The topic of John Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas even made it in to the broadcast for the national championship on Monday. That gave their analysts a chance to break down that coaching shift, including Charles Barkley.
Barkley shared his take on Calipari heading to Fayetteville from Lexington during the pregame coverage of UConn vs. Purdue on TBS. To him, this was Calipari protecting his reputation considering how his recent run seasons with the Wildcats have ended.
“It’s good for Kentucky Basketball if they’re doing well,” said Barkley.
“I think it’s probably time for John to move. I think it had ran its course,” Barkley said. “He’s a terrific coach but they’ve underachieved and you can’t underachieve at Kentucky. He’s had tremendous success but, to be honest, he’s underachieved the last few years. He’s probably getting out ahead of the posse.”
The peaks of the Calipari era came down notably since the start of the 2020s. After winning 330 (.811) of his first 407 through 11 seasons, the last four seasons have a record of 80-46 (.635). That has also included a drop in postseason play with no league titles of any kind and no further than the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Now, with the ‘Hogs, Calipari will have the expectation to be the former version of himself rather than the latter. They have their own history at various points, including a recent run of a Sweet 16 and two Elite Eights under Eric Musselman, that those in Bud Walton Arena will want him to help them reach, if not more.
If he can, though, Barkley thinks it’s a quality position for Calipari to take over as the Razorbacks’ head coach.
“Arkansas? Hey, that’s a great job,” said Barkley. “Not many people can handle that job.”
Wright gives ‘firm no’ on Kentucky job opening
Former Villanova coach Jay Wright gave a “firm no” to the Kentucky job when he was asked about it by Kenny Smith on TBS’ national championship pregame show.
Wright’s name immediately popped up when Calipari left to take the job at Arkansas. Wright is currently enjoying retirement, though, and doing television.
“Well, I appreciate that Kenny and I am so happy doing this,” Wright said . “I’m telling you right now. I like being Kenny’s coach. Even thought I’m not Chuck’s coach yet. I haven’t earned that yet. I haven’t earned that yet. But I love being Kevin’s coach and I say this.”
“Chuck, to your point about John running his course? What John Calipari has done in Kentucky – it’s not just the recruiting, the Final Fours. It’s getting guys to the NBA, taking care of their families. It’s their Big Blue, Midnight Madness. Having Drake come in, having the top recruits in the country every single year. That program is known worldwide.”
Wright made it known that Calipari’s replacement would be walking into a very tough job. With immense expectations to follow a national championship-winning coach.
“It always was but he took it into this new generation and did an incredible job,” Wright said. “That guy that replaces him is going to be in a really difficult position to cover all the areas of college basketball.
“He’s a college basketball genius. What he did and recruiting and bringing in all those pros and all those guys that come back to Kentucky makes that program as strong as ever. Whoever comes in is coming into a super strong program.”
Even reporter Seth Davis doubled down on the questioning, asking him: “Is that a firm no?”
“Yes, yes,” Wright said. “Told ya, I’m Kenny’s coach.”
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