Calipari will never have knowledge of anything that goes wrong around him. He somehow communicates to those around him that he wants things done, and so they get done.
I was in an Amherst bar one night when a state cop told a story about Calipari calling the State Police barracks, asking to have a speeding ticket fixed. The person who took the call decided to stick him, and so he gave him a name to call which was the name of an ultra straight laced supervisor who was sure to find some way to make Calipari miserable. This cop did not understand that Calipari is so slick that he could get a speeding ticket fixed at the drop of a hat, leaving no fingerprints. I suspected that Calipari did it in this ham-fisted manner just so the word would get out that he was the kind of guy who wanted things done for him. This cop was unwittingly doing Calipari's bidding by telling us about the incident'
Marcus Camby was often seen wearing a gaudy medallion that turned out to be worth $12,000. The athletic director said that when he saw it, he just figured it must be costume jewelry because he knew Camby couldn't afford it. Calipari would have to have been blind to not have seen it.
While Calipari was still at UMass, an incoming coach from back when they were at Pittsburgh told the story of a staff meeting that Calipari, who had been an assistant the previous year and was being held over, was at, and he allegedly told Calipari and the other assistants that there would be no more payments to players. Calipari, when informed of that allegation, said he didn't recall that being said at that meeting. I don't remember anyone prewarning me of the 9-11 attack at any meeting I attended shortly before it, but if anyone asked me whether it had been brought up at any meeting I attended, I sure as well wouldn't say that I didn't recall it being brought up.
I can't locate it right now, but I once had my finger on a great article regarding Calipari's relationship with one of these "fixers" who has no visible means of support but who can show up anywhere, anytime, to evaluate any player or meet with any coach who might covet that player. I'll post it if I can dig it up.
Have fun Kentucky. How much did you pay Calipari? :haha
