ORLANDO, Fla. — John Calipari denied he’s looking to parlay his NCAA championship with Kentucky into the Knicks head-coaching job.
“Kentucky is the best job in basketball coaching,” Calipari said Wednesday on ESPN. “Why would I leave? We just won the national title.”
“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.”
Actually, just four days ago, Calipari said “Never say never’’ when asked about an NBA job. Clearly, Calipari, who is in the process of finalizing his recruiting class, has a yen to get back and his agency, CAA, appears to want him in the league. CAA appears to have influence with Knicks owner James Dolan, including William Wesley, who is an agent for coaches for CAA.
Several league executives say they believe Calipari will be a strong candidate for the Knicks job.
Interim Mike Woodson is on audition and is 9-3 through 12 games. “Right now I’m the head coach of the Knicks, and all I’m thinking about is the (12) games I have left,’’ Woodson said. “This organization, it will make the right decision whatever they decide to do.’’
Bobby Knight, his coach at Indiana, said this week Dolan would be an “absolute idiot’’ not to bring Woodson back.
Josh Harrellson, who played for Calipari at Kentucky, told The Post Calipari’s theatrical sideline demeanor would be an adjustment for NBA players.
marc.berman@nypost.com