John Calipari Reportedly Agrees to Coach Kentucky Wildcats

UPDATE: USA Today reports Calipari contacted former Wildcat coach Joe B. Hall to inform him he has taken the job. It appears as though Calipari intends to embrace the UK tradition from the get-go.

Earlier: According to Fox13 Memphis and Memphis' News Channel 3, John Calipari has officially accepted a very lucrative offer to become the head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. More details to come on the amount and length of the contract, not to mention the expected roster turnover at both Memphis and Kentucky.

For now, though, the anticipation appears to be over. John Calipari seems to be the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball coach. He'll join up with one of the most hallowed basketball programs in the nation, as Kentucky has won more national championships than anyone but UCLA. "Coach Cal" sports a resume that fits the bill, though.

In 17 seasons, he's compiled a ridiculous 446-110 record. He's been to seven Sweet 16s, five Elite 8s, and two Final Fours -- and this was from the Atlantic 10 and Conference USA. Speaking of which, Calipari hasn't lost a conference game since the 2006 season, when his Tigers went 13-1 against Conference USA foes. Now, Calipari will be taking this resume to the hallowed halls of Lexington's Rupp Arena.

There are plenty of storylines to follow -- assuming these reports are true. The aforementioned roster turnover will likely include departures from both Kentucky and Memphis. Hanging in limbo is the already top-ranked Memphis recruiting class, not to mention the most talented prep point guard in the nation, John Wall.

Once the dust settles on all that, Calipari will enter into a fierce in-state rivalry with Louisville and Rick Pitino.

Stay tuned.

NCAA Tournament Action

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 21: Wayne Ellington #22 of the North Carolina Tar Heels drives against Garrett Temple #14 of the Louisiana State University Tigers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 21, 2009 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Wayne Ellington;Garrett Temple

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: A Washington Huskies cheerleader performs during a break in the action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Manny Harris #3 of the Michigan Wolverines jumps to the basket for a lay up against Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Harris

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Zack Novan #0 and Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for the loose ball with Blake Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Gibson;Zack Novak;Blake Griffin

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Willie Warren #13 of the Oklahoma Sooners makes contact as he goes to the basket with Zack Gibson #32 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first hafl during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Willie Warren

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #32 of the Oklahoma Sooners goes up for the short jump shot against DeShawn Sims #34 of the Michigan Wolverines in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Taylor Griffin;DeShawn Sims

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: JaJuan Johnson #25 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a shot over Jon Brockman #40 of the Washington Huskies in the second half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** JaJuan Johnson;Jon Brockman

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Taylor Griffin #23 of the Oklahoma Sooners and Zack Novak #0 of the Michigan Wolverines vie for position to the loose ball in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Zack Novak;Taylor Griffin

Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 21: Head Coach Jeff Capel of the Michigan Wolverines yells from the sideline during their game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 21, 2009 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jeff Capel

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 21: Lewis Jackson #23 of the Purdue Boilermakers goes up for a layup as Quincy Pondexter #20 of the Washington Huskies looks on during the second round of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at the Rose Garden on March 21, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lewis Jackson;Quincy Pondexter

Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

3-31-2009 @ 3:46PM

bballdan19 said...

Looks like a done deal to UK, but Memphis News Stations are reporting that FedEX founder Fred Smith has been in contact with Calipari in an effort to entice him to stay... apparently offering him stock options in FedEX as part of a deal to match money-wise what UK is offering him.

For breaking updates you can check out SECLiveNews.com

3-31-2009 @ 4:40PM

homebasedworker4 said...

Cal will end up going to Kentucky but not because there is anything wrong with Memphis or because Memphis cant match what Kentucky is offering. If he goes to Kentucky it will be because it gets him in a BCS conference, something he will probably never experience at Memphis. It is a shame for Memphis though, to go from a perineal Elite 8 team with perhaps the best recruiting class of all time coming in next year to having about 6 guys on the team next year and scraping and clawing just to get a .500 record in conference. What did Memphis ever do to deserve this?

3-31-2009 @ 5:54PM

al said...

He would be stupid not to go. Memphis is a nice job but it is not Kentucky. It is like asking the K.C Royals Mng to turn down the Yankees, Red sox or Dodgers job. It is not about money it is about tradition. But all that money can't hurt things one bit.

3-31-2009 @ 6:48PM

AirTas17 said...

why are college coaches allowed to jump ship whenever under contract but pro coaches cant?

3-31-2009 @ 8:23PM

mac8535 said...

35 mil for 10 years, great deal for him, while the state of Kentucky is buried in debt. Makes AIG look like a good guy. What sports can be Immune to cut backs. Not to mention 6 mil still owed the former coach.

3-31-2009 @ 8:41PM

bluegrassmech said...

are you kidding...basketball in Kentucky supports itself and then some. it is a multi-million dollar business that doesn't ask for or use tax dollars. know your facts before you open your mouth.

3-31-2009 @ 8:36PM

how great is this...coach cal leading my big blue back to one of the perineal powerhouses on the court. not trashing billy, just not the right fit.