Calipari Great News For UK; Bad News For Everyone Else

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The hiring of John Calipari as Kentucky’s basketball coach was a controversial move at the time and it will continue to be one.  When Coach Cal enters a room, smoke alarms go off.

He might still wind up as the only NCAA basketball coach to have two Final Fours stricken from the record books.  And his ties to the shadowy power-broker William “Worldwide Wes” Wesley will always raise eyebrows when it comes to his (their) recruiting success.

But controversial or not, Calipari already has Kentucky heading back to college basketball’s stratosphere.  Here’s why:



1.  He is a master of communications. 

A fanbase that views UK basketball as a religion was simply waiting for a prophet.  Calipari has become one.  Twitter, Facebook, the internet, etc.  His promotional genius can even be seen in the Wildcats’ decision to make an event out of something so mundane as the release of their basketball schedule (which will be aired in a live TV show).



2.  He is a master recruiter. 

While viewed by many as a shady recruiter, nothing to date has ever stuck to Calipari… other than rumors and innuendos.  And high school players don’t care much about rumors and innuendos.  In just a few short weeks on the job Coach Cal rocketed UK to the top of everyone’s signing day lists.  Now he’s apparently plucked a long-time Tennessee commitment (point guard Josh Selby) from Bruce Pearl’s pocket and lined him up as the heir apparent to incoming super-signee John Wall.



3.  He is a master promoter.

Calipari knows that for the Kentucky brand to truly be rebuilt, he must make sure that everyone sees that Kentucky brand.  That’s why he’s lining up high-profile games against top non-conference opponents in major neutral site arenas.  Nashville, Atlanta, and St. Louis are among the rumored cities… Duke, Notre Dame, and Kansas are among the rumored opponents.  These are made for tv “premium” events that will ensure that the national spotlight is always shining on Kentucky.



Love him or hate him, pull for him or pull against him, know that Calipari and Kentucky are headed for Rick Pitino-like, mid-90s success levels.

As long as NCAA investigators don’t start booking flights to Lexington, Kentucky under Calipari will once again become THE top brand in college basketball.  The coach and the program are already on their way.