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Shoemaker: Gibson’s Donuts. Ching’s Hot Wings. There’s more to Calipari than basketball.

By , Daily Memphian Published: October 27, 2025 4:00 AM CT
Sam Shoemaker
Daily Memphian

Sam Shoemaker

Sam Shoemaker was born and raised in Memphis and attends the University of Memphis, double majoring in journalism and philosophy. He has covered Tiger football since his junior year of high school for various online publications, most recently On3.

Some in Memphis still love him. Others, not so much.

Count Don DeWeese and Lafayette Williams in the fan club.

DeWeese, owner of Gibson’s Donuts, calls the former Tigers basketball coach John Calipari “the best thing that’s ever happened to Memphis.”


The AM/DM podcast: In our Calipari era


Said Williams, the co-owner of Ching’s Hot Wings: “He’s the best thing next to Fred Smith.”

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