Though he has four years left on his contract paying him $2.35 million annually, reports from various sources including ESPN’s Andy Katz has the two-time Naismith Coach of the Year possibly moving to the “bluer” grass of Kentucky.
Calipari and Memphis advanced to the Sweet 16 this season despite losing three key pieces to 2008′s national runner-up squad in Derrick Rose, Chris Douglas-Roberts and Joey Dorsey. The Tigers lost 102-91 to Missouri on Thursday to end a 27-game winning streak, finishing 33-4 for their fourth straight 30-win campaign.
For the past nine years Calipari has built the Memphis Tigers into a hoop powerhouse, but the lure of both money and the chance to rebuild one of the most tradition-rich programs in the sport that has recently fallen upon hard times could be too much to resist.
If he decides to go, most certainly the grass will be greener in terms of financial compensation. Reports NBC Sports, Fox Sports, Kentucky Sports Report have him demanding as much as $5 million a year. Florida’s Billy Donovan is currently the highest-paid coach in the country, securing a deal for $3.5 million per year after his second national championship.
Kentucky acknowledged Monday that it had asked for, and received permission from Memphis to speak to Calipari. Though Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said in a statement that the university will do whatever it can to retain Calipari, it does not seem likely the Tigers will be successful in keeping him.
Calipari may also take with him a top recruit. Though DeMarcus Cousins, has made an oral commitment to Memphis, national letters of intent do not have to be signed until next month. Bringing the multi-talented prospect along will certainly ease the transition.
A change would also re-ignite an intrastate rivalry in a state, like Indiana, that considers college basketball to be the national pastime. Calipari would go head-to-head with Louisville coach Rick Pitino, who coached Kentucky to a national championship in 1996.
bring it on Wildcats!
you gotta love college hoops but I hope it doesnt get too greedy for its own good