With the New York Knicks reportedly hiring Leon Rose as their new president of basketball operations this week, there has naturally been speculation that University of Kentucky coach John Calipari could become the next Knicks coach because of their connection.
Calipari was asked about the possibility on Friday, but he immediately shot the notion down, according to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio.
He added that Rose has a very good reputation and that he would help him in any way he can other than actually coaching New York:
“I haven’t talked to Leon (Rose), so I don’t know if it’s done, but I’ve never in 25 years heard anyone say a bad word about Leon Rose,” said Calipari, per Kyle Tucker of The Athletic.
Calipari has coached on the NBA level before, but he did not have much success.
He spent three-plus years as head coach of the New Jersey Nets between the 1996-97 and 1998-99 campaigns, going 72-112 and getting swept in the first round of his only playoff appearance.
Following his stint with the Nets, Calipari served one year as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1999-00 before returning to the college ranks.
The 61-year-old has coached Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky on the NCAA level, winning one national championship with Kentucky during the 2011-12 campaign.
Known for his outstanding recruiting, John Calipari has gone 767-216 over the course of his NCAA tenure, which began with UMass back in 1988-89.
The Knicks fired David Fizdale from his post as head coach earlier this season and have been sticking with Mike Miller in an interim role.
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