John Calipari reveals Scott Drew never called him about Kentucky job

When John Calipari shocked the college basketball world by leaving Kentucky for Arkansas, Scott Drew was one of the first names to bounce around as a possible replacement. Of course, Drew stayed put at Baylor, but that storyline is sure to come up ahead of Saturday’s game between the Bears and Razorbacks in Dallas.

Shortly after news broke of Calipari’s departure, Drew became a hot candidate for the UK job. However, he backed out of the search and opted to stay at Baylor, keeping the job he’s held since 2003. The search continued, and Kentucky eventually hired alumnus Mark Pope.

Calipari confirmed Drew didn’t call him about the UK opening and said his comfort at Baylor likely spurred his decision to stay. Now, the two will get ready to meet Saturday night in a high-profile matchup.

“He never called me on it,” Calipari said after Wednesday’s win over Lipscomb. “We haven’t talked. What Mark Pope’s doing, good for him. Good for him. It’s a program that deserves that. Scott has done unbelievable work at Baylor and probably got comfortable there. Why would I go into that hornets’ nest?”

John Calipari spent 15 seasons at Kentucky, totaling a 410-123 record during that time. He led the Wildcats to 12 NCAA Tournaments, including a 2012 national title. Add in his time at UMass and Memphis, and he brings 813 career wins with him to Fayetteville, which is why his move sent a shockwave across the sport.

During his answer, Calipari didn’t hide his happiness. In fact, before the game – his first as Arkansas head coach – he soaked it all in.

“I can just say this, I’m happy to be coaching here,” Calipari said. “I’m happy, I’m loving the team. I told them at the shootaround, I had goosebumps because I’m watching them get prepared for this game. Now, we’ve got a long way to go. Oh my gosh.

“And I got on them a little bit at halftime and even after the game – nothing crazy, but these kinds of plays lose games, is what I talked to them about. But that’s what we do. Trying to get them better, being truth-tellers, telling them we love them. Love how you’re playing, but you can’t do these things.”

Arkansas and Baylor will be one of the early highlights of the college basketball season. They’ll square off Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET at American Airlines Center in Dallas.