Would John Calipari Really Leave Kentucky for the Knicks?

Every year it happens. One of the hottest coaches in college basketball starts getting mentioned in connection with NBA jobs, and that’s no different this time around.

The New York Post’s Peter Vescey dropped this little nugget earlier:

"According to a team executive, who knows a thing or two about a thing or two regarding goings-on behind the screens, believes Dolan may have eyes for John Calipari….to run the front office and coach."

Calipari being the first mentioned this year? No way!

In all seriousness though, I cannot see this happening. Sure, if the right amount of money was thrown at him, and the power of being the head coach and the GM, Calipari would probably entertain it.

But then he’d likely revert back to two important factors.

First off, he’s tried this before. That whole New Jersey Nets thing didn’t exactly work out for him. And working for James Dolan would be, well, difficult. If he wants to go for that challenge again, then that’s fine. But why would he given his current situation?

Which brings me to number two. He’s got one of the top coaching jobs in all of college basketball and has the resources at his disposal to succeed. What he has in Lexington is as close to a “sure thing” as it gets. With the way he’s able to recruit, Kentucky is always going to be in the national title mix every single year. Why risk that?

Unless something crazy happens like NCAA violations (OK, maybe not so crazy), Calipari is set for life at Kentucky. The guy does not have to worry about the most important thing in the coaching business: job security. Oh, and he gets paid a lot of money.

There’s obviously pressure to win with the Wildcats. But given what he’s been able to do thus far, that’s going to take care of itself. The McDonald’s All-Americans aren’t going anywhere as long as he’s there.

But if he were to take the job with the Knicks, he’d lose that security.

Even with the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, there’s no guarantee that this team will be a championship contender next year. Or the next year. They’ve still got a lot of work to do to get there. So if he were to struggle, or not deliver on a championship, how long would it take before Knicks’ fans come calling for a new coach?

Let’s say he takes it and it doesn’t work out. Would he really be able to find another job as good as Kentucky once he returns to the college game? That’s the most underrated factor in all of this.

Personally, I think it would be crazy for him to leave college. Like him or not, and whether you believe he’s doing it within the rules or not, the guy can coach. The job he did this year to get the Wildcats to the Final Four was obviously one of the better coaching jobs that he’s done.

He loads up again next year, and is likely ranked one or two to start the season. I don’t see how he leaves that.

Um, and as far I know, Mike D’Antoni is still the coach in New York. So let’s not go giving Cal the job just yet.

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