Big Blue Links for Tuesday:
- Jerry Tipton and Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader write that John Calipari appears headed to Kentucky.
- Mark Story writes an open letter to Lee Todd questioning the choice of Calipari.
- Tipton and Alessi write that expectations for new UK coach may be higher than ever.
- Andy Katz of espn.com reports that Calipari is sleeping on Kentucky’s offer.
- Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis boosters are trying to block UK’s shot at Calipari.
- Geoff Calkins of the Commercial Appeal writes that Memphis’ maneuvering for Cal has gone into overtime.
- Gary Parrish of CBS Sportsline writes that the Calipari drama will carry into today.
- Rick Bozich of the Courier-Journal writes that Calipari isn’t Kentucky’s best choice.
- Andrew Wolfson of the C-J reports that some question Calipari’s temper and recruiting.
- Brett Dawson and Bozich of the C-J write that Calipari is the choice.
- Larry Vaught writes in Kentucky Sports Report that it’s a done deal.
- Birmingham News reports that DeMarcus Cousins is waiting on Calipari’s decision.
- Daniel Orton’s father tells Kentucky Kernel he believes Calipari will take UK job.
- B.W. Jones of the Kentucky Kernel on Calipari’s resume.
- Pete Thamel of the New York Times writes only in Kentucky.
- Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News writes that Calipari is likely to leave Memphis.
- Seth Davis at SI.com thinks Calipari is close to taking the job.
- Jeff Goodman of Fox Sports calls it a monster deal.
- The Kernel’s Metz Camfield writes on baseball coach Gary Henderson’s approach to the game.
- Ken Howlett of A Sea of Blue ponders the possibilities of a Calipari hire.
- Rob Gidel of Kentucky Sports Radio writes a defense of Calipari.
- Terence Moore of the AJC writes that UK should step into Arthur Blank’s office.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
John,
I am not sure that Mark Story appreciates the potential bad will coming his way. Memphis area media has homed in on the negative article that Story released. I am very confident that if the deal falls through, much of the anger would be heading his way to the point of disruption for Mark Story.
Perception is critical and the LHL and especially Mark Story are not exactly in a favorable position right now. This could be the situation that tips it all over the edge for LHL in a very bad way.
Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. I wouldn’t go selling the farm just yet for Calipari, but if winning at all costs is all you care about then I guess you have met your match with Coach Cal. Is Lexington ready for the ones and dones that accompany Cal?
Congrats to Mark Story….Where there’s smoke there’s fire. At Kentucky, Cal-State Memphis will have to follow the rules and won’t have a bunch of local media sheep covering up his every move and sleazy dealings like in Memphis. Good luck to you boys…I will enjoy watching the upcoming circus and the crash back to reality.
BubbaG,
Why should Mark Story care? He wrote an opinion piece, and offered his perspective on what was best for the University of Kentucky. What exactly do you mean when you say “This could be the situation that tips it all over the edge for LHL in a very bad way”? Is someone going to show up at Mark’s house and break his kneecaps?
Kudos to Mark for speaking out and sharing his opinion as to what is best for UK, even if it’s an unpopular opinion. At least he cares about more than just winning.
Mark can write what he wants, Scott, but I don’t think it fair to attribute any “care” to Mark about UK basketball.
He is a journalist (I don’t know him personally) who may or may not care about UK or its sports programs — what I know is that his job is to write about the program. He may be as well paid (and happy) writing about scandel as he is national championships. His opinion column wasn’t about “caring” about UK. It was about stirring the pot and causing controversy and getting people to link to and read his article. In other words, it was about Mark Story.
Mark is trying to get ahead at his job - that is how he does it. If it hurts UK’s image among other coaches or the perception of the program nationally - not his problem. He need not be a fan concerned about the impact he has or he image he exhibits. [Not as bad as Cutler running down the hall after Billy G - who looked good in that scene?] He is more a parasite living off of UK basketball — not intended to be negative (well, only a little) merely describing the job.
Good thing I’m a lawyer. I can throw these stones.
Great story Mark! Now publish one about the ills of Todd and Blowhard. Enough id enough.
The point is not what is right, but the perception. When have you seen fans rational in this area? Human nature is to pick a target for venting anger or frustrations. Mark & LHL could be the targets in this case.
Jack: “Good thing I’m a lawyer. I can throw these stones”
Dear Jack,
Who helped you turn your computer on?…and who got billed for an hour?
Point well taken: Mark’s motives may not be about what is best for the university, in part, or at all.
That said, I see no reason to criticize his piece. It’s backed-up by research, expresses a rational viewpoint, and is not unfair to anyone involved.
Fans who want Calipari may be irrationally angry about it, but if it turns out that hiring Calipari is/would have been a mistake, then Mark has the last laugh.
Joe,
1. Never turn it off when UK might be in the news. 2. Expect my bill later this week.