In a major shakeup in college basketball coaching, John Calipari will leave the University of Kentucky to join SEC rival the University of Arkansas, according to a person familiar with the deal.
The person spoke to USA TODAY's Dan Wolken on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak publicly.
Calipari will receive a five-year contract to replace Eric Musselman, who left Fayetteville to accept a job at the University of Southern California.
Despite reaching the Final Four four times in five seasons from 2011 to 2015, Calipari's status at Kentucky is in jeopardy after the Wildcats lost to No. 14 seed Oakland in this year's NCAA Tournament. It seemed like it had happened. However, athletic director Mitch Barnhart appeared to put those doubts to rest when he announced that Calipari would return for his 16th season in Lexington next year.
Calipari, 65, has reached the Final Four six times and has been named Naismith Coach of the Year three times. He was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
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How long has John Calipari coached at the University of Kentucky?
Calipari has been at Kentucky for the past 15 seasons. During that time, his teams posted a 410-122 (.771) record, won the SEC title six times in the regular season, appeared in the NCAA Tournament 12 times, and won the national title in 2012. obtained.
Calipari's overall college coaching record in 32 seasons at Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky is 813-260 (.758). He also spent three seasons as coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1999, compiling a 72-112 (.391) record.
Arkansas went 16-17 this year under Musselmann, marking the school's first losing season since 2010. The Razorbacks only have two returning players from the team, and seven players have already applied to the transfer portal.
Kentucky Basketball Coach History
Kentucky's men's basketball program has had only six head coaches since the retirement of legendary coach Adolph Rupp (1930-1972), the namesake of Kentucky's basketball stadium.
- Joe B. Hall (1972-1985) 297-100 (.748), 1 national championship (1978)
- Eddie Sutton (1985-1989) 88-39 (.693)
- Rick Pitino (1989-1997) 219-50 (.814), 1 National Championship (1996)
- Tubby Smith (1997-2007) 268-83 (.760), 1 national championship (1998)
- Billy Gillespie (2007-2009) 40-27 (.597)
- John Calipari (2009-2024) 410-122 (.771), 1 National Championship (2012)
Contributor: Dan Wolken