LOOK: John Calipari responds to news Jai Lucas is leaving for Duke assistant position

Duke coach Jon Scheyer made a huge splash on Friday, hiring Kentucky assistant coach Jai Lucas to his staff in Durham. Friday afternoon, Lucas’ former boss released a statement congratulating him.

John Calipari took to Twitter to respond to Lucas’ decision to take the promotion. He also shared what the conversation was like when Lucas told him the news.

I fully support @CoachJLuc doing what he thinks is best for his family. pic.twitter.com/KHzALZ4aDo

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) April 29, 2022

“Yesterday, Jai informed me he was taking a promotion at another school,” Calipari wrote. “I asked where and when he told me Duke, he expected me to be mad. I support what he thinks is best for his family. He’s been loyal, terrific on the road and great for our players, and I want what’s best for him, so I’m good with it.

“I am not surprised that there was interest in Jai because there is always interest in our staff. This year, all of our assistants have been approached about other opportunities. When you have a great staff, that’s what happens!”

Duke set to hire Jai Lucas under Jon Scheyer

The Duke Blue Devils are transitioning from former head coach Mike Krzyzewski to new head coach Jon Scheyer this offseason. On Friday, Scheyer made a big hire to round out his initial coaching staff.

According to 247Sports’ Travis Branham, Duke and Scheyer will hire Jai Lucas as an assistant coach. Lucas was previously serving as an assistant under John Calipari at Kentucky.

“BREAKING: Duke head coach Jon Scheyer will hire Kentucky’s Jai Lucas as an assistant coach, a source tells @247Sports,” Branham tweeted.

In addition to his time at Kentucky, Lucas previously spent four years as an assistant at Texas from 2016 to 2020. He spent the previous couple of seasons with the Wildcats, and will now head to Duke next season.

Lucas played college basketball at Florida from 2007-2008 and at Texas from 2009-2011.