Kentucky's Top HC Targets with John Calipari, Arkansas Reportedly Finalizing Contract

For the first time in 15 years, Kentucky is set to have a new men's basketball head coach.

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on Sunday that John Calipari will be departing the Wildcats to become the next head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks on a five-year deal.

During his 15-year run at Kentucky, Calipari led the team to a 410-123 record with four Final Fours and one national title, so his successor will have a tough act to follow.

Let's take a look at some of the top candidates for the Wildcats' next head coach.

Jay Wright

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VILLANOVA, PA - FEBRUARY 8: Jay Wright, former Head Coach of Villanova Mens Basketball talks to the media after Jalen Brunsons jersey retirement on February 8, 2023 at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Mary Kate Ridgway/NBAE via Getty Images)

A coach with vast experience at a blue-blood university would be an ideal replacement for Calipari at Kentucky.

Jay Wright retired in 2022 after coaching at Villanova for 21 seasons. While he's shown no indications that he's itching to return to the sidelines, the Wildcats opening could be enough to make him think about a potential comeback.

Wright led Villanova to four Final Fours and two national championships. He's a top-notch offensive mind, and like Calipari, he's a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Basketball Hall of Fame.

Wright is widely considered to be one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time, so hiring him would certainly appease a starving Kentucky fan base.

Scott Drew

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WACO, TX - MARCH 04: Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew signals to players on the court during the Big 12 college basketball game between Baylor Bears and Texas Longhorns on March 4, 2024, at Foster Pavilion in Waco, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Scott Drew has been coaching at Baylor since 2003, so he could be open to a change of scenery.

Drew built the Bears into a perennial powerhouse, as the team has finished with over 20 wins in each of the last six seasons. He led Baylor to a national championship in 2021, but the team hasn't made it past the second round of the NCAA Tournament since that time.

Drew is a highly-touted recruiter who is known for identifying talent both from high school prospects and players in the transfer portal. Baylor had a player selected with a lottery pick in each of the last two NBA drafts.

Drew already was floated as a potential candidate for the Louisville head coach opening, but he reportedly informed the school he would be staying at Baylor. While he appears to be committed to the Bears, taking over the Wildcats could be an opportunity too good to pass up.

Nate Oats

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 30: Head coach Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide cuts the net after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Clemson Tigers 89-82 in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Crypto.com Arena on March 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Nate Oats has been one of the fastest-rising head coaches in college basketball over the last few seasons, and hiring him would help Kentucky take down a conference rival.

In five seasons at Alabama, Oats has led the team to two SEC titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances and a 62-28 record in conference games. He helped the Crimson Tide reach the Final Four this season.

Oats brings an energy that would be exciting for Kentucky fans, as his teams are known for their high-pace play predicated on three-point shooting and defensive pressure.

The biggest obstacle toward hiring Oats is the $18 million buyout on his contract with Alabama. Kentucky would undoubtedly need to eat a chunk of that if it wants to poach him from another SEC school, but it could feel like Oats is worth the price.

Dan Hurley

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 07: Head coach Dan Hurley of the Connecticut Huskies speaks after winning the The Naismith Coach of the Year award during the Naismith Awards Brunch at Phoenix Art Museum on April 07, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)

This, admittedly, is a near impossibility, but Dan Hurley would be a monumental hire by Kentucky.

The reigning Naismith Coach of the Year is preparing to lead UConn in Monday's national championship game against Purdue. The Huskies are trying to become the first repeat champions since Florida in 2006 and 2007.

Hurley is the best coach in the game right now, so it would take a big swing to get him out of Connecticut. However, it might be worth it for Kentucky to explore if he wants to take on a new challenge by rebuilding another blue-blood program.

All signs point to Hurley being entrenched at UConn, but Kentucky would be wise to explore the possibility of bringing in a game-changer to replace Calipari.