NEWARK, N.J. — Kentucky coach John Calipari said today that he “came close” to taking the N.C. State basketball job in the spring of 2006.
“I liked the situation there because it gave you a chance to get on the same footing with the Dukes and North Carolinas — like ‘let’s go, let’s have it,’ ” said Calipari, whose team faces Ohio State on Friday in the East Regional semifinals at the Prudential Center.
The job eventually went to Sidney Lowe, who was ousted almost two weeks ago.
Calipari isn’t seen as a candidate this time for the Wolfpack, but called the job a “terrific one.”
“Someone will go in there and do a really good job,” he said.
