The House of Blue

Are fans complaining?

This is some very loose paraphrasing, but one of the first callers of the night offered him congratulations on beating UNC and said something to the effect of "the first of the three-headed monster" games that he wanted to see the Cats win -- the other two being IU and UofL.

Cal seemed to take offense to that comment and gave the "all games are the same" response. He came back later in the show and went on another rant about it, this time saying that the fans really don't understand and how it's not about what the fans want, it's about the players... yada yada yada.

It was just awkward and, like I said, a little off-putting.

I think Cal's tremendous for the UK program, but he needs to come to terms that the fans are what makes this program special. They're the reason he has a job here making $4M. You can say you're a players-first program (which is great) without belittling the importance of the fan. The program needs both to be special.

This is all part of his recruiting schtick. The players LOVE this, particularly when you're talking about a place with fan pressure like Kentucky. Cal's no dummy. Everything he says is calculated.

Jeff the things Cal says about, it being about the name on the back and not on the front and that the greatest day in UK basketball was the day we had 5 guys drafted....all those things bother me some but,...if Cal were not winning I could take issue with him. As long as he keeps us in contention for a final four I will give him some slack. If he were saying these things and going to the round of 32 I would have to question him. I think it is his method regardless of where he is...if he is in the pros it is not about championships but all about the players...he is a players coach period. That is why kids want to play for him and that is why he continually lands number one classes. Yes it bothers me..but all he does is just win.

I hate listening to him and refuse to listen to his call in show or post game show. I'll put up with whatever as long as he is winning but he is an ass and I don't like him as a person.
I'll defend him against allegations of being a cheater but I'll never defend him as being a decent guy cause I think he is shady.
The fans make this program. Without our support he wouldn't make 4+ million. He is a tool and should shut up.
It's rare that I ever read anything from his site cause I just don't like him as a person.

It sure is now, because guys like you are talking about it.

Makes sense what the guy is saying though. Schedule a tough out of conference slate but not so tough that conference play kicks you out of a 1 or 2 seed.

^^^THIS^^^

What's he want? To play UL's out of conference schedule? With our shcedule its feast or famine now. We have no middle of the road teams (Purdue, Virginia Tech, etc). If he wants to bring in a new starting 5 every year then that's his problem.

UK should play 5-6 good OOC teams every year. Duke and UNC do and they have tougher conferences to play in. I have no problem with Cal or the schedule as we have it but he needs to give this a rest. I know every time I hear this stuff I will here it at least 10-20 more times in interviews. I'm with Jeff. I love Cal as our coach and think he's doing a good job but please let it alone.

I wouldn't mind one bit if we dropped UofL. Especially after the crap they tried to pull the last time they came to Rupp.

He can spout that "every game is the same" non-sense all he wants, but HE knows its not true. There are games within the schedule of every storied program that take on more signifigance. If he thinks they are really all the same, try losing to UL, IU, UNC or UT a few years in a row. He would go from sheep to goat in a short order. Trying to down play rivalry games is coach speak for CYA. If you win great, if you lose, its just another game.

I will concede that none of us UK fans know nearly has much about basketball as we think we do, but no fan base is more involved. You simply are not going to bullcrap us for very long. Cal is great. He is perfect for this job. But even though he "gets it" he still does some silly stuff sometimes.

Later...

I'm sorry bit I agree with everything he said. I also agreed about the comments he made during the draft. I know its not popular but that how I feel. Cal understands how to handle this job more than anyone. The UK fanbase is like a smoking hot super model...(bare with me...)
most are intimidated by the pressure that comes with it. Then, most who get a chance do nothing but kiss her ass and let her have her way. Well...that will never work. Sometimes you have to tell her to shut up n go make me a sammich! Point being, Cal knows that he has to stroke this fanbase more so than any other in all off sports (maybe Alabama ) but knows there are times he must check the fans. He is the master at this. Everything he does of says is calculated, but IMO he's just flat out honest. He will tell you how he sees it if you ask him.