Ex-Kentucky staffer Brandon Weems becomes NBA GM

However, the assistants who have grinded alongside him haven't always replicated that success when taking the reins themselves. Historically, the 11 Calipari assistants who moved on to Division I head coaching jobs have scraped together a combined record of 1,491–1,522.

But one former Kentucky staffer is breaking the mold by bypassing the college coaching route entirely. According to an official release from NBA.com, Brandon Weems has been promoted to general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers .

Weems cut his teeth in Lexington, landing his first coaching job with Kentucky. He quickly climbed the ladder to become the program's assistant director of basketball operations, serving as a vital behind-the-scenes piece of the Wildcats' 2012 national championship run.