Taking stock of John Calipari’s career while the Kentucky coach pursues a new challenge
After 15 seasons as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats, 15 seasons of “the gold standard” and “this place isn’t for everyone,” four Final Fours, a national championship and unrivaled recruiting victories, John Calipari is moving on.
The 65-year-old Hall of Famer is about to be named the new head coach at Southeastern Conference rival Arkansas.
As we bid Calipari farewell, let’s take a look at the body of work his successor will attempt to replace.
Career highlights and bio
Years coaching UK: 2009-2024.
Record at UK: 410-123.
National championships at UK: One (2012).
Final Fours at UK: Four (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015).
NCAA Tournament appearances at UK: 12.
What he did before coaching at UK: Played basketball at North Carolina-Wilmington and Clarion. Coached at UMass and Memphis at the college level and the New Jersey Nets of the NBA.
Career college coaching record: 813-261 (An additional 42 wins and two losses were vacated by the NCAA due to rules violations.).
Hometown: Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Alma mater: Clarion.
Born: Feb. 10, 1959.
Coaching chronology
1982-85: Kansas, assistant coach.
1985-88: Pittsburgh, assistant coach.
1988-96: Massachusetts, head coach.
1996-99: New Jersey Nets, head coach.
1999-2000: Philadelphia 76ers, assistant coach.
2000-2009: Memphis, head coach.
2009-2024: Kentucky, head coach.
2024- : Arkansas, head coach.
Coaching record
NCAA
1988-89: Massachusetts 10-18
1989-90: Massachusetts 17-14
1990-91: Massachusetts 20-13
1991-92: Massachusetts 30-5
1992-93: Massachusetts 24-7
1993-94: Massachusetts 28-7
1994-95: Massachusetts 29-5
1995-96: Massachusetts 35-2
2000-01: Memphis 21-15
2001-02: Memphis 27-9
2002-03: Memphis 23-7
2003-04: Memphis 22-8
2004-05: Memphis 22-16
2005-06: Memphis 33-4
2006-07: Memphis 33-4
2007-08: Memphis 38-2
2008-09: Memphis 33-4
2009-10: Kentucky 35-3
2010-11: Kentucky 29-9
2011-12: Kentucky 38-2
2012-13: Kentucky 21-12
2013-14: Kentucky 29-11
2014-15: Kentucky 38-1
2015-16: Kentucky 27-9
2016-17: Kentucky 32-6
2017-18: Kentucky 26-11
2018-19: Kentucky 30-7
2019-20: Kentucky 25-6
2020-21: Kentucky 9-16
2021-22: Kentucky 26-8
2022-23: Kentucky 22-12
2023-24: Kentucky 23-10
Total: 855-263
(Note: Forty-two of these wins and two losses were vacated by the NCAA due to rules violations.)
NCAA Tournament appearances: 23.
NCAA Tournament record: 57-22.
NCAA Final Fours: x-Five.
NCAA championships: One.
NIT appearances: Six.
NIT record: 15-6.
NIT semifinals: Three (1990-91, 2000-01, 2004-05).
NIT championships: One (2001-02).
x-Calipari took UMass to the 1996 Final Four, but that appearance was later stricken from the record books because star center Marcus Camby accepted money from an agent.
NBA
1996-97: New Jersey 26-56
1997-98: New Jersey 43-39
1998-99: New Jersey 3-17
Total: 72-112
Playoff appearances: One (1997-98; lost 3-0 in first round to Chicago).
Coaching awards
2022: Multiplying Good Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service.
2022: C-USA Hall of Fame.
2021: NABC Guardians of the Game Pillar Award (Inclusion).
2020: SEC Coach of the Year (Coaches).
2020: USBWA District IV Coach of the Year.
2020: NABC District 20 Coach of the Year.
2018: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame “Service Above Self” Honoree.
2018: NABC Metropolitan Award.
2015: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee.
2015: Associated Press National Coach of the Year.
2015: Naismith National Coach of the Year.
2015: NABC National Coach of the Year.
2015: The Sporting News National Coach of the Year.
2015: Adolph Rupp National Coach of the Year.
2015: SEC Coach of the Year (AP/Coaches).
2015: USBWA District IV Coach of the Year.
2012: Nell & John Wooden Coach of the Year Leadership Award.
2012: SEC Coach of the Year (AP/Coaches).
2010: Adolph Rupp National Coach of the Year.
2010: SEC Coach of the Year (AP).
2010: Sporting News SEC Coach of the Year.
2010: Yahoo! Sports SEC Coach of the Year.
2010: USBWA District IV Coach of the Year.
2009: NABC National Co-Coach of the Year.
2009: Sports Illustrated National Coach of the Year.
2009: Phelan National Coach of the Year.
2009: C-USA Coach of the Year.
2008: Naismith National Coach of the Year; Conference USA Coach of the Year.
2007: USBWA District 4 Coach of the Year; Basketball Times South Region Coach of the Year.
2006: Conference USA Coach of the Year.
2004: NABC District 7 Coach of the Year.
1996: Naismith National Coach of the Year; The Sporting News National Coach of the Year; Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.
1994: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.
1993: USBWA District I Coach of the Year. Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.
1992: Eastern Basketball Coach of the Year.
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