Arkansas Hires John Calipari as New Men’s Basketball Coach, Replacing Eric Musselman

Arkansas made a big splash in the college basketball world by hiring John Calipari as its new men’s basketball coach, the school announced on Wednesday. The 65-year-old Calipari, who most recently coached at Kentucky, will be taking over for Eric Musselman, who left Arkansas after five seasons to coach at Southern California.

Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek praised Calipari’s track record, calling him one of the premier coaches in college basketball. Calipari is a national championship-winning coach, a four-time national coach of the year, and known for his ability to recruit top talent and build championship teams.

Calipari has agreed to a five-year contract with a starting salary of $7 million, with the potential for two rollover years and bonuses for NCAA Tournament appearances and advancement. He will be introduced at a news conference on Wednesday night.

During his 15-year tenure at Kentucky, Calipari amassed a 410–122 record, reaching four Final Fours and winning one national title. However, the Wildcats have struggled in recent NCAA Tournaments, failing to make it past the first round in two of the past three years.

Calipari’s departure from Kentucky comes after weeks of speculation and calls for his dismissal. Despite his success at the school, Calipari felt it was time for a change and a new voice for the program.

With a track record of success and a wealth of experience, Calipari is poised to make a significant impact at Arkansas and lead the program to new heights. Fans and players alike will be eagerly anticipating the start of a new era under Coach Calipari’s leadership.