Matt Jones on how John Calipari has lost the connection to the fans 

In my opinion.... we'll let's look at the 2015 team. He had two NCAA championship starting lineups that probably 5 different college coaches could've taken all the way with either platoon. Cal couldn't do it with both. He hasn't done anything in the last 7 years. His way doesn't work.

When folks realize that Cal is not changing and will again focus on the fostering of NBA players, it will get worse. Cal is treating Kentucky as his own personal sanctimonious charity.

I disagree with the guys on this one. I've been a UK fan for over 40 years, and I don't want to hear Cal speak right now. We have been forced to accept the fact that he's not going anywhere, and most of us are trying to be ok with that, or are pretending to be ok with it. Even if we aren't really ok with it, we're stuck with it. So I'm personally at the point where I don't want to hear his words. We've heard all his words. Show me! You want me to be excited about next year, too bad. You don't deserve that. Show me! Produce on the court. No embarrassing losses. Be a contender from day one until late March, or early April. Don't tell me we're gonna be good. Don't tell me you're gonna fix it. Just fix it. Prove to me you can still do this at this level, and I'll invest in you as my coach again. I'll get excited. But there aren't any words that will get me there at this point, because you said all the words already, and you didn't produce.

Barnhart made a very poor decision. The whole thing stinks if you ask me, which of course you're not. Mitch's decision was made before he went into the meeting with Don Cal. I think the whole thing was a sham. Cal needs to go. Period. Maybe we can put enough pressure on the UK administration to show him the door still.

Cal isn’t going to change one bit. He and Barnhart need to move on.

Cal has become far more interested in seeing how may player "HE" got into the NBA than in how many ball games or championships he as won for UK.

I hate that he makes derogatory statements about the fans. When he spoke a year or two ago about the SEC tournament, he said Kentucky fans save up their “cigarette money” in order to go to the tournament. He thinks most of us are stupid hillbillies

It's clear Cal doesn't like the fans or care what they think. To think that he will actually change is faulty reasoning - it's not gonna happen.

Cal's a used car salesman... Winning left with Robic

Cal hasn't been winning, that's the problem. He needs to go.

Cal says “this is everyone’s Super Bowl”. That may have been true in the past, but Cal you have single handedly lowered Ky to an easy victory.

Cal was bragging again about all the help he has done for the kids and their family---- helping them to the NBA. As a fan we all love the kids, what we don't like is a coach who puts the University of Kentucky last. UK has and will help more families than Mr Cal ever will.

Cal thinks he is ABOVE all of the things you suggested. Period.

Cal is mentally checked out.

There’s a lot of STAR NBA players that he coached and that’s an excellent thing. But Kentucky fans want Kentucky to be good. I understand the conundrum

Cal won’t go after vets because he doesn’t want to be exposed. Most freshmen don’t know any better. If he gets veterans that have been developed by good coaching, those players will know that he’s a BAD coach

I’ve said it from the beginning he doesn’t really give a shit about Kentucky and our basketball program. He loves what it does for him. We’ve always been hillbilly rubes that don’t need to be taken seriously to him. Cal and all the coaches no showing at the sweet sixteen Harlan county vs Lyon county game is the perfect portrayal of it. That was just blasphemy in my mind.

Because of that disconnect the team does not play as well at home. We are fans not family and in that environment it makes it acceptable to lose.

Why Does the kentucky Board of regents Continue to Allow This...

The only solution is Cal has to go PERIOD! He's old and set in his ways and no matter what line of BS Cal gave to Barnyard, he's not going to change. He needs to go and a new coach needs to come in here and breath some life into our dead program! Next year won't be any different then the last several years and anyone who thinks it will be is a fool! That's part of the problem too, there are some Kentucky fans that are so delusional when they continue to back Cal when he doesn't give a crap about the fanbase. He treats us like idiots, and I for one will not donate any money, attend any games or buy any merchandise until I have a new coach to support. I've been tired of Cal for years, he's nothing more than a used car salesman, with all respect to all used car salesmen!

So i got the best recruiting class...again...and got bounced early in the tournament....again (Forrest Gump voice)

I agree with Matt in this one.

Spread some positivity and support the program in spite of Cal. BBN was dealt a bad hand but we've got to make the most of it until the time is right for change.

Stoops and this UK FOOTBALL PROGRAM are awesome and deserve our support.

Thank You Coach Mingione and Coach Stoops for Wanting to Get on KSR to talk to #KSR and #BBN!!! #kyjoe

When Coach Cal was Coach of the 2011-2012 UKMBB Championship Team, He had a Special Relationship with the Fans: He Can Bring the Love Back to #BBN!!! #KSR #BBN #kyjoe

There so much buzz around the uk football program and it's like a fire storm more the wind blows the bigger it gets an I love

I don't always agree with Matt but that's the best part of his media outlet. KSR in my opinion is the best information for Kentucky sports by far. I didn't know certain interviews weren't allowed via UK program, whatashame. Keep up the good work KSR.

I feel like Cal thinks he is “bigger” than the program.

He doesn't care about winning championships anymore. He said it when he first came to be the coach. He said, I'm here to win (A) national championship at Kentucky. That's all he wanted. Now he doesn't do his job and most definitely does not care if Kentucky has another championship. He said it again just recently, he doesn't care Kentucky's history, along with everything else. All he wants to do is to see how many kid can he get to the Pro's, whether they are ready or not. He's not a coach, he's a recruiter for the Pro's, even if it's G league. 😏 IN ONE YEAR, HE'LL MAKE SURE THEY WILL GET INTO G LEAGUE. 😄

What upsets me the most is, it being UK Cal was hired to win win win. He has became a one and done to send young players to the NBA! I'm all about players making it to the next level. It's like that all he wants and puts that first over not making UK a priority first! Experienced older players wins Championships! Kentucky fans spending a lot of money and time into "UK" games and getting ran out of the tournament the first round? We have had many great players but we fall short. Defense first and then offense.

Matt, do the U of L interview. Maybe it'll goad the UK people into improving.

Cal has it in his head that he’s Kentucky basketball he is a narcissist he needs to go so the fan base can reunite again as long as he’s here it’s going to be toxic

I said before this year started if Cal is going to get the magic back this is the year.for Kentucky this year was unacceptable. next year or any year after that won't be any different. i really wished Ky would have moved on.

You know, if players first puts Kentucky in the final four, elite 8 , even the sweet 16 and then they went on to be superstars in the NBA. I’d be fine with that. I want to see them excel after their college career whether it’s one year, two years or more. But it means nothing, nothing to me as a 35 year Kentucky fan if we don’t show up in the tournament.

Pitino restored Kentucky with John Pelphrey, Deron Feldhaus, Reggie Hanson, Richie Farmer.....Cal knows nothing about this formula of Kentucky pride. No one wants to see da club show at Big Blue Madness. Kentucky fans know our tradition and culture and history, Cal doesn't really understand this. I got more.... But imagine watching the Kentucky Duke championship in 1978... I was 9 years old starring at an 11" black and white TV, sweating bullets. Cal just doesn't understand UK Wildcat tradition. Playing basketball with friends or in a bedroom with a nerf ball, or on a court impersonating each shot like Jack Givens or Rick Roby or Kyle Macy knowing the physics of their respective style shots, replicating it, dreaming. Cal just don't know. The panic that set in when the game wasn't on a local broadcast and we couldn't watch the game. Some people wouldn't listen to the game on the radio, because they thought they would lose. Some people watched the game on the TV, turned down the volume, and let Cawood Ledford broadcast the game. So many traditions, each fan with their desire to support UK their own way. It's how we grew up, we lived it, we had true emotion for it, and so much more. We sure wasn't concerned about the NBA, I can tell you that for a fact!

Cal thinks he’s too big of a celebrity to hang out with you peasants or peasants from other shows. His ego is just unbelievable, especially for a coach that hasn’t got out of the second round since 2019 i think.

Cal and Mitch only care about themselves

Kentucky basketball has become the real life version of the movie Groundhog Day. I'll give you a taste and insight into next season early on when they look disorganized, lose a game they shouldn't, and John will tell the media that they're young. Rinse and Repeat. Tell me I'm wrong?

100% correct.

Give it a rest. Hes not going anywhere maybe the fans are the ones with the problem. Honestly we are a way bigger cheerleading school than we ever were basketball.

Well i won't be watching next season. I am old and now disabled so i do not need another season of hype and inevitable disappointment. I wish the program well.

Yea im done lifetime cat fan im switching to morehead state good price ticketts nice arena

One reason Cal didn't go anywhere is that there is really no one to replace him. Who are you going to get that would be any better?

If Matt ever becomes a athletic director or UKs next head coach im moving to Siberia

When fans are taken for granted -- this happens.

What is 3/4 of his salary comes from posthame interviews? I am confused as to what that references.

i was born in 1975 corbin ky I've been a fan God since i was big enough too remember i remember the Skywalker years Rex Chapman Travis Ford i cry when we lose but now I'm just so sick of cal i haven't watched a game until this year an it's all because of shelperd I've followed high school B.B around my area and i loved watching him play it's the only reason I supported KY BB this year, & cal destroyed it again he want take responsibility why the hell coach if its not about winning

He is a disgrace that must go.

Who is JMI? They are NIL related? I’m ignorant on behind the scenes.

its not his job to kiss fans ass

Rajon Rondo just retired guys. Possibly for a spot on the staff?

Cal has lost connection with the fans because of his mouth. If you tell fans that you don’t care about winning and you don’t care about championships then not only did he turn out to be a loser and a stupid coach but he even tells his fans that he does not care about winning, yet Kentucky fans, some of them, will still support a man who says I don’t care!

Cal sees himself and the Ky program as a training center for the NBA

Winning solves it all.

What about when they went on the road before the season started.

It is Cal and it is Mitch and their leadership.

Matt jones I love the Krs. Radio show

recruiting doesnt mean nothing if the boys dont stay for a few years. you have to start every single year and retrain and thats the excuse Cal uses they are young and we are learning to play together . if they stayed more than a year they would learn that. never will happen

Cal wants support without expectations....he works for UK he is not UK

Cal could care less what the fans think, but that isn’t new. He has always been that way, just like he could care less what the NCAA thinks of him. The dude has to have the thickest skin on earth.

Cal is just buying himself as much time as he can. He doesn't think he owes us anything.

Cal needs a Steve Nash

He calls the Kentucky fans crazy every interview.

Matt is it ok to be disconected with his fans or like you to be disconected with whats actually happening or in your case whats real?

One of the most surprising things to me about all of this is the amount of KSR haters that came out of the woodwork. A lot of fans feel very similar. They do speak for a lot of people and if you say otherwise you are just wrong. A lot of people have been calling for Cal to be fired over the previous two seasons but the recruiting class coming in is what got Cal to stick around. I was under the impression this was understood. I guess I was wrong for thinking that. We all saw this team had the potential. The fans who wanted to believe tuned in, showed up to games, rallied around the team but we all saw the issues along the way and it just never got fixed. All the time and energy and not a single thing to show for it. Some of these guys will have good NBA careers and we wish them the best but we need to think about the program too. This is arguably the worst 4 year stretch in school history. What are we doing? No other coach in the history of the program has been allowed to fail for this long. Barnhart practically came out and said he's calling it quits soon anyway so he's riding with Cal. All you can do is shake your head but it is what it is. I hope the team does well. Truly. I hope Cal can find his spark again. But there's no way in hell i am devoting the same amount of energy I have been into following the team. Can't do it anymore. He has to earn that back through change. I hope he does.

UK Basketball is a total joke. It’s no longer about the fans! Cal only cares about the NBA. College basketball as a whole is a joke. Such a shame ☹️. I used to love March….not any more.

Football is on the rise now for years. I love both but all sports in Kentucky are getting interesting dont u think ??

The Kentucky tradition is dead with Calipari. What Sleazeball did Calipari meet in New Jersey? Travis Ford is available for an assistant coaching job.

I disagree if you heard the women new coach on how to approach players is the old way on how to build your program both Cal and Stoops has had way too much time to fix the programs and take them to the next level they are both stubborn it’s killing our program they both get paid too much money to keep making up excuses and we are not seeing any good results from both of the coaches after hearing the women coach he got me pumped up to see how he turn the women program around

People's complete misunderstanding of basketball and UK in general 🤦‍♀️, this year's team was up and down, either win by 30 or lose by 5 😂 Matt doesn't understand sports and Ryan Lemon head 😂 what a joke...

What does Cal has to connect to fans, losing record? He may not know how to coach anymore, maybe best fit for G-league recruiter. Many SEC coaches can probably coach better than he does.

He hasnt lost 💩 he’s got alot of us still behind him. Quit trynna make drama

Sorry Matt, but I hope you go back and listen to this. It's not all about you. You've got to get over being butt hurt because Cal won't come on your show. Get off it and support it, because right now it seems your goal is to drive division between Coach and fans. We all know very well that Cal needs to make changes, but you need to make changes as well. Look in the mirror.

Jmi is holding the contract over KY just like Cal... money talks and .....

I want cal gone. he can take his recruits with him. What good is it if we can’t even make it to the Sweet 16 little on the round of 32 I don’t watch it to watch these guys as NBA players I watch it to see if we can win championships I would rather rebuild and go to the NIT next year!!! I think that if the fans would let him know every time they have a game boo him nonestop make it so difficult that he wants to leave

If all u hear is fire him i would b disconnected too. Football program beat 5 schools like eastern. Central.

Cal needs to donate 8.5 of his 9 million per year to the KY NIL fund to help repair the damage hes done. No coach has ever don’t less with more talent. He’s just not a “real” person anymore , he’s like a caricature or a lampoon of his former self. Sorry, just time to move on for both parties involved. I’m done. ✅. Go Blue

This is deranged hearing guys act like Cal isn't in the transfer portal when that's been our best players and POYs/FOYs/award candidates consistently for years, literally since portal stuff started. What sport ya been watching buddy? And the reason you don't feel community with basketball players is you bash them and try to drive them off because of your weird Cal grudge. Remember spending all off-season trying to rile people up about how Reeves was supposedly guaranteed gone, only to find out there was never any question? Or Z supposedly guaranteed ineligible and would never play? And actually that was after you guaranteed Z was leaving for Duke because of the admissions process. KSR guys scour the earth hunting for any reason to alienate a basketball player and then wonder why they aren't in some kind of community with the basketball players, this is really shocking and unreal to hear complaints like this.

Now the HC KY basketball players & fan's deserves is coaching in the national championship game DAN HURLEY and everytime I listen too cal I pull away more he hides behind these kids o their young just like he did when we was knocked out of the tournament not only that more & more he's a smart ass and it's got worse over the years I'm done with KY basketball and when cal is fired I'll be a fan again

100%!!!! Spot on Matt!

I wish hed go so bad. I really think next year is gonna be bad. I think we struggle to make the tourny. And that chamions classic game with duke is gonna another embarrasment. Close to the zion embarrassment

All this hype and the things Cal has let go by and now he's calling for the fans to join him and let's do it together and how he's going to work. But, then in his latest public comment he iterated three times that he was not going to change a thing. How Barnyard would let that stand is beyond me. You know how the saying goes , "Keep doing the same and expect a different result" in moronic to paraphrase

What are you guys gonna do if Cal wins big next year?

Frankly, I don't watch/listen to Calipari interviews or pressers anymore. I'm tired of his excuses.

Conveniently lost the fans right around the time he cut Matt off 😂😂. Man will do anything for clicks

All my comments are not my own but per my source so im told

You guys are just salty that he doesn’t come on your show. Just admit it!! 🤦‍♂️

I stopped watching KY Basketball when they kneeled to the National Anthem. I turned that game off and have not watched a game since!! I will not watch a game until Callipari is GONE!

WHY ARE YALL ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE NEGATIVE. AS A FAN BASE WE NEED TO MOVE ON. it’s like y’all tryna sabotage our season before it even starts 😐

Lol? Who's out there better than Calipari atm that UK can get? Scott Drew I'm assuming is y'alls #1 choice. He's a slightly better X's&O's HC than Cal. But Drew is also very similar in losing gms he shouldn't. Hey? Drew has Passion for the game. Calipari does as well. But Drew assembled one of the greatest backcourts in NCAA HISTORY in 2021-22. Those 3 Backcourt players Drew had? He didn't have do much in-game adjustments. Cuz those 3 were just so gifted/talented. Reason Calipari has 1 Chip? LUCK....... Called the "2011 NBA Lockout." That Lockout made Jones, Lamb & Miller all 3 comeback to Lexington for 2011-12 Season. As good as Unibrow&Kidd-Gilchrist were as Fresh? NO WAY does Kentucky win it all in 2012 without those 3 upperclassmen in Jones, Miller & Lamb. ^^^Those 3 COMBINED for 50ppg that 2011-12 Season. All 3 said "...if not for the 2011 NBA Lockout? We wouldve entered the 2011 NBA Draft." So Imo? For All ya UK fans? It's "Scott Drew or Bust!" (Y'all don't want f'ing Billy Donovan. That's a mistake.) Not saying Drew is any better than Calipari. I just KNOW Drew is the best choice BY FAR out there RIGHT NOW for Kentucky. If I was a longtime/TRUE Kentucky Wildcats fan? I would be in ABSOLUTE mourning right now over basically UK&fans pushing John Calipari out the door. - (410 Wins at UK) - (4 Final Fours) - (2 National Title Game appearances. Not mention 1 with Memphis.) - 1 National Title. ^^^ Any Head Coach would give his right testicle for HALF that success! (Kansas Jayhawks fan btw.) Best of luck...

Please Matt quit knocking Cal down. Matt's show. I wish you would say something good about Cal. You are just ragging himm all the time.

Does Matt really not understand why Cal doesn’t want anything to do with him or a lot of the media after they called for his job? It’s not rocket science. Why would he boost Matt Jones and KSR after they’ve put forth such an anti-Cal agenda. Everything from the website and show has been all negative and acting like it’s the end of the world, even though every other program has had similar stretches. Yet he preaches patience with football through underwhelming results. At this point Matt dislikes cal more than he likes UK basketball and that is sad to me.

Matt you really gona pick on coach brooks new comitt come on bruh you really that un happy i bet his girl freind dont even give him interviews Cal dont add Kenny Brooks to that list when he sees you picking on his new recurit not a good idea Matt

Cal goal is not winning. His goal is getting kids to NBA. He wouldnt start Sheppard or Diilingham because they are going to the NBA. He wanted to give the strugglers a chance.

Matt Jones always thinks he’s got a beat on what’s happening with the UK basketball program. He’s constantly whiffing on the crap he puts out. Just like it was “imminent” that Cal had to make coaching changes. Quit drinking the Matt Jones koolaid folks, he don’t speak for UK basketball and never will

Coaches don’t come on KSR because they can see through Matt Jones BS. He’s about as likable as being in a car wreck.

I pray coach can retire with his family. ❤

This dude loves the football program that has underachieved 3 out of 4 years, and stinks it up in every big game, but hate the top 10 basketball program. It’s so silly that this is what UK fans have become. Go support a different program.

Is he connected to the fans when he goes to tornado torn parts of the state and raises millions for disaster relief? Connected to Michael McGuire, the coal miner he brought to Rupp for an unbelievable day his family will never forget? Not to mention the countless things he’s done for others in Kentucky. There are different ways to be connected to the fans that don’t involve being on your shitty radio show. So he missed some pregame media events and doesn’t want to go on KSR, big f*cking deal. Anyone who says he isn’t connected or doesn’t care about fans is just flat out wrong.