John Calipari’s exit from Kentucky was a shock, but a new report suggests it has been coming for months, even before the Wildcats’ stunning NCAA Tournament exit.
Calipari has considered leaving Kentucky since February, according to Matt Norlander of CBS Sports. In fact, Calipari had serious interest in the Ohio State job, but ultimately determined that the timing was not right.
Ohio State ultimately promoted interim coach Jake Diebler to full-time head coach on March 17, four days before Kentucky lost to Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That loss may have hastened Calipari’s exit, but he was clearly looking for an exit route even before then. That tracks with other reporting that suggested Calipari no longer felt supported or welcomed in Lexington.
Calipari is certainly getting a big payday to leave Kentucky for Arkansas. However, more than money was clearly at play here, as the coach really wanted out.
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