Other Sports Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving - Page 8

**jAZ** · 03-28-2009, 10:06 AM

On Thursday, Rick Pitino was asked about the rumors of him going to Arizona. He responded by refusing to say he wouldn't leave:

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/co...na_rumors.html

"I wouldn't answer any other job because it would be disrespectful to the University of Louisville," Pitino said when asked about his interest in a job that he has been linked to since Lute Olson retired last October. "Any time a coach says he's not interested in a job, he's dead interested in a job. So you know, I don't mislead you. All I can say to you is for eight years I've given every ounce I've had to the University of Louisville. I will continue to do that."

...

"The only job I've thought about for a 24-hour period since I've been at the University of Louisville was Providence College last year," said the 56-year-old Pitino. "Because of the personal things I went through at Providence, I wanted to sit down and talk with them about the job to see if I did want to come back because of personal reasons that were very deep to me. I sat down with them and realized Louisville was the place for me. Outside of that, for eight years, I haven't thought about any job except the University of Louisville, and that's answering you the honest way."

Then on Friday, Calipari used nearly the same sort of carefully chosen non-answer when he was asked about Kentucky:

My transcription from video below:

Reporter: "kentucky, the rumors are already starting to fly, can you comment on that?".

Cal: "no, I want to be here, this is where I want to coach, my name will be tied to every job that's open, our fans have gotten used to it, but I'm so tired... (avoids followup questions by moving quickly away from the topic)"

Compare both of those to Billy Donovan's response, which was a bit more direct and certain:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...-florida_N.htm

"In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible, " Donovan's statement said. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."

UK moved on after that, and Grant accepted the Alabama job, which was the final evidence that there will be no BD at UK.

Pitino and Calipari are trying not talk about their interest in leaving UM and UL, but they don't want to lie either. Both are doing a good job of hiding it, while leaving the door open. Something Les Miles couldn't find a way to do right before the national championship game.

Mr. Plow · 03-30-2009, 09:25 AM

Oh, I'm not saying that Memphis doesn't have some history. Penny Hardaway was one of my favorite players at the time.....just saying that Cal has made the Memphis Tigers a household name as far as college basketball is concerned.

**ChiTown** · 03-30-2009, 09:26 AM

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...nts-departure/

Source: Calipari meets with players, hints at departure

By Dan Wolken (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Originally published 09:53 a.m., March 30, 2009
Updated 09:53 a.m., March 30, 2009

University of Memphis coach John Calipari met with his players this morning to discuss his involvement with the University of Kentucky opening, according to a source close to the situation.

While Calipari did not say explicitly what he planned to do, players left the meeting convinced that Calipari would take the job. According to the source, Calipari told the team that Kentucky was the Notre Dame of basketball.

Meanwhile, ESPN.com reported Monday morning that Calipari met with Kentucky officials over the weekend to discuss an outline of a deal to replace Billy Gillispie.

A source told The Commercial Appeal on Sunday that Calipari had expressed interest in the job and could meet with Kentucky this week but that a meeting was “not definite.”

Memphis officials, according to multiple sources, had no direct knowledge of a meeting between Calipari and Kentucky if one indeed took place over the weekend. Kentucky still had not asked Memphis for formal permission to speak with Calipari as of 9:45 a.m., according to sports information director Lamar Chance.

Either way, Memphis is expected to make a strong bid to keep Calipari with a financial package that would make him the highest paid coach in basketball, according to another source.

Mr. Plow · 03-30-2009, 10:10 AM

Wait a minute....so did or didn't he meet with UK over the weekend?

ESPN says yes.

"A source" says they could meet this week, but that a meeting was "not definite."

Also, does UK need permission to speak with Cal from Memphis?

**jAZ** · 03-30-2009, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

Wait a minute....so did or didn't he meet with UK over the weekend?

ESPN says yes.

"A source" says they could meet this week, but that a meeting was "not definite."

Also, does UK need permission to speak with Cal from Memphis?

I believe that met yesterday or this morning.

Mr. Plow · 03-30-2009, 10:26 AM

So, then they didn't need permission to speak with him?

ChiefsCountry · 03-30-2009, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

You're right. They've been good for 9-10 years or so.

Wow you know nothing about the history of Memphis basketball then.

**jAZ** · 03-30-2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

So, then they didn't need permission to speak with him?

Must have permission, I think it's required.

Mr. Plow · 03-30-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Wow you know nothing about the history of Memphis basketball then.

I understand there have been good years that Cal wasn't the coach. I need to use more smilies.

Mr. Plow · 03-30-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jAZ

Must have permission, I think it's required.

So....then how did they meet without the permission being granted?

WilliamTheIrish · 03-30-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

So, then they didn't need permission to speak with him?

Permission was most likely granted.

**the Talking Can** · 03-30-2009, 11:08 AM

gary parrish on memphis radio reported an offer of 6 yrs for 40 mill...

WilliamTheIrish · 03-30-2009, 11:17 AM

Holy ....

KC_Connection · 03-30-2009, 11:21 AM

Looks like he may be gone.

The draw of turning around a program with great history like Kentucky may have been enough for Calipari (oh, and also the huge contract).

This turns the college basketball world upside down.

**mikeyis4dcats.** · 03-30-2009, 11:23 AM

wonder what happends to the recruits? they follow?

eazyb81 · 03-30-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the Talking Can

gary parrish on memphis radio reported an offer of 6 yrs for 40 mill...

Kentucky offered that? Jesus.

03-28-2009, 10:06 AM
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving On Thursday, Rick Pitino was asked about the rumors of him going to Arizona. He responded by refusing to say he wouldn't leave: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/co...na_rumors.html "I wouldn't answer any other job because it would be disrespectful to the University of Louisville," Pitino said when asked about his interest in a job that he has been linked to since Lute Olson retired last October. "Any time a coach says he's not interested in a job, he's dead interested in a job. So you know, I don't mislead you. All I can say to you is for eight years I've given every ounce I've had to the University of Louisville. I will continue to do that." ... "The only job I've thought about for a 24-hour period since I've been at the University of Louisville was Providence College last year," said the 56-year-old Pitino. "Because of the personal things I went through at Providence, I wanted to sit down and talk with them about the job to see if I did want to come back because of personal reasons that were very deep to me. I sat down with them and realized Louisville was the place for me. Outside of that, for eight years, I haven't thought about any job except the University of Louisville, and that's answering you the honest way." Then on Friday, Calipari used nearly the same sort of carefully chosen non-answer when he was asked about Kentucky: My transcription from video below: Reporter: "kentucky, the rumors are already starting to fly, can you comment on that?". Cal: "no, I want to be here, this is where I want to coach, my name will be tied to every job that's open, our fans have gotten used to it, but I'm so tired... (avoids followup questions by moving quickly away from the topic)" Compare both of those to Billy Donovan's response, which was a bit more direct and certain: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...-florida_N.htm "In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible, " Donovan's statement said. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here." UK moved on after that, and Grant accepted the Alabama job, which was the final evidence that there will be no BD at UK. Pitino and Calipari are trying not talk about their interest in leaving UM and UL, but they don't want to lie either. Both are doing a good job of hiding it, while leaving the door open. Something Les Miles couldn't find a way to do right before the national championship game.
Posts: 24,799

03-30-2009, 09:25 AM	#106
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $1567391	Oh, I'm not saying that Memphis doesn't have some history. Penny Hardaway was one of my favorite players at the time.....just saying that Cal has made the Memphis Tigers a household name as far as college basketball is concerned.
Posts: 30,862

03-30-2009, 09:26 AM	#107
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $2833962	Truth or Rumor? http://www.commercialappeal.com/news...nts-departure/ Source: Calipari meets with players, hints at departure By Dan Wolken (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal Originally published 09:53 a.m., March 30, 2009 Updated 09:53 a.m., March 30, 2009 University of Memphis coach John Calipari met with his players this morning to discuss his involvement with the University of Kentucky opening, according to a source close to the situation. While Calipari did not say explicitly what he planned to do, players left the meeting convinced that Calipari would take the job. According to the source, Calipari told the team that Kentucky was the Notre Dame of basketball. Meanwhile, ESPN.com reported Monday morning that Calipari met with Kentucky officials over the weekend to discuss an outline of a deal to replace Billy Gillispie. A source told The Commercial Appeal on Sunday that Calipari had expressed interest in the job and could meet with Kentucky this week but that a meeting was “not definite.” Memphis officials, according to multiple sources, had no direct knowledge of a meeting between Calipari and Kentucky if one indeed took place over the weekend. Kentucky still had not asked Memphis for formal permission to speak with Calipari as of 9:45 a.m., according to sports information director Lamar Chance. Either way, Memphis is expected to make a strong bid to keep Calipari with a financial package that would make him the highest paid coach in basketball, according to another source.
Posts: 39,391

03-30-2009, 10:10 AM	#108
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $1567391	Wait a minute....so did or didn't he meet with UK over the weekend? ESPN says yes. "A source" says they could meet this week, but that a meeting was "not definite." Also, does UK need permission to speak with Cal from Memphis?
Posts: 30,862

03-30-2009, 10:26 AM	#110
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $1567391	So, then they didn't need permission to speak with him?
Posts: 30,862

03-30-2009, 11:08 AM	#116
the Talking Can Supporter Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: street Casino cash: $10022208	gary parrish on memphis radio reported an offer of 6 yrs for 40 mill... __________________ Clark Hunt: "Thank god for the Dominican pool boy"
Posts: 51,585

03-30-2009, 11:17 AM	#117
WilliamTheIrish Champion Golfer Of The Year Join Date: Aug 2001 Casino cash: $5620607	Holy ....
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03-30-2009, 11:21 AM	#118
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $4902783	Looks like he may be gone. The draw of turning around a program with great history like Kentucky may have been enough for Calipari (oh, and also the huge contract). This turns the college basketball world upside down.
Posts: 49,392

03-30-2009, 11:23 AM	#119
mikeyis4dcats. Scarlett Johansson's boytoy Join Date: Nov 2006 Casino cash: $9555998	wonder what happends to the recruits? they follow?
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