Pitino and Calipari both refuse to deny they are leaving

[jAZ]

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.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by KevB

That's it? That's the rationale for pulling Pitino away from L'ville? Connecting those dots will take quite a bit of ink.

Just for the record, I'm not connecting those dots and assuming Pitino's interested from that. I'm saying that Pitino is interested, and when someone says "it makes no sense", I'm replying with some context you may or may not be aware of.

The only factor that matters is a single dot that doesn't need connecting to anything else. Either Pitino wants the job, or he doesn't. Nothing else matters.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by WilliamTheIrish

I was talking strictly in the Cal to Kentucky scenario. In addition, if mmaddogg is correct, they'll be whacking the AD soon also, since he hired BCG all on his own. There's more severance and another search and another salary.

First...I said Barnhart was in hot water, I didn't say he was going to be fired. But considering all his faux pas, it wouldn't be beyond reason.

As for Billy Gillespie, he never signed the contract and all he had was a letter of understanding. He is just posturing like I am sure his attorney has told him to. I am guessing that the University will probably get the settlement that they want at the dollar figure they want...Gillespie is just blowing smoke if he thinks differently.

As for Pitino...that would be interesting. Considering Pitino would be leaving Louisville, a heated in-state rival, to go back to UK, that would make their annual meeting even more intense. Interestingly, Pitino left UK but is still very much respected although he coaches Louisville.

All the local sports talk radio shows have Calipari as the leading "favorite" candidate amongst the fan base, with Travis Ford being the next favorite. The universty talking heads are saying nothing more than they will not be rushing into a decision like they did with Gillespie.

mmaddog
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[jAZ]

Originally Posted by KevB

On the first point, Memphis pays elite money because, wait for it.....he's an elite coach. It's market value for a top 5 coach. On your second point, how does that make Arizona more attactive again? I must have missed it.

I really don't want this to be a bash Memphis discussion, no matter how much UP would choose to bash Arizona. And to be clear, I wasn't saying that our inability to pay top dollar makes us more appealing. I've said all along that Cal and Pitino would be turning down more money to coach at Arizona.

[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by jAZ

And the reason Memphis can over pay for a coach is that they don't compete in a full array of sports. Arizona (for good or bad) spreads their profit over the full array of sports.

Seriously, this is my favorite part of your post. Arizona, a BCS school, just can't compete financially with little ol' Memphis because of their commitments to other sports!

Memphis has been to five bowls in the last six years. Memphis' football coach makes almost $1 million per year. Boosters are the reason the school can afford to pay Cal and Tommy so much, and it would be a lot ****ing easier if the school had a BCS welfare check.

And yeah, you're not running down Memphis or Louisville by saying their coaches would jump at the opportunity to coach for your wonderful school, which practically sets the entire great west alight with its glory. We're just mid-major or recently mid-major chumps there for the poaching.

Memphis and Louisville were nationally relevant long before Arizona.

[jAZ]

Unless the UK AD is a complete idiot, if this meeting happens, then it's a done deal that Cal's going to UK. You don't ask for permission to meet with Cal until you've workout the deal in advance.

Both sides look bad if they meet to discuss the job for the first time in public and then find out they can't come to a deal. That's high-profile-FAIL.

So if you see them actually ask for permission to formally talk with Cal, it's a formality.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...story/11564471

Calipari could meet with Kentucky on Monday
March 29, 2009
By Gary Parrish
CBSSports.com Senior Writer
Tell Gary your opinion!



Memphis coach John Calipari has let Kentucky officials know that he's interested in the school's vacant head coaching position, and he could talk with UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart as early as Monday, a source with knowledge of the situation told CBSSports.com on Sunday.

Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie on Friday after just two seasons, and CBSSports.com immediately reported Calipari as a legitimate candidate despite the Memphis coach telling local media he planned to remain at Memphis for a 10th season. Multiple sources close to Calipari have said there's no guarantee he would take the Kentucky job if offered, but those same sources have privately insisted for weeks that if Kentucky showed interest Calipari would listen.

One possible problem with jumping to Kentucky, some have claimed, is that Calipari has the nation's top recruiting class lined up, and he would not want to leave that behind. But those close to Calipari believe it's possible to take parts of that recruiting class to Kentucky -- specifically unsigned prospects DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall -- and that if Calipari could pair it with Patrick Patterson and Jodie Meeks the Wildcats might threaten for a Final Four next season.

[Ultra Peanut]

It's interesting, and all, but you're putting the cart before the horse. The latest rumor is that they may talk turkey, not that they may make any public overtures.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Seriously, this is my favorite part of your post. Arizona, a BCS school, just can't compete financially with little ol' Memphis because of their commitments to other sports!

Memphis has been to five bowls in the last six years. Memphis' football coach makes almost $1 million per year. Boosters are the reason the school can afford to pay Cal and Tommy so much, and it would be a lot ****ing easier if the school had a BCS welfare check.

And yeah, you're not running down Memphis or Louisville by saying their coaches would jump at the opportunity to coach for your wonderful school, which practically sets the entire great west alight with its glory. We're just mid-major or recently mid-major chumps there for the poaching.

Memphis and Louisville were nationally relevant long before Arizona.

I'm not running down the schools by telling you that they would take less money at Arizona. If that's reality, and you take offense to it, that's on you.

But I'm not saying that to attack Memphis. I'm truely not. Just passing along what I'm told.

[Mosbonian]

Interesting that CBS is reporting a possible meeting on Monday, but there is nothing on the local sports scene about that meeting. I know the local Sports Newscasters are a little slower than the National guys, but on a story like this everyone would be watching the airport.

mmaddog
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[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by jAZ

I'm not running down the schools by telling you that they would take less money at Arizona. If that's reality, and you take offense to it, that's on you.

But I'm not saying that to attack Memphis. I'm truely not. Just passing along what I'm told.

Right, your buddy's buddy's buddy's buddy read an internet rumor that said Arizona was the prime job in the country and that countless top coaches would jump at the chance. Then, when you don't get those top names, "well, I guess things changed."

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

It's interesting, and all, but you're putting the cart before the horse. The latest rumor is that they may talk turkey, not that they may make any public overtures.

UKs process was solely focused on landing Billy Donovan until just the other day, so they might indeed be taking an approach dictated by circumstance.

But if they are smart about what they are doing, they don't meet with Cal until they have back-channel contract terms and a commitment in place. You just set yourself up for embrassment if you start with a high profile, ask for permission, AD-Coach meeting up front.

That meeting should be a formality, if done right.

But it sounds like UK might have a pretty crappy AD, so it's possible that this is a "get to know you" meeting.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by jAZ

But it sounds like UK might have a pretty crappy AD, so it's possible that this is a "get to know you" meeting.

That's an understatement....

mmaddog
*******

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Right, your buddy's buddy's buddy's buddy read an internet rumor that said Arizona was the prime job in the country and that countless top coaches would jump at the chance. Then, when you don't get those top names, "well, I guess things changed."

I've been pretty measured in my comments, and in fact I have refused to make any predictions, because I don't know that Cal or Pitino are coming to Arizona. You are the only one who's been arrogant enough to declare with certainty that while you don't know any of the details even 2nd hand, you know Cal isn't going to leave Memphis.

Oh, and that Arizona won't be getting a top-tier coach from a major school.

The attitude you are upset with me about is coming from yourself.

I've tried not to be a dick about any of this. You have chosen the opposite tone, for some reason.

But I'll say it again, I have no interest in insulting Memphis or their fans.

[Ultra Peanut]

Originally Posted by jAZ

in fact I have refused to make any predictions

Yeah, you're just "sharing" your "inside knowledge of the situation."

Originally Posted by jAZ

I've tried not to be a dick about any of this. You have chosen the opposite tone, for some reason.

You're eying my silverware longingly. I'm mocking you for doing so.

[KC_Connection]

ESPN is reporting this, too. I wonder what will happen to Cousins and Wall if Calipari leaves.

[jAZ]

Originally Posted by Ultra Peanut

Yeah, you're just "sharing" your "inside knowledge of the situation."

It's true. Not sure why that's so hard to accept, but whatever.

None of the people I deal with have ever said anything was a done deal. I wouldn't believe it if they did, because sh*t happens. They've just talked about the nature of the process and the back-channel interest that exists.

The UK opening changed everything. Arizona isn't the top opening anymore.

In the case of Cal, there have been on-going discussions between Cals folks and Arizona's folks since shortly after Lute retired. Even knowing our budget range, he stayed interested. Even with his recruiting class, he stayed interested. But interest isn't a given.

My sense is that Pitino is our #1 target and that we better land him because our #2 is going to Kentucky and our #3 is playing in the Final 4 next week. After that, it drops off a bit.