Sunday, October 26, 2025
Submit Press Release
Got Action
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Got Action
No Result
View All Result

John Calipari’s view of the transfer portal lets coaches off the hook for athlete adversity

July 18, 2025
in NCAA Basketball
0 0
0
Home NCAA Basketball
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


John Calipari’s humanity emerged in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “One and Not Done,” a 2017 production that came at the height of his cartoon villain-ishness and illustrated the bonds he made with several Kentucky players who were in his program for only a year before heading to the NBA.

This comes to mind after a doozy of a comment from Calipari this week at Little Rock’s Rotary Club 99 about the transfer portal and its potential for adverse effects on the mental health of those who use it.

“If a kid transfers four times, is he gonna graduate from that school? There’s no way,” Calipari said, as shared on X in a video by KATV. “You can’t graduate. So now you’re going to be done playing, without a college degree. You have no ties to the last school you went to, where they feel that, ‘You’re from Arkansas, you played here, we’re here, you’re gonna have opportunity …’ That’s done. You’re going to be offered $55,000 in your first job, and you’re like, ‘What, $55,000? Do I have to show up? You got me an apartment, right, or a car?’

“I’m worried about mental health. Mental health. Look, I’ve been poor, and you know what’s worse than being poor? Coming across some money and then being poor again. That’s the worst.”

Coach Cal at Little Rock’s Rotary club 99 on thebiggest issue with Major College Athletics…The transfer portal. Great stuff from Coach. pic.twitter.com/hYKiPRw2Aq

— Steve Sullivan (@sully7777) July 15, 2025

First of all, I think most people on this planet would give “having money at any point” a whirl over the bliss of perpetual poverty. But the Calipari words that stick out the most for me? “That’s done.”

The guys who played one year for Kentucky, or wherever, and went pro are welcomed back forever. Part of the crew. Connections. Job opportunities. Drinks on the house. And that year was all it took to carry on a close personal friendship with the coach.

The guys who played one year or more for Arkansas, or wherever, and transferred to another school that is paying more? Traitors. No longer welcome. Rolodex is closed to them, and it’s a cash bar. It matters not how much they gave to the program, nor the relationships they built, nor the fact that both scenarios involve financial betterment. This act of betrayal cannot be forgiven.

Fans can feel this way. Coaches can’t. Or shouldn’t. But too many do. Even though many of them, Calipari without question, know well what it’s like to leave a place for another that is paying more. All of them have the opportunity.

Another thing that came to mind courtesy of Cal’s commentary: a conversation I had last year with a Power 4 head football coach about a prominent player who had left his program for another school and came back during spring ball. He was hanging out with former teammates who were close friends. The coach asked him what he was doing there.

It’s not like he was removed from the premises or anything, and it’s not like he needed that coach’s help — he’s in the NFL now. But what if he did need help? I would argue a coach has a responsibility to be available for an athlete once that athlete decides to join that coach’s program, and thereafter, if the worst thing the athlete did was depart for a better financial opportunity.

I’d argue that turning your back on someone, as a full-grown adult, for something they did when they were 19 is pretty gross. And worth using against you.

I agree with a lot of what Calipari said, by the way. And he’s far from alone. Changing schools year after year for incremental financial gain can be detrimental, both in terms of education and in terms of not having a home base — the one doing the transferring may not know where to turn. These are decisions more likely to be made by a 19-year-old, especially if that 19-year-old doesn’t have sound advice coming from their camp.

And that can’t be good for mental health, and I don’t doubt Calipari cares about mental health. I actually have my doubts he’d delete the number of a kid who left his program. There’s no question others would and do.

Which brings us back to the same place we always find ourselves when we start talking about the economics of college athletics. These are laborers. They should have protections, and if there’s going to be a cap on their pay and a limit on their movement, they must be able to bargain for that collectively.

Anyone who says that can’t be figured out — including some proponents of the latest legislative attempt to provide college athletics with an antitrust exemption — is either stupid or lying.

(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)





Source link

Tags: AdversityAthleteCaliparisCoacheshookJohnLetsportaltransferView
Previous Post

Jaroslav Halak retires from NHL after 17 seasons

Next Post

For Parents: Two Big Reasons to Start the Recruiting Process Early

Related Posts

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gives message to fans ahead of UM game
NCAA Basketball

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo gives message to fans ahead of UM game

October 25, 2025
Ex-Eastern Michigan players refused to help betting inquiry
NCAA Basketball

Ex-Eastern Michigan players refused to help betting inquiry

October 25, 2025
Takeaways from Oregon men’s basketball exhibition game against Utah
NCAA Basketball

Takeaways from Oregon men’s basketball exhibition game against Utah

October 25, 2025
Bilas’ men’s NCAA basketball 2025 preseason All-America teams
NCAA Basketball

Bilas’ men’s NCAA basketball 2025 preseason All-America teams

October 24, 2025
Preview: Ivy League Men’s Basketball
NCAA Basketball

Preview: Ivy League Men’s Basketball

October 24, 2025
Why college basketball’s preseason is full of top-25 exhibitions — and fewer ‘secret’ scrimmages
NCAA Basketball

Why college basketball’s preseason is full of top-25 exhibitions — and fewer ‘secret’ scrimmages

October 24, 2025
Next Post
For Parents: Two Big Reasons to Start the Recruiting Process Early

For Parents: Two Big Reasons to Start the Recruiting Process Early

Missouri lands top-10 recruit Jason Crowe Jr. as Dennis Gates’ personal ties pay off

Missouri lands top-10 recruit Jason Crowe Jr. as Dennis Gates’ personal ties pay off

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Lee Trevino says this is crucial for solid contact on pitch shots

Lee Trevino says this is crucial for solid contact on pitch shots

August 26, 2025
Another listless, flat tire of a performance – Dodgers Digest

Another listless, flat tire of a performance – Dodgers Digest

August 21, 2025
Is Texas making the right call with reported coaching change?

Is Texas making the right call with reported coaching change?

March 24, 2025
How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

How to Buy COTA Tickets – 2025 United States Grand Prix

March 12, 2025
Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

Arthur Jones, who won a Super Bowl with the Ravens, dies at 39

October 4, 2025
Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

Marte, Steer power Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh, 14-8

August 10, 2025
Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

Anthony Davis could return to Mavericks’ lineup during upcoming Eastern road trip: Report

488
Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

Avious Griffin Highlights Boxing Insider Promotion’s Card By Stopping Jose Luis Sanchez In 9.

42
Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

Getting with the programme | Arseblog … an Arsenal blog

6
World Series Open Thread: Game 1

World Series Open Thread: Game 1

0
Ex-Eastern Michigan men’s basketball players refused to cooperate in NCAA betting probe

Ex-Eastern Michigan men’s basketball players refused to cooperate in NCAA betting probe

0
Adam Silver Asked To Brief Congress On Illegal Gambling Inquiry By Oct 31

Adam Silver Asked To Brief Congress On Illegal Gambling Inquiry By Oct 31

0
Norris looking to capitalise and Ferrari eyeing a first win of 2025

Norris looking to capitalise and Ferrari eyeing a first win of 2025

October 26, 2025
Aston Villa formalise move to sign “complete” attacker wanted by Barcelona

Aston Villa formalise move to sign “complete” attacker wanted by Barcelona

October 26, 2025
Utah dominates Colorado 53-7 behind QB Byrd Ficklin – Deseret News

Utah dominates Colorado 53-7 behind QB Byrd Ficklin – Deseret News

October 26, 2025
Seattle Kraken place forward Jared McCann on injured reserve

Seattle Kraken place forward Jared McCann on injured reserve

October 26, 2025
Haney’s Beach Training Mocked Ahead Of Norman Jr. Fight

Haney’s Beach Training Mocked Ahead Of Norman Jr. Fight

October 26, 2025
Belinda Bencic beats Linda Noskova in Tokyo to win 10th career title

Belinda Bencic beats Linda Noskova in Tokyo to win 10th career title

October 26, 2025
Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest
Got Action

Stay updated with the latest sports news, highlights, and expert analysis at Got Action. From football to basketball, we cover all your favorite sports. Get your daily dose of action now!

CATEGORIES

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Football
  • Formula 1
  • Golf
  • MLB
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NCAA Baseball
  • NCAA Basketball
  • NCAA Football
  • NCAA Sport
  • NFL
  • NHL
  • Tennis
  • Uncategorized

SITEMAP

  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Submit Press Release
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • NCAA
    • NCAA Football
    • NCAA Basketball
    • NCAA Baseball
    • NCAA Sport
  • Baseball
  • NFL
  • NBA
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • Formula 1
  • MMA
  • Boxing
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Sports Picks
Submit Press Release

Copyright © 2025 Got Action.
Got Action is not responsible for the content of external sites.