Jay Williams predicts how John Calipari will be received in Rupp Arena return, Arkansas vs. Kentucky

ESPN’s Jay Williams predicted John Calipari will in fact be booed when Arkansas visits Kentucky in the coach’s return to Rupp Arena.

After 15 years as head coach, Calipari left this offseason to take over the Razorbacks. It’s a “time heals all wounds” situation though.

Williams explained why Calipari would get such a reaction during Saturday’s edition of College GameDay.

“I think time heals all wounds, right,” Williams said. “And I think years from now, when John Calipari retires and comes back, people in Big Blue Nation will give him a standing ovation. They will appreciate him for the greatness that he’s been able to accomplish, winning a national championship, and all the incredible draft picks he’s brought through that organization. 

“But as of right now, you know when you literally two days before you leave to your conference rival, when you tell your fan base you’re going to be there for your entire career, that’s not a great look. And you’re going to your conference rival, your in-conference rival. So he’s going to be booed, and that’s going to be okay.”

Heck, Calipari didn’t have to wait long for boos. He received them at the airport when he arrived in Lexington!

But it’s nothing Claipari hasn’t experienced before, as he explained this week talking about his much anticipated return.

“We’re gonna have three players that played there,” Calipari said, via HogsPlus. “My guess is they’re gonna get booed. My guess is I’m gonna get booed … But that’s all part of it. I mean, shoot, you get booed. I’ve done this so long. I tell you I got bazooka holes in my body. So when you shoot arrows, it doesn’t even hit skin, it just goes through one of those bazooka holes. 

“But it’ll be interesting. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to coaching, but to walk in and you know, the vibe I don’t know how I’m gonna take it to be honest with you. I mean that was a special time in my life. In Ellen’s life and 15 years we gave. 15.”

Calipari went 410-123 overall at Kentucky, winning the national title back in 2012. He also made the Final Four three other times, including getting back to the national title game in 2014.

Currently, he’s 12-8 at Arkansas during his first year and has certainly taken the highs and lows with the job.