tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83209120904687728972011-06-12T08:41:07.555-05:00David Simankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622211413726069842noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8320912090468772897.post-43258188112379159112009-03-30T17:58:00.003-05:002009-03-30T18:38:02.344-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.highperformancebanners.com/images/John-Calipari.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 416px;" src="http://www.highperformancebanners.com/images/John-Calipari.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I understand how it works.  I also understand that if I were offered a job with a lot more money and a lot more fame, I would be tempted to accept such a job.  In fact, I might say yes even before I had the chance to be tempted.  Geoff Calkins, sports irritant (i.e. columnist) for the Memphis Commercial Appeal, wrote that if a reporter for the Memphis paper was offered a job at the New York Times, he would be a fool not to seriously think about the offer.<div><br /></div><div>However, I know there is a huge difference.  Regular people don't coach Division 1 college basketball.  Regular people don't sell themselves and their employer to 17 year olds to get them to make a multi-year commitment to that employer.  Regular people don't get an entire city to believe in the program he is building, to the point they are deeply emotionally and financially invested.  And, if regular people satisfy those goals (and get insanely rich and famous in the process); regular people don't toss aside the community and employer for a little more money and a little more fame (at least not decent regular people).  </div><div><br /></div><div>Before anyone says that I am naive or ignorant, let me repeat what I wrote in the beginning - "I understand how it works."  This is what major college basketball and football coaching has become; it's called, "The way it is."  I know this, but sometimes it needs to be personal to really sink in.  Coach Calipari built the Memphis program up to the highest level.  Along the way, he made the city of Memphis proud of their Tigers.  So proud that the fans turned out by the thousands to welcome the Tigers back after they lost the national championship game last year, and again this year after they lost to Missouri in the Sweet 16.  Next year was going to be the year.  The best recruiting class in HISTORY was coming to Memphis, and the Tigers were going to be preseason #1.  Now, it's all gone.  All because the road to acceptance as a great coach is easier at Kentucky than Memphis.  Coach Cal can't get better players, much more money, further in the NCAA tournament, higher rankings, or more control of his own destiny at Kentucky.  He can get on ESPN more, and have Jay Bilas not use the weak conference argument to run down his won loss record.  I hope its worth it.</div><div><br /></div><div>This gets me to the title of my post.  It's a harsh word, but reality sometimes is harsh.  College basketball and football coaches are whores.  They are paid a lot of money to bring satisfaction to a university and its fans, as well as make them feel good about themselves.  They also pretend to care about the university and community.  But they don't mean any of it.  They are only in it for themselves.  </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope Memphis basketball survives, but I doubt it will.  The sad part is I may not care.  </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> <br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/8320912090468772897-4325818811237915911?l=whytodaydoesntsuck.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>David Simankhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02622211413726069842noreply@blogger.com0