Well, we got some unfortunate news this morning, as Kenny Payne, longtime assistant to the Kentucky Wildcats, will be leaving for the job as assistant coach for the New York Knicks.
It’s a massive battle for Kentucky, as KP has been one of the driving forces behind Kentucky’s massive success over the past ten seasons. KP was loved by every player who ran through the program since 2009, and was a force on the recruiting track, as he was one of the best in the game.
Bruiser Flint, a longtime friend of John Calipari, will be the man accused of the task of replacing Payne. It’s not an easy task, but I’m envious of the job Flint will do in Lexington.
Let’s see what social media had to say about the announcements for the match:
The New York Knicks have hired Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne as assistant coach, sources told ESPN. Payne is the first formal addition to staff of new coach Tom Thibodeau with the Knicks.
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 11 August 2020
Kenny Payne has been a big part of the UK’s success in the Calipari era. Perhaps the best assistant coach in America
Also a great guy and I wish him nothing but success with the Knicks. He will be a great addition to them
– Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) 11 August 2020
Wow, what a great birthday surprise ….. Congratulations Coach KP! Welcome to the Knicks family.
– Kev (@KevKnox) 11 August 2020
kenny worked the phones that worked for UK yesterday, even though this deal was done. could have thrown the cloth in weeks ago. respect. https://t.co/GGv4daC5kD
– Reese Holliday (@TMCvision) 11 August 2020
My favorite memory of Kenny Payne was at the EYBL in Indianapolis. I found a shortcut from the gym to the parking lot, but you had to climb through a very small hole in a fence. I will never forget watching Kenny, who is a giant man, climb through. Definitely a good laugh.
– Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) 11 August 2020
KENNY PAYNE gave me a chance at a lifetime !!! Thanks for everything KP !!! GoodLuck on the next LEVEL!
– Twany (@ TwanyBeckham11) 11 August 2020
Truth be told, Kentucky was lucky to once have Kenny Payne on staff and have had him for half a decade. Boys like him don’t stick around for the same assistant job for long.
– Jason Marcum (@ marcum89) 11 August 2020
Sources: Indiana assistant Bruiser Flint will assist John Calipari at Kentucky as assistant coach.
Official announcement is expected shortly.
– Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) 11 August 2020
Just to echo other reports, I have confirmed that it is Bruiser Flint who replaces Kenny Payne at Kentucky.
Flint absolutely fulfills the role of trusted trustee. He and Calipari are best friends who talk almost every day. Calipari’s connection with the Millers gave Bruiser the IU job.
– Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) 11 August 2020
It is. It was nice of Cal to reward Bruiser, who was instrumental in getting him the players who placed him on the national map at UMass, which led to the Nets’ job. Antigua would be the more feared recruiter, but Bruiser, with appropriate sources, is an effective recruiter. https://t.co/E5fuGzZcI7
– Andrew Slater (@Andrew__Slater) 11 August 2020
Of note: Bruiser was a big part of Romeo Langford’s recruitment of the top-10 prospect to Indiana. And there’s a lot in this piece about his development work with the IU attackers and his attention to defense. https://t.co/CDKy78yrf5
– Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) 11 August 2020
Just talk to @JonRothstein about the Bruiser Flint hair. He seems to believe that Kentucky staff is on a different level in terms of coaching defense, between Calipari, Flint, and Barbee and their history.
– Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) 11 August 2020
Bruiser Flint loves coaching in the @ B1GMBBall. He will miss it. He fell for the league. And was an enormous asset for @IndianaMBB and Archie Miller. But reunite with @UKCoachCalipari makes too much sense. Home rental for Cal to replace Kenny Payne on his staff. The 90s are back!
– Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) 11 August 2020
As @JonRothstein reported, Indiana assistant Bruiser Flint will fill the vacancy on John Calipari’s staff in Kentucky. Bruiser and Cal are of course going WAY back. Bruiser worked for Cal at UMass, replacing him as head coach of the Minutemen when Cal left UMass for the Nets in 1996.
– Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) 11 August 2020
Follow our Twitter page and then go ‘like’ our Facebook page for the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views.
