On This Date in 2024: John Calipari Took His Dog for a Walk (In a Stroller)

It’s difficult to accurately describe the absurdity of Big Blue Nation. John Calipari would simply say, “You people are crazy.” That doesn’t do enough work to describe the Kentucky basketball fan’s experience.

Rather than using adjectives, let’s look at some unusual events by turning back the clock to this date a year ago when this story was the top headline at Kentucky Sports Radio.

“WATCH: John Calipari declines to comment on Arkansas job while walking dog”

This “story” unfolded about 24 hours after reports stated that John Calipari was leaving Kentucky after 15 years to become the next head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Big Blue Nation was still in shock. We had not heard anything from Calipari, yet there he was, walking down one of the busiest streets in Lexington while pushing his tiny dog in a stroller.

John Calipari walking his dog along Richmond Rd this afternoon. Declines to give a comment to Kentucky fans.

"No, I don't, I'm walking my dog right now."@WKYT pic.twitter.com/J8yIndZmox

— Lee K. Howard ☀️ (@HowardWKYT) April 8, 2024

It was the appropriate absurd bookend to the John Calipari era, one that started with a door. An early high-water mark for this website was an embedded live stream from a Memphis TV station. The camera was pointed at “The Door,” where Calipari was expected to exit following a meeting with campus officials. Hundreds, if not thousands watched online, waiting to see the next potential Kentucky head basketball coach. The Door never opened.

From The Door to the Dog Walk, there was rarely a dull moment during the Calipari era. That Dog Walk knocked down another domino that changed the landscape of college basketball and created a few more absurd headlines.

Scott Drew was the top candidate to replace John Calipari. Kentucky fans tracked a private jet from Waco to Lexington, adding to the speculation that the National Championship winner would leave Baylor. To dispel the rumors, Drew shared a photo of him eating at a local Mexican restaurant.

Great lunch spot in Waco on a rainy day. No better friend and supporter than Eric Shero and Alliance Bank!💯 pic.twitter.com/OP2OfYNhnZ

— Scott Drew (@BUDREW) April 10, 2024

Kentucky fans figured out which Mexican restaurant he was eating at and promptly gave the venue five-star reviews. Mi Casita received phone calls as some tried to make it to the restaurant before Drew departed. Late that night, the private jet landed and Drew’s family disembarked. One of my greatest regrets in my 11 years on the job was not immediately posting that 30-second video.

College basketball media loves to give Kentucky fans a hard time because we care so much. Yes, it can be downright absurd at times, but that’s only because this team means so much to us. One year after that infamous dog walk, Big Blue Nation is in a much better place.