Everything you need to know about John Calipari’s return to Lexington

FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- John Calipari’s return to Lexington for the first time as the head coach of Arkansas men’s basketball is hours away.

The legendary former Kentucky head man and the Razorbacks are expected to arrive in the Bluegrass on Friday for the Saturday night 9 p.m. tipoff against Kentucky.

Returning Words

FILE – In this March 28, 2015, file photo, Kentucky coach John Calipari smiles during his news conference after Kentucky’s 68-66 win over Notre Dame in a college basketball game in the NCAA men’s tournament regional finals in Cleveland. Calipari, whose Kentucky team is the first in 24 years to reach the Final Four undefeated, has been selected The Associated Press’ coach of the year, Friday, April 3, 2015. (AP Photo/Aaron Josefczyk, File)

Calipari is coming back to Lexington to see an arena that is no longer his to coach in, a fanbase that he doesn’t serve anymore and a basketball program that has changed hands to a new head coach.

“I’m not bitter in any way. What I did was right for me and my family and it was also right for Kentucky. Mark Pope has done a fabulous job. He was the right guy for that job,” said Calipari.

The recent debate around the UK fanbase has been whether or not they will boo, cheer or be silent when they see Calipari hop onto the Rupp Arena hardwood.

Cal himself is not too pressed on his reception and says he would be surprised if it was resoundingly positive.

“They’ll be some emotions walking into Rupp Arena. You’re not going to erase from my mind what we’ve done there. It’s history,” said Calipari. “I cherish my time there and so does my wife Ellen. I look forward to walking in the building. I don’t remember in my time (the UK fans) cheering an opposing coach.”

Preparing for Pope

Arkansas comes into Lexington in desperate need of a win as they look to right the ship during conference play. In the SEC, the Hogs are 1-6 with the lone win coming versus Georgia at home last month.

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Ohio State in the CBS Sports Classic, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

“In league play we are off to a little slower start than we want to be,” said Calipari, who expressed his desire to win titles in the Natural State just like he did in the Bluegrass. “I’m liking the team, wish we had a few more wins. Let’s see if we can breakthrough on some of these games.”

As far as the preparation for Head Coach Mark Pope’s Wildcats goes, Cal says the team has spent the back half of this week focusing on UK.

“Our focus the last few days has been us. I’m trying to make sure that we are organized,” said Calipari on Thursday. “(Kentucky) is good. (Pope) has got them playing to win. They shoot threes. They spread the court and they’re playing with confidence.”

Old Faces in New Places

Cal’s first order of business in Fayetteville was to build a team that included former UK players Adou Thiero, Zvonimir Ivisic, DJ Wagner and Kareem Watkins.

He also brought in former Kentucky commits Boogie Fland, Billy Richmond and Karter Knox.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari reacts in the first half of an NCAA tournament second-round college basketball game against Western Kentucky in Louisville, Ky., Thursday, March 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)

His assistant coaches include former Kentucky assistants Chin Coleman, Chuck Martin and Bruiser Flint, who were on his last staff in Lexington.

The new Head Hog added his son, Brad, and former player and student assistant coach, Tyler Ulis, to the coaching corps.

“You just got to explain and talk to (the former players) about what the beginning will be like. There will be some anxiety. I just got to talk them about being calm in the storm. What about those three too? My focus has been more about those three than me,” said Calipari.