John Calipari Gracious to Kentucky, Aside from a Jab at Mitch Barnhart

John Calipari wanted to leave Kentucky on his terms. That meant sharing his gratitude for his time at Kentucky while showing respect for the sport. He did not share similar feelings for Mitch Barnhart.

On Wednesday night Calipari was introduced as the Arkansas head coach. When explaining how the last week unfolded, he made it abundantly clear on multiple occasions that he did not want the news of his departure to take over the National Championship. Much to his chagrin, the news got leaked, and the second time it was brought up he said, “and it wasn’t from my side either.”

More importantly, his time at Kentucky was special to him and his family. He was emotional in his video message to the BBN and on Wednesday night he reiterated the significance of his time in Lexington.

“We’d been there 15 years, folks. 15 years! Great times, great achievements. Forty players to the NBA. Thirty kids graduated. I love that state. I love the governor. The people are the salt of the earth. They’re generous. They’re kind. They grew up kinda like we did…”

Calipari continued, “We loved our time there. We gave every ounce of everything we had to that job that stayed in that school. So I walk away sad, but knowing no regrets. We left nothing on the table. There’s not a whole lot more we could have tried to do.”

Calipari has shown gratitude throughout his departure. In his four-minute message to Kentucky fans, he thanked a long line of people, from the fans to former players and people he worked alongside, with one exception, Mitch Barnhart.

In the lengthy piece from The Athletic that detailed how the John Calipari era at Kentucky ended, his deteriorating relationship with Mitch Barnhart took centerstage. Despite their coom by yah moment on BBN Tonight, the two clearly did not see eye to eye.

Calipari doubled down on his disconnect with the Kentucky athletic administration during his meeting with the local media. While considering the position, he asked his friend Kelvin Sampson about Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek. The two previously worked together at Houston. Sampson provided a glowing review to Calipari.

“That got me to where I had to listen (to Arkansas’ offer), because I’m gonna say it again. Basketball coaches win games. Administrations win championships. You know why? Because they want to and it’s important to them.”