Arkansas super booster John Tyson gets standing ovation ahead of John Calipari press conference
The Arkansas Razorbacks have no shortage of funds to lure some of the nation’s top basketball talent to Fayetteville. And a big part of that is John Tyson, the chairman of Tyson Foods, who boasts a net worth of $2.75 billion. And Tyson utilized his deep pockets and his relationship with former Kentucky head coach John Calipari, to lure him to be the head man of the Razorbacks basketball program.
Ahead of his press conference on the SEC Network on Wednesday evening, Hog fans gave Tyson a standing ovation for helping lure Calipari to Arkansas.
They also played the song “Chicken Fried” by Zach Brown Band in the background when Hog fans showed their appreciation.
During his official introduction to Arkansas fans on Wednesday, Calipari let the Hog faithful know that he’s not going to change.
“It’s me bringing everybody together. Bringing a staff together. Gathering people. Getting a team to understand how you have to work. You ready for this? Together. Not work by yourself,” Calipari began.
“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. And let me just say one more thing,” the Razorbacks new head basketball coach continued.
The Arkansas program isn’t that far removed from competing for championships in the NCAA Tournament. The Hogs recently went on back-to-back runs to the Elite Eight under Eric Musselman (2021 and 2022). He became just the sixth coach to reach the Elite Eight in his first two tournament appearances with a school since 1985.
Calipari let Razorback fans know he won’t change certain things
In his introduction, Calipari let the Arkansas faithful know that he’s not going to change the way he treats his players.
“I’m always gonna be a players’ first coach. I’m sorry. It’s about the players,” Calipari said to applause from the crowd in attendance. “I know for some reason people think you can’t really be a coach that wants to win if you’re about the players. No. You can do both. “Every decision I will make will be is this the best decision for these guys. Not me as a staff. Is it the best decision for them? When we’re doing things. How we’re doing things.”
“You saw my team this year. We played totally different. Why? It was the best way for that team to play. We couldn’t guard as well as we needed to, but we could really score. But it was how they had to play. And all I can tell you is I won’t change that,” Calipari said.
During his time with the Kentucky Wildcats, Calipari won six SEC regular season titles (tied for third most all time). He also won six SEC Tournament crowns (second-most).