The move is not official but John Calipari is expected to leave Kentucky in favor of Arkansas. A surprising move that will send shockwaves throughout college basketball, Calipari’s future was always in question following an early exit from the NCAA Tournament. And while Mitch Barnhart was thought to have provided an answer by giving Calipari another year, he reportedly will be coaching another SEC program next season
“A little surprising,” ESPN’s Jay Bilas said on Calipari leaving Monday evening on SportsCenter. “I knew that there were some strange relationships at Kentucky and certainly, Kentucky wasn’t happy with the last four or five years of his tenure, feeling they had underperformed in the NCAA Tournament, despite the talent that they had.”
Calipari was going to face pressure next season. Moments after the Oakland loss, he began to talk about next season’s roster, with another wave of young talent coming in. Kentucky was hoping some stars from this year — mainly Reed Sheppard — would return to help guide the program.
Arkansas gives Calipari a new breath of fresh air.
Will there be pressure to win at Arkansas? Yes. Part of why the fanbase grew irritated with Eric Musselman was for not living up to expectations this season with a losing record and not making the NCAA Tournament.
Calipari will still be welcomed with open arms by the Razorbacks and given time to get on the right track. There would have been no such luxury while at Kentucky.
“If he had stayed at Kentucky, he would have the same resolve and same energy to have a great team next year,” Bilas said. “It’s just the question of the atmosphere around him. And the atmosphere around him wasn’t quite the same as it was five or seven, nine years ago. It will be a completely new atmosphere at Arkansas.”
If there is one area you cannot fault Calipari during the down years, it was his ability to recruit. Throughout consistent postseason struggles, an immense amount of talent was brought into the program via high school recruiting. The 2023 class was ranked No. 1 in the country per the On3 Industry Team Rankings with three Five-Star Plus+ players.
Recruiting is never going to be an issue for Calipari and it’s why Bilas expects him to have success at Arkansas right away. Dipping into the NCAA transfer portal is more likely for the 2024-2025 season but as the project in Fayetteville develops, high school players will be crucial members of the Razorbacks.
National attention is coming to Arkansas quite quickly.
“John Calipari will do well anywhere he is… I have no doubt he’ll get great players right away and make them nationally competitive right away,” Bilas said.
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