Calipari Takes Kentucky Job

by Jay Coulter on Mar 31, 2009 7:58 PM CDT in Basketball Comment 5 comments

More photos » Mark J. Terrill - AP

SEC basketball got a lot tougher tonight when Memphis Coach John Calipari accepted the head basketball job at Kentucky. A Sea Of Blue is reporting that the deal is done. It's also being confirmed by the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Here's part of their story from earlier tonight...

After nearly a full day of reflection and struggle, John Calipari decided today to accept the head coaching job at Kentucky and leave the University of Memphis, according to a source close to Calipari.

The Louisville Courier-Journal and Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Calipari called former Kentucky coach Joe B. Hall to discuss the program and its tradition.

Calipari leaves Memphis after nine seasons, the last four of which elevated the Tigers' program to heights never before seen in school history, including an appearance in the 2008 NCAA championship game.

Calipari's deal at Kentucky is expected to be in the range of $5 million per year. Despite those mega-numbers, which will make Calipari the highest-paid coach in college basketball by a wide margin, Memphis had indeed offered a better deal, according to sources close to the process.

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In good news for the rest of the SEC

Mike Anderson turned Georgia down

The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs

by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 8:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That's huge... I hadn't heard that...

He’s a good coach, but he carries a lot of baggage.

Jay Coulter

by Jay Coulter on Mar 31, 2009 8:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

$5 Mil a year?

Saban, better call Sexton. Even if it is basketball…

by War Eagle Atlanta on Mar 31, 2009 8:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure that number is accurate

From ESPN.com article:

Kentucky officials told [Andy] Katz that Calipari will receive an eight-year contract for $31.65 million plus incentives. Kentucky paid Memphis a [measly, comparatively] $200,000 buyout.

Earlier Tuesday, Calipari told a confidante that he was also receiving a $2.5 million signing bonus.

That’s still in the Saban range, though. Recession? What recession?!

The artist formerly known as...
Mr Redbird @ Viva El Birdos
PowerOfDixieland @ Track Em Tigers, other SEC blogs

by jd is legend on Mar 31, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The coaching carousel just got amped up a few rpms.....

and if Petino who doesn’t exactly like Calipari decides he doesn’t want to deal with recruiting against him or playing him decides to bolt for Arizona…….the carousel may become more like a rollercoaster….hang on and enjoy the chaos.

I would have gone to bammer if my grades hadn't been good enough to go to AU

by Todd92 on Mar 31, 2009 9:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs