John Calipari doubles down on lifetime contract, vows to ‘take this thing to another level’
By Keith Farner
Published:
John Calipari has had a tumultuous last couple of seasons at Kentucky, and the coach who has a lifetime contract has doubled down on his plan and intentions for the stories men’s basketball program.
Two seasons ago, the Wildcats won just 9 games, and this past season, UK was stunned by St. Peter’s in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I’ve been here a long time for a coach at one place and I’m going to live out this contract. I’ve committed to it and I’m going to do it,” he said on Tuesday’s Kentucky Roll Call, via On3 Sports. “We want to say, let’s take this thing to another level and let’s just keep going.”
UK in August will have an additional 10 practices because it will have an exhibition tour in the Bahamas. That will offer a glimpse into the kind of makeup this year’s team will have.
“What’s happened is we have some players back,” Calipari said. “We’ve got some veterans. But our young people, our new people are really talented. They’ve been a ball to work with. So you get 10 practices, but we’re also getting two hours a week like everyone in the country’s doing, but we get those 10 extra practices. We begin that process already developing players, getting them to play together.”
“The competitive environment which is Kentucky, you gotta know you’re not going to be the only player here. There’s other really good players you’re going to have to play with and they’re getting the sense of that right now. I’m enjoying everyday I come in because we’ve got a spirited group. One of the kids, every time we practice, ‘Coach, we need that energy.’ It makes me laugh. We have a good group.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
