Breaking down what Mitch Barnhart should make John Calipari change before retaining

John Calipari appears to be back for Kentucky next season but there are some things AD Mitch Barnhart should say to the coach.

Kentucky Sports Radio’s Nick Roush pondered those thoughts on Andy Staples On3. At this point, there have to be stipulations if Calipari is to continue as Wildcats’ head coach.

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Playing the role of Barnhart, Roush described what he should say to Calipari.

“Well John, it’s been a difficult time and we can make this better and it’s winning cures all, but you can help the other stuff,” Roush said on Andy Staples On3. “You can bond that bridge so to speak. You can talk to these boosters … You should talk with me you know, your boss, all those people that work with us, we have to work together and we all have to be pulling on the same rope. 

“And that can’t be with some of the guys that you have on your coaching staff. It just isn’t working. And you know what? You get new guys, you gotta listen to them. This isn’t the John Calipari show. This is Kentucky basketball. This is bigger than you and we all need to get on the same page.”

Calipari has his supporters, but he might have to change a few things.

“A lot of people that were in Cal’s corner and they’re happy (with him), but boosters, they like getting their butts kissed by the head coach,” Roush said. “Cal hasn’t played that game in years. And now, the Pied Piper is playing his flute.”

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander provided his update on the timeline on Twitter on Monday evening. Based on a source of his, a meeting will take place between Calipari and Barnhart on Tuesday. That meeting will center around what the program will look like moving forward rather than a firing of Calipari from his position as head coach.

“Here’s the latest out of Kentucky, per a source: Calipari — who is set to appear on his local radio show in 30 mins — and AD Mitch Barnhart have not yet met but will meet tomorrow,” wrote Norlander. “Intent of the meeting will be to focus on significant program improvements, not necessarily separation.”

In an additional tweet, Norlander added that Calipari’s buyout and relationship with Barnhart have made this a tricky process. Still, in the end, it is presently tracking toward Barnhart planning to retain Calipari and Calipari expecting to be back in Lexington for next season.

“At this stage UK firing Cal ($33 million to pay him, remember) seems extremely unlikely but source emphasized the importance of discussions between Barnhart + Calipari to be productive and positive,” Norlander wrote. “My read: I don’t think Barnhart wants to fire Cal; I think Cal expects to stay.”