Cal envisions three-pronged mission as UK coach

During a Saturday appearance to promote his new book, Bounce Back, Kentucky Coach John Calipari mused about fate and how fickle it can be.

He noted how a friend, Jude Thompson, fretted after losing a job at Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The friend had never failed. Then suddenly, he was unemployed.

The friend became an executive with Papa John’s pizza. That caused Calipari to say, “Would you want to be in health care right now?”

The UK coach also seemed to question the wisdom of “what government’s going to do.” Apparently, Calipari is no supporter of health care reform.

Calipari also suggested fate played a part in his arrival at UK. Instead of having to replace Tubby Smith, a coach who averaged 26 victories a season and a devoted group of fans, he got to replace the fired — and unlamented — Billy Gillispie.

Of the theoretical possibility of replacing Smith, Calipari said, “Part of this community I would have never won over. Ever!”

Calipari wondered aloud of why fate placed him at UK in 2009.

“I have no idea,” he said. “It might not be to win national championships.

“But 20 years from now, we all will look back and say, well, this was what he was able to do or touch or be involved in. None of us knows yet.

“Now, all I know is they hired me to win ballgames, graduate these kids and do it right. To make this university and this state proud.”