UCLA Thinking Coach Cal's Interest Was 'Genuine' Is The Hardest I Laughed Since They Screwed Up Their Coaching Search
[LA Times] - Among them were a contract that would pay Calipari $45 million over six seasons, a $1.7-million pool for assistant coaches, eight new staff positions, private planes for the use of the team and its coaches, and a monthly catered meal for Calipari’s staff and players. Negotiations progressed to the point that Rebholz reached out to donors, seeking money to help cover all the new expenditures that Calipari’s hiring would entail, according to people familiar with Calipari’s requests.
Calipari wavered in his discussions with UCLA. He tweeted during the NCAA tournament that “my plan and my desire is to retire at Kentucky.” Calipari ultimately did stay, signing what amounted to a lifetime contract the week before the Final Four to remain at the school where he was the nation’s highest-paid college basketball coach, making $9.2 million a year.
Contrary to the widespread narrative that the Bruins had been played by a master tactician, the search committee felt that Calipari’s interest had been genuine, said a person close to the committee.
Wait a minute. Just wait a damn minute. UCLA thought that Calipari was genuinely interested in the UCLA job?
I mean that’s really the blog. Just me laughing at this. Look at that list again. Fairly good list of demands. You know what that’s called? Getting what he wants at Kentucky – the much, MUCH better job than UCLA.
Why would Cal leave Kentucky for UCLA? Sure, they improved their facilities. But, Kentucky has state of the art facilities. Sure, the recruiting area is awesome in Los Angeles. But, Cal can recruit at Kentucky anywhere he wants. Sure, the pay is good. But, Kentucky can match and do better than that.
At least UCLA fans have this to get excited about:
Mick is a decent coach. He’ll win games at UCLA. No doubt about that. But, look at that coaching search. They had a Jamie Dixon nameplate. They thought Cal had a genuine interest in the job.
Now if you excuse me, going to watch some highlights:
