Bill Self on John Calipari's move to Arkansas: 'I'm happy for him'

The Kansas Jayhawks are known as one of the true Blue Bloods of men’s college basketball. So it goes without saying that their head coach, Bill Self, knows a thing or two about the pressure one would face coaching at any of the other Blue Blood institutes: Duke, Kentucky, UCLA, North Carolina, and UConn.

Recently, the Jayhawks head coach weighed in on John Calipari abruptly leaving Kentucky to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks. There wasn’t too much Self could say other than that he is ‘happy’ for Calipari and the decision that he made.

“I actually think; I’m happy for him,” said Self. “You know the shelf life on coaches at one place isn’t 21 years, isn’t 15 years. It’s, at most places, five, seven, eight years. And for him to be in a pressure cooker like that for 15 years; I’m actually happy for him. I hope he does well just not in our experience. And I’m sure Kentucky will hire a great guy, also.”

Calipari took over the Kentucky program in 2009 and spent 15 years there. Under his leadership, the Wildcats made it to the men’s Final Four four times and won it all in 2012. Calipari has also sent multiple players to the NBA, with 35 of them selected in the first round. That is the most by any college basketball head coach during his time at Kentucky.

As for Self’s other comment, the Wildcats have since found their replacement for Calipari, bringing back one of their own to take over the reins. Recently, the Wildcats athletic department announced that Mark Pope, who was a part of their 1996 championship team, will be the next head coach of Kentucky men’s basketball.

Calipari: Endorsement from Nolan Richardson ‘made my day’

Calipari also received praise from one of the better-known individuals in Arkansas men’s basketball history, legendary coach Nolan Richardson.

During Calipari’s introductory press conference, he revealed that Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek reached out to Richardson to gauge his thoughts on hiring the former Kentucky head coach. And the endorsement Calipari received was one that brought a smile and sense of joy to the new Razorbacks men’s basketball head coach.

“When I asked Hunter and I asked John, what did Coach Richardson say about me being hired? And he said, what he said was, ‘A great hire because he cares about kids.’ Made my day; made my day,” said Calipari. “I sent him the poster, and then I called him … I told him you’re always welcome here. I had Coach Hall at almost every practice I had before he got ill, telling me to play the 1-3-1. I imagine he’ll tell me you gotta press more.”