It’s been almost 25 years since John Calipari last coached in the NBA. But when the Knicks job opened up, it didn’t take long for his name to start circulating the rumor mill.
New York reportedly got turned down by former Villanova coach Jay Wright and UConn’s Dan Hurley in its search for Tom Thibodeau’s replacement.
And the team has since gone 0-for-3 on requests for interviews with Dallas’ Jason Kidd, Houston’s Ime Udoka and Minnesota’s Chris Finch.
Appearing on “Golic & Golic” Wednesday, Coach Cal addressed the Knicks speculation. Telling the father-and-son duo and their audience, “I’m coaching at Arkansas.”
“I’ve been at Arkansas one year. People are totally committed and committed to me, personally. I’m coaching at Arkansas,” Calipari said. “But, they have a great organization, they got a terrific team. But it’s not for everybody, now.”
“You guys know, coaching the Knicks is like coaching— there’s some college teams, I would say, not for everybody, and that one isn’t for everybody,” he continued. “But you have everything you need to win, and you have New York City. So, someone’s going to get a hell of a job.”
Calipari is fresh off of taking the Razorbacks to the Sweet 16 following a 22-14 season in which they upset No. 7 Kansas and No. 2 St. John’s in March Madness.
Arkansas was able to overcome a really tough stretch in January to make the tournament in Cal’s first year in Fayetteville. And it appears he’s found a home at his former school’s SEC rival.
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