I feel, and there is little to no doubt about this feeling, you simply don't understand the position he has at Memphis. Seriously, what more could he want? You mention respect and being in the top ten, come March Madness, is achievement. Achievements, no matter what the occupations, brings with it respect. He may not garner much respect from you, but, among coaches around the league he has it. No doubt. Which brings me to this...what more could he ask at Mphs? Facilities? Almost brand new. Fan support? Rabid. Memphis has A LOT to offer a successful coach there. I know this for a fact. I was there when Kirk and Finch were in their prime and saw the benefits they received. You never can tell with that last statement. I've seen, personally, to many examples of those you can't handle the pressure. IF he wants to be the focal point of a University, he'll have it at UK. He won't at LSU. Fact is, Tubby's resume' isn't that impressive at UK. I don't blame their fan base, one iota, for wanting a new man at the position. Consider...under their current staff and their HC... First UK coach to go 8 straight years without a final four. First UK coach to have to play on Thursday in an SEC tournament since the expansion to the current 12 team format. The First UK coach to lose 10 or more games three years in a row, and 4 of the last 7 years (2 more losses it will be 5 out of 8 years). The first UK coach to lose to Vandy in Rupp The first UK coach to be swept by Vandy in a season in 32 years The first UK coach to lose 4 straight to an SEC opponent in 30 years. Only coach to lose to Ole Miss at Rupp Only coach to lose to Vandy twice at Rupp Only coach to lose 4 home games to SEC Opponents More Home losses than any previous UK coach Most Double Digit loss seasons of any UK coach 1st UK coach to not finish at least 2nd in the East since the SEC expansion Most transfers and problem players of any UK coach Never recruited a player to play in a final four in 16 years as a head coach Fewest NBA draft picks of any coach with at least 5 years (only 2 1st rounders in 10 years) 47% of his recruits don't make their senior year Current 5 game losing streak to florida could soon be a new record Only coach with the overall #1 seed in the NCAA to lose in the 2nd round Lowest Average Points Scored Per Game since the 3 point shot was introduced Worst loss to Indiana ever (26 points) Only UK coach to lose consecutive games to Kansas Worst Loss on Senior Day since 1919 Only UK coach with a losing record vs Michigan State (2-4) Only coach to ever lose to a number 1 ranked team at rupp. Only coach to ever begin the season ranked in the top 10 and finish the season unranked. Worst average attendance at Rupp Arena for one season, under Tubby (00-01 avg.21,014), since it opened in 1976. Rupp Arena hasn't averaged 23,000+ since the 98-99 season. I suppose you'll point to his NC? Heck, I could point to Larry Coker and say the same thing. Is there a doubt about him?
HERES ONE HOW BOUT JOHN PELPHREY FROM SOUTH ALABAMA. HE HAS TAKEN SOUTH ALABAMA TO THE TOURNEY TWO OF THE FOUR YEAR HES BEEN THERE. HE IS PETINIO DECIPLE AND HE KNOWS HOW TO RECRUIT TO WHAT HE NEEDS. WHO WAS SOUTH ALABAMA BEFORE HE GOT THERE. JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT. WHAT DO YALL THINK. HE PLAYS THAT UP AND DOWN GAME AND PLAYS ATLEAST 10 PLAYERS A GAME.
which program is better, overall? LSU or Memphis--Memphis which program has better talent, overall? LSU or Memphis--Memphis which coach has been to more FFs with those programs (lets not count cjb's days at samford--not really fair to cal.) CJB or Calipari--CJB. ok, trying to be funny, but even counting cal's days at umass cjb-1 cal-0. dont forget the ncaa took away the umass ff because camby got $$$. which coach has won more conf titles with those programs (lets not count cjb's days at samford--not really fair to cal.) CJB or Calipari--Cal 3-2, but 2 after marq, cincy, and lville left who's the better coach? CJB or Calipari?
Of course you don't have a problem with UK fans being pissed. They are the Bama fans of basketball. If you gave the UK fan base and the Bama fan base shovels and a voodoo medicine man I don't know which group of fans would be quicker to resurrect their legendary coach.
I suppose you are missing the point at Calipari. I am not saying he don't get respect, I am however saying he doesn't get the respect he deserves being at Memphis. This is not about the past!!!! You put this years Memphis record on any time in a Big Conference and they are the Number 1 overall seed and everybody is picking them to win the National Title. But are they doing that with him at Memphis. I am afraid not, so therefore he doesn't get all the respect he could be getting. As Far as Tubby goes he has a 67% winning percentage over his tenure at UK. He has recruited more Mcdonald all americans than any other UK coach and he was the 1st UK coach to go undefeated in the SEC. His only problem is he tries to recruit the big names that the school wants and not players that fit his style of play. Put him at LSU and are we talking about firing him, NO. That's why i say Calipari would not go there, unless you win a National Championship every year the fans want you fired. Trust me I know my Wife is on of those fans.
He is going to be at a big program very soon, or prob. could be already...except I think many AD's know/think he is Kentucky's to lose one day. Plus he needs a dam haircut. Why did he decide to grow his hair for the first time this year?
FWIW, on a slightly different twist, I can't see Tubby going to yet another SEC team. That move would be his third...just doesn't seem likely. However, that's just my opinion. See, here is where you continue to lose me. He's coaching at Mphs, a Conference USA team, and is the 6th team, overall, in the tourney. Considering it's a mid-major conference, how is that not getting the respect he deserves? I don't disagree with the notion if he did the same thing at UNC, as example, he'd be a #1 seed. One could also look at that as a symptom of lack of coaching ability. I'm sure you've heard the cliche', "coach to the talent you have on hand." As to winning an NC every year...you know that statement is overblown. Compete for championships every year? Sure, can you blame them? They have high expectations, and what's wrong with that? Nothing.
Does Tubs need to go? Well, ask yourself as an opposing fan whether you would want him to stay or go. I'd love for him to stay, so thats my stance. He is a good coach, but he doesnt recruit well and has lost his fan base. Plus his offenses suck.
