John Calipari shoots down any rumors linking him to New York Knicks job: 'I'm coaching at Arkansas'

Arkansas coach John Calipari has tamped down any notion that he might be interested in the vacant New York Knicks job. He made comments reflecting that position on the Golic & Golic program on the FanDuel Sports Network.

“I’ve been at Arkansas one year. People are totally committed and committed to me, personally,” Calipari said. “I’m coaching at Arkansas.

“But, they have a great organization, they got a terrific team. But it’s not for everybody, now. You guys know, coaching the Knicks is like coaching — there’s some college teams, I would say, not for everybody, and that one isn’t for everybody. But you have everything you need to win, and you have New York City. So, someone’s going to get a hell of a job.”

Calipari is entering his second season in charge of the Razorbacks, following a long stint at blueblood Kentucky. His first season went relatively well, despite an up-and-down ride due to injuries.

Arkansas finished the year 22-14 but made a run to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, surprising in the postseason. And Calipari is expected to have an equally competent roster going into the 2025-26 season, so it stands to reason he’d be excited about remaining with the Hogs and further executing a turnaround.

Calipari took the Arkansas job after a domino effect of coaching moves saw former coach Eric Musselman leave for the USC job. Calipari, who was under some significant scrutiny at Kentucky after three straight first-weekend exits from the NCAA Tournament, opted to change the scenery.

It was a landmark coaching move, with one of the biggest coaching names in the game and one of the biggest programs in the country parting ways. But it appears Calipari is where he wants to be now for the time being.

Dan Hurley declines interest in Knicks job

Once news broke of the New York Knicks’ decision to fire Tom Thibodeau, the rumor mill got going. One name immediately came up: UConn coach Dan Hurley.

Hurley, of course, flirted with the Los Angeles Lakers job last year before ultimately choosing to stay in Storrs and the franchise hired J.J. Redick. But with an opening in New York – meaning he could stay on the East Coast – speculation started to swirl about whether Hurley could be an option for the Knicks.

Speaking with reporters last week, Hurley addressed the rumors head-on. He dismissed the speculation ahead of a banquet where his wife received an award.

“Not another summer of that,” Hurley said, via the Hartford Courant’s Dom Amore.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.