Kentucky Wildcats’ coach John Calipari has come up short in the NCAA Tournament once again, losing to Kansas State 75-69 in the round of 32. Over the past three seasons, the Wildcats have won only one game in the NCAA Tournament. This is below the expected standard in Lexington, and college analyst Paul Finebaum spoke about Calipari’s standing with the program during an interview with Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic.
Finebaum raised questions about Calipari’s contract, stating that if he didn’t have a lifetime contract, the conversation about his removal would be different. However, he clarified that he was not advocating for Calipari’s removal, but pointed out that what matters most in college basketball is what a coach can do in March.
Calipari signed a lifetime contract with Kentucky in April 2019, which included a 10-year coaching extension and a lifetime paid ambassadorship following his retirement. Prior to the extension, the Wildcats had won a national championship, made two Final Four appearances, and two Elite Eight appearances under Calipari.
The cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats’ failure to qualify for the 2021 tournament, and their first and second-round exits in the last two seasons have raised questions about Calipari’s ability to produce results on the court.
McElroy asked Finebaum what was stopping the Wildcats from pursuing a new head coach who could focus on winning games. Finebaum replied that it could be a financial issue, with programs unable to afford the high cost of hiring a new coach.
Finebaum further explained how the agents of collegiate football and basketball coaches have manipulated the industry to the point where programs cannot afford to make such decisions. Although Calipari is a significant figure beyond the basketball court, winning is the most critical factor. It will be interesting to see how his future unfolds if the Wildcats continue to underperform next year.
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