LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball department will undergo changes to its administrative staff for the upcoming 2010-11 season, head coach John Calipari announced Thursday.
At his request, assistant coach Rod Strickland will take on an administrative role in operations to reduce travel requirements. The search for a new assistant coach will begin immediately.
“Rod Strickland has been a vital part of our success here at Kentucky and helped set a foundation for our program,” Calipari said. “He will continue to be an integral part of our future successes in a non-coaching capacity. We expect other administrative staff changes as opposing schools fill their vacant basketball staff positions.”
In addition to his current role of chief operating officer, UK Deputy Athletics Director Rob Mullens will now serve as the day-to-day administrator for men’s basketball.
“As we continue to pursue the opportunities that go along with being the winningest program in the history of college basketball, it is important that our department provides the administrative support to help it run as efficiently as possible,” UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. “Rob Mullens has provided Kentucky Athletics with first-class, professional support in all areas during the last eight years. Working with Wildcat basketball on a daily basis will allow him to help us keep pace with the ever-changing world of college athletics.”
-Strickland recently received another DUI and many were calling for his head. Cal is all about second chances but Strickland has had more then a second chance. Rumor has it Strickland was given the choice of even being demoted to a position that would involve less possible DUI situations or leave the program. UK can now keep a closer tab on him that just isn't feaseable with the responsibilities of an assistant coach.
Strickland had a similar position at Memphis. When Cal came to UK, Pastner took over at Memphis. This opened up a spot for Strickland. Cal mentioned in his book Bounce Back how excited he was for Strickland to be able to move up in the coaching business.
The big question is, does this mean UK has Kenny Payne? The position was just posted today, so it must be posted for seven days before UK can make a formal offer, so we shouldn't be hearing anything official for at least a week. I've heard from two legit sources, its Payne and he knows it. It is believed that Strickland would not have been moved down without Payne being on board. Payne is considered one of the best recruiters in the business and will be a force to reckon with.
-There is talk that when Cal renogiated his contract, he wasn't interested in money as much as he wanted to set up a system where he could have less work to do on the recruiting trail as he gets older. This required Barnhart to be on board of hiring the best of the best in recruiting, which of course requires more money for the assistants.
Many people see hiring Payne as a way to get Jones. According to the UK coaching staff, Payne if hired would not be to get Jones. Jones is likely a one and done player and you hire assistants to help build a program. It's hard to hire an assistant if he can't build relationships with recruits because he is planning on leaving soon after.
That being said, Payne would help with Jones. Oregon remained in Jones' final list of schools despite not even having a head coach and this was all because of Payne. It would help to land Jones but this would be just an added bonus.
-There is talk Tony Delk will be hired as an assistant coach at WKU. Strickland would fill Delk's spot, with Padgett doing the same thing. Cal is a huge fan of Delk and I'm sure he will be sad to see him go. Delk may be an excellent assistant coach one day and maybe even a head coach but at this point Payne is head over heals a better candidate for the position then Delk is.
Payne is also a UofL legend and it would really rub Louisville fans the wrong way to see a legend of theirs wearing UK colors. Of course Louisville did the same thing to us, by hiring Pitino and Pitino hiring McCarty.
I have heard on several occasions that former UofL players are not big fans of Pitino, so this shouldn't come as any surprise if Payne did choose to come to UK.
-Vargas is in for a visit. Some people are calling him a done deal to UK. I have no doubt, if offered he would commit. My problem is, if he some how becomes eligible it is one shady situation. All of a sudden he he was 30 something hours short of qualifying to now all of a sudden ready to go? I've heard he received straight A's this year. How did he pull that off after failing so much? And even with straight A's...36 college credits...come on...something smells on this one and I wouldn't blame non UK fans for crying foul on this one.
-Speaking of crying foul, rumor has it Louisville may have committed some recruiting violations. We will see if anything comes of it but I'm told there is a lot to find if NCAA starts looking and Louisville might just be in some trouble.
-I keep hearing good things on 2010 3 star Kadeem Jack. UK could use some depth and although this guy will not blow your socks off, he looks to be a solid four year player.
Kenny Payne is one of my all time favorite players and just a good person. He would be a welcome addition to the UK program!
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