Memphis Extends Calipari

[cotton]

Guess that takes him off of UK's list:

Excite - Sports News

[hatvol96]

Not a big surprise. The Memphis administration made it quite clear last year, when NC State came calling, that keeping John is priority #1 for the athletic department.

[OrangeEmpire]

He must really love Memphis.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by OrangeEmpire

He must really love Memphis.

He loves the personnel he's going to put on the floor next year.

[kptvol]

Originally Posted by OrangeEmpire

He must really love Memphis.

He's also really liked here. I don't see why he'd want to go to UK where Sweet Sixteen appearances are met with disdain.

[Brian McCat]

Yay! No Calipari for you!

[cotton]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

Not a big surprise. The Memphis administration made it quite clear last year, when NC State came calling, that keeping John is priority #1 for the athletic department.

I guess I wasn't sure where the boosters that have to pony up for him would fall. I know that there is a strange feeling amongst those that pay his salary--they are happy to have a coach of his stature, and at the same time, they are resentful that having him costs so much.

I,for one, am glad he isn't going to be in the SEC any time soon.

[hatvol96]

Originally Posted by cotton

I guess I wasn't sure where the boosters that have to pony up for him would fall. I know that there is a strange feeling amongst those that pay his salary--they are happy to have a coach of his stature, and at the same time, they are resentful that having him costs so much.

I,for one, am glad he isn't going to be in the SEC any time soon.

Cal has all the FedEx execs in his corner. That's all that really matters in Memphis these days.

[cotton]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

Cal has all the FedEx execs in his corner. That's all that really matters in Memphis these days.

That is not a bad corner.

[utfantilidie]

Originally Posted by hatvol96

Cal has all the FedEx execs in his corner. That's all that really matters in Memphis these days.

I was one of a few that actually pulled for Memphis but talk about stinking it up.Ohio State really whipped em.

[The Dude]

Originally Posted by OrangeEmpire

He must really love Memphis.

He loves the second-rate conference they play in. Automatic 30-2 and tourney bid every year. With the new football stadium they may get, I could see a Big East move in the next fews years or so.

[GOT TWELVE?]

Second rate is being generous.

[cotton]

Originally Posted by The Dude

He loves the second-rate conference they play in. Automatic 30-2 and tourney bid every year. With the new football stadium they may get, I could see a Big East move in the next fews years or so.

USA may be second tier, but there is no denying that Cal has rebuilt that program into national prominence, as evidenced by his teams the past couple of seasons.

UNLV was in a second tier conference during their glory years, and so was Utah a decade later, but that didn't diminish their place as a national power. Louisville and Cincy lived amongst the mid-majors until very recently, as did Marquette.

It might be easier to put up a gaudy record in a weaker conference, but it isn't easier to build a national power. Add to that the fact that these Tigers compiled that record playing an OOC schedule that included Kentucky, UT, Oklahoma, Ga Tech, Ole Miss, Cincinnati, Arizona, and Gonzaga, and it is hard to see how Conference USA hurts Cal's accomplishments at Memphis.

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by The Dude

He loves the second-rate conference they play in. Automatic 30-2 and tourney bid every year. With the new football stadium they may get, I could see a Big East move in the next fews years or so.

I'm no Cal fan, but the conference was an entirely different animal when he signed up than it is today. He can flat recruit and his teams will be competitive forever. If he can get some shooting and bit of D out of the crowd he coaches, they'll be a serious contender next year. Why leave?

[OrangeEmpire]

UMASS part 2........