have one guaranteed home win vs Bama every season in that scenario. 

[scorekeeper]

Honestly? Memphis is in the running for the premier college basketball program of the past 5 years. He's got money, TV appearances, down conference. At this point, today, Memphis is a better job than Kentucky. I understand tradition and all that, but most recruits out there probably don't remember Kentucky winning it's last title anyway.

They know Memphis is on national TV beating the stuffing out of Tulsa, Memphis plays in the Fedex Forum, Memphis is more popular in it's own town than their NBA team. Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?

True!

[Brass Knob]

Kentucky would have to pay a lot of money to Cal, like 7 or 8 mil a year for him to even consider and i do no think they can afford that.  Cal gets around $2.5 a year and will collect a nice $5 next for fulfilling a longevity agreement. So Kentucky will have to cough up some serious cash.  Not to mention Cal is on the verge of bringing in possible the best recruiting class ever.  Cal will be at Memphis for a long time, and he will certainly not be leaving for Kentucky! 

[NedBeattySquealed]

But as great a gig as the Memphis job is right now, it ain't ever going to be Kentucky.  

The problem with Memphis...It's in Memphis.

[Brass Knob]

Cal grew up in the Bronx, I think he likes Memphis because it is what he is used to.

[Oliver]

And at least we would have one guaranteed home win vs Bama every season in that scenario. 

Unless some magical stuff happens in the offseason, I don't think guaranteed home win's exist for us in conference play.

[WMHawgfan]

I put 10% and under. I am banking on the tigers not winning the NC this year. If you are looking to hire Cal you should root for the tigers to win a nc because that is the door to a new job when it comes to Cal.

[PoormansRobbyHampton]

Unless some magical stuff happens in the offseason, I don't think guaranteed home win's exist for us in conference play.

And if Wash leaves, maybe no wins at all.

[Tusks]

never in a million years.

[akp4105]

Kentucky wont get Cal or Donovan.