Mark Pope is in, and John Calipari is out.
While the former wasn’t asked to leave, it was clearly his time to go, but he’ll be staying in the SEC with the Arkansas Razorbacks.
However, it isn’t just Calipari that will be taking his talents further south.
He is expected to take with him a slew of coaches, including his son Brad Calipari, to Fayetteville. For now, the assistants include Orlando Antigua, Chin Coleman, Chuck Martin, and Bruiser Flint, according to Matt Norlander.
The only assistant reportedly not going is John Welch, who is instead headed to Fresno State.
It’s currently unclear if graduate assistant Tyler Ulis is leaving for Arkansas or landing elsewhere.
Calipari had a developed staff in Lexington, so Pope may have a difficult time starting his time with BBN. The Cats do have a blue-blood reputation, one that should help Pope entice quality assistant coaches to join him.
With a deep and rich history of success in college hoops, Kentucky should be able to efficiently and easily add a talented staff around Pope, but his charisma and ability to sell Kentucky to coaches and players will be an important factor moving forward.
The Wildcats are in transition mode, but the hope is that Mark Pope will get the Kentucky Wildcats back to competing for championships.