YOU ARE HERE: Central Kentucky Home→Collections→John Calipari

Campers, coach like job John Calipari is doing.

July 08, 2010|By HAL MORRIS | hmorris@amnews.com

Danville’s Lara Akers, 7, said she thought Kentucky coach John Calipari worked hard to get his teams ready to play. (Hal Morris Photo)

Centre College men’s basketball coach Greg Mason can’t imagine undergoing the scrutiny and living under the microscope Kentucky coach John Calipari has to endure on an almost daily basis.

“Every day there’s something new. With the Internet and everything, there’s always something new. Seems like after a while it would wear you out, that kind of lifestyle,” Mason said this week during the Centre College Basketball Camp. “But the $4 million wouldn’t be bad.”

And like most UK fans, Mason is amazed at the job Calipari has done hauling in the nation’s top recruiting classes for two straight seasons.

“It’s amazing just the energy he’s put back into the program. When (Billy) Gillispie left, you know, hope was gone. And now you’ve got a guy who, next year his recruiting class is going to be the best in the history of college basketball,” Mason said. “I’ve never met him, but my friends at Memphis says he’s a ‘Hey, let’s go have a burger’ type of guy. And recruiting-wise, he’s the best ever.”

Mason isn’t surprised Calipari was able to get the best classes the last the two seasons.

“No, because the kids like playing for him,” he said. “Plus, I think he relates well to people, relates well to an 18-year-old kid.

“But what people don’t realize is how hard he works. Last year, you’ve got a situation where he’s speaking somewhere on a Thursday night at 7 o’clock (aside from coaching duties). So the work he’s put in the last 18 months is incredible. He’s doing a heck of a job.”

Younger UK fans also gave Calipari the seal of approval at the Centre camp.

“I like him, he makes his team work real hard to get better,” said Liberty’s Adam King.

Danville’s Lara Akers also is a fan.

“He’s a good coach and nice,” Akers said. “And he works hard to get his team ready.”

Even campers from out of state like the job Calipari has done in his first season.

“I think he’s a pretty good coach,” said Gage Attkisson of Atlanta. “With him, I think UK can win a championship.”

|

|

|