Paul Finebaum breaks down what's stopping Kentucky from moving on from John Calipari

Yet again John Calipari and his Kentucky Wildcats came up short in the NCAA Tournament, losing in the round of 32 Sunday night to Kansas State 75-69. In this past three seasons, the Wildcats have won just one game in the NCAA Tournament, this season’s first round matchup against Providence. There’s no doubt that this is below the standard that’s expected in Lexington, and college analyst Paul Finebaum spoke with Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic Calipari’s standing with the program.

“What’s the excuse for John Calipari when you talk about the reality of the situation? Well he’s got a lifetime contract, if he didn’t have a lifetime contract what would the conversation be?” Finebaum asked. “In no way am I advocating his removal, I’m not, because he delivers in every way other than what really is the most important in college basketball, and that’s what you do in March.”

Calipari signed a ‘lifetime’ contract of sorts with Kentucky in April of 2019, which included a 10-year coaching extension and a lifetime paid ambassadorship following his retirement. Prior to the extension, the Wildcats had won a national championship, also making two Final Four appearances and two Elite Eight appearances under Calipari.

But since 2019, the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled, the Wildcats missed the 2021 tournament, and in the last two seasons, they’ve made first and second round exits.

With Kentucky’s recent struggles in college basketball’s biggest stage, McElroy asked Finebaum what’s keeping the Wildcats from moving on and pursuing a head coach with the intent of focusing on production on the court.

“I assume Greg it’s a financial issue, we’ve heard this conversation for football,” Finebaum said.

McElroy questioned Kentucky basketball’s ability for money to be an issue, with them being one of the largest, most recognizable, and most lucrative brands in collegiate sports.

“I mean I think in theory you’re correct but I mean what’s the price tag, I think it’s more than 50 million dollars I think, or 40 or 50. It’s still a lot of money and then go around and spend another five to 10 million a year to bring in someone else,” Finebaum said. “But you’re right, it goes back to college athletics, it’s a much bigger issue than what we’re talking about. And maybe because I ran into him in Nashville, Jimmy Sexton is what I’m referring to there.”

Finebaum went on to explain how the agents of collegiate football and basketball coaches have manipulated the industry to the point where programs can’t afford to make such decisions. There’s no question Calipari is a large figure whose impact goes beyond the hardwood, but winning is the most important thing, and it will definitely be interesting to see how his future unfolds if the Wildcats postseason blunders continue.