Dave Sez

Fire Calipari

I have no connections to Memphis State University, or the University of Memphis, or whatever its name is now. I don't root for them, I don't follow them and I don't even really follow their league. But I have a problem with their coach, the unctuous John Calipari. Always have.

Well, now ol' Calamari has hit a new low. On a team absolutely riddled with scandal and underperformance, he has apparently decided to play a player who was just arrested for beating up his girlfriend. It sounds like there isn't too much question of his guilt and it also sounds like he gave her a pretty good beating. It's sick.

It's possible that by gametime tonight (and it's on ESPN, so you can check), Calipari will come to his senses. Or more likely, someone who has some authority over there will put the squeeze on him, and he'll decide not to play a guy who just beat up his girlfriend, a former Memphis basketball player herself.

This article in the local paper does a good job of expressing the outrage everyone should have about this.

To me, this should be the last straw. If the Memphis AD had any guts, he'd indefinitely suspend both the player, Jeremy Hunt, and Calipari. Hunt could join the team only if evidence comes out that he was wrongly accused. I wouldn't ever end Calipari's suspension.

Update: It's only fair to report that Calipari released a statement today that Hunt would not play or even suit up tonight. Thanks to Yoni for pointing this out. I stand by my views though, as Calipari shouldn't have taken a day to come to this conclusion. Also, I admit a little bias here. ;-)