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Florida assistant coach John Pelphrey, right, a former Kentucky star, said he likes where is now but would like to be a head coach again someday. (AP Photo / February 23, 2013) |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Paintsville’s John Pelphrey was one of “The Unforgettables” at Kentucky that lost that memorable 1992 NCAA tournament game to Duke on Christian Laettner’s buzzer-beating shot in overtime that denied coach Rick Pitino and his Wildcats a chance to win a championship.
Now Pelphrey is back at Florida as an assistant coach to Billy Donovan after a stint as a head coach. The Gators won the Southeastern Conference regular-season title and beat LSU on Friday and Alabama on Saturday to advance to the SEC tournament final.
Pelphrey shared a few Kentucky memories based on questions UK fans submitted for him on Twitter:
Question: Do you dread or enjoy coming back to Rupp Arena as a coach of an opposing team?
Pelphrey: “I would say it is a different feeling. Obviously, it is a very difficult place to play, but a lot of memories come flooding back to me when we get to the parking lot and are walking into the arena. It is probably for me just a real unique experience. Most of the time when you walk into an arena, you are very focused on what is going on but I¿do have some stuff that goes on with me. I did play there for five years.”
Question: Have you been around a better Rupp Arena crowd than the one to end the season when UK upset Florida?
Pelphrey: “It was awesome. It really was. I think a lot of times it is a different perspective when you are sitting over there and playing on the other side. I probably am not the best guy to judge on that because you miss a lot as somebody in the battle. But it was a great crowd. Nod doubt about that.”
Question: Do you want to be a head coach again?
Pelphrey: “I am enjoying what I am doing, but I have aspirations certainly of being a head coach again. There is a lot I like. I am still passionate about the game and having relationships with young people and enjoying the challenges.”
Question: Will you ever be back living or coaching in Kentucky?
Pelphrey: “I don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball.”
Question: Do you still consider yourself a Wildcat?
Pelphrey: “Absolutely. That will never change.”
Question: Do you still think about that NCAA game with Duke, especially each March?
Pelphrey: “It shows up enough (on TV) to where I see enough to where you get reminded about it. And I¿have a lot of responsibilities to take care. I have a family and job, so it doesn’t bother me to the point that it used to.”
Question: Do you miss Paintsville?
Pelphrey: “It is always going to be home. Will always miss it.”
Question: How is your golf game?
Pelphrey: “Not bad. I haven’t played a whole lot. I did get a chance to go Pebble Beach last August, and I fired a little 79. So that’s not bad.”
Now Pelphrey is back at Florida as an assistant coach to Billy Donovan after a stint as a head coach. The Gators won the Southeastern Conference regular-season title and beat LSU on Friday and Alabama on Saturday to advance to the SEC tournament final.
Pelphrey shared a few Kentucky memories based on questions UK fans submitted for him on Twitter:
Question: Do you dread or enjoy coming back to Rupp Arena as a coach of an opposing team?
Pelphrey: “I would say it is a different feeling. Obviously, it is a very difficult place to play, but a lot of memories come flooding back to me when we get to the parking lot and are walking into the arena. It is probably for me just a real unique experience. Most of the time when you walk into an arena, you are very focused on what is going on but I¿do have some stuff that goes on with me. I did play there for five years.”
Question: Have you been around a better Rupp Arena crowd than the one to end the season when UK upset Florida?
Pelphrey: “It was awesome. It really was. I think a lot of times it is a different perspective when you are sitting over there and playing on the other side. I probably am not the best guy to judge on that because you miss a lot as somebody in the battle. But it was a great crowd. Nod doubt about that.”
Question: Do you want to be a head coach again?
Pelphrey: “I am enjoying what I am doing, but I have aspirations certainly of being a head coach again. There is a lot I like. I am still passionate about the game and having relationships with young people and enjoying the challenges.”
Question: Will you ever be back living or coaching in Kentucky?
Pelphrey: “I don’t know. I don’t have a crystal ball.”
Question: Do you still consider yourself a Wildcat?
Pelphrey: “Absolutely. That will never change.”
Question: Do you still think about that NCAA game with Duke, especially each March?
Pelphrey: “It shows up enough (on TV) to where I see enough to where you get reminded about it. And I¿have a lot of responsibilities to take care. I have a family and job, so it doesn’t bother me to the point that it used to.”
Question: Do you miss Paintsville?
Pelphrey: “It is always going to be home. Will always miss it.”
Question: How is your golf game?
Pelphrey: “Not bad. I haven’t played a whole lot. I did get a chance to go Pebble Beach last August, and I fired a little 79. So that’s not bad.”
