Is John Calipari considering leaving Kentucky for SEC rival?

Longtime Kentucky head coach John Calipari may reportedly be considering switching schools within the SEC.

Calipari has been “in discussions” with Arkansas for their vacant head-coaching post, according to Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

While there has been communication between both parties, the possibility of bringing Calipari to Arkansas is reportedly still “far from done.”

Arkansas on Thursday lost Razorbacks head coach Eric Musselman, who resigned to replace Andy Enfield as the head coach of the USC Trojans.

The Razorbacks enjoyed success under Musselman during his five-year head-coaching stint with the team. Arkansas had a 170-111 record under Musselman and made three straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2021 to 2023, a stretch which included two Elite Eight appearances and one other trip to the Sweet 16.

Calipari hasn’t enjoyed the same March Madness success as Musselman of late.

Kentucky has failed to advance past the second round of the tournament for three straight seasons despite being ranked at least a sixth seed in each appearance. The Wildcats missed the tournament entirely in 2020-21.

Kentucky has been reluctant to fire Calipari outright due to one massive factor holding them back. But perhaps his reported interest in the Arkansas job is a sign that the veteran coach could be considering a mutual parting of ways.