Calipari on exit: Kentucky needs ‘another voice’

Jeff Borzello, ESPN Personnel WriterApr 9, 2024, 03:06 PM ET

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• Basketball recruiting insider.
• Joined ESPN in 2014.
• Graduate of University of Delaware.John Calipari stated Tuesday

that Kentucky’s men’s basketball program”probably needs to hear another voice”as he inches closer to leaving Lexington to end up being the next head coach at Arkansas.”It’s been a beautiful time for us.

This is a dream task. It was my dream task, “Calipari stated in a video posted to social networks.”Anybody in our occupation looks at the University of Kentucky in basketball and said, that is the bluest of blue. The last few weeks, we’ve pertained to realize that this program most likely needs to hear another voice.”And the fans need to hear another voice.

We have actually enjoyed it here however we think it’s time for us to step away. And step away entirely from the program. “Arkansas and Calipari remain in the final stages of negotiating, sources informed ESPN’s Pete Thamel, and are expected to formalize the staying steps before an announcement in the near future.ESPN reported Sunday night that Calipari was completing a five-year handle the Razorbacks.Kentucky athletic director

Mitch Barnhart followed Calipari’s social media video with a declaration

thanking Calipari and revealing they would begin their search for a brand-new coach.”We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the tradition of champion success at Kentucky,”Barnhart stated on social networks.”We’re grateful to John for his numerous contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court.Editor’s Picks 2 Related”We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly devoted coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the

state of Kentucky.”Alabama’s Nate Oats released a declaration Monday night that he prepared to stay in Tuscaloosa, while UConn’s Dan Hurley made it clear after leading the Huskies to back-to-back national championships that he’s likewise not going anywhere.” Now you’re believing in your brain, as I’m looking at the locker room, about the chance to do it three times, like a dynasty in modern times,”Hurley said after UConn’s win over Purdue.

“I imply, that’s what I’m thinking of. “One of the biggest names in college sports for the previous 3 decades, Calipari has actually been at Kentucky since 2009. He led the Wildcats to the national title in 2012 and went to 4 Last Fours in his very first 6 seasons in Lexington. Kentucky then went to the Elite Eight in 2017 and 2019 however has won just one NCAA tournament game since that last run to the regional final.Calipari developed the Wildcats as a recruiting powerhouse, consistently landing top-ranked recruiting classes and sending out players to the NBA draft lottery.Calipari is 410-123 with the Wildcats.