John Calipari made the most shocking move in recent college basketball history by leaving Kentucky for Arkansas earlier this month. It created a ripple effect across the sport that will be felt for years to come.
Even though things ended unlike anyone expected, the 65-year-old head coach does not have any hard feelings toward the Wildcats or Big Blue Nation and hopes that goes both ways.
Calipari recently broke his silence on everything that went down during a really great interview with Bo Mattingly on Hogs+. One particular portion of their conversation stood out. They discussed a 10-year shelf life for coaches in college hoops.
There was an opportunity for John Calipari to leave Kentucky after 10 years with the program. He said that he probably should have left and implied that he stayed five years too many. However, that was a different era. NIL wasn’t a thing. The transfer portal is not what it is today.
Players stayed at their respective programs for more than one year and didn’t move around as often. Calipari stayed with the Wildcats beyond year No. 10 because of those relationships.
Whether it was the right or wrong decision is up for debate. Some would say yes, considering Kentucky’s first round exits in two of the last three years. Some would say no and point to the 22-win+ seasons.
Either way, Calipari hopes that Big Blue Nation does not think that he stayed too long, because he does not have any “ill will” toward them or the program. He will be pulling for the Wildcats when they aren’t playing the Hogs!
To hear Calipari openly admit that he stayed five years too long is rather interesting. Rarely would a coach own up to that kind of regret, for lack of better word. Especially less than 30 days after taking a different job in the same conference!
With all of that being said, Calipari did a great job of clearing the air. Kentucky fans should appreciate his candidness and humble reflection on his time in Lexington.