LEXINGTON, Ky. — In a video message posted to social media Tuesday, Hall of Fame coach John Calipari announced he is stepping down as coach of Kentucky men's basketball after 15 seasons. 

What You Need To Know

  • John Calipari announced he is stepping down as head coach of Kentucky men's basketball in a video message posted Tuesday 

  • He leaves the Wildcats after 15 seasons, where he compiled a 410-122 record

  • The Wildcats had four Final Four appearances under his watch, including a national championship in 2012 

  • The move comes weeks after the third-seeded Wildcats fell 80-76 to No. 14-seeded Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament

"The last few weeks, we've come to realize that this program probably needs to hear another voice, that the university as a whole has to have another voice giving guidance about this program," Calipari said. "And the fans need to hear another voice." 

 

"We've loved it here, but we think it's time for us to step away and step away completely from the program." 

The 65-year-old compiled a 410-122 record after taking over in 2009, along with a national championship in 2012 and three other Final Four appearances (2011, 2014 and 2015). 

“We’re appreciative of John Calipari leading our program for the last 15 years, adding to the legacy of championship success at Kentucky," athletic director Mitch Barnhart said. "We’re grateful to John for his many contributions to the University, and our state, both on and off the court."

The move comes weeks after the third-seeded Wildcats fell 80-76 to No. 14-seeded Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament. Kentucky also faced a second-round exit in 2023 and fell to No. 15-seeded Saint Peter's as a second seed in 2022. 

Calipari said he is discussing opportunities that have been presented to him with his family. He thanked the families of players he has coached.

The process is already underway to find Calipari's replacement, Barnhart said. The move comes just weeks after Barnhart said Calipari would return for the 2024-25 season after the two met privately days after the loss. 

“We are working diligently to hire a proven, highly dedicated coach who embraces the importance of this program to our fans and the state of Kentucky," Barnhart said. 

Calipari's teams have reached the tournament 12 times. He has an 813-260 record in 32 seasons as a college head coach, leading the University of Massachusetts to a Final Four appearance in 1996.

He also spent parts of three seasons as coach of the then-New Jersey Nets (1996-1999) before returning to the college level with Memphis in 2000, spending nine seasons with the Tigers. Calipari was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. 

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