Kentucky's John Calipari and Kansas' Bill Self are two of the highest profile coaches in college basketball, but will either consider the NBA in the near future? Both coaches spoke with ESPN and said that they believe it would be difficult to leave their current programs and haven’t received any NBA phone calls trying yo convince them otherwise.
Self, in particular, was adamant about sticking it out with Kansas and doesn't believe he can be swayed away in his current position.
"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.”
Calipari echoed Self’s stance about his position in Kentucky and asked why he would give up on the job it took him 20 years to get.
"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.”
There are plenty of high profile NBA coaching jobs remaining and having one of these legendary college coaches make the jump isn't too farfetched. Calipari was rumored to be a candidate for the Los Angeles Lakers’ job back in the early goings, but nothing has come of that as of yet. As these two coaches state their stance clearly, Florida coach Billy Donovan has been the point of many a rumor as the Cleveland Cavaliers have expressed interest in the Gators' coach.
[ESPN]
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