John Calipari turned down rumors on Knicks: 'I'm not leaving Kentucky'

Kentucky coach John Calipari said Wednesday he isn't going to coach the New York Knicks or any other NBA franchise for the foreseeable future.

"Kentucky is the best job in basketball coaching," Calipari said. "Why would I leave? We just won the national title. We're chasing UCLA.

Calipari said no NBA team has contacted him about an opening, including the Knicks, which are being coached by Mike Woodson on an interim basis after Mike D'Antoni was fired.

"All of those teams know I'm not doing anything," Calipari said. "I'm not changing. I'm going to continue to see my friends who coach in the NBA and see my former players who play in the NBA. I'm going to continue to go to games."

Calipari has coached the Wildcats to two Final Fours and three Elite Eights in his three seasons in Lexington. His Kentucky record is 102-14 with an NCAA tournament record of 13-2.

Calipari originally signed an eight-year contract. But Kentucky gave him a new eight-year deal worth 36.5 million in 2011. Starting in 2012-13, if he accomplishes all his incentives in his contract, he'll make $5.65 million in each of the next three years.

"I've always said I have more money than I can spend, then my children can spend," Calipari said. "It's not about that."

"No one is stealing our joy," Calipari said. "I've made statements that I've got the best job in basketball and I'm not going to change my lifestyle. I'm not leaving."