Kentucky Coaches, Administrators Could Learn a Thing from Players in Football vs. Basketball Feud

The Big Blue Nation is in the middle of a war of words between Kentucky’s head football coach, basketball coach and athletic director. While they exchange public pot-shots, the 20-year-old student-athletes are providing the most measured, mature statements. The adults could learn a thing or two from the kids.

The Basketball vs. Football School narrative is nothing new to the University of Kentucky. Whenever I’m asked to do a radio hit on stations across the South, the question is asked. Of course, it was a topic of conversation when reporters from around the Southeastern Conference gathered in Atlanta a few weeks ago at SEC Media Days.

“The University of Kentucky is an everything school,” said Kenneth Horsey. “We’re getting to a point in where we’re not just focused on basketball. We’re not just focused on football, to be honest. Our rifle team just won a National Championship recently. Our volleyball team just won the SEC Championship… our swimming and diving team just won a championship. I believe that Mitch Barnhart and President Capilouto have put a great support system in place for that, not just football, not just basketball, but every sport gets the attention it deserves and every sport is able to thrive.”

Horsey’s statement occurred well before the public blow-up between Mark Stoops and John Calipari. Since then the football team has privately voiced their displeasure, playing with an extra chip on its shoulder in Saturday’s scrimmage, but once they got in front of the mics, nothing but respect was shared by Kentucky football veterans.

“It’s not really that big of a deal,” said center Eli Cox. “I mean, there’s 136 FBS programs that play sports and we finished ninth in the Director’s Cup, so I think we’re a pretty well-rounded athletic department here.”

The comments by John Calipari did not derail DeAndre Square‘s fall camp focus. In fact, once Square was finished with his football duties, he turned on the Wildcats’ games in the Bahamas.

“I didn’t really think about them; went to practice, was ready to watch the film. I didn’t really think about it,” he said of the basketball school comments. Square added, “I am a basketball fan. I go to the games, buy my own tickets. I enjoy watching college basketball and Kentucky basketball.”

This sportswriter would be foolish not to note the players are in a precarious situation. They obviously do not carry the same political capital as their millionaire head coaches. However, it’s refreshing to hear measured, supportive statements from the student-athletes. After all, they are the ones competing in the field of play to ensure all of the Kentucky athletic programs are successful.

In the middle of childish squabbling, the kids are acting like adults. For the sake of the Big Blue Nation, it’s time for the adults to grow up.