Whatever you think about John Calipari, you can no longer say he can’t win the big one. Kentucky’s controversial head coach expressed relief over that fact during his post-game press conference following Monday’s 67-59 win over Kansas.
NCAA Tournament 2012: John Calipari Relieved To Win First Title
Nick Fasulo's on Kentucky's win
“You know what it is, I told my wife, I’m glad it’s done,” he said. “Now I can get about my business of coaching basketball and getting these players to be the best that they can be, helping young people, you know, create better lives for themselves and their families, and also helping them prepare for life after basketball.
“I can get on with that. I don’t have to hear the drama. I can just coach now. I don’t have to worry. If you want to know the truth, it’s almost like, done, let me move on.”
Calipari has made three previous trips to the Final Four, but his first two appearances were eventually vacated from the official record books due to NCAA infractions. That, combined with his unabashed willingness to embrace one-and-done freshmen, has made him one of the most polarizing figures in college hoops.
Nevertheless, Calipari doesn’t plan to change anytime soon.
“I said this a couple years ago and everybody got crazy when we had five guys drafted in the first round,” he said. “This is one of the biggest moments, if not the biggest, in Kentucky history. The reason was, I knew now other kids would look and say, ‘You got to go there.’
“What I’m hoping is there’s six first‑rounders on this team. We were the first program to have five, let’s have six. That’s why I’ve got to go recruiting on Friday.”
For more on the Wildcats, check out A Sea of Blue. For more on the Jayhawks, head over to the SB Nation blog Rock Chalk Talk. For more updates on tonight’s championship game throughout the day, keep it tuned to this StoryStream.
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