Things have not gone well for the Arkansas Basketball program since the conclusion of a disappointing season. However, Razorbacks’ fans may feel better today with the news that the Hogs are on the verge of making a splashy and surprising coach hire.<\/p>\n
Late last night, ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Jeff Borzolo<\/a> revealed that Arkansas is finalizing a five-year deal with Kentucky’s John Calipari<\/strong> <\/a>to become the Razorbacks’ next coach.<\/p>\n ESPN’s report indicated that Calipari’s new deal is expected to be worth slightly less than the $8.5 million that he was making with the Wildcats. However, the contract is said to have\u00a0incentives that will allow the 65-year-old to surpass his previous salary.<\/p>\n Calipari replaces Eric Musselman<\/strong><\/a>, who left to take over USC’s program on April 4.<\/p>\n Arkansas’ decision to hire Calipari is a huge surprise, though he had come under fire at Kentucky for the Wildcats’ recent NCAA tournament failures. The Wildcats, who won just nine games in 2020-21 — the program’s fewest since the 1920s — have reached the 20-win total in the last three seasons. But the Cats are just 1-3 in their previous three NCAA tournament appearances.<\/p>\n “After a series of disappointing outcomes, Calipari no longer had full control in Lexington, ESPN’s Myron Metcalf<\/a> said when discussing why Calipari left UK. “Rather than give Kentucky’s brass another year to decide if they wanted to keep him, Calipari did what some coaches do in this scenario: He left.”<\/p>\n ESPN said the Arkansas deal came together due to Calipari’s long-standing relationship with Arkansas billionaire John H. Tyson. Before the Calipari’s hire, the Razorbacks were rebuffed by Ole Miss’ Chris Beard<\/strong><\/a> and Kansas State’s Jerome Tang<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Calipari finishes his tenure as the second longest in Kentucky history, posting a 410-123 record in 15 seasons. He made 12 NCAA tournament appearances, won six SEC regular season crowns and tournament crowns, and made four Final 4 appearances. But the Wildcats won just one national title.<\/p>\n Calipari has a lot of work to do once he gets settled in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks have just one scholarship player left from last year’s team that finished a disappointing 16-17, including 6-12 in the SEC, following the departure of leading scorer Tramon Mack<\/strong><\/a> on Sunday.<\/p>\n Losing Mack is a huge setback for Calipari’s ability to rebuild the Razorbacks quickly. Known as a defensive stopper in his three seasons at Houston, Mack really came into his own offensively under Musselman’s tutelage. The 6-5 wing averaged a career-high 16.2 points while putting together his best shooting performance .480\/.360\/ .804.<\/p>\n Arkansas lost five players who were part of Musselman’s regular rotation. Immediately after the season’s conclusion, Keyon Menifield Jr<\/strong>.<\/a>, Denijay Harris<\/strong><\/a> and Joeseph Pinion<\/strong><\/a> let be known of their decision to transfer. Davonte Davis<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a> departed during the first week of the transfer portal.<\/p>\n Since then, Layden Blocker<\/a>,<\/strong> Baye Fall<\/a>,<\/strong> and Khalif Battle<\/strong><\/a> have also exited. \u00a0 UMass transfer Josh Cohen flipped his commitment from Arkansas to USC. Additionally, top-75 2024 recruit Jalen Shelley asked for his release from his letter of intent on Saturday to reopen his recruitment.<\/p>\n Pinion is the only player of the bunch to have found a new home, Arkansas State.<\/p>\nArkansas Basketball Hire John Calipari From Kentucky, What’s Next For The Razorbacks?<\/h2>\n
Cal Has A lot Of Work To Do<\/h3>\n
What Does Calipari Have Coming Back?<\/h3>\n