Calipari denied in Memphis

[kozmas]

The President of the University of Memphis wanted to honor Calipari in Memphis for his induction into the Hall of Fame. The outcry against the idea from Memphis fans was so loud and large that the President called the idea off. Fans said that they don't ever want Calipari in Memphis again.

Calipari left Memphis and he took his recruiting class with him when he left. Since Memphis star player Derrick Rose had his grades and test scores fixed by the basketball staff Memphis had to forfeit their basketball season and and have their Final Four appearance erased from the record books. They were also placed on probation and lost scholarships.

 

[Cards1261]

Imagine that.

 

[Cue Card]

I am simply dumbfounded that he was elected to the HOF in the first place. He screwed over the fans in Memphis and if there is anything we as UofL fans should always remember, it's that Memphis fans have long memories. They won't forget or forgive him for his lies and betrayal. The day before he packed his bags for Lexington, he told the people in Memphis he was where he wanted to be and was happy. The very next day he left, and took most of the recruiting class with him. He's a snake and the fans in Memphis know it. Everyone knows it that wants to admit it.

 

[turducken71]

I am simply dumbfounded that he was elected to the HOF in the first place. He screwed over the fans in Memphis and if there is anything we as UofL fans should always remember, it's that Memphis fans have long memories. They won't forget or forgive him for his lies and betrayal. The day before he packed his bags for Lexington, he told the people in Memphis he was where he wanted to be and was happy. The very next day he left, and took most of the recruiting class with him. He's a snake and the fans in Memphis know it. Everyone knows it that wants to admit it.

He's not cut that way. Neither was Charlie Strong when he left or Petrino the first time. We've got sores too.

 

[rockycard]

They said on the radio that while still coaching Memphis the slime was recruiting players to UK. Smdh

 

[rockycard]

I am simply dumbfounded that he was elected to the HOF in the first place. He screwed over the fans in Memphis and if there is anything we as UofL fans should always remember, it's that Memphis fans have long memories. They won't forget or forgive him for his lies and betrayal. The day before he packed his bags for Lexington, he told the people in Memphis he was where he wanted to be and was happy. The very next day he left, and took most of the recruiting class with him. He's a snake and the fans in Memphis know it. Everyone knows it that wants to admit it.

I don't blame him for leaving Memphis for UK, I do think the true personality (being an ass) showed when he said Memphis was like eating at the little kids table.

 

[HedleyLamarr]

The Memphis President said that Cal secretly inserted a clause in the letter of intent that allowed players to revoke it if Cal left. That is beyond sleazy. Just wow.

 

[Cue Card]

The Memphis President said that Cal secretly inserted a clause in the letter of intent that allowed players to revoke it if Cal left. That is beyond sleazy. Just wow.

I imagine the Memphis President isn't being 100% truthful. He probably knew about the clause and just played dumb so he didn't catch heat for it.

 

[cardfaninmemphis]

I imagine the Memphis President isn't being 100% truthful. He probably knew about the clause and just played dumb so he didn't catch heat for it.

I can believe a school president would not know about it. A school president would probably not be aware of or involved that sort of thing. An AD, on the other hand, might know about it.
However, neither the current President nor the current AD were at Memphis at the time. The AD then was R.C. Johnson, and he was pretty clueless. I wouldn't be surprised if he did not know about it.
The current President is new to the city and probably not aware of the drama or the ability of people here to carry a grudge.

In other news, UMass is planning to honor Cal.

 

[JC for 3]

Sour grapes, nothing more. Cal put them on the map and left when the job he wanted was offered. He took them to heights they'd never seen before, and might not see again.

 

[rockycard]

Sour grapes, nothing more. Cal put them on the map and left when the job he wanted was offered. He took them to heights they'd never seen before, and might not see again.

Dana Kirk had the best run of anybody at Memphis, your Cal included...and he didn't have WWW funnelling him players.

 

[JC for 3]

....and still went to jail anyway.

You might be older than me, so forgive me if I don't remember any 'great' times at Memphis (Final Fours, etc.). I remember Penny Hardaway and Keith Lee Pre- Calipari, but that's about it.

 

[cardfaninmemphis]

Dana Kirk had the best run of anybody at Memphis, your Cal included...and he didn't have WWW funnelling him players.

No, the best coach here was Gene Bartow in the 1970s. He is the only coach who took them to a Final Four that did not have an asterisk beside it. He made them the power that they were in the 1970s.

Dana Kirk, on the other hand, was his own WWW. He got Keith Lee to commit to Memphis over Arkansas by, famously, offering him a shoebox full of money and a 1976 Plymouth Duster. (FYI, this was in 1981)

 

[KerryRhodes]

University of Memphis, amid outrcry from fans, cancels plan to honor John Calipari


In a complete about-face, the University of Memphis has canceled plans to recognize former Tigers coach John Calipari in December amid an outcry from fans unhappy with the decision to honor the Hall of Fame-bound Kentucky coach.


In a response letter to fans posted on Twitter, U of M President David Rudd apologized for “the unnecessary upset, embarrassment and genuine distress generated by the issue of honoring Coach John Calipari on the occasion of his installation into the Basketball Hall of Fame.”


It was Rudd who on Wednesday tweeted that Memphis planned to honor Calipari’s induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame with a two-day “homecoming” on Dec. 28 and 29.


By Thursday morning, however, that plan had changed, with Memphis announcing that it had scaled back the two-day event to honor Calipari, who coached the Tigers from 2000 to 2009, with a Dec. 28 dinner that would benefit the basketball program. The dinner was tied to events also being held for Calipari at UMass, where he coached from 1988 to 1996, and Kentucky, according to the school’s release.


But late Thursday afternoon Rudd announced he had canceled the school’s plans to honor Calipari altogether.


“We will not be recognizing Coach Calipari at the University of Memphis. I recognize this will not end the debate and discussion, but it will put this chapter to rest for our University, fans and community,” Rudd wrote.


“Although I was surprised by the depth of and intensity of conviction, passion and distress, it was my responsibility to understand and weigh this in advance. Clearly I did not do that effectively.”


Calipari, who told The Commercial Appeal on Wednesday he was appreciative of Memphis’ decision to honor him, did not return a phone message seeking comment Thursday.


He guided Memphis to a national runner-up season in 2008 that was later vacated. Just months after his departure in 2009, Memphis was hit with a three-year probation by the NCAA for infractions that included a fraudulent SAT score by former Tigers point guard Derrick Rose.


“I live a life driven by values and lead a great institution that has those same values, the very values so many of you have expressed,” Rudd wrote. “We need to reflect those values for all of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.”



Earlier Thursday, the U of M had announced that it planned to honor Calipari's induction into the Hall of Fame during a Dec. 28 dinner. That release came after Rudd tweeted a day earlier that school planned to have a "homecoming" for Calipari on Dec. 28 and 29.








http://www.commercialappeal.com/spo...from-fans-cancels-plan-to-honor-john-calipari

 

[KerryRhodes]

....and still went to jail anyway.

You might be older than me, so forgive me if I don't remember any 'great' times at Memphis (Final Fours, etc.). I remember Penny Hardaway and Keith Lee Pre- Calipari, but that's about it.

Memphis lost the title game against a Bill Walton led UCLA team in 73.

Memphis lost to Villanova in 85, in the semi-final of the Final four.

 

[JC for 3]

So you're saying that at best, Memphis' "Glory Years" have been sporadic.

 

[Jacktwncat94]

They said on the radio that while still coaching Memphis the slime was recruiting players to UK. Smdh

Idk if that is actually true but those guys were not going to Memphis for Memphis they were going because of Cal

 

[rockycard]

So you're saying that at best, Memphis' "Glory Years" have been sporadic.

Probably so, Cal and Memphis lost 16 games our last season in the conference with them.

 

[JC for 3]

They averaged 28 wins per season under Cal. Not sure that's going to get surpassed any time soon.

 

[rockycard]

7 - 1

Yet we have the most recent championship...good for you little fella

 

[JC for 3]

"we have the most recent championship..." Good grief, is that some kind of mythical award you've invented?

The lengths you guys try to go for one upsmanship are ridiculous.

 

[deuces r wild]

Yet we have the most recent championship...good for you little fella

We have to quit being so petty. Does KY counter by saying they have 3 of the 4 most recent championships

 

[kozmas]

I'm surprised UMass is honoring him as well, slick Cal did the same thing at UMass he did at Memphis. He bought and paid for Marcus Camby and had his grades fixed as well. Calipari left right before the hammer came down on UMass and they were placed on probation and had their Final Four appearance vacated. I guess time has healed all wounds for UMass.

 

[JC for 3]

Funny how the NCAA has never pointed the finger at Cal for any of that nonsense you listed.
ZERO NCAA INFRACTIONS.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

....and still went to jail anyway.

You might be older than me, so forgive me if I don't remember any 'great' times at Memphis (Final Fours, etc.). I remember Penny Hardaway and Keith Lee Pre- Calipari, but that's about it.

They were in the Final Four in Rupp Arena the year Villanova won it all. If you remember Keith Lee, you would remember their Final Four, because he was the best player on that team.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

Funny how the NCAA has never pointed the finger at Cal for any of that nonsense you listed.
ZERO NCAA INFRACTIONS.

Let's clear the air here - do you think the NCAA does a good job with their investigations? I read a lot of UK fans complaining about Duke and the NCAA, UCLA and the NCAA, and nowadays UNC and the NCAA. Oh man the UK fans are quick to point out the NCAA just sucks right... right.

So which is it, does the NCAA do a good job or don't they?

Most UK fans think the NCAA doesn't do a good job, and I'm sure you're in that corner. And if that is true, then pointing out Cal has ZERO NCAA INFRACTIONS (in all caps mind you!) is inconsequential to bring up, cause the NCAA sucks in their investigations. Amirite?

Or, do you say the NCAA does a good job w/ their investigations. I'll certainly accept either perspective, just trying to get your pulse on it.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

We have to quit being so petty.

He said "we" - these guys are hilarious.

Post #1, during week 2 of the football season, and I'm going to comment about "our" (insert ish's and giggles) fans being petty.

You got us man. We really thought you were one of us.

So sneaky.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

"we have the most recent championship..." Good grief, is that some kind of mythical award you've invented?

The lengths you guys try to go for one upsmanship are ridiculous.

There is no mythical award for Calipari being 7-1 against Pitino while at UK - stay consistent and point that out to the UK fan that got involved with meaningless data before getting after our guy for throwing it back at him.

He didn't go to a great length in pointing out which program has the most recent title either. He did not have to google it.

Your existence here on this message board is all about one upping, so spare us that crap. You're here to sling dirt and defend your Cats against the haters.

You aren't very good at it.

 

[IL Wildcat]

I'll add my 2 cents here. I understand why Memphis fans were upset with Calipari leaving. But some of the things said in this thread are not entirely accurate. John Wall and Demarcus Cousins had not signed with Memphis before Cal left. The one guy who had signed was Xavier Henry but he didn't follow Calipari to UK. He went to Kansas. The other guys Cal ended up with, Bledsoe and Dodson, weren't Memphis recruits either before Calipari left. Some of that is sour grapes. I get it though.

The real bad thing for Memphis in all this is the fact that they publicly announced they would recognize Calipari. And then they were forced to make another public announcement basically admitting they're still in mourning and harboring hate after 7 years. This makes them look small and petty. If the president was going to cave to pc pressure, he should have asked the fans first. This way looks ridiculous.

 

[cardfaninmemphis]

Memphis, small and petty? No way...

Badly need a sarcasm font here.

 

[Stonewall12]

I am simply dumbfounded that he was elected to the HOF in the first place. He screwed over the fans in Memphis and if there is anything we as UofL fans should always remember, it's that Memphis fans have long memories. They won't forget or forgive him for his lies and betrayal. The day before he packed his bags for Lexington, he told the people in Memphis he was where he wanted to be and was happy. The very next day he left, and took most of the recruiting class with him. He's a snake and the fans in Memphis know it. Everyone knows it that wants to admit it.

Screwed over the fans in Memphis? Haha

 

[BooneCo_Card]

So you're saying that at best, Memphis' "Glory Years" have been sporadic.

70s, 80s and Cal's run B4 leaving for UK. Not exactly sporadic. Better than any team in the SEC not named Kentucky. Got to give an old rival their due, they love their BB, and have a great tradition.

Also, Wayne Yates had some good teams, but Larry Finch couldn't coach a lick.

Conference affiliation is a major hindrance for them going forward.

 

[zipp]

Snake oil salesman that he is, Pitino Lite rode coattails at Memphis the same way he's done at LPT.

He was Bartow Lite or Finch Lite a few years ago.

"Elite program", my a$$...

 

[IL Wildcat]

Snake oil salesman that he is, Pitino Lite rode coattails at Memphis the same way he's done at LPT.

He was Bartow Lite or Finch Lite a few years ago.

"Elite program", my a$$...

I guess I would need a bit more explanation on this idea of Calipari "riding coattails" at both Memphis and UK. In what way did he ride coattails?

The reason I ask is because the numbers don't bear that out.
I'm from Tennessee- grew up in West Tennessee and followed Memphis growing up, along with UK. And I'm looking at their history right now, as I type this.
Larry Finch had a few good teams in the 90s, without a doubt. He had a 22-8 season in 1995-96.
But after that season, things went downhill. 16-15 in 96-97. Finch was gone.
Tic Price came in and had a 17-12 in 97-98 followed by a 13-15 in 98-99.
Then came Johnny Jones and a 15-16 season in 99-00.
When Calipari came in, he started 21-15, then 27-9 and an NIT title, then 23-7 and 22-8 and 22-16.
From there, things really took off, with 4 seasons going 137-14 for a .907 winning %.

So, whose coattails did he ride? Finch's? He had been gone 3 seasons. Tic Price could have ridden Finch's coattails, I suppose. Maybe Calipari could have ridden Johnny Jones' coattails. If so, he took a team Jones went 15-16 with and won 21 games. And he built from there.

And looking at Calipari following Tubby Smith, can a case even be made he was riding Tubby's coattails? He cut 1/2 the team and released the entire recruiting class except Daniel Orton and Jon Hood. I guess I'd like to hear the case made that he was riding Tubby's coattails.

Or maybe you mean something entirely different by riding coattails. I'm not sure.

 

[Ipartiedwithhopgood]

When Calipari came in, he started 21-15, then 27-9 and an NIT title, then 23-7 and 22-8 and 22-16.
From there, things really took off, with 4 seasons going 137-14 for a .907 winning %.

So, whose coattails did he ride?

WWW.

 

[zipp]

Pitino Lite doesn't build anything. He's gone into situations that were already successful or had been. Memphis had great teams and players long before he got there.

And he thrives in situations where there's poor competition. There was no one hardly on a Memphis basketball schedule, and the same is true for 90% of LPT's games. Makes it a lot easier to succeed.

His installation in the HOF is a bad joke, esp. if you wanna talk about his true coaching ability.

"Elite program", my a$$...

 

[ClockCalamity]

Pitino Lite doesn't build anything. He's gone into situations that were already successful or had been. Memphis had great teams and players long before he got there.

And he thrives in situations where there's poor competition. There was no one hardly on a Memphis basketball schedule, and the same is true for 90% of LPT's games. Makes it a lot easier to succeed.

His installation in the HOF is a bad joke, esp. if you wanna talk about his true coaching ability.

"Elite program", my a$$...

Much more knowledgeable people, in the basketball world, disagree with your assessment. The HOF has determined that his contributions to basketball make him worthy. Must have been his amazing results at UMASS, Memphis and now UK.

 

[deuces r wild]

There is no mythical award for Calipari being 7-1 against Pitino while at UK - stay consistent and point that out to the UK fan that got involved with meaningless data before getting after our guy for throwing it back at him.

He didn't go to a great length in pointing out which program has the most recent title either. He did not have to google it.

Your existence here on this message board is all about one upping, so spare us that crap. You're here to sling dirt and defend your Cats against the haters.

You aren't very good at it.

He said "we" - these guys are hilarious.

Post #1, during week 2 of the football season, and I'm going to comment about "our" (insert ish's and giggles) fans being petty.

You got us man. We really thought you were one of us.

So sneaky.

Dude I was referring to both UK and UofL fans.

 

[zipp]

Much more knowledgeable people, in the basketball world, disagree with your assessment. The HOF has determined that his contributions to basketball make him worthy. Must have been his amazing results at UMASS, Memphis and now UK.

Then let's hear some of those testimonials from objective sources, i.e., not fellow retired coaches.

My experience is he couldn't coach his way out of a paper bag unless he has a lot more talent than the other guy...

 

[IL Wildcat]

Pitino Lite doesn't build anything. He's gone into situations that were already successful or had been. Memphis had great teams and players long before he got there.

And he thrives in situations where there's poor competition. There was no one hardly on a Memphis basketball schedule, and the same is true for 90% of LPT's games. Makes it a lot easier to succeed.

His installation in the HOF is a bad joke, esp. if you wanna talk about his true coaching ability.

"Elite program", my a$$...

Again zipp, the facts do not support your assessment. I'm sure much of what you say here is just to get on the nerves of UK fans. And I get that, no worries. If that's what this is, I'll just laugh and pretend I'm annoyed. But if it's serious, the UMass job immediately knocks down your theory. UMass was a nothing job. They had zero tradition. They were nothing before Calipari. When he got there, he built them to a Final Four team. They coasted along on his work for a short time after he left. Since then, they've been right back to where they were. Memphis was successful in the 80s, yes, and they had a couple decent years in the 90s. But to say Calipari didn't really build anything there is just not true. Look at Memphis' winning percentage in the 90s and tell me they were a great program before Calipari. Even at UK, Tubby Smith showed that a mediocre recruiter and coach could even bring down an empire- the one that Pitino rebuilt back in the early 90s. Billy Gillispie finished the job. Calipari had to build. He has built UK into the best program in college basketball right now. These are the facts. The Hall of Fame voters agree.