My First Interview with Coach Calipari

Kentucky fans are screaming. The Big Blue Nation is tired of excuses. The Cats have just lost at home on senior night to the lowly Georgia Bulldogs. I did not like the hiring of Billy Gillispie soon after his initial press conference. He didn’t get it then, he never got it during the season, and he was the worst person to run the Cadillac of college basketball programs.

On March 5^th, I told friends, UK should make a run at John Calipari. The timing is perfect. Memphis is getting hosed again in respect, Calipari has done everything there is to do there, and think about the dynamic of the country’s greatest recruiters at Kentucky!

I sound pretty boastful, but even back then Calipari to Lexington seemed like the perfect match. When Calipari was eventually hired, Randall Parmley got to cover his press conference.

This afternoon, I got to meet and interview Coach Calipari for the first time. I found him very engaging. He knows how to turn it on to the media. During soundbytes he would place his hand on the shoulder of a reporter. So much charisma, and the resume to back it all up.

I am not a Kentucky fan. I do enjoy covering UK more than any other school, because the university treats the media better than anyone. While I should be 100% objective in covering events, I am human, and it’s only natural to pull for the teams and coaches that go above and beyond to help my job.

I wish I could have interviewed Calipari one on one. Time restraints prohibited that. However, I was able to ask plenty of questions, and I look forward to interviewing him many more times.

I hope you enjoy the interview.