Bill Self and John Calipari Each State They're Staying Put, Have Not Talked to NBA Teams This Offseason
ByBill Self and John Calipari are two of the best coaches in college basketball and it is for that reason they will not be fielding calls from potential NBA employers.
Despite several coaching openings in the NBA, Self and Calipari told ESPN this week they have not even received a call from any NBA team. Speaking on Andy Katz' ESPNU College Basketball podcast the two coaches said they are happy where they are, Self at Kansas and Calipari at Kentucky.
"They haven't talked to me about a coaching position,'' Self said. "There's nothing going on and that doesn't bother me one bit.
"I think I've got a better situation than a lot of the franchises in the league. People may think that's hard to believe, but they haven't been here or know what's gone on here. Very content where I am."
Iowa State's Fred Hoiberg, Michigan State's Tom Izzo and UConn's Kevin Ollie are other college basketball coaches who have been connected to being considered for open NBA jobs. So far, none have left the college game for the pros, but the offseason is not over.
Izzo said on the same podcast with Katz that he plans to stay at Michigan State for the immediate future, but would listen to an offer from an NBA team in the future. Currently looking for a new head coach are the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks.
Both Calipari and Self have reason to be excited about returning to their respective teams. Kentucky is returning multiple freshmen from the team that took them to the National Championship game and Kansas is coming off winning its tenth straight Big 12 regular season title.
"I'm really, really excited what we've got going at Kentucky," Calipari said. "I believe that I have the best job in the country. I'm not out there looking for another job. It's not what I want. Do I talk to NBA teams? I always do. I will talk to NBA teams based on the fact my players are trying to be drafted. But I'm not out looking for a job. I'm not encouraging anybody to call me. I don't need it to get a pay raise or any of that stuff. I'm good where I am."