A message to #BBN: pic.twitter.com/TG344ipTfZ
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) April 9, 2024
John Calipari, the offbrand-Pitino recruiting whiz who racked up more than 400 wins, four Final Four appearances and a national title during his 15-year stint as the basketball coach for the University of Kentucky Wildcats, publicly announced his resignation today. It has been widely reported that Calipari’s next stop will be a lucrative deal to coach the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
I guess the ink isn’t quite dry on the contract with Arkansas, as Calipari remains coy in his statement: “There have been opportunities that have been presented to us, and we’re discussing them as a family.”
Calipari said UK was his dream job but “the last few weeks we’ve come to realize that this program probably needs to hear another voice.” The Wildcats have finished the season with ignominious early exits from the NCAA tournament over the last few years, putting Calipari on the hot seat. Now it’s time to “step away completely,” he said.
According to reporters in Kentucky, Calipari had not officially informed University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart as of this morning. Though his decision to step down was known to everyone involved, Barnhart was waiting for word from Calipari before commenting. He issued a statement immediately afterwards:
We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky.
We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court. We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly dedicated coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky.
An announcement that Calipari has been hired as the Razorbacks new head coach is expected soon.
Update: Sounds like it will be tomorrow. The University of Arkansas System announced late this afternoon that a special meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held tomorrow at 9 a.m. “to consider a salary in excess of line item maximum for the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.” Pig Trail Nation is on the case. Their reporter Alyssa Orange says the official announcement will come tomorrow morning, with an introductory presser slated for tomorrow evening:
I’m told Arkansas will not officially announce Calipari until tomorrow morning and we will have an introductory press conference at 6pm at Bud Walton Arena.
— Alyssa Orange (@AlyssaOrange) April 9, 2024
