My worst fear is coming true

Looks like John Calipari is going to be the new man in Lexington. In my previous post, I outlined the options for UK before Gillispie was fired. I don't know how seriously, if at all Donovan was approached, but it is certain UK had other alternatives beside Calipari, alternatives who I'm sure would have taken the job, and for a lot less money.

These are my concerns about hiring Calipari:

1. He's never had any success outside of the A-10 and Conference USA. He's built an impressive record on pretty flimsy competition. Yes, he's had two Final Four runs, but I can't help but wonder whether he can stand the grind of a major conference schedule like the SEC. Going to LSU and winning in late January just isn't the same as Duquesne or Houston. If his NBA stint is any indicator, it doesn't bode well. Also, in the final game last year, he admittedly suffered a coaching meltdown. The Tigers blew a seemingly insurmountable lead against Kansas. Calipari could have and should have used a time out to settle his club down and get the ball into the hands of better shooters. Again, even he admits his error here. If this is how he responds to pressure, I'm concerned.

2. The "one and done" players concern me. Calipari has liberally used the talents of these basketball mercenaries along with many JUCO transfers. Not that any program is without some of these, but Memphis was built on the backs of these players. As we've seen there and elsewhere (UC, Ohio State, etc.) these players may contribute toward a single year's success, but it's at the expense of the continuity of the program and the reputation of the university.

3. How Calipari has recruited these players is most disconcerting. At Memphis, he was associated with AAU flesh-peddler, "World Wide Wes." And while nothing (to this point) has come out in terms of recruiting violations, these new age "street agents" are certainly part of the dark underbelly of college athletics. The evidence that Calipari used Wes' "services" to steer such prospects as Dejuan Wagner, Derrick Rose, and Tyreke Evans to Memphis is incontrovertible. And before this, at UMass, Calipari employed an equally shady character named Wayne Simone. Simone hooked him up with players like Marcus Camby, Lou Roe, and Edgar Padilla, all integral parts of UMass's Final Four run. It was not surprising that Camby was later found to have taken money from an agent. Because of this, UMass was forced to vacate their Final Four. And again, while it might not be technically illegal in the eyes of the NCAA, it is a highly questionable ethical practice and does nothing to enhance the reputation of a university already associated with shady recruiting practices (see Sutton, Eddie, and Mumme, Hal). I don't see CM Newton, if he were still AD getting within 100 feet of a coach like Calipari. I wouldn't have thought Barnhart would have either. Which leads me to...

4. Is Mitch still in control of the program? Kentuckians know only too well how "influential" some of the big donor fans can be. These are the same folks that helped fashion the out of control, win at all cost culture that nearly drove this storied program to its death. Given the events of the last three years: the pressure on Tubby Smith, the dismissal of Gillispie, and now the apparent hire of Calipari, there is a clear pattern moving away from the appearance of integrity back toward the win at all cost mentality. I hope I'm wrong on this, but I can't ignore the signs.

Could Calipari be the "savior" UK fans have been waiting for? Certainly. Could Calipari be the death blow to this historic program? That's what I'm afraid of. Time will tell.