LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky basketball fanatics have been met with game-changing news over the last 24 hours. 

What You Need To Know

  • Hall of Fame coach John Calipari's 15-season-run with the University of Kentucky may be coming to an end

  • Multiple reports, including ESPN, say he's finalizing a deal to become head coach of the University of Arkansas

  • Neither school has confirmed the deal

  • The news comes weeks after the third-seeded Wildcats were upset by No. 14-seeded Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament

Multiple reports saying longtime head coach John Calipari may finalize a deal with the University of Arkansas is on the minds of several Kentucky students. He would become the 14th coach of the Razorbacks, replacing Eric Musselman. 

Students like Carly Russell said there has been no shortage of opinions on the Wildcats since falling to Oakland in a shocking NCAA Tournament loss. 

“Everybody in Kentucky was definitely like, 'Crap,' talking to him a lot," Russell said. "But now that he's leaving, they’re liking him more, so there's just no win for him, really, which kind of sucks."

Russell said her concerns are about the current players.

“A coach helps the team, but the team also has to work together to actually do good when they play," she said. 

Calipari, who stepped into his role in 2009, led the Wildcats to four Final Fours, including a national championship in 2012. 

“I've always looked at Coach Cal as a role model, and I'm going to continue to look up to him as a role model, (which made the news) a bigger gut punch,” said 22-year-old graduate student Christopher Otineo. 

Otineo said Calipari's exit could lead to a fresh start for the program. 

“When I saw it, I didn't think it was real," he said. "I always thought it was an April Fool's joke. I'm a big fan of Coach Cal; I have always been a very big fan of him, so I was not expecting it.”

“I respect his decision because at the end of the day, everyone's going to do what's best for them, and I think he's just doing what's best for him."

The Wildcats have gone 410-122 in 15 seasons under Calipari. 

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