120316 quotes

Nothing is more important to me than helping my players

Reach their individual goals. It is the basis of my “players

First” philosophy. But at the same time. I am the leader of

An enterprise that cannot succeed unless we march forward

Together. For that to happen, I must persuade these gifted

Athletes to share, communicate, bond, and sacrifice for

One another. I have to make them understand that they

Will not reach their own goals unless they can demonstrate

These qualities.

- Coach John Calipari

I’m now in my twenty-fifth season as a college head coach,

Having spent the last eight seasons at Kentucky. When I look

Back at where I came from … a tiny house in Moon Township,

Pennsylvania, outside Pittsburgh, the son of an airport baggage

Handler and a cafeteria worker … I still have a hard time believing 

what I’ve achieved. Six appearances in the Final Four.

A national championship. NBA rosters studded with my former players.

A short detour of my own coaching an NBA team. And in

2015, election to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

- Coach John Calipari

I tell kids up front that they will have to compete for playing time. 

The message is very clear … YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR

YOUR OWN SUCCESS. If you want a guarantee, go to Popcorn

State. You’ll play as much as you want and get to take all

The shots.

- Coach John Calipari

Excerpts from, “Success Is The Only Option, The Art of Coaching

Extreme Talent” by John Calipari and Michael Sokolove.