Coaching Greats

Just before the NCAA tournament began CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Kentucky head coach John Calipari, whose Wildcats take on Louisville on Saturday in a national semifinal. Calipari has won more than 500 games at three stops: Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky. 

Jon Teitel: In 2009 you were hired at Kentucky, where you became the second coach to ever lead three different schools to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. How have you been able to have so much success despite coaching at several different schools?

Recently as part of his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with former Louisville head coach Denny Crum. During his time in the "Derby City", Crum led the Cardinals to 23 NCAA appearances and two national titles. 

Jon Teitel: Your nickname is "Cool Hand Luke". Who gave it to you, and how do you like it?

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Nikki Kelley, the daughter of the late Fred Taylor. Taylor, who also played at Ohio State, returned to the school and helped lead the Buckeyes to seven NCAA tournament appearances and a national title in 1960. 

Jon Teitel: Your dad served in the Air Force from 1943-1946. What impact did his military service have on his role as a father?

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer spoke with two players of late Drake head coach Maury John, Dolph Pulliam and Dan Callahan. During his time at Drake, John won 211 games and led the Bulldogs to four conference titles, three NCAA appearances and a Final Four as well.  

Jon Teitel: Coach John was known for his "belly-button" defense (man-to-man defense with an emphasis on total ball denial and weak-side help). How did he come up with that? 

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Don Corbett, one of the greatest coaches in North Carolina A&T history. Corbett won 254 games at the school and led the Aggies to seven NCAA tournament appearances. 

Jon Teitel: You led North Carolina A&T to seven straight MEAC tournament titles from 1982-1988 (tied with Kentucky for most consecutive tournament titles in NCAA history). How were you able to remain so consistent over such a long stretch of time? 

In the latest installment of his "Coaching Greats" series CHN writer Jon Teitel spent some time with Jay Spoonhour, the son of the late Charlie Spoonhour. Spoonhour is widely regarded as the greatest coach in the history of Missouri State basketball, where he led the Bears to four conference titles and five NCAA tournament appearances. Spoonhour moved on to Saint Louis and UNLV, and he was an outstanding coach at the junior college level as well. Spoonhour passed away on February 1st at the age of 72. 

In the latest installment in his "Coaching Greats" interview series CHN writer Jon Teitel caught up with current University at Buffalo head coach Reggie Witherspoon, who has won 174 games in more than a decade at his hometown school. Witherspoon also played two season at Erie Community College under current Michigan head coach John Beilein, and this season's UB squad features one of the best players in the MAC in forward Javon McCrea. 

Jon Teitel: After three years as an assistant at Iona you replaced your mentor Jim Valvano as head coach at age 28.