John Calipari on winning at Arkansas: 'Let's get this going at the highest level'

John Calipari shocked college basketball when he jumped from the Kentucky men’s basketball head coaching job to the same role at Arkansas this offseason. But Calipari didn’t make the move without an idea of where he wants things to go.

Still competing in the SEC and at a program that’s won a national championship and made regular NCAA Tournament appearances in its history, Calipari doesn’t have his sights set any lower than they were at Kentucky: Competing for national titles. Albeit, he admitted on The Pat McAfee Show in late June, it won’t be overnight.

“But, I’m going to a place and I’m saying ‘Let’s get this going at the highest level,'” Calipari said. “And it’s going to take time. I’m saying it again: I’m not a magician. It’s getting a bunch of players to understand how bad they need each other. And if we all do this together and we win, everybody eats, and you all eat. You don’t have to just be about yourself.”

Calipari explained some of the challenges he’s faced since taking over for Eric Musselman, including an allusion to his famous “there is no team” line.

But, Calipari said, there’s plenty of plusses working in Arkansas’ favor, too.

“Well it’s — you say rebuilding. We rebuild because Muss left and then there was nobody left,” Calipari said. “I can tell you there was no schedule, either. I had to put the schedule together. But, it’s different. Arkansas has historic history. We’re in the same league, we’re in the SEC. Our building seats 20,000 and they have 15,000 season tickets sold. So, there’s a lot of stuff.”

Calipari is confident he can still recruit at a high level

The Razorbacks headman has made a reputation for himself as a coach who knows how to get you to the next level. So that means recruits know what to expect from him and vice versa. During his recent appearance on McAfee, Calipari opened up about the type of players he recruits, his recruiting message, and his philosophy to his players.

“I tell kids if you’re drinking, smoking, clubbing, chasing, why would you come here? You’re going to be in the group that everybody wants to be pros, and they’re bringing it every day,” Calipari said. “And the cream will rise. If you want to bet on yourself, come on. I can’t do it for you. I’m not promising you starting positions or minutes and all that other— you gotta wanna get here.

“The reality of it is they know why they’re coming to play for me and our staff. And I think if you recruit, we’re going to underpromise and over-deliver. That’s the whole thing. I’ve started more freshmen in my career than any coach in the history of the game. So if you wanna start, start… You want to beat somebody out on the team? Beat them out. That’s what we come with. Now, NIL plays a part now… If you’re going for NIL, you will not come with me. If it’s solely NIL, you will go somewhere else.”