FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Finally, there’s something going on with John Calipari getting free of the Kentucky Wildcats to come to the Arkansas Razorbacks. At least that’s the hope of fans after he dropped a video on X that was basically a message to the fans as he was stepping away.
On Tuesday, Calipari himself, said he and his wife, Ellen, have decided it’s time to step away from the program. Unlike some players that use that phrase to take a week or two off, then come back, it sounded like Calipari is out.
“The last few weeks, we’ve come to realize this program probably needs to hear another voice, that the university as a whole has to have another voice giving guidance about this program they hear, and the fans need to hear another voice,” Calipari said.
Calipari did talk to Kentucky and athletics director Mitch Barnhart, but apparently told them what it would take to keep him and the Wildcats declined.
News of talks between Razorbacks booster John Tyson and Calipari, his longtime friend, apparently got serious when Eric Musselman resigned to go to USC last week. Things were quiet over the weekend, but have blow up and it was apparently official he’s leaving Kentucky and Barnhart agreed on X.
We're appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky. We're grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court.
— Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) April 9, 2024
Now everybody is waiting on something from the Razorbacks or Calipari on the next step, but there’s not exactly a team waiting on him in Fayetteville. Assistant coach Ronnie Brewer and non-scholarship player Lawson Blake. That’s it. Several of the players who put their name into the transfer portal are reportedly ready to come back to the Hogs if Calipari is the choice, but he didn’t resign from Kentucky to sit at the horse track all day.
The Hogs’ fans are waiting for the welcoming party.
