Knicks-John Calipari Rumors Are Starting to Heat Up
By Michael Luciano
The New York Knicks' coaching search hasn't even properly gotten started, and already unusual names like Mike Woodson are being mentioned as potential candidates for the 2020 season and beyond.
Insiders like Ian Begley and Stefan Bondy have mentioned some even more unusual names, as Kentucky head coach John Calipari, who has a 330-77 record in Lexington, and Vanderbilt head coach Jerry Stackhouse have both been brought up as potential candidates for the Knicks job.
Also of note, @IanBegley mentions Coach Cal here. @SBondyNYDN also mentioned Cal in a tweet recently. This isn't an accident.
— Jonathan Macri (@JCMacriNBA) June 4, 2020
Another name to keep an eye on: Jerry Stackhouse. Not sure in what capacity, but heard a while back that he'd be a name of interest for Rose. https://t.co/McS4e85pU6
Calipari, like fellow college legends Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian, failed to sizzle in the NBA, as the most memorable thing he did during his tenure as New Jersey Nets head coach was draft Kerry Kittles over Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Peja Stojakovic and Jermaine O'Neal. He made the playoffs once, but failed to win a game and was fired after starting 3-17 in 1998-99.
Calipari has no incentive to try the pros again, as he just signed a lifetime contract in Lexington. Even one of his former players, a current Knick, has some doubts about the fit. Former Wildcat star Kevin Knox doesn't think Calipari will leave Kentucky, as he "runs that state."
Kevin Knox doesn't think John Calipari would leave Kentucky to coach the Knicks:
— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 11, 2020
"He runs that state" pic.twitter.com/9Db3hdJecY
Calipari could either stay at one of college basketball's gold star programs and win the SEC every year, but he could also throw that all away to go work with James Dolan. Decisions, decisions.