BREAKING: Reports: Head Coach John Calipari Finalizing Five Year Deal With Arkansas Confirmed

Lexington (WTVQ) —

University of Kentucky men’s head basketball coach John Calipari is leaving to become the men’s head coach at SEC rival, Arkansas.

ESPN reporting Calipari is finalizing a 5-year deal to become the next head coach for the Razorbacks. The deal is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours. Calipari will not owe the University of Kentucky any money by making the move to Fayetteville.

The internet already putting Coach John Calipari in Arkansas wear as the deal is finalized.

Keep in mind Arkansas will be playing the UK Men’s team at Rupp Arena in the 2024 basketball season.

Calipari, 65, has been UK’s coach for the last 15 seasons. He’s led the Wildcats to a 410-122 record, with a 2012 NCAA Championship and three other Final Four appearances in 2011, 2014 and 2015 with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances overall.

Arkansas was in search for a new coach to replace Eric Musselman, who resigned in early April to become the coach at University of Southern California. Although Arkansas struggled in the 2023 season relative to years past, the head coaching job for the Razorbacks is still an attractive job, especially as an SEC rival of Kentucky. With Calipari in place, the Razorbacks could be a brand new force in the SEC moving forward.

Calipari had nearly a $34 million dollar deal with Kentucky, and according to his contract, he must notify the school if he is in talks with any other university about a position. With his departure from Kentucky to another school, the school will owe Calipari nothing.

Sources say Calipari is in Fayetteville and he’s expected to be announced as the next head coach of Arkansas on Monday, April 8th.

Many on X reacting to the news…