No Fan of Calipari Here

By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

On ESPN recently, college basketball analyst Steve Lavin lauded University of Kentucky head coach John Calipari for being one of the best coaches in the NCAA.

For Lavin, the reason Calipari deserved this much credit was simple - Calipari was about to lead his third different basketball program to an NCAA Final Four.

This is where Lavin was dead wrong however. Yes, UMass and the Memphis both played in the Final Four under Calipari, but according to the history books, the appearances for UMass and Memphis never happened. They were both wiped out due to violations of NCAA rules - violations that occurred under the watch of Calipari.

So technically, Lavin was incorrect. Lavin should have said that Calipari was ready to appear in his first Final Four.

I realize that Calipari was never cited for any wrong doings at UMass or Memphis, but I have to agree, for the most part, with what Bob Knight said earlier in the season. Knight stated a few months back that he was surprised that Calipari was able to waltz into one of best jobs in college sports, after leaving his two previous stops in the NCAA in ruins. UMass and Memphis had to pay for the violations, while Calipari got a promotion.

I will not go as far as Bob Knight and say that Calipari should not be allowed to coach, but it seems only fair that he should have been forced to sit out a year, or have to rebuild his resume at a smaller school and work his way back. The fans of UMass and Memphis at least deserve that much.

Sorry Kentucky, but I fear that once there is the slightest hint of possible violations in your basketball program, Calipari will walk away from the table and stick you with the bill. He has done it before, and lets hope for the sake of the Wildcats, he doesn't do it again.