Pete Thamel believes John Calipari is a 'home run hire' for Arkansas

Arkansas saved the best for last. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel praised Arkansas stunning, last-minute hire of Kentucky’s John Calipari to serve as the program’s next head coach.

“This is a home run hire for Arkansas,” Thamel said. “For as much as John Calipari is perceived to be on the decline or in a funk, I don’t know if if you had hired Jerome Tang or you had hired Chris James or you even hired Chris Beard — I think John Calipari is just a win.”

Calipari brings no shortage of success to Fayetteville, Ark. From 2011-15, the charismatic head man took Kentucky to four Final Fours and hoisted the national championship trophy in 2012. He also reached the Elite Eight in 2010, 2017 and 2019.

Calipari was a shocking hire for Arkansas. The program initially reached out to Kansas State’s Jerome Tang and Ole Miss’ Chris Beard, but both candidates opted to stay with their respective programs. Then, reports surfaced claiming the Razorbacks had landed Calipari.

Pete Thamel expects John Calipari to put on a show

Thamel believes Calipari will bring more than on-court success to Arkansas.

“This is show business,” Thamel said. “You and I on November 11 are going to be watching the first Arkansas game and knowing John Calipari it’s going to be in Madison Square Garden, it’s gonna be somewhere big and bold.

“The reality show that takes over the sport. I definitely got think about it a little bit broader but I don’t think there’s anyone that’s gonna be more exciting to watch the first week of the college basketball season.”

Calipari will replace former head coach Eric Musselman. After five seasons with the program, Musselman left Arkansas to become the next head coach at USC. He will be replacing Andy Enfield, who also left in favor of the SMU Mustangs.

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While the 2023-2024 season did not go how Musselman planned, he still had an immense amount of success at Arkansas. Musselman made three NCAA Tournament appearances with the program, each reaching the second weekend. In total, Musselman guided the Razorbacks to two Elite Eights and a Sweet Sixteen.

Musselman’s regular season record was more than respectable, as well. He finished 111-59 while at Arkansas and 47-42 against SEC foes. However, Musselman was never able to secure a conference championship with the Razorbacks. Calipari will look to accomplish what Musselman could not.