John Calipari Rumored to Have Interest in Kentucky

John Calipari may be the kind of huge name Kentucky basketball fans are looking for as their new coach. But John Calipari already rules Memphis, and has taken the Tigers deep in the NCAA Tournament four straight years - just like Kentucky's old days. John Calipari didn't look like a realistic prospect for Kentucky a few days ago, but that may have changed with time. With rumors that Calipari may have already met with Kentucky officials, the Wildcats fans can let their imagination run wild for at least the next couple of days.

ESPN reported that Calipari met with the Kentucky administration Sunday, where the outlines of a multi-million dollar deal were presented. Calipari is also rumored to be meeting with Memphis officials today in response. Whether Calipari will tell them he might leave, or give Memphis a chance to match the offer, is unknown.

Calipari was already reported as not being interested in the job on Friday, but many are speculating that he changed his mind over the weekend.

If these rumors are true, and Calipari might indeed go to Kentucky, it could be a game-changing move. Kentucky fans already went hog-wild when Billy Gillispie came to Lexington two years ago, and that was for a coach who just had a few winning seasons as Texas A&M. Calipari has various 30 win seasons and two Final Four berths under his belt.

Calipari turned Memphis into a dominant NCAA power in nine seasons, taking them to three Elite Eights and one national championship game that he should have won. This year was a bit of a step down, as Memphis was knocked out in the Sweet 16 by Missouri.

Calipari first got famous by turning Massachusetts into a national power, most notably with a 1996 Final Four berth. That year, Calipari was stopped in the Final Four by Kentucky and then-coach Rick Pitino - who is now coach of Kentucky's arch-rival Louisville.

If Calipari goes to Kentucky, it would actually be his first coaching job in a major conference with a traditional powerhouse. After two straight disappointing years under Gillispie, Calipari would be under great pressure to bring Kentucky back into power, like he did for Massachusetts and Memphis.

With Calipari's intense style and his constant "us against the word" refrain with Memphis, he would have no problem firing up the Kentucky fanbase - as long as he gets results.

Another roadblock to consider is that Calipari already signed what may be the nation's top recruiting class to Memphis for next year. With letters of intent not due yet, some of the prospects could decide to follow Calipari to Kentucky if he goes there.

Sources

ESPN- "Source: Calipari contemplates taking Kentucky job" sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story

LEX 18- "Report: UK Makes Offer To Memphis Coach Calipari" www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp