The situation is looking dire for the Kentucky Wildcats.
They suffered their third early-round March Madness exit after the Oakland Golden Grizzlies edged them in a thrilling 80-76 duel. However, they arguably had the better roster and a more experienced coach in John Calipari.
Now that they’re spending the rest of March Madness from the couch, questions must be asked. Is Calipari still the right man to take the Wildcats back to their heyday as the kings of collegiate basketball?
One analyst thinks that the long-time coach’s days at the esteemed factory of NBA talent are numbered after this most recent gaffe.
Gary Parrish thinks the Kentucky Wildcats will pay HUGE $33 million buyout to send Calipari out the door
CBS Sports Network analyst Gary Parrish thinks that Calipari wouldn’t be able to see out the rest of his contract with the team after the shameful defeat. He thinks the fans have had enough of the March Madness mediocrity and will make their feelings known to the athletic board.
Kameron Duncan of The Spun writes about his thoughts:
“I do not think he will be the coach of Kentucky next year,” Parrish said.
“The buyout is $33 million, that’s a lot of money, but the fanbase is fed up with it. Zero Final Fours since 2015, zero Sweet Sixteens since 2019, losses to Saint Peter’s and Oakland.”
Parrish mentioned that coaches have been fired with more expensive buyouts, pointing to Texas A&M parting ways with former football coach Jimbo Fisher despite a massive buyout of more than $75 million.
“Does Texas A&M care more about football than Kentucky cares about basketball?,” Parrish asked.
Will John Calipari’s firing hurt the Wildcats?
There are only a few coaches who can brag about his prestige as a mentor to future NBA stars like Calipari. The number of Kentucky products who are plying their trade in the NBA will thank him for the opportunities he gave them to appeal to NBA scouts.
However, it’s also true that the team is no longer winning important basketball games. For a community that loves ball as much as Kentucky, losing in the early rounds of March Madness is a crime.
While fans will forever thank him for the memories and players he brought to the program, it may be high time for the program to move on and place a fresh face into the hot seat.
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