Rick Pitino and John Calipari were once as big of rivals as any two college coaches. Now, with those years past on, the former has given his thoughts on the latter and his exit from Kentucky.
Pitino discussed the Wildcats’ coaching change during a surprise appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio on Thursday. In that conversation with the hosts of ‘Pardon My Take’, he said the end of this era mostly came down to it just spoiling over time. Only so many coaches escape that from happening, which is why he sees it as a positive both for Calipari and for the program.
“Look, Cal did a terrific job. But what happens with a lot of coaches? I mean there are exceptions to the rule – I think Bill Self, I think Mike Krzyzewski. You know, familiarity breeds contempt,” Pitino explained. “You’re there a long time, you get a little stale. You need another journey.”
Calipari coached 533 games over the 15 years that he spent at Kentucky. That led to a record of 410-123 (.769) with 13 conference titles and a dozen berths in the NCAA Tournament. Of those 12 dances, the Wildcats made four Final Fours and won one national title.
However, Calipari’s resumé had taken a hit there since the turn of the decade. During the last four seasons, UK went 80-46 (.635), including a 9-16 record in ’20-’21, won no league championships, and posted just one win in three appearances in March Madness. That includes a pair of upset losses in the bracket’s first round to Saint Peter’s in 2022 and Oakland in 2024.
Whether because of the fanbase, the administration, or Calipari himself, a separation looked likely. That eventually did take place this offseason with him becoming the next head coach at Arkansas in early April.
Since then, both sides have moved on well from the breakup in their own ways. The Wildcats hired Mark Pope and have fielded an all-new roster following an overhaul of their building. Meanwhile, Calipari and the ‘Hogs have put together their own team in Fayetteville, which features six players who either played for or had committed to him back in the bluegrass.
Pitino also decided to leave Lexington years ago, although in a different way than Calipari did. That makes him as much as an expert on this whole shift as anyone, especially since he coached Pope too.
It’s also why Pitino knows how important it is to be grateful for the past while also being ready to move on into the future.
“This is now Mark Pope’s time,” Pitino stated.
“Cal was great for the University of Kentucky, brought them a lot of success. We wish him, certainly, well at Arkansas. Now it’s time to move on and have a whole different brand.”
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