Wildcats get Big Blue ’bye from Calipari
UA said ready to present him as new coach today
FAYETTEVILLE — Before John Calipari says hello to the University of Arkansas men’s basketball program and its fans today, he bid farewell to Kentucky and Big Blue Nation on Tuesday.
After 15 seasons leading the University of Kentucky, Calipari is expected to be announced as Arkansas’ coach this morning, according to high-placed sources, with a news conference scheduled for the evening at Walton Arena.
Arkansas’ Board of Trustees has a meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. today at which time they will approve Calipari’s contract, a source said.
Calipari announced on Tuesday he was leaving Kentucky with the release of a video on his social media account.
“It’s been a beautiful time for us,” Calipari said in a video while sitting on a couch at his home in Lexington, Ky. “This is a dream job. It was my dream job.
“Anybody in our profession looks at the University of Kentucky in basketball and says, ‘That is the bluest of the blue.’
“The last few weeks, we’ve come to realize that the program probably needs to hear another voice. That the university as a whole has to have another voice giving guidance about this program that they hear. And the fans need to hear another voice.
“We’ve loved it here, but we think it’s time for us to step away,” Calipari said, including his wife Ellen. “And step away completely from the program.”
Calipari, who wore a blue shirt in the video, didn’t mention Arkansas by name, but referenced leaving for a new job. At 65, he indicated he’s still excited to coach.
“There have been opportunities that have been presented to us, and we’re discussing them as a family,” Calipari said. “I love coaching. I love coaching young people.”
This season’s Kentucky team finished 23-10 with a loss to Oakland 80-76 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats went 2-0 against Arkansas, winning 63-57 at Walton Arena and 111-102 at Rupp Arena.
“This year’s team, I loved every day walking in,” Calipari said. “They invigorated me. I love the chase for championships. I love bringing the kids together. It’s what I do. It’s who I am.”
Jimmy Dykes, a former Arkansas player and UA women’s coach who is an analyst for ESPN and the SEC Network, said he spoke with Calipari on Tuesday after the video was released.
“From talking to Cal, he’s
beyond ecstatic about what’s in front of him at Arkansas,” Dykes said. “He can’t wait to get here.”
Dykes said he was impressed by how Calipari expressed his thanks for his time at Kentucky.
“Cal was obviously very grateful, very gracious, very thoughtful about his time at Kentucky,” Dykes said. “I think he leaves there with a clean heart towards what he’s accomplished there and an excited, joyful heart for what’s in front of him at Arkansas.”
Calipari had a 410-122 record as Kentucky’s coach, including winning the 2012 national championship with a 67-59 victory over Kansas.
The Wildcats made three other Final Four appearances under Calipari.
They lost to Connecticut 60-54 in the 2014 title game and lost in the national semifinals to Connecticut 56-55 in 2011 and to Wisconsin 71-64 in 2015.
Calipari’s on-court record in 32 seasons at Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky is 855-261. He also had Final Four teams at Massachusetts in 1996 — when the Minutemen beat Arkansas 79-63 in a Sweet 16 game — and at Memphis in 2008 when the Tigers lost to Kansas in 75-68 in overtime in the championship game.
Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart issued a statement Tuesday in which he thanked Calipari.
“We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky,” Barnhart said.
“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.”
Calipari thanked his players and staff at Kentucky as well as the fans for their support.
“It’s been a dream, what we’ve been able to do,” Calipari said. “But 15 years, time for another voice, and you know I’m always going to be a fan. Thank you.”