Conflicting word from Memphis...

[MSUCostanza]

I'm hearing that Calipari is still deciding. FredEx and two other power boosters have offered him the moon to stay, and he is considering it. However, another source says although he's considering it, he's going to take the UK offer.

 

[RebelBruiser]

I can guarantee you FedEx hasn't offered a penny. Fred Smith and some of the other execs may be offering some of their personal stashes, but the company itself isn't going to be putting up any cash.

 

[Bdog9090]

Dave Baker from Raycom was just on the radio in Nashville on 104.5 the zone. He said if the Calipari deal falls through (which he thinks is about 50/50), then UK will be looking at Izzo, Rick Barnes, and RICK STANSBURY. Dave thought Stansbury would be the best fit due to his reverence for the UK program and tradition. Also, Dave pointed out Rick's record against the East the last 2 years, and his SEC winning % is 2nd to only Florida in the last 10 yrs.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...sheesh. Try to keep up.

 

[jakldawg]

it totally owns the team or anything...

http://blogs.nashvillescene.com/pitw/2009/02/memphis_cancels_its_fedex_unif.php

 

[RebelBruiser]

Completely read over that one.

I'm still pulling for Cal to UK. Watching that program implode will be fun.

 

[myusernamesucks]

Seriously, I have never seen anyone who is WRONG about everything.

+#%++@! idiot.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...this seems to be a figment of Dave Baker's imagination.

 

[lawdawg02]

izzo, xavier's coach, then travis ford.

/this info was not received from brad krayer.

 

[MaxwellSmart]

That FedEx stock options are part of the deal he has and more on the table.

 

[rebelrouseri]

.

 

[lawdawg02]

and anderson wasn't mentioned.</p>

 

[MSUCostanza]

Complete rumor, but that's the word. Also that Cal was trying to talk the boosters into hiring Barbee from UTEP.

 

[MSUCostanza]

that FedEx itself isn't heavily involved in the UofM, then you have no idea what you are talking about. Which wouldn't surprise me a bit.

 

[lawdawg02]

at least about barbee. maybe that's why cal met with fredex. of course, i'm sure fredex wanted to talk cal into staying.

<div class="body">

<div class="body"> <h2><font color="#276098"><font color="#276098">Calipari pushing Barbee as possible replacement</font></font></h2> <div class="story-body">

<font color="#276098"><font color="#000" size="3">John Calipari is scheduled to meet with a prominent Memphis booster late Monday afternoon, at which time he is expected to make a pitch for UTEP coach Tony Barbee to succeed him at Memphis if Calipari indeed leaves Memphis for Kentucky, a source close to Calipari told CBSSports.com.</font></font></p>

<font color="#276098"><font color="#000" size="3">The source said Calipari would promise to help Barbee keep parts of the team and recruiting class intact.</font></font></p>

<font color="#276098"><font color="#000" size="3">Barbee played for Calipari at UMass and assisted him at Memphis until taking the UTEP job in 2006.</font></font></p>

<font color="#276098"><font color="#000" size="3">He's 53-43 in three seasons at UTEP.</font></font></p>

<font color="#276098"><font color="#000" size="3">A source close to the Memphis program said Calipari assured Barbee last offseason that if he pulled out of the UMass search and cleared the way for Memphis assistant Derek Kellogg to land that job that Calipari would push Barbee as a possible successor at Memphis. Barbee quickly pulled out, Kellogg got the UMass job, and now Calipari is making good on his word, trying to help Barbee at Memphis.</font></font></p> </div> </div>

</div>

 

[kdw3486]

According to ESPN.com, Mike Anderson has been offered the job at UGA. Here is the link to the story:

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4029709

Don't know if I like it or not. The guy can flat out coach.

 

[ckDOG]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going to have to defend Bruiser on this one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></p>

</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I don't doubt for a second that Fred Smith and his personal finances are heavily involved with the Cal situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> However, amidst the recent pay cuts, layoffs, and ceasing of 401k match, suggesting that FedEx would give Cal a raise (via cash, options, etc.) is absolutely ludicrous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Can you imagine the internal uproar from the employees that just took 5% pay cuts if they found out that FedEx is making a basketball coach even more filthy rich?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> Sure, FedEx has an interest in the success of the program given that Memphis plays in their sponsored facility, educates many of their employees, etc. etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> But, never in a million years would the Board/Management okay FedEx paying a basketball coach in this environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> If they do, <17> you FedEx, hello UPS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p>

 

[RebelBruiser]

Plus, FedEx often gives summer internships to Memphis's basketball players, but like I said, I don't believe the business's finances are directly given to Calipari's salary. I'm sure FedEx as an entity donates to the athletic department for things, just like they have done with our athletic department with things like the FedEx Academic Center, and sponsoring our events, as they do for Memphis, but they aren't the ones paying his salary.

I know that Fred and some of the other executives are obviously some of Memphis's biggest boosters, but they are using their private finances for those things.