Is John Calipari going to take the Arkansas job?

John Calipari, Kentucky - © Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Yeah, those are words I never thought I’d type. But here we are, late Sunday evening, asking if Coach Cal is making the move to Arkansas to become a conference rival of his own Kentucky Wildcats.

Rumors and scuttlebutt have been connecting John Calipari to the Razorbacks ever since Chris Beard and Jerome Tang fell through this weekend, but how much of it is hope coming from the folks in Fayetteville?

Well, so much that local media members in Arkansas are reporting Calipari as a lead candidate for the job.

Wess Moore, Sports Director at FOX16 in Little Rock, says the Razorbacks have “zeroed in on John Calipari” and “barring any last-minute issues,” he will be named head coach.

Multiple sources are telling me Arkansas has zeroed in on John Calipari. Barring any last minute issues, I expect him to be the Razorbacks new head coach. pic.twitter.com/L9BSQHFzqW
— Wess Moore (@Wess_Moore) April 8, 2024

Radio personality Trey Schaap of 1037 The Buzz says “barring any last second changes, John Calipari is leaving Kentucky to go to Arkansas.”

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Eddie Sutton left Arkansas to go to Kentucky. Baring any last second changes John Calipari is leaving Kentucky to go to Arkansas. pic.twitter.com/D2pPDmX1cL
— Trey Schaap (@TreySchaap) April 8, 2024

And something called SSN-Arkansas says something similar.

According to multiple sources, Arkansas is expected to reach a deal with Kentucky HC John Calipari to be the next HC of the Razorbacks.

This has been an insane hiring process that is only getting crazier by the minute. #WPS pic.twitter.com/HoUriwKDVf
— Sidelines – Arkansas (@SSN_Arkansas) April 8, 2024

The smoke on Arkansas’ side is running rampant to the point of fire. On Kentucky’s side? Dead silence, certainly no confirmations this thing is anywhere near a done deal.

Something to monitor regardless.

UPDATE

Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, widely considered the most reputable reporter of the Razorbacks, says conversations are ongoing between John Calipari and Arkansas.

“Arkansas officials have been in discussions with Calipari about the Razorbacks’ opening, sources told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette,” he reported late Sunday evening. “One source cautioned a deal that could bring Calipari to Arkansas was far from done.”