In that time, Kentucky has alternated between being a roller coaster in the regular season and being dead in March—the exact opposite of the eight-year run Calipari had prior to agreeing to a “lifetime” deal in 2019.
After just five seasons, athletic director Mitch Barnhart reportedly put the choice over Calipari’s future in Barnhart’s hands. Barnhart had previously given Calipari that “lifetime” contract.
Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio elaborated on Sunday night, saying that Calipari has been in New Jersey since the Oakland defeat and that the decision might be made as soon as today.
Although it’s safe to say that not many people are absolutely sure what will happen, Jones has the best connections of any media person when it comes to UK sports.
Furthermore, it wouldn’t be shocking if Barnhart decides after speaking with Calipari.
If the show does decide to let go of Calipari, they’ll probably have someone else in mind and rapidly turn that page. Even if they don’t and Calipari decides to come back for another season, the structure of UK basketball will likely undergo significant alterations.
Following another defeat to a mid-major team with a double-digit seed in the NCAA men’s tournament, Kentucky coach John Calipari’s future with the team is in doubt. Athletics director Mitch Barnhart has not provided an update on Calipari’s condition since UK’s season-ending 80-76 loss to Oakland, a 14-seed from the Horizon League.
Nevertheless, many of Kentucky’s ardent supporters are prepared to sever their bonds with Calipari, who recently completed his 15th season in office. The Wildcats’ loss marked their third straight March Madness tournament that concluded during the first weekend; the previous two years’ first-round losses to Kansas State in the second round and 15-seed Saint Peter’s in the first round occurred in 2022.
