The clouds that blanketed Fayetteville opened up Wednesday afternoon, and rain fell in the hours leading up to coach John Calipari’s official introduction as the men’s basketball coach at the University of Arkansas. But the soggy weather didn’t stop several thousand Razorback fans from showing up for the festivities.
Bud Walton Arena was the place to be, providing warm and cozy confines for followers of Hog roundball. Perhaps their fire needed rekindling after the disappointing 2023-2024 season and the subsequent departure of coach Eric Musselman.
Most of the lower bowl on the south side of Bud Walton was full. Several former players — Corey Beck, Joe Johnson, and Joe Kleine to name a few — were on hand. One important dignitary in attendance was John Tyson, chairman of the board of Tyson Foods and grandson of the company’s founder. Tyson had a major role in recruiting Calipari to Arkansas (the two are longtime friends), and he received the second-loudest ovation from fans when introduced by athletic director Hunter Yurachek.
The loudest response was reserved for the new coach. Arena announcer John George introduced Calipari to shouts, whistles and thunderous applause. The estimated 7,000 fans in attendance fawned over a legendary coach that was an unthinkable target just a few days prior.
“I have never gotten that kind of greeting in this building,” Calipari said, referring to his previous visits as the coach of the opposing team. “As a matter of fact, you were probably in the building when they threw me out before the game ended.” He was referring to the 2020 matchup with the Hogs in Bud Walton in which he was ejected by the referees with the score tied. The game ended in a 73-66 win for Kentucky.
The coaching search conducted by Yurachek was quick, but not without drama. Message boards were filled with speculation about who the next leader of the basketball program would be. As each day passed, concern grew that the big names had gotten away and the Hogs would settle on a B-lister.
A B-lister John Calipari is not. He comes from a blueblood program, and his hall of fame career is one of the most successful in college basketball history. He took the University of Massachusetts, Memphis and Kentucky to a combined six Final Fours, with the Tigers reaching the title game in 2008 and Kentucky winning the whole thing in 2012. Hauling him in is perhaps Yurachek’s finest accomplishment as the University of Arkansas’s top sports administrator.
The Razorbacks have had their fair share of success through the years. The program can celebrate many Sweet Sixteens, Elite Eights, and Final Fours. And of course, the 1994 championship season is the standard by which all seasons will be judged. But the years following legendary coach Nolan Richardson’s firing weren’t so fun. Stan Heath and John Pelphrey tried to reach the bar that was set in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s but had a hard time winning games and reaching postseason play. Richardson protege Mike Anderson returned to the Razorback bench in 2011 and restored respectability. Under Musselman’s guidance the Hogs reached NCAA tournament relevance once again, reaching a pair of Elite Eights and three Sweet Sixteens.
Now the hope is that Calipari can bring another championship to Fayetteville.
The new Hog head man was talkative, reflective and charming as he covered a range of topics during a Q&A with “The Voice of the Razorbacks,” Chuck Barrett. As he did in his video farewell to the Kentucky Wildcats the day before, Calipari expressed appreciation for his 15 years with the school. “We loved our time there,” he told the crowd. “We gave every ounce of everything we had to that job, that state, and that school. So, I walk away sad, but no regrets. We left nothing on the table.”
Like many who leave a longtime place of employment, the feeling is bittersweet. Yes, he’s sad to say goodbye to old friends and colleagues. But he’s excited about a fresh start and new challenge. “Kentucky is the bluest of the blue,” said Calipari, referencing the blue blood status of Wildcat basketball. “There’s only a few schools like that, and I hate to tell you, but Arkansas is one of ’em.”
It’s going to be a tough transition for some Razorback fans based on the number of years they’ve spent rooting against Calipari. The coach has roamed the bench opposite the Hogs many times while he was at UMass,, Memphis and Kentucky. He’s always been seen as a slick-talking guy from the northeast, a far cry from the salt-of-the-earth people here in Arkansas. What most didn’t realize back then — and what Calipari was quick to inform them of on Wednesday — is that he grew up like many in the audience.
“My dad worked in the mill in western PA [Pennsylvania],” he said. “Then he worked as a baggage handler. He worked until the age of 70 and he’s still going strong at 91. My mom worked in the cafeteria at the junior high school. She had the white suit and sold the ice cream. We grew up Friday-to-Friday. Some of you young people don’t know what Friday-to-Friday is. You get a paycheck and you’re making it to next Friday. Thursday is a tough day. It’s how I grew up.”
Calipari described himself as a “gatherer.” Bringing fans, a staff, and a team together is his specialty.
“It’s what I’ve always tried to do,” he said. “It’s me getting a team to understand how you have to work — you ready for this? — together. Not work by yourself, you do it together. And then, having a dream and a burning desire to compete for championships. Why am I here? That’s why I’m here.”
Calipari wrapped up his time on stage as the band played and the spirit squad did their final flips. He and Yurachek slipped into the small media room in the bowels of Bud Walton to field questions from local media.
Journalists were interested in knowing more about the reported increase in NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding that will help attract players to Fayetteville.
“We have a pretty good program in place, but we’re going to need help from people across this state to make sure that we give coach Cal the tools he needs to put a great team on the floor not only this year, but next year and the following year,” Yurachek said.
Another big question was about how Calipari was going to build a roster after the mass exodus of players following the 2023-2024 season. There are currently zero scholarship players slated to return next year.
“It may take a little longer because there are kids that put their names in the NBA Draft that are going to go through some of the process,” Calipari said. “Which means: do you wait for that kid or take someone that’s not as good? So you’re going to be juggling balls.”
He was asked about the kind of players he’s looking to bring to Fayetteville.
“If you’re not into basketball, you won’t come here. If you’re smokin’, drinkin’, clubbin’, chasin,’ [you won’t come here]. This is about being at a place that is zeroed in on a culture that creates professional habits. And that includes academically.”
Calipari got off to a rousing start with Arkansas fans. He showed his passion for coaching basketball, and he demonstrated a deep understanding of the program he now leads. He expressed appreciation for his time in Lexington, but now looks forward to his future in Fayetteville.
“To do what I was able to do at Kentucky, I was happy. I loved it there and my wife loved it there. And you know what, I’m jacked about another opportunity. I’m like, let’s go!”
Perhaps the showers outside the arena will bring the same good fortune as rain on a wedding day. Fans who pine for national championships certainly hope for a long and happy marriage between coach John Calipari and the Arkansas Razorbacks.