New Kentucky Coach John Calipari said Thursday that he will add two former UK stars, Tony Delk and Scott Padgett, to his staff.
Delk and Padgett will take entry-level positions, meaning they won’t be full-time assistant coaches, Calipari said.
The positions, which Calipari did not specify, will enable the two former UK stars to begin coaching careers.
Calipari noted how much he likes to help aspiring coaches get started in the profession. He said it shouldn’t come as a surprise if some of his former players at Massachusetts and Memphis take entry-level positions while he’s at Kentucky.
21 comments ↓
go cats
Nice to see some former Cats on staff. All we had in years before was Saul Smith. Guys like Allen Edwards (Morehead State, VCU) and Walter McCarty (UL) have been assistants for awhile. Delk and Padgett are two guys who can really help players adjust to the hype and pressure of being a star player at UK.
I think this is a great idea. Now we won’t only have a great coach, but we will have 2 players along the sideline and recruiting trail that have “been there and done that.” They can help these players of ours, play with heart, and intensity. Also, help recruit the right guys meaning some 4 year contributial players, to help us win every year. Thanks coach cal!
It’ll be fun to see these Wildcat favorites on the bench again. The new coach keeps making good decisions!
Good for Coach Cal,
I always wondered with all the acolades Tubby got about being a great coach, why he never had or has any former players in the coaching profession. Or had any on his bench, if he did I can’t seem to recall them. This is great for Kentucky Basketball. There should be a long list of ex players coaching throughout all venues of basketball. It sure can’t hurt recruiting either.
It’s great to hear that Delk & Padgett will be on the staff. With their ties to UK and the NBA this will be great for recruiting. Plus they both know a thing or two about what it takes to play basketball at this level. Good move coach.
This further demonstrates that Calipari gets UK. This is great.
Awesome! This guy has done more for Kentucky Basketball in two weeks than Clyde did in two years.
It will be fun to watch the developing careers of Tony Delk and Scott Padgett.
i think they should also retire tony delk jersey no one from the96 or 98 teams have been retired yet have they . he should be the first one
I knew I liked this guy!!
This guy is great!!!! He is playing it smart for sure. And how about the house? I have adored it for years, as I have driven down beautiful Richmond Road
KeefD – I agree. I wasn’t screaming for BCG to go but the more we hear the worse it was. And looking at the fact the JC is integrating former UK stars in his coaching staff is great!!! 182 days until basketball season!!!!!!!! GO CATS!!!!!!!!!!
Kudos to both Delk and Padgett for their willingness to take ‘entry level’ positions too, but then I’m not surprised as they’ve both proven to be top quality individuals. One would hope they don’t need the money after many years in the NBA. The addition of these guys should help the program even more from a recruiting standpoint too, having three (counting Strickland) long-time NBA players on staff.
I am so glad to see Coach Cal bring in two former players like Tony Delk and Scott Padget. Way to go Coach and GO BIG BLUE!!!!!
Love what he is doing at U.K. The future looks bright again. I think he can put us back in limelight where this program belongs.
wow what a cool dude. We’ve been needing this for quite some time!! GO BIG BLUE!!! YEEEHAAA
Very smart and classy move.
He can’t go wrong by hiring two final four champs,and all the cat fans want to see more FINAL FOUR BANNERS HANGING IN RUPP ARENA. With the new coach we have i don’t think it will be long either–go cats!!!!
[...] 10 years from now.In a smart move that will surely go over well with UK fans, Calipari plans to add former Wildcats Tony Delk and Scott Padgett to his staff.The new coach believes signee DeMarcus Cousins will be a perfect fit for his [...]
Great news for UK. Padgett is one of my all time favorite Cats. Delk is another…Great move Coach Cal!!!!
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