John Calipari comments on SEC firings, transfer portal

Kentucky head coach John Calipari provided an in-depth look at the state of college basketball after hearing the news that two SEC Colleagues were fired during the build-up for his Friday game. After Georgia fired Tom Crean and Missouri fired Cuonzo Martin, the Hall of Fame coach explained what has led to good coaches losing their job.

After both coaches lost key players to the transfer portal this season, many who went to SEC rivals, John Calipari provided his thoughts on why coaches will continue losing their jobs at the expense of players.

“The issue that’s going around right now is the transfer portal,” Calipari explained. “Tom Crean lost four really good players. Now all of a sudden, he is out.

“I said this would happen if we didn’t do this right. So you’re going to have coaches lose jobs because they’re going to lose players. If I were still at UMass, I wouldn’t recruit freshmen because I would have them for one year and someone would take them. I just wouldn’t do it.”

While he does not agree with the setup of the current system, Calipari acknowledges that how things work now provides a massive advantage to Kentucky within the SEC and college basketball. This season, he brought in four transfers.

“Now, what’s happened with our transfers, and I talked about it, because of the kids that have come with us and have transferred in and have done so well, you know we’re going to get calls,” said Calipari. “Kids are going to want to transfer to Kentucky. I told everybody, you know, you’re helping Kentucky by having it this way. I figured that would end it. The minute I said that, they would say, well, then we’re not doing it. They went with it.”

John Calipari on firings

To be clear, John Calipari made sure to mention he wants players to have freedom to make the best decision for themselves in the transfer portal. However, he believes there has become a need for more structured guidelines.

“In our league, you’re going to have guys that are going to bounce around,” said Calipari. “I’m not saying they shouldn’t have freedom to do stuff, but I think there’s got to be some parameters… because we’re trying to help the kids, and all of a sudden, we’re in a microwave society right now.

“I got a couple of freshmen that are going to be terrific players, but I can’t play them as much because the guys in front of them are better. But a year from now, they’re going to be ridiculously good. But we’re all facing this.”

To wrap up his long message on college coaching and the state of the transfer portal, Calipari sent his best to the two coaches fired so far. But he could not help one final jab.

“I have great respect for Cuonzo Martin,” said Calipari. “I have great respect for Tom Crean. I can remember them beating us in Indiana, and it became an Espy, and then we played them in the NCAA tournament and beat their brains in pretty good that same year. Let me make sure I throw that in there.”