LEXINGTON โ Kentucky basketball seems to be in an unfamiliar situation. For the first time in over 15 years, he will reportedly have to navigate a coaching search.
Calipari will be the next coach at the University of Arkansas, according to reports that began circulating Sunday night. Calipari, who won 76.9% of his games (410-123) with the Wildcats, enjoyed dizzying success early in his tenure, reaching four Final Fours in his first six seasons and winning the 2012 national championship. This highlighted its brilliance. However, he never returned to the Final Four after 2015. This season, Kentucky won its first 38 games and lost to Wisconsin in the national semifinals. UK failed to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament in Calipari's final three games, dropping four of the tournament's final five games.
So, who will Kentucky turn to now?
First and foremost, UK fans want someone who can put the program back on the map, not only in the Big Dance, but also in the SEC Tournament, where it hasn't won since 2018. Potentially, the entire 2023-2024 roster will be out following this tournament. With Calipari's departure to Arkansas, the Wildcats' next coach will use the NCAA transfer portal to rebuild the ranks using the NIL, with incoming signees likely to seek release from their national letters of intent. There will be a need.
Barnhart and Kentucky should be able to open the checkbook for the new coach since they are not obligated to pay Calipari because he took another job of his own volition. UK was scheduled to pay Calipari $8.5 million for the 2023-24 season, according to USA TODAY Sports' coaches salary database.
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With all these factors in mind, let's take an early look at the candidates for Kentucky's vacancy (listed alphabetically).
It's no secret that Drew, who built Baylor University's program from the ashes in the wake of one of the most sordid scandals in NCAA history, is at the top of Barnhart's list of candidates to replace Calipari. Drew will be the first coach UK has hired as a former national champion after leading Baylor to the title in 2021, and will play for the Bears in 2021 with a 446-244 (.646) record in 21 seasons. I am getting good results. Prior to taking over at Baylor prior to the 2003-04 season, Drew spent one season (2002-03) as Valparaiso's head coach, posting a 20-11 overall record and a 12-2 mark at Mid-Continent. – Won the conference regular season title. .
Lloyd took over as Arizona's coach in April 2021 after spending 22 seasons as Mark Few's right-hand man at Gonzaga. He has been very successful thus far, setting an NCAA record for most wins by a head coach in his first two seasons (61). and Three seasons (88). Lloyd has won 81.5% of his games (88-20) in three seasons and boasts two Pac-12 regular season titles and two conference tournament championships.
Oats turned Alabama into an SEC power this season for the program. The Crimson Tide has won the regular season twice (2021 and 2023) and doubled down by winning the SEC Tournament in the same two years. He reached the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive season and reached this year's Final Four, where Alabama lost to UW in the national semifinals on Saturday. Oats has a winning percentage of 68.4% (117-54) with the Crimson Tide. Prior to taking over at Alabama, Oats had four solid seasons at Buffalo, compiling a 96-43 (.691) record and leading the program to the NCAA Tournament three times.
Not only has Oats won nearly 70 percent in nine seasons as a college coach, but he also has other qualities that a program like Kentucky wants.
The biggest red flag for Oates is his response to the 2023 shooting in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. At that time, Oates later said, “It was disappointing.''
Two other Kentucky basketball coaching candidates to consider
This story will be updated.
Contact Kentucky men's basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow @RyanABlack on X.