John Calipari takes playful jab at Eric Musselman over taking his shirt off

You won’t see John Calipari take off his shirt like former Arkansas head coach Eric Musselman. The latter might do it at USC next season amid a big win.

But don’t count on the Razorbacks’ new basketball coach to follow suit. Calipari took a playful shot at Musselman during his introductory presser.

Well, it was even more of a compliment for Musselman, at least based on his physique.

“Can I tell you I went on the plane and I had this dark blue thing on, and I was in the back by myself because I’m trying to get ready for this (presser),” Calipari said. “And I took my thing off because I was sweating and I was putting this on. I said, I am not Eric Musselman. You do not want to look back here. I said and if you did, look back here, you’re gonna turn the plane around and go back to Lexington. ‘Drop him off.’”

Even with Calipari sporting a new red Razorbacks pullover or quarter zip, expect it to stay on throughout the duration of the game.

Heck, there might even be a suit put on at some point, but no shirtless Calipari, unlike Musselman.

Caliarpi said he told Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek late Monday night that he’d be the next coach of the Razorbacks. The process dragged on, likely, a little longer than expected.

But, it’s done now and there’s a new era set to being in Fayetteville.

For all that he has done in his career, his decade and a half in the bluegrass was the most notable time on the sidelines. On the court, the Wildcats went 410-123 (.769) overall with a dozen conference titles, a dozen selections in the NCAA Tournament, and four Final Fours with one national championship.

Then, off the court, though, he has been equally successful with eight No. 1 recruiting classes with only two outside the top-two and just one outside the top-three. That has led to a record number of selections in the NBA Draft with former alumni of his littered across teams in the association.

For where Arkansas’ coaching search started, a hire of someone of Calipari’s caliber is about as good as you can do in college basketball. Now, with it finally signed, sealed, and delivered for the ‘Hogs, he will now lead his fourth program into their, as well as his, next era.