John Calipari addresses future at Kentucky amid speculation

The biggest story in the bluegrass, if not one of the biggest in college basketball, over the past few days has been the job status of John Calipari. Now, after a weekend of speculation following Kentucky’s exit from the NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats have an idea of what’s going on within the program.

Calipari made his first public comments since the 80-76 loss to Oakland on The John Calipari Show on Monday night. He made it known that he remains dedicated to Kentucky, regardless of how some may view him at this point. All he’s asking for is for people to continue to support in hopes of bringing the Wildcats back to where they all want them to be.

“My commitment is I am going to work. I am not changing. I am going 24-7 and I am not going to change,” Calipari said. “This is what I wanted and this is why I never left. Let’s come together and let’s do something special. We have done it before so let’s do it again.”

During the radio broadcast, he then made it known that he will be meeting with AD Mitch Barnhart tomorrow to discuss his future in Lexington and the future of the program on Tuesday.

“We do it every year. We haven’t but it’ll be done in the next couple days. Every year, we share thoughts with each other,” said Calipari. “I’m sure he’s hurting. I was on the plane back. He’s hurting like the rest of us. I look forward to hearing his thoughts, how we can be better.”

“My guess is we’ll meet, Mitch and I will meet, tomorrow,” said Calipari.

As the interview with Tom Leach continued, Calipari explained what his conversation with the athletic director would look like overall. He noted how it would center around some overarching topics after this past season while also focusing on what their approach will be moving forward.

“Well, it’s the end of the season stuff and we’ll talk about it,” said Calipari.

“Having this program in today’s environment? It’s a little different now. I mean kids are 25, 26, 27. Now, how do you continue to do it with freshmen? What do they have to look like physically? And do you bring in some transfers out of that portal to make up for your team? Some people are not taking any freshmen. They’re just going in the portal with 12 new guys and hope it works out,” Calipari said. “I would just tell you I like the combination of both. We just got to get the right transfer who understands what this is. We got to keep coaching these young kids.”

“We probably got to use the summer a little bit different because of where this has all gone. We got to get more physicality, more time in the weight room,” Calipari added. “What are the goals we’re going to set for each kid physically?”

Calipari’s seat was as hot as it had ever been over the past few days. Barnhart has been left with a decision to make with this proposed meeting likely to determine that outcome and steps that follow either way.

Now, with Calipari finally back in town following the stunning loss, the pressure is on to turn things around, fast and at the best of his ability, ahead of what might now be one of his last opportunities at Kentucky. It’ll start with six commitments for next year’s team that make up the No. 2 class according to On3’s 2024 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. From there, it will turn to what players will be back from this past season’s roster and who the Wildcats add in the portal.

Calipari further described that roster-building process as the next step and focus for Kentucky in the near future.

“Let me say this. Right now? I’ve got to turn my attention to this current team,” said Calipari. “I have individual meetings set up. My staff has been spending time with the guys because we’ve got to find out where are they right now? And where are they as they’re going to go through this process – who’s going through it and how we’re doing that. So we’ve got to live through that stuff right now, the immediate.”

“We got to, first of all, see who’s going to be here from this roster and who won’t be here. Some of that may go through the process of the combine and all that before they make their decision. That’s what makes it hard but it makes what Kentucky is and what this program is about”

This is going to be a controversial outcome either way for Kentucky based on where Big Blue Nation has split on the matter. Still, as of tonight, Calipari has spoken and shared what the next few days, and weeks assuming he stays employed, will look like for him and the Wildcats.