John Calipari’s tenure at Kentucky is officially ended.
“Over the last few weeks, we’ve realized that our program may benefit from another voice… We’ve enjoyed our time here, but we believe it’s time to move on,” Calipari said in a video uploaded on X, the platform that was previously known as Twitter. “Step away completely from the program.”
Calipari finishes his 15-year tenure with the Wildcats with an overall record of 410-123 (.769), having won the national title in 2012, finished second in 2014, and reached the Final Four twice more (2011 and 2015). He also won six SEC Tournament titles and six regular-season championships (sharing one with Texas A&M in 2015-16).
WHO’S NEXT?:The leading possibilities to succeed Calipari at Kentucky
Calipari is second in program history (after Hall of Famer Adolph Rupp) in terms of tenure, overall wins, Final Four appearances, SEC regular-season championships, and conference tournament crowns.
FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA basketball bracket, scores, schedules, rosters, and more.
Following the announcement of the longstanding coach’s departure, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart thanked him.
“We’re grateful to John Calipari for leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky,” Barnhart said in a statement posted on his personal X account. “We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court.”
Calipari has a combined on-court record of 855-263 (.765) in 32 seasons as a collegiate coach, including stops at UMass and Memphis. (The NCAA accepts Calipari’s record as 813-261, after vacating his 38-2 season at Memphis in 2007-08.) Calipari previously served three seasons as an NBA head coach, leading the New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1998, with a 72-112 record (.391).
