Interesting rate in Bulls job dropping

The Bulls' coaching search barely has begun, and already potential candidates are dropping out.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson and Kentucky coach John Calipari each dismissed interest after numerous media reports listed them as possible candidates.

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But when asked if he was interested in returning to the Bulls, Jackson said flatly, ''No, I'm not.''

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Like Jackson, Calipari moved quickly to squash the speculation, telling ESPN's Andy Katz that he has no interest in the job. Kentucky also announced that it was willing to extend Calipari's contract to keep him for the rest of his career.

But unlike Jackson, it would be foolish to cross out Calipari's name on the list of candidates. Because of the cutthroat nature of recruiting, a college coach can't publicly express interest in a job or even let his name be linked to an opening for long. If he does pursue the Bulls' opening, it wouldn't be the first time Calipari publicly has said he wasn't interested in a job only to make his interest known through back channels.

Last season was Calipari's first at Kentucky, and there have been whispers he wasn't thrilled by the environment, despite the team's success.