The departure of UK basketball coach John Calipari from the BBN team was a surprise to many on Tuesday. According to Jim Sawyer, owner of Sawyer’s restaurant downtown, while coaches may come and go, the University of Kentucky remains a constant presence in Lexington.
As Calipari’s 15-year era at an end, the university will now have to find a way to come together as a team. Calipari joined the team in 2009 and set a “gold standard” for himself over the next 10 years. However, his last few years were challenging as he struggled to lead the team to future championships. Sawyer emphasized that it is important for people to bond with the basketball team during this transition period.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Calipari’s departure, both Sawyer and city leaders are optimistic about how it will impact Lexington. While some worry about economic implications, others are more concerned about organizations connected to the basketball team facing potential backlash. Councilwoman Jennifer Reynolds expressed confidence that fans will adapt to whoever the next head coach may be, noting UK basketball’s strong following in Lexington.
With a resilient economy and supportive fan base, Lexington is not worried about changes brought about by Calipari’s departure from UK Basketball Team.
