Jamal Crawford has been flirting with the Kentucky assistant coach job for a while now. But he has finally made his decision on the offer, politely turning down Mark Pope’s attempts to bring him into the college game with Lexington as the destination.
Crawford told KSR that he has a lot of respect for Mark Pope and his crew, but with his broadcasting duties still ongoing and a contract with NBC established, he only has time to pair it with coaching at the high school level for now.
“If this were a different time, there’s no doubt. There’s zero doubt,” he said.
“I have such respect for Coach Pope, Coach Mo (Williams), but just with everything I’m doing right now, and I’m under contract with NBC, and seeing that through, I think that takes precedent.
“I can’t do it right now. I just can’t, not with everything I’m doing. But I have no doubt I will be a coach in the future. Zero.”
Jamal Crawford Explains How He Got the Offer to Begin With
Crawford explained how Mark Pope reached out to him, admitting they have known each other for a while now.
“I’ve known Coach Pope for years, for a long, long time. He’s from up in my way (in Washington), so I’ve always had great respect for him,” Crawford said. “What’s funny about it is I think the fans started it before he even reached out, so it’s just crazy, but it’s been so cool. It’s been amazing, because our friendships continue to evolve.
“I could have been associated with — I don’t want to disrespect any school, but I can say a bunch of other schools, and it wouldn’t have hit the same as Kentucky.”
For now at least, it appears Mark Pope will need to look elsewhere to complete his coaching staff requirements.
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