John Calipari will accept the head coaching job at the University of Kentucky, according to Memphis television report.
After days of talks, it is official Calipari will take the job in Lexington and most likely bring 3 of the nations top recruits with him.
Calipari will be the highest-paid coach in the country by a substantial margin. The total package is expected to be worth $35 million to $40 million spread over seven or eight seasons.
Calipari will replace Billy Gillispie, who was fired last Friday. It’s possible Calipari will take Memphis recruits DeMarcus Cousins and Xavier Henry — as well as the nation’s top unsigned player, John Wall — with him to Lexington, which could have Kentucky competing for a national title if Jodie Meeks and/or Patrick Patterson return.
Expect Memphis to target Missouri coach Mike Anderson or Southern California coach Tim Floyd as Calipari’s replacement.
Calipari was at Memphis nine seasons, leading the school to six NCAA tournaments — including one Final Four.
Sources have told CBSSports.com that Tyreke Evans will enter the NBA Draft and Wesley Witherspoon will likely transfer to Kentucky. Shawn Taggart won’t return to Memphis because he has already graduated. Combine that with the fact that Robert Dozier and Antonio Anderson have exhausted their eligibility, and it’s possible the next Tigers coach could inherit a roster featuring only Doneal Mack (8.7 points per game), Roburt Sallie (5.8 ppg), Willie Kemp (2.9 ppg) and Pierre Henderson-Niles (2.4 ppg), meaning Memphis could go from dominating Conference USA to missing the NCAA tournament in a matter of 12 months.
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