KSR Today: John Calipari Year 16 Coming Soon
Good morning, folks! It sure has been a fun week so far, huh? And by fun, I mean filled with anxious energy and lots of waiting around for something to happen between the University of Kentucky and men’s basketball head coach John Calipari. So not that fun at all, actually.
But, we at least have a final answer. Calipari and athletic director Mitch Barnhart met behind closed doors for their annual end-of-season “performance review” yesterday afternoon. It was widely assumed after Calipari made an appearance on his weekly radio show Monday night that he would indeed return for a 16th season in charge, but that was made emphatically clear Tuesday night.
KSR’s Jack Pilgrim and Matt Jones were first to break the news that Calipari would remain as the head coach at Kentucky for the 2024-25 season. A few hours later, Barnhart confirmed it — even if he didn’t exactly seem overly enthused about it in his social media post.
Regardless, the biggest part of the offseason is already out of the way. Calipari will remain in Lexington. There will be no $33 million buyout of his contract or massive coaching search. Some fans are pleased with that idea, some aren’t. But the vast majority would agree that something (anything) needs to change heading into next season if Kentucky wants to make it past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Does that mean changing the assistants on staff? Bringing in an offensive-minded coach in John Welch sure did help the on-court product; could a defensive-minded one do the same on the other end? What about roster construction? How will Calipari look to build his roster through the portal while also bringing in a six-man rookie class? What about Reed Sheppard? Is there any chance he actually returns for a sophomore season?
These are just some of the next biggest questions facing Calipari and Kentucky men’s basketball over the next several months. Will they get answered, and we’re celebrating a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this time next season? Or will we be having this exact same conversation?
Kentucky WBB hires Kenny Brooks
While the men’s basketball team is bringing back its head coach, the women’s basketball team went out and found its next one — and the early reviews from the hiring are overwhelmingly positive.
In between dealing with Calipari, Barnhart hit a home run by landing Virginia Tech’s Kenny Brooks. The 55-year-old replaces Kyra Elzy, who posted a 61-60 overall record during four seasons as the head coach at Kentucky. Brooks takes over following an eight-season run at Virginia Tech that saw him bring unprecedented success to the Hokies.
Brooks went 180-82 at Virginia Tech, making the NCAA Tournament four straight times, including a Final Four berth in 2023. The Hokies won the ACC Tournament in 2023 and were regular-season conference champions this past season. Including his 14-year run at James Madison, Brooks holds an overall career record of 517-204.
“I am thrilled to be named the head coach of the Kentucky women’s basketball program,” Brooks said in UK’s press release. “From the Big Blue Nation and the stunning landscape of the Bluegrass State to the UK Athletics brand and getting to compete in the Southeastern Conference, my family and I are excited about this new chapter in our lives.
“I want to thank Virginia Tech for the most joyful journey of my coaching career, and to the University of Kentucky and UK Athletics administration for this new opportunity. I don’t plan on wasting any time building a positive atmosphere, winning environment and a persistent program that Big Blue Nation can be proud of.”
Brooks is known as an excellent recruiter (Virginia Tech has the No. 8 overall 2024 recruiting class), a great player developer (several WNBA players, along with three-time ACC Player of the Year Elizabeth Kitley), and, most importantly, as a winner. Welcome to the BBN, Coach Brooks.
Football spring practice rolls along
Kentucky football is already in week two of spring practice. On Tuesday, we were able to hear from offensive line coach Eric Wolford, who spoke for the first time publicly since leaving Lexington for Alabama and then surprisingly returning to UK in January. He briefly touched on his relationship with head coach Mark Stoops and how the two are on the same page.
“We had a good ol’ Youngstown meeting when the time was appropriate before I came back and we resolved things,” Wolford said. “We’re in a good place and I appreciate Coach Stoops giving me the opportunity.”
Offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan also spoke with reporters, as did players Barion Brown, Eli Cox, and Jager Burton. You can watch Wolford’s press conference below and find the others over on the KSR YouTube channel.
Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.
Bat Cats’ wild comeback against Miami (OH)
Now freshly ranked for the first time all season at No. 24, Kentucky baseball nearly coughed up that ranking just a couple of days after earning it. But on a Tuesday night that saw 14 walks and five hit-by-pitches, the Bat Cats used a six-run seventh inning to sneak past the Miami (OH) RedHawks 9-5, moving UK to 21-4 on the season.
Kentucky ultimately left 10 runners on base through the first five innings, but, with two outs in the seventh, the ‘Cats drew five straight walks/hit-by-pitch before Nick Lopez’s two-run single helped shift a three-run hole in a three-run lead.
“That was one of the weirdest games I’ve ever been a part of,” Junior Patrick Herrera said.
KSR’s Daniel Hager has a full recap here. Up next for Kentucky is a road trip to Oxford for a weekend series against No. 22 Ole Miss.
Louisville’s coaching search is a mess
Would you like to coach Louisville men’s basketball? There’s a very good chance that you’ve already been contacted.
The Cardinals’ search for a Kenny Payne replacement couldn’t be any messier right now, especially after missing out on FAU’s Dusty May, who instead went to Michigan. Several candidates have been listed as frontrunners over the last 24 hours. Will it be Indiana State’s Josh Schertz? Charleston’s Pat Kelsey? Seton Hall’s Shaheen Holloway? South Florida’s Amir Abdur-Rahim? What about — and I’m being completely serious — Richard Pitino, the son of Rick Pitino but with a much worse resume?
Who the actual choice winds up being remains anyone’s guess. But I think all of the Big Blue Nation would be perfectly fine with UL bringing in baby Pitino, who has just two NCAA Tournament appearances across 11 seasons at Minnesota and New Mexico. You know you want to…
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard