Memphis & OSU wait on Calipari
John Calipari has Kentucky and Memphis on hold, sleeping on an offer to jump from Blues City to Big Blue. And he’s keeping Oklahoma State waiting, too.
The Cowboys wait with crossed fingers and baited breath that Kentucky will hire someone not named Travis Ford, who in his first season in Stillwater brought the Cowboys back to not just the NCAA Tournament, but success once they get there.
Ford is from Madisonville, Ky., and a beloved player on Rick Pitino’s 1993 Final Four team at Kentucky. He would be a natural selection if UK’s efforts to land a major name (Pitino, Billy Donovan, Calipari) fail, and no one could blame Ford for taking the job. UK is one of those destination jobs, plus Ford is a grad.
Losing Ford would be a major blow to the Cowboys. Another coaching change would give OSU four head coaches in a 38-month span: Eddie Sutton, Sean Sutton, Travis Ford and the new guy, all since February 2006.
There’s no way that can be good. Ford appears to be instilling and installing a system in which the Cowboys can thrive. The loss of Byron Eaton and Terrel Harris will be difficult enough, but the loss of Ford, too, would set back the Cowboys who knows how far?
Mike Holder’s search skills were proven by the hiring of Ford. He found a good man for the job, which means he could do it again. But it’s doubtful the new coach could get the Cowboys up and running as quickly as did Ford, primarily because there’s no Eaton available. A point guard is like a quarterback; experience means things run much more smoothly.
I don’t know if Ford can repeat his maiden success at OSU in Year 2, but I wouldn’t put it past him. However, without Ford, the Cowboys almost surely would take a step back.
Which is why OSU needs Calipari to take the Kentucky job.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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