| | John Calipari wants to coach in college again -- as early as the
2000-01 season -- but only at a school that has a chance to compete for a
national championship.
|  | | John Calipari went to the '96 Final Four with UMass. |
"If I were a betting man, then I would say I'm going to do the
college thing," said Calipari, who coached Massachusetts to the 1996 Final
Four. "I've got a 12, 11 and 3 year old, and you don't have the family
atmosphere around a program in the pros like you do in college."
Calipari told ESPN.com that he, and his wife, Ellen, decided it
would be better for their three children if he pursued a head coaching job
in college, instead of another shot in the NBA.
The former New Jersey Nets head coach, an assistant with the
Philadelphia 76ers this season, said he has no interest in replacing his
friend and mentor Larry Brown, if he decided to leave or was ever forced out
as head coach of the 76ers.
"I don't want to follow Larry," Calipari said. "The only way I
would is if he left on beautiful terms. But I didn't come here for that. I'm
happy here, learning and having fun. I'm not worrying about the next job.
I'm working at the job I have. I'm learning from one of the best coaches in
the world."
Meanwhile, Calipari said he has had ongoing phone conversations with
Memphis athletics director R.C. Johnson. Calipari said the calls were initiated by Johnson, but they have been
limited to "chit-chats" over the holidays after a more extensive
conversation last month.
Calipari said the first talk was about coaching in general and other candidates. Eventually, the conversation turned to Calipari and his interest in the position. But Calipari said he told Johnson he wouldn't talk about the Memphis head
coaching position until it is determined that it is vacant.
Johnny Jones became the interim coach of the Tigers after Tic Price was
forced to resign after admitting an affair with a student. Jones, a former assistant at LSU, has led
the Tigers to a 7-7 record.
Memphis beat Arkansas on Monday night, typical of an
erratic season. The Tigers suffered through a four-game losing streak, but beat Miami (Fla.) at home.
Sources close to Johnson said he would love to strike a deal with
someone who has the name recognition of a Calipari before the end of the
season. Iowa athletics director Bob Bowlsby did something similar a year ago
when he had conversations with Southwest Missouri State coach Steve Alford before tabbing Alford to replace the outgoing Tom Davis
at the end of both school's NCAA Tournament runs.
Calipari said speculation that he was given a Feb. 1 deadline to
give Johnson a decision isn't true. But he did confirm that it would take
comparable money to the NBA to lure him away from the 76ers. The
fact that Johnson is talking to Calipari, even in limited form, indicates
Memphis is willing to offer a substantial package to a head coach. Sources
said it could take more than $500,000 to land Calipari, possibly as high as
$800,000 to $900,000.
Calipari will become the hottest coaching commodity once the season
ends for Memphis and other high-profile schools with head coaching
vacancies. But Calipari's pool will be limited.
"I don't mind rebuilding but I want to be in the right situation
that's a good match and a good fit," Calipari said. "I don't want to put
myself in a bad position. I want a chance to win the whole thing. I wouldn't
be happy in a second-tier situation."
Calipari served under Brown at Kansas from 1983-85 and was an
assistant at Pittsburgh before taking the head coaching job at Massachusetts
in 1988. He left in '97 for the Nets. He led the Nets to a third-place
finish in the Atlantic Division and the playoffs in '98, ending the Nets'
three-year postseason drought.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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