Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart releases statement confirming John Calipari is leaving for Arkansas

It’s official. On Tuesday, Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart released a statement confirming head coach John Calipari’s decision to move on from the program.

“We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky,” Barnhart wrote. “We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court.

“We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly dedicated coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky.”

Calipari is reportedly signing a five-year contract with Arkansas, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The 65-year-old head coach spent 15 seasons at Kentucky, where he tallied a 410-122 record, three Final Four appearances in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and a national title in 2012.

Despite Calipari’s early success during his tenure at UK, he has struggled lately, particularly in the postseason. This past season, Kentucky fell in its opening matchup against Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament. The team’s nightmare scenario only worsened when it lost to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The loss was a harsh reminder of Kentucky’s loss to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s in the NCAA Tournament only two seasons prior. Kentucky has only won one game in the Big Dance in the past five seasons.

A turn of event for Mitch Barnhart

Kentucky allegedly considered firing Calipari this offseason. However, he possessed a massive $33 million buyout, the largest in the country. Now, per KSR’s Matt Jones, neither Kentucky nor Arkansas will have to pay the hall-of-fame head coach’s buyout fee.

Barnhart initially released a statement on March 26 stating Calipari would be the head coach next season. The pair appeared on BBN Tonight together to discuss their plan moving forward.

“Everybody talks about change. I don’t like the word change. I like to adapt and adjust. And if there’s ever been a person who has been able to adapt and adjust in the game, Cal has,” Barnhart said. “Our fans know what the standard is. We know what the standard is and that’s part of it. The mantle we’ve been entrusted with is critically important to both of us.”

Obviously, Calipari will now adapt to a new environment in Fayetteville, Ark. Kentucky will reportedly reach out to UConn’s Dan Hurley, Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls, and Baylor’s Scott Drew about the opening before moving on to other potential hires.