It’s a significant week in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where college basketball reigns supreme. John Calipari will make his return to Rupp Arena on Saturday, marking his first visit since leaving the University of Kentucky to assume the head coaching role at Arkansas. Given Calipari’s long tenure of 15 seasons with the Wildcats, which included an NCAA championship in 2012, there is bound to be a mix of emotions surrounding his return.
Last week, Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones discussed Calipari while addressing some of Seth Greenberg’s comments on ESPN regarding the Kentucky fanbase. We caught up with Jones to delve deeper into the concept of fandom and the reasons behind his frustration.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: What kind of reception will Calipari get on Saturday?
Matt Jones: “In a large crowd, boos tend to be louder than cheers, so you might hear some boos. I believe Cal has his supporters, but a negative faction will definitely be present. The reception will likely be mixed, reflecting the fans’ conflicted feelings.”
How did it all go wrong for Calipari?
“It’s a combination of factors. Not winning enough has been a major issue—since COVID, he has only won one SEC tournament game and one NCAA tournament game. That lack of success over several years has been frustrating for fans who believe the teams were more talented than their results showed. Additionally, Calipari’s approach changed over time; what once seemed charming began to wear thin, leading to a growing distance between him and the fan base. This sense of separation, coupled with the losing, led many to feel it might be time for a change.”
What does the media get wrong about Kentucky fans?
“I get frustrated with how the media portrays Kentucky fans. They often view our passion and craziness as negative, ignoring that passion can manifest in many ways across all fanbases. The online Kentucky fan community tends to be more vocal, which makes it more noticeable. However, if the media seeks engagement, they should appreciate that no fanbase cares more than Kentucky fans. Ask any college basketball writer: the stories about Kentucky consistently generate the most traffic, because Kentucky and Duke are central to the sport’s narrative.”
“It’s hypocritical for the media to criticize Kentucky fans while simultaneously profiting from our interest. They want clicks, and our obsession with the team drives interest.”
What does the media get right about Kentucky fans?
“Most in the media recognize Kentucky fans as the most passionate in college basketball. They understand the cultural significance basketball holds in Kentucky—it’s not just a sport, but something that shapes our state’s identity. Beyond Kansas, I’m not sure there’s another state where basketball holds such prominence. It influences not only the economy but also the morale and togetherness of the people.”
What’s your relationship with Seth Greenberg now?
“We’ve maintained a friendly relationship until recently. His close ties to Calipari make him sensitive to criticism directed at him. I believe what I stated on air was accurate, but Seth often reacts strongly, sending me less than pleasant text messages. It’s not uncommon for former coaches to defend one another, creating a sort of brotherhood.”
Can you elaborate on your criticism of Greenberg?
“Kentucky fans don’t need outsiders telling them what it means to be a real fan. There are those who support Calipari, those who oppose him, and those in the middle. I think opinions from fellow fans are valid; however, when someone like Seth, who isn’t part of the fanbase, says, ‘You’re a true Kentucky fan if you act this way,’ it feels out of place. It’s like me saying what makes someone a true Celtics fan when I don’t belong to that community—I wouldn’t dream of it.”
We are not in need of announcers telling BBN how to be “real” fans pic.twitter.com/gazNYLn8g1
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) January 21, 2025
Have you heard from Greenberg since?
“He was upset by my comments. I won’t share details, but it’s clear he didn’t take it well. My role at KSR is to be a voice for Kentucky sports and its fans. I explained to Seth that if I’m this vocal, then others who aren’t as connected will feel even more strongly. He didn’t seem to appreciate that, which is fine.”
College Gameday is going to North Carolina vs. Duke instead of Arkansas vs. Kentucky. Do you see a conspiracy there?
“Some believe there’s a conspiracy against Kentucky, but that’s misguided. ESPN values both Duke and Kentucky because they are critical to the sport. When North Carolina is strong, they get attention too, along with Kansas. Arkansas hasn’t performed well in the conference this season; hence, they’re not the draw that Kentucky and North Carolina-Duke represent.”
How do Kentucky fans feel about Mark Pope?
“They adore him, largely because he’s one of them. He has managed to do everything right off the court, contrasting with what many fans perceived as Calipari’s shortcomings in his later years. While Cal encouraged fans to care less, Pope urges them to engage more with the program. Furthermore, he has been quite effective with the media, something Cal struggled with towards the end of his tenure.”
What do you hope Calipari says on Saturday in the postgame press conference?
“I expect Cal to take the high road during his visit. He has refrained from speaking negatively about Kentucky since leaving, despite having every reason to do so. I’ve generally respected him and still believe he is a good person. Although it may be painful for him to receive a less-than-warm reception, it is a situation of his own making. I believe that in ten years, when he returns to Rupp, he could be welcomed back with the kind of applause that Rick Pitino received recently, but it will take time.”
