After getting bounced by 14-seed Oakland during the NCAA tournament, there were plenty of Kentucky fans who were ready to get rid of head coach John Calipari.
Well they might be getting their wish after all…
According to reports from Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, Coach Cal has informed his school that he’s entered into negotiations with Arkansas about the job left vacant after their current coach, Eric Musselman, left to take the head coaching position at USC.
John Calipari and Arkansas have entered into serious talks about its head coaching position, sources told CBS Sports, and Kentucky has been notified on the talks. Calipari’s contract terms mandate he must inform Kentucky if he engages with another school about a job interview.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 8, 2024
The 65-year old Calipari has been at Kentucky for 15 seasons, compiling a 410-122 record with the Wildcats that includes the 2012 National Championship, four Final Four appearances, and 12 overall NCAA Tournament appearances.
But after recent early exits from the tournament, fans at Kentucky who are used to winning national championships have been getting restless, despite their coach being awarded a lifetime contract.
Under the terms of his agreement, Calipari would be owed $34 million if Kentucky had decided to part ways with their coach – but if he leaves on his own to take another job, the university would owe him nothing.
Calipari is currently the second highest-paid coach in the country, with an annual salary of $8.5 million – behind only Bill Self of Kansas, who brings in $9.6 million per year.
If Cal does end up taking the job at Arkansas, he’ll be taking over a Razorbacks team that missed the NCAA Tournament in 2024 after a Sweet Sixteen appearance last year, following consecutive Elite Eight appearances under Musselman.
And apparently Calipari has some pretty strong advocates in his corner who are working to bring him to Arkansas: The Tyson family, of Tyson Foods, are major donors to the Hogs and also close friends with Coach Cal. So it sounds like if Arkansas has their sights set on Calipari, the money’s there to make it happen.
The Tyson family (biggest Arkansas donor) is prepared to make a major commitment to bring Cal to Arkansas, sources said.
Calipari is very close with the Tyson family and has been for years.
The story is gaining volume because major boosters are optimistic this can happen.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 8, 2024
I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens, but it sounds like those Kentucky fans who wanted Cal gone after the Oakland game may just get their wish.
