Saying he wanted to help them launch coaching careers, new UK coach John Calipari on Thursday said he would hire former Wildcat players Tony Delk and Scott Padgett.

"I've done this many times. What happens is with guys like that, they're in positions of assistant strength coach or assistant equipment manager," Calipari said.

Delk is a former Wildcat All-American, who was a 1st-round draft pick of the Hornets in 1996. Delk was instrumental in helping the Wildcats to an NCAA championship in 1996.

Padgett was drafted in the 1st-round by the Utah Jazz in 1999, after leading Tubby Smith's Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA title.

"This is not a money thing," Calipari said. "If you want to get started in this profession, I will help you."

The new coach also said he will have 4-5 guys around every year who want to get into the coaching profession.