WRAL Sports Fan

College Basketball

Calipari to UK

By Will Graves

Mar 31, 2009

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - John Calipari has accepted an offer to
leave Memphis for the tradition-rich Kentucky basketball program,
according to reports.
Calipari spent the day considering the Wildcats' lucrative offer
and calling former Kentucky coaches, including Joe B. Hall.
Hall said the informal chat centered on what it takes to survive
one of college basketball's most prestigious, most scrutinized and
most lucrative jobs. Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie last Friday
after two disappointing seasons.
University of Memphis spokesman Bob Winn confirmed athletic
director R.C. Johnson had spoken with Calipari. Asked if Calipari
had told Johnson he was taking the Kentucky job, Winn declined to
comment.
"I can confirm that he has told R.C. (Johnson) that he is
headed to Lexington, Ky., this evening," Winn told The Associated
Press.