Mike Francesa continues to be one the most interesting, if not controversial, sports talk show radio hosts in the country. On Tuesday, Kentucky head coach John Calipari was an in-studio guest on Francesa’s WFAN radio show and after Coach Cal left, the fun began.
Francesa claimed that Calipari was not a great x’s and o’s coach and that his strengths are mainly being a great recruiter and motivator. At that point, Calipari apparently sent him a message saying, “Can’t coach?” Here is how Francesa responded:
“Can’t coach? I didn’t say he couldn’t coach. I said Cal is a great recruiter, a master motivator… he’s not a classic x’s and o’s guy. There are better x’s and o’s guys. Majerus is an example, he was a better x’s and o’s guy.than Cal. Cal though, gets guys to play together and play hard better than anybody because he takes talented kids and gets them to play defense, gets them to play unselfishly well which is a absolute gift to be able to do that. Is he the greatest x’s and o’s guy? No. There are better tacticians. But, he’s a great motivator, a great recruiter. There’s a lot that goes in, there’s more than one facet to being a top coach.”
Photo: Kentucky head coach John Calipari
Photo source: InstagramAnd then it happened. Francesa goes to the phone lines and the funniness began.
Francesa: “John in Kentucky, what’s up John?”
Calipari (in a disguised voice): “Well I think the guy is a great coach… (normal voice) this is John Calipari”
Francesa: “I know this.”
Calipari went on to say, “Why didn’t you say that when I was sitting there next to you?”
Francesa replied, “Come back up.”
At that point, Calipari laughed.
Then Francesa said, “How about you calling me… You know what you’re like? You’re like a caller who doesn’t listen, OK?”
Francesa then tried to reiterate his point about Calipari not being a great x’s and o’s coach to which Calipari responded by saying, “Well that’s basically saying I can’t coach… You know what they call me? Cal, the Magician.”
Francesa then asked Calipari if he believed there are better x’s and o’s guys than him?
“You think I believe that?” Calipari asked.
Photo: Mike Francesa
“Yes,” said Francesa.
“I will pass the lie detector test and say no,” Calipari said.
“No you won’t. Is there a better motivator than you?” said Francesa.
“I don’t have any idea,” responded Calipari. I’m just trying to do what I do. I don’t compare myself to anybody.”
“I understand that and thanks for the call because you’re gone,” said Francesa as he actually hung up on Coach Cal like he was just a regular caller.
Classic.
In the end, let’s give John Calipari credit for calling in to defend himself. And he did laugh enough times during the exchange to let us know that he was a real sport about the whole thing.