In the ever-changing landscape of college sports, nothing is sure to generate controversial discourse like the concept of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) branding. NIL has done a lot of good and stems from positive intentions; it should go without saying that college athletes deserve to be financially compensated for their efforts, and now they are.

Unfortunately, it has also created arguably more problems than solved, as it’s become just one more way for programs and coaches to exploit their players. That was on full display when Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari returned to his former school of Kentucky, and several of Calipari’s former Kentucky players showed where their loyalty lies.

Make no mistake: these players did not play for Kentucky. They played for John Calipari University. They would have played for him in Arkansas had that been his place of work when he was recruiting them (as proven by the handful of players who followed Calipari from Kentucky to Arkansas). Loyalty is dead in the NIL era, and no one has manipulated it more than Calipari.

The Calipari Experience

It’s been the story of Calipari’s career. He’s outspoken and charismatic and brings a particular cult of personality wherever he goes. That’s not necessarily a bad thing: larger-than-life personas like his are the heart and soul of the coaching realm, and there are not enough of them left today, whether in college or pro sports. There’s no team easier to get behind than one that takes after the character of a strong leader behind the bench who endears himself to the whole local community. Calipari is one of the few remaining men who have that presence in college basketball.

What is a bad thing, though, is that he’s as disingenuous as they come. Other such figures, such as Tom Izzo at Michigan State, are beloved because they stick it out through the hard times and don’t give fans any BS, and for those reasons are synonymous with their programs. Calipari, on the other hand, is all about himself and always has been. He left Memphis for Kentucky to weasel his way out of an NCAA investigation and then left Kentucky for Arkansas because he knew he was losing support from the fanbase after a series of disappointing seasons. He will leave Arkansas if the going gets rough, too; make no mistake.

Kentucky

As it stands, the Razorbacks are 13-8 (2-6 in SEC play) and projected to miss the NCAA Tournament after being ranked to start the year. Despite winning his most important game of the year, many believe the sport has passed Calipari by. Perhaps more accurately, he lost the advantage he used to have because everybody else is allowed to cheat now, too.

The Sad State Of College Sports

It’s only Exhibit A of what’s wrong with college sports today. Whenever a coach leaves one school for a different one, the players follow suit. Recruiting is the same way. Players don’t choose programs based on the passion in their hearts; they choose based on whoever offers them the most money. It’s been that way since long before the NIL era, but now it’s no longer happening under the table. If this is supposed to be player empowerment, it accomplishes the opposite. It’s just legalized tampering, and its consequences have been reflected across college sports.

Players cheering for their former coach while he coaches against the team they played for would have been unheard of as recently as even five years ago. Having a special relationship with someone who helped you grow as a player — and in college sports, often as a human being — is one thing. When they show up wearing a conference rival team’s logo, though, they’re the enemy for that night. They’re not more significant than the program and should never be treated like it.

End Of Rant

Leave it to Calipari to normalize this mentality, though. For someone who has spent his career so willing to turn his back on his team at any given moment, it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s inspired such an attitude in many of his former players. He may be on the back nine of his coaching days, but as the current state of college basketball openly enables manipulation and exploitation, there’s still no better master manipulator in the game than John Calipari.