Brad Calipari is back right where he belongs in Kentucky blue

The unfortunate part of coaching changes are the many lives they impact from top to bottom beyond just the head coach. Sometimes new coaches retain members of the old staff, but at minimum, there’s a grey area there that leaves many playing the wait-and-see game.

When Jerry Stackhouse and Vanderbilt decided to mutually part ways last week, Brad Calipari was left in that grey area — for now, at least. He joined Stackhouse’s staff last July as his Director of On-Court Player Development, takings his basketball mind and flashy suits to Nashville as an SEC foe of his old man.

As he awaits his next stop as he climbs the coaching ladder, Calipari is back where it all started as a Wildcat.

The son of the Hall of Fame coach joined Kentucky in Pittsburgh repping blue and white as the Cats prepare to take on Oakland in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Right back where he belongs. pic.twitter.com/gcCGgxjUAd

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 20, 2024

Calipari’s future is bright in the coaching business and he’ll undoubtedly land back on his feet in a hurry — it’s in his DNA. It’d be crazy for another high-major not to take a shot on him, betting he follows in his dad’s footsteps to stardom, however long it takes.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Brad and who he is becoming as coach and man,” John Calipari said of his son Wednesday. “I’m really thankful to Jerry Stackhouse for giving him the opportunity to learn from somebody I have such great respect for. And now the next chapter begins!”

I couldn’t be more proud of Brad and who he is becoming as coach and man. I’m really thankful to Jerry Stackhouse for giving him the opportunity to learn from somebody I have such great respect for. And now the next chapter begins!! pic.twitter.com/zlGgO2qab3

— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 20, 2024

Until then, it never hurts to have a familiar face around the program as it looks to make a run to Phoenix.

He’s at least starting with the Cats here in Pittsburgh.