The animosity is not hidden between these two.
Not between John Calipari and Rick Pitino, who collectively brought the state of Kentucky some excitement before basketball season even begins by trading barbs.
Last week, at the Big Blue Madness campout, Calipari purposely omitted the Louisville basketball existed in an interview with KSTV.
“It’s a unique thing,” Calipari said. “There’s no other state, none, that’s as connected to their basketball program as this one. Because those other states have other programs. Michigan has Michigan State, California has UCLA, North Carolina has Duke. It’s Kentucky throughout this whole state, and that’s what makes us unique.”
Thursday morning, Pitino had comments of his own, to CBS’ Jeff Goodman:
“Four things I’ve learned in my 59 years about people,” Pitino told CBSSports.com on Wednesday. “I ignore the jealous, I ignore the malicious, I ignore the ignorant and I ignore the paranoid.”
“If the shoe fits anyone,” he added. “Wear it.”
Some related reading: Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal writes Calipari has Pitino envy.
In news to get excited about now, UK hosts Louisville Dec. 31.
there is no comapirison between the two , Cal is the Coach , Pitino is nothing to envy , the 6 second man , surely you jest !!!
Too bad Pitino doesn’t ignore other women besides his wife. Nothing to envy there – as for the paranoia, Ricky ought to know a lot about that, too.
I recall Pitino saying that there is no place like UK in basketball when he was the coach at UK. He called it the Camelot of college basketball. So what’s new and why is Ricky so upset?
Unless Pitino was referring to the Camelot strip bar if it still exists
I am a devoted Kentucky fan, have been all my life. But I also appreciate Louisville’s proud and storied tradition, as well. I think coach just misspoke and he should state as much! There are two great Basketball programs and two great Basketball coaches in Kentucky. And let’s not forget Kentucky Wesleyan and their tradition and championships. Not to acknowledge and appreciate each other’s success is wrong. Let’s not let our devotion to one or the other dtract from the other.
I went to Ky and am from Louisville, I love both schools…And the WHOLE STATE of Kentucky owe both Coach Pitino and Coach Calipari a Big Thank You…And both these men should make up, they once were good friends…But, mean while I’ll just love them both and let them Coach. Larry C. Ft. Lauderdale, gallery721.com
I agree with Don 100%. Kentucky has more then one team, and we all should appreciate that. Remember when Uk was on probation, when no one wanted to come here to play ? Pitino got enough to bring the Cats back and we should remember that. Not only did he bring us back but he also won a championship and left another banner when he went to Boston. How easy we forget sometimes. Pitino only did what he thought was best for him, would we do different ? I don’t think so.
Cal is a good coach and great recuiter, but I remember when he cost us one banner, when he froze against WV. These two guys are both good, so give them their do and be happy that we have them both coaching here in our great state. GO CARDS, when you’re not playing the CATS.
I agree with Don 100%. Kentucky has more then one team, and we all should appreciate that. Remember when Uk was on probation, when no one wanted to come here to play ? Pitino got enough to bring the Cats back and we should remember that. Not only did he bring us back but he also won a championship and left another banner when he went to Boston. How easy we forget sometimes. Pitino only did what he thought was best for him, would we do different ? I don’t think so.
Cal is a good coach and great recuiter, but I remember when he cost us one banner, when he froze against WV. These two guys are both good, so give them their do and be happy that we have them both coaching here in our great state. GO CARDS, when you’re not playing the CATS.
I agree with Don 100%. Kentucky has more then one team, and we all should appreciate that. Remember when Uk was on probation, when no one wanted to come here to play ? Pitino got enough to bring the Cats back and we should remember that. Not only did he bring us back but he also won a championship and left another banner when he went to Boston. How easy we forget sometimes. Pitino only did what he thought was best for him, would we do different ? I don’t think so.
Cal is a good coach and great recuiter, but I remember when he cost us one banner, when he froze against WV. These two guys are both good, so give them their do and be happy that we have them both coaching here in our great state. GO CARDS, when you’re not playing the CATS.
I am a UK alumn and fan. I live in NC and when you live outside of the Bluegrass, it’s much easier to respect, appreciate and be proud of BOTH programs. Yes, when they play each other I am ALL BLUE, but I also love to watch UL play in the Big East and especially if they beat up one of the “local” ACC teams. When you live in Carolina, that ALL you hear about – ACC is the best basketball conference, blah blah blah. I agree that Cal should recognize that our Commonwealth is represented by 2 great programs but it’s also a good point that when Pitino was at the UK helm, he said the same thing about UK. December 31st is going to be insane! C-A-T-S! CATS! CATS!! CATS!!!
Pitino can’t stand to be 2nd fiddle or to have become irrelevant in a state where people made him God in the 1990′s. He tried to show his intelligence (wisdom) through mention of elevates age, and then pretends to be intelligently superior by stating his ‘WISDOM’.
One writes (speaks) from the heart: I thought he might say something to elevate U.K Vs. Lou. rivalry, instead he digressed into name calling. – So Calipari is a jealous, paranoid, malicious ignoramus. – When in a debate an answer-less person reverts to name calling. Pitino does know some words we don’t use much here in Ky. Especially in this 3rd world area of S.E. KY. But we ain’t dumb,- All the time.
I am a Lou. fan when not playing U.K. Denny Crum much did for Lou.and Pitino has not produces to that status.
I know, and stated as much when pitino was at U.K.- “The University Of Kentucky is larger (greater) than any one person, coach, pres. or athletic director. I’m not so sure about the Louisville, Cardinals.