Jerry Tipton: “Calipari to UK nearing completion”

On Tipton’s blog: All indications suggest that John Calipari of Memphis is Kentucky’s choice to be its new basketball coach.

A spokesman for Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson said Monday that he would be in meetings all day. That coincided with a ESPN report that Calipari would be meeting with Memphis officials.

I’m told that Kentucky has formally asked for permission to speak with Calipari about replacing Billy Gillispie.The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported on its website that Calipari met with his team Monday and gave them the indication he would come to Kentucky.

People with an interest in UK’s basketball search have either spoke glowingly of Calipari or acknowledged him as the leading candidate.
ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale spoke enthusiastically about the prospects of Calipari becoming Kentucky’s coach.

“He would be a grand slam,” Vitale said, “an absolute grand slam. He brings the whole package, the (Rick) Pitino package.”

Under Rick Pitino in the 1990s, Kentucky enjoyed one of its finest stretches of basketball in a program used to success. The Cats went to three Final Fours in a five-year period, winning the national championship in 1996.

Former UK All-American Mike Pratt, who is assisting the school’s search for a basketball coach, emphasized last weekend that the ideal candidate would be someone who can handle all aspects of college coaching: working with players, recruiting, public relations and, in Kentucky’s case, serving as an ambassador for the program, university and Commonwealth.

After noting the success Calipari had at Massachusetts (193-71) and Memphis (252-69), Vitale marveled at the winning Calipari could do with Kentucky’s resources.

“He would be an incredible superstar,” Vitale said.

This has been a whirlwind, and it could be over as soon as this afternoon. I’m not taking anything for granted, but there is a TON of information that points to this thing getting done. We’ll keep you updated, so my suggestion is to just leave the Pinkie open all day and to keep hitting that Refresh button!