Calipari Says Goodbye To Memphis and Becomes Kentucky's New Coach

Matt Reagan by Correspondent Written on March 31, 2009
27 JAN 1994:  UMASS HEAD BASKETBALL COACH JOHN CALIPARI SHOUTS INSTRUCTIONS TO HIS PLAYERS DURING A 76-74 LOSS TO CINCINNATI. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau/ALLSPORT

Former Memphis coach John Calipari has agreed to become the next coach at Kentucky. A news conference is scheduled for tomorrow to introduce the team's new coach.

The signing was first reported by ESPN's Andy Katz who received this text from Calipari;

" I am accepting the UK job! Go Big Blue, coach Cal."

He will become the highest-paid coach in the country with a deal reported in the $35-40 million range over eight years.

The news continues to get worse for Memphis fans as people close to the team say that they will lose star recruits Xavier Henry and DeMarcus Cousins.

According to ESPN both players were interviewed at the McDonald's All-American game today and said they would re-open their recruiting and sign elsewhere.

Cousins has yet to sign a letter of intent and Henry, according to CBSSports.com, has an opt-out clause allowing him to sign with another team without penalty if he chooses.

It would definitely seem that both players committed to play at Memphis because of Calipari, and will probably end up in Kentucky blue when it's all said and done.

Sources have told CBSSports.com that Tyreke Evans will enter the NBA Draft and Wesley Witherspoon will likely transfer to Kentucky.

Shawn Taggart won't return to Memphis because he has already graduated.

Combine that with the fact that Robert Dozier and Antonio Anderson have exhausted their eligibility, and it's possible the next Tigers coach could inherit a roster featuring only Doneal Mack (8.7 points per game), Roburt Sallie (5.8 ppg), Willie Kemp (2.9 ppg) and Pierre Henderson-Niles (2.4 ppg), meaning Memphis could go from dominating Conference USA to missing the NCAA tournament in a matter of 12 months.(CBSSports.com)

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Will Memphis lose it's star recruits?

  • Yes
  • no
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Will Memphis lose it's star recruits?

  • Yes

    93.3%
  • no

    6.7%
  • Total votes: 45
(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

4 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

397
reads

4
comments

written on March 31, 2009 Breaking News

The best Memphis newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.