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Kentucky coach John Calipari addresses his team during the first half of a college basketball game against Oakland in the first round of the men's NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart says despite calls to fire John Calipari following the Wildcats' early exit from the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year. , confirmed on social media that he will be returning as men's basketball coach.
Barnhart posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) Tuesday night that he had discussed the direction of the men's program with the Hall of Fame coach. „I can confirm that he will be returning as our head coach for his 16th season,“ he posted.
Read: John Calipari signs $86 million, 10-year contract extension with Kentucky
Kentucky was the No. 3 seed in the March Madness tournament, but lost 80-76 to No. 14 seed Oakland in the first round on Thursday. This latest loss in Pittsburgh comes one year after the Wildcats were eliminated in the second round and two years after they were upset by No. 15 seed St. Peter's as a No. 2 seed in the NCAA opener.
Kentucky's quick departure immediately drew calls for Calipari to be fired on sports talk shows and social media, with many criticizing Kentucky's reliance on so-called „one-and-done“ freshmen and weaknesses in Kentucky's defense. Calipari's firing was supposed to trigger a $33 million buyout under the terms of his lifetime contract signed in 2019.
Read: No matter who wins in the final, Kentucky has a champion.
For his part, the coach sounded like someone who is intent on returning, repeating his love for the players and the state on his season-ending radio show Monday night. He also hinted at retaining a combination of talented freshmen and experienced players through the NCAA transfer portal.
„We need to make the right transfer,“ he said. „We've got to continue to coach these young kids. Given what happened, we're probably going to have to spend this summer a little bit differently. More physical. We need to step up and spend more time in the weight room. …But in addition to that, we have to first look at who's going to be here from this roster. And there's no one who's not going to be here. I guess.”