Head coach Greg Kampe and Oakland University pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent NCAA Tournament history Thursday night, defeating a true “Blue Blood” program in that of Kentucky in the first round.
It was an absolutely amazing scene in Detroit as Oakland won its first tournament game. For Kampe, it has been 40 years in the making. He took over as the program’s head coach all the way back in 1984.
Coming off the bench, guard Jack Gohlke tied an NCAA Tournament record with 10 three-pointers. As for the long-time Oakland head coach, Kampe didn’t think the upset win was too unexpected. At the very least, that’s what he told media after the victory.
“I wanted them to be primetime, and I knew they would — there was never a doubt in my mind that this wasn’t going to be a game. There was doubt that we would win, but there was never a doubt that this would be a game because I’ve been with this team since June and I know who they are,” Greg Kampe said.
Oakland University and its head coach are the early darlings of the tournament. They are the headliners in a tourney full of programs representing national prominence. It’s in this that we are starting to learn more about the 68-year-old Ohio native. It’s all sorts of awesome.
Related: Social Media Reacts To Oakland’s Upset Win Over Kentucky
Oakland Head Coach Greg Kampe Trolls Europe Over Lack Of Dr. Pepper
The late-great Mike Leach of college football fame made headlines on a continual basis for going off on odd rants about nothing in particular. Leach was a legend of the microphone. An individual who kept both the listener and those interviewing him engaged. It’s almost a thing of lore at this point.
We’re not going to put Kampe in that legendary tier just yet. But a video released by Oakland back in October of last year has now gone viral. We’ll share before breaking it down:
In Europe at the time of this video, Kampe was not impressed by the snacks and refreshments provided by our brothers across the pond. In particular, he seemed pretty pissed about the lack of Dr. Pepper.
“All of this stuff? No way. Only Pringles. I would eat the Pringles. The rest of this stuff? I wouldn’t waste a cent on,” Kampe said. “And the other problem I have with Europe? Ten days. No Diet Dr. Pepper. No Dr. Pepper. All they have here is Coke, Sprite, and they come in bottle like this … who is going to drink a shot of Coke, right? What they do have is Coke Zero. But that zero stands for zero flavor, zero chance of ever purchashing and zero chance of me ever being able to enjoy Dr. Pepper. What’s going on here, man? What’s wrong with these people?”
That might be the best rant ever directed at both Europe and the lack of Dr. Pepper on the continent. It might only be the only rant directed at the two at the same time.
He’s right about Diet Dr. Pepper. It’s amazing. He’s absolutely 100% wrong about Coke Zero. Someone needs to check the dude’s taste buds.
The good news? Greg Kampe can have his fill of Diet Dr. Pepper when Oakland University takes on North Carolina State Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh. The better news? Dude just found himself the best endorsement possibility ever.