John Calipari is reportedly leaving Kentucky to become Arkansas’ new men’s basketball head coach. Neither he nor either school has publicly confirmed the development.
A local reporter attempted to get answers from Calipari in the coach’s neighborhood.
On Monday afternoon, WKYT reporter Lee K. Howard approached Calipari on the street while he was walking his dog. Howard asked if he had any comment on the reports.
“No, I don’t,” Calipari answered. “I’m walking my dog right now.”
Here’s a look at the awkward exchange:
John Calipari walking his dog along Richmond Rd this afternoon. Declines to give a comment to Kentucky fans.
“No, I don’t, I’m walking my dog right now.”@WKYT pic.twitter.com/J8yIndZmox
— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) April 8, 2024
ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzello dropped a bombshell late Sunday evening, reporting that Calipari is finalizing a five-year deal with the Razorbacks. The contract is expected to be completed on Monday.
Calipari’s departure would be major news in college basketball. He’s spent the last 15 seasons with Kentucky, which has gone 855-263 with a national championship during his tenure.
Coach Cal led the Wildcats to the Final Four four times from 2011 to 2015, but they have one NCAA tournament victory in the last five years. They entered March as a dangerous No. 3 before falling to Oakland in the first round’s biggest upset.
After the loss, Kentucky squashed any speculation of the school firing Calipari. Less than two weeks ago, athletic director Mitch Barnhart sat next to Calipari and disputed “misinformation” about his poor relationship with the longtime head coach.
Calipari now looks slated to join Arkansas in place of Eric Musselman, who accepted USC’s job after Andy Enfield went to SMU. The Razorbacks went 16-17 this season after notching eight NCAA tournament wins in the previous three years.