John Calipari is the most hated coach in college basketball.
This is partly due to its success. He has the 18th most wins in college basketball history and has taken his teams to the Final Four six times, including the 38 wins and the Final Four that was vacated in Memphis, and the Final Four which was released to UMass.
Which brings us to the second – and main – reason why Calipari is so hated: a general aura of sketchiness. He was never personally involved in impropriety during his three high-profile college head coaching stints, but scandal seems to follow him wherever he goes. And when it hits the fan, “Coach Cal” seems to be gone in time, for an even better job.
An ESPN 30 for 30 which will be released in April, aptly titled “One and Not Done,” explores exactly this subject. And as March Madness continues, Cal’s detractors will continue to call out the thin ethical boundaries under which the coach operates. That said, here are seven reasons why John Calipari is the sketchiest sports coach:
