John Calipari is poised to become the next head coach at the University of Arkansas, according to sources speaking to CBS Sports. The negotiations between Calipari and Arkansas officials intensified over the weekend, culminating in a verbal agreement by Sunday night, indicating an imminent deal.
Kentucky’s athletic director, Mitch Barnhart, stated that as of late Sunday, Calipari had not informed him of discussions with Arkansas’s AD about the coaching position. However, it’s understood that UK officials were made aware of the situation through intermediaries over the weekend, as per the terms of Calipari’s contract.
Expected to be a five-year deal worth over $8 million, Calipari’s move to Arkansas could potentially leverage significant additional resources from the school’s major donors, particularly the Tyson family, known for their close ties to Calipari.
Having spent the last 15 seasons leading the Kentucky Wildcats, Calipari would stay within the SEC if he accepts the Arkansas job, succeeding Eric Musselman, who recently departed for USC. Calipari’s coaching career spans multiple institutions, including notable stints at Memphis and UMass, as well as NBA coaching experience with the New Jersey Nets.
The news of Calipari’s potential move comes shortly after a reassurance from Barnhart about his return to Kentucky for the next season. Despite this, Kentucky’s recent NCAA Tournament loss and a series of underwhelming seasons have fueled speculation about Calipari’s future.
During his tenure at Kentucky, Calipari has achieved remarkable success, including four Final Four appearances and a national championship in 2012. Renowned for his recruiting prowess, Calipari consistently attracts top talent, evidenced by Kentucky’s recent recruiting classes featuring standout players like Reed Sheppard and D.J. Wagner.
Sources suggest that discussions between Calipari and Arkansas have included considerations about retaining Kentucky’s incoming freshman class and potentially expanding recruiting efforts, including transfers. The Arkansas job became available after Musselman’s departure, following a season where the Razorbacks missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his tenure.
Musselman’s departure marked the end of a successful stint with Arkansas, during which he led the team to multiple deep tournament runs. However, the team’s recent performance, coupled with player transfers, suggests a challenging rebuilding phase for the incoming coach, whether it’s Calipari or another candidate.
