Kentucky coach John Calipari is sticking to his decision to remain coaching on the college level. Although admitting he'd be a better NBA coach if he went back to the league, Calipari insisted he wants to stay at Kentucky because it gives him a better opportunity to help families.
Calipari quickly dismissed rumors he'd jump to the Los Angeles Lakers next season shortly after Kentucky lost in the NCAA final. Calipari, who coached the New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1999, told ESPN's "Numbers Never Lie" he is perfectly content at Kentucky.
"I think I would be [better than my previous NBA stint] if I did it, but that's not the point for me," Calipari said on Tuesday, via ESPN. "Can I say this in a humble way - I don't need the money. If I stop coaching today at Kentucky, my toes are up and I'm eating Cheetos and I'm fine.
"But here's my point: What's happening for me, what I'm feeling about coaching, goes beyond wins, goes beyond building a franchise. Can I do that in the NBA? If there was some place that I felt that it would be more than just coaching and trying to win ... I'm not there to help you build your franchise value or help sell tickets. That doesn't move me.
"What moves me now is what I'm doing and how I'm helping families."
Calipari, 55, has a 152-37 record and one national championship at Kentucky. He's been doing the promotional circuit for his new book, "Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out."
