Written by Fletcher Page at USA Today.com
At 5:03 a.m. Friday in Cairo, John Calipari tweeted a response to reports that he was interested in the New York Knicks vacant president position.
“NO ONE has contacted the Knicks on my behalf,” Calipari tweeted. “I am the coach at Kentucky and will be for a long time!
“Even in Egypt I can’t escape the rumors. Are you kidding me?! It’s 5 in the morning here and this is what I wake up to?
“Off to go see the pyramids in a bit. And by the way, I like my team. And my @usabasketball team too!”
Calipari is in Cairo coaching the USA Under-19 World Championship team. Team USA defeated France 82-60 in an exhibition Thursday.
ESPN reported Thursday that the Kentucky coach expressed interest through third parties about the New York Knicks presidency.
The report, which cited “league sources” and said Calipari would, “Presumably… want to coach as well if he took over as president.” The Knicks are not interested in Calipari at this time, the report said.
New York and president Phil Jackson mutually parted ways earlier this week.
Kentucky and Calipari agreed to a contract extension in March. His contract runs through 2024, and Calipari will be conpenstated $7.75 million this season and $8 million in each of the six years he remains in charge of the Wildcats.
“John has achieved consistent championship-level performance at Kentucky,” Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said via press release in March. “No one in America is better suited for everything that comes with being the coach here. Not only has he attained incredible success on the court, he is also a leader in our community and in college basketball. We have been blessed to have him and Ellen here for the last eight years and we are blessed they will continue to call Kentucky home.”
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