Kentucky’s Jeff Sheppard talks about new basketball coach John Calipari, his similarities with Louisville coach Rick Pitino, and how the new coach has been reaching out to older players. (Run time is 3:27; transcription after the jump.)
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Lost Lettermen: This is Jim Weber from LostLettermen.com. I’m joined by Kentucky’s Jeff Sheppard.
Jeff, could you talk about the comparisons and contrast coach John Calipari and your own coach Rick Pitino?
Jeff Sheppard: Sure. It’s difficult as a player to make a comparison just because I didn’t play for both coaches. However I did play against coach Calipari when he was at UMass. The one thing for sure that I could speak of is how hard nosed and tough his teams were at UMass, that we played against in 1996. In addition to that, I think they’re both phenomenal recruiters. They’re both super at preparation and breaking down an opponent and preparing for a single game. And they just have the “it” factor, the name recognition, the charisma, the experience both on the collegiate level on on the professional level.
Other than that there’s nothing similar.
A lot of people are asking that they both have two huge personalities. Is the commonwealth big enough for both of these guys?
JS: Absolutely. Absolutely. I mean it’s great. It’s great for the commonewelth, for college basketball. Just think of the rivals. Is North Carolina big enough for Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski? Absolutely. They live 15 miles from each other.
LL:What differences do you see between coach Cal and coach Pitino so far?
JS: The only thing I can think of would really be the style of play. Coach Cal has a little bit different style of play but they both play a fast style of basketball. So, it’s tough. I don’t see … I really need to see a little bit more of Coach Cal’s basketball up close here at Kentucky before I can really make a call on that.
LL: I know Coach Cal has done a great job of bringing in old players. Scott Padgett is now an assistant, Tony Delk is now an assistant. Has he reached out to you and have you spoken with him?
JS: Yeah, sure, sure. I’ve met with him a couple of times and he’s done that with all the players. He’s reached out to all the players and really building the family, getting the family back. Getting the (family) feeling back in Kentucky and it’s just going to help the program and he’s doing a wonderful job.
JW: What does he say to you? Does he ask your advice or support?
JS: No. No, he doesn’t need our loyalty he just needs us to be around. He just needs us to be there and be a part and when we can encourage, we can encourage. But it’s just part of it, just being around and he’s new. He’s just gotten here so he’ll call on us to help when he needs our help and we’ll be there for him.
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The 1998 Tournament M.O.P., Jeff Sheppard now works for a Kentucky preps site, Wazoosports.com, and runs his own apparel company, 15 Inc., in Kentucky.
Got a question or comment? E-mail him here
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