Calipari cautions Kentucky faithful

John Calipari cautioned the Kentucky faithful that he was not the “grand poobah” or “emperor” -- even if his eight-year, $31.65-million contract as the Wildcats’ new coach pays him like one.

Before his introductory news conference Wednesday, Kentucky’s athletics board approved the contract that will make Calipari the highest-paid coach in the nation. Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart defended the salary, saying that the university paid a premium price to lure Calipari away from Memphis because he can flat-out coach.

“I’m a regular guy, folks,” Calipari said. “I do not walk on water; I do not have a magic wand.”

He might need to find one. Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie on Friday after two seasons and he went 40-27, including losing 14 games this season and failing to lead the Wildcats into the NCAA tournament.

Wooden team

North Carolina and Connecticut were the only Final Four teams to place players on the John R. Wooden Award All-American team.

Tar Heels forward Tyler Hansbrough, the 2008 Wooden Award winner, was a repeat selection to the team, joining teammate Ty Lawson, a guard, and Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet. Other selections: DeJuan Blair and Sam Young of Pittsburgh; Stephen Curry of Davidson; Blake Griffin of Oklahoma; Luke Harangody of Notre Dame; James Harden of Arizona State; Gerald Henderson of Duke; and Terrence Williams of Louisville.

The women’s team will be announced today.

Etc.

Ernie Kent will stay on as Oregon’s coach after a disappointing 8-23 season that led to speculation about the Ducks making a change. The school also announced that it hired former Arizona assistant Mike Dunlap as associate head coach. . . . The Connecticut men’s program showed a profit of just under $6.3 million during the 2008 fiscal year, nearly four times what the school is paying Coach Jim Calhoun. . . . Texas forward Dexter Pittman says he’s staying in school and will not make himself eligible for the NBA draft. . . . Hawaii Coach Bob Nash has agreed to a one-year contract extension with an option for another season.