Kentucky's search for a new head coach may be nearing its end with reports indicating that the Wildcats are close to finalizing a deal with BYU head coach Mark Pope. Despite interest in coaches like Dan Hurley and Billy Donovan, who declined the position, the focus has now shifted to Pope. With a background at Utah Valley and a successful record at BYU, Pope's potential hiring marks a significant move for Kentucky fans. Athletic director Mitch Barnhart spearheaded the pursuit of Pope, who was also a former player for the Wildcats.
Kentucky's men's basketball coaching job is attracting attention with top candidates like Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan and other top coaches like Dan Hurley, Nate Oats, and Jay Wright declining. John Calipari left for Arkansas, creating a vacancy with Donovan emerging as a potential hire. Hurley, Oats, and Wright have expressed disinterest. Donovan's move hinges on Bulls' decision amid Play-In Tournament participation. Scott Drew could be an alternative. Hurley firmly rejected leaving UConn for Kentucky citing family preferences. Oats and Wright also dismissed the speculation.
Billy Donovan, the current coach of the Chicago Bulls and former NBA coach with the Thunder, has denied being contacted by the Kentucky Wildcats for their coaching position recently left vacant by John Calipari. Despite rumors, Donovan stated his commitment to the Bulls for at least this year. Calipari, with ties to Knicks executive William Wesley, is reportedly set to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks on a five-year deal. Other candidates for the Wildcats' replacement include Scott Drew of Baylor and Nate Oates of Alabama.
Mark Edward Pope (born September 11, 1972) is an American college basketball coach who is the head coach at Brigham Young University. He played college basketball at the University of Kentucky, where he was part of the Wildcats' 1996 NCAA Champion team and at the University of Washington, where he was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. He later played professionally in the NBA for the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets.
Despite the recent NCAA tournament loss to Oakland, John Calipari will return for his 16th season as Kentucky's head coach, as confirmed by athletic director Mitch Barnhart. This decision comes after discussions about the direction of the program and consideration of the team's performance, including disappointing exits in the tournament in recent years.
Legendary basketball coach John Calipari announces his departure from the University of Kentucky mens basketball program after 15 seasons, exploring coaching opportunities elsewhere. Calipari, known for leading the Wildcats to NCAA success with top NBA draft picks, is reportedly closing in on a five-year contract with the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. His ties to the Tyson Foods family and significant financial commitments from Arkansas donors, including the Tyson and Walton families, are key factors in his potential move. Arkansas aims to boost recruiting efforts with funding for name, image, and likeness initiatives under Calipari's leadership.
John Calipari reaffirms his dedication to upholding Kentucky's championship standards despite recent tournament losses, fan criticism, and talk of his possible replacement. Kentucky has struggled in the NCAA Tournament, with their latest defeat to Oakland marking four straight seasons without reaching the second weekend. Calipari, with a winning percentage of .771 in 15 seasons, recognizes the need for changes in roster construction and plans to meet with players to discuss their future. Despite fan unrest and speculation about his job security, Calipari remains focused on returning Kentucky to competing for national titles.
John Calipari, after 15 seasons as Kentucky's head coach, is reported to be heading to Arkansas, known for his success in recruiting top high school prospects who go on to become NBA players, with his recent recruiting class consisting of five-star players like Boogie Fland, Karter Knox, Jayden Quaintance, and Billy Richmond. Kentucky's season ended with a disappointing early exit from the NCAA tournament, leading many to believe that Calipari's top recruits may follow him to Arkansas, where they would continue to compete in the SEC.
John Calipari announced in a video posted on X that he will be stepping away from the University of Kentucky basketball program after spending 13 years with the Wildcats. Calipari expressed gratitude for his time at Kentucky, including successes like winning the national title in 2012, but stated that the program needs to hear another voice. While reports suggest he may move to Arkansas on a five-year deal, Calipari did not confirm this, mentioning discussions about opportunities with his family.
Following coach John Calipari's departure from the Kentucky Wildcats, five-star forward Jayden Quaintance requested a release from his letter of intent, joining other recruits like Karter Knox, who also re-opened his recruitment. Quaintance, a top prospect, is expected to follow Calipari to Arkansas, impacting Kentucky's incoming class. The young recruit cannot enter the NBA draft until 2026. Meanwhile, Knox, a four-star small forward, plans to explore other options after initially choosing Kentucky. Quaintance is considering schools like Arkansas, Missouri, and Ohio State for his future.
Mitch Barnhart (born August 27, 1959) is the athletics director for the Kentucky Wildcats athletics program at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Barnhart was hired by the university in 2002 succeeding Larry Ivy. Barnhart served in the same capacity at Oregon State University from 1998 to 2002. He is the university's tenth athletics director. In August 2023 Barnhart signed an extension on his contract which will keep him at Kentucky until 2028.
BYU coach Mark Pope led his team to a 76-68 victory over No. 7 Kansas, ending the Jayhawks' 19-game home winning streak. Pope received a technical foul during the game but credited it with refocusing his team. The Cougars staged a comeback with a 3-point barrage in the second half while Kansas struggled offensively. BYU's win marked their fourth victory against AP-ranked opponents this season. Kansas coach Bill Self acknowledged his team's subpar performance and confirmed the potential absence of star player Kevin McCullar for the rest of the season.
Steve Lutz, the former head coach of Western Kentucky's basketball team, has been hired as the new men's basketball coach at Oklahoma State. Lutz, aged 51, led WKU to the NCAA tournament in his first season, following successful stints at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Oklahoma State hopes Lutz's coaching pedigree will help rebuild the program after parting ways with previous coach Mike Boynton.
John Calipari wasted no time before finding someone to blame after a stunning loss to Oakland. The Kentucky Wildcats lost 80-76 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to the Grizzlies in what can only be described as an absolute stunner. Once again, Kentucky disappointed in the postseason, and it feels like a lifetime ago when the Wildcats were contending every single season. But don't worry, UK fans, because Calipari knows who is responsible for Thursday night, and it's not him. Did Calipari put his hand up and accept responsibility for the embarrassing loss? After all, he is the head coach.
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball program is the men's college basketball team of the University of Kentucky. It has eight NCAA championships, the best all-time winning percentage, and the most all-time victories. The Wildcats compete in the Southeastern Conference and are currently coached by John Calipari.Adolph Rupp first brought Kentucky to national prominence, winning four NCAA titles. Since then, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and John Calipari each won a national championship, making Kentucky the only school with five coaches to win NCAA championships and placing it second only to UCLA for most titles. Kentucky has finished as the NCAA runner-up four times, making it tied with UCLA for all-time title game appearances at 12. The program has played in 17 NCAA Final Fours, tying Duke for third-all time behind North Carolina and UCLA. Kentucky leads all schools in several NCAA tournament stats: Elite Eight appearances at 38, Sweet Sixteen appearances at 45, total NCAA tournament appearances at 60, and tournament games played at 184. The program is tied in NCAA tournament wins with North Carolina at 131. Kentucky has also won the National Invitation Tournament twice, making it the only school to win multiple NCAA and NIT championships, and it leads all schools in total postseason appearances at 68. Additionally, the Helms Athletic Foundation declared Kentucky the 1933 and 1954 national champions, the latter being Kentucky's only undefeated team in the modern era (post-1930). The 1948 NCAA champion team, coached by Rupp, represented the United States in the Olympics and won a gold medal.Kentucky was the first program to 1000 wins in 1968 and the first to 2000 wins in 2009. The program leads all schools with sixty-three 20-win seasons, sixteen 30-win seasons, and six 35-win seasons. Additionally, Kentucky is second among all teams in conference regular season championships with 53.Throughout its history, the Kentucky basketball program has featured many notable and successful players, both on the collegiate level and the professional level. Five players have been named national player of the year, with Anthony Davis in 2012 and Oscar Tshiebwe in 2022 being consensus selections. Three players have been named national freshman of the year: John Wall in 2010, Davis in 2012, and Reed Sheppard in 2024. Thirty-nine players have been selected as All-Americans a total of 51 times. Kentucky holds the record for the most overall NBA Draft selections (128) and three Wildcats have been selected as the first overall pick (Wall, Davis, and Karl-Anthony Towns). Thirty-nine players have been honored with jersey retirements, as well as Rupp, Hall, Pitino, Smith, equipment manager Bill Keightly, and broadcaster Cawood Ledford. Seven players have been enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, as well as Rupp, Pitino, Calipari, Eddie Sutton, and Ledford.
Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke is stepping down after seven years on the job due to financial difficulties at the school caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The school announced that Heeke will be replaced on an interim basis by former Wildcats softball coach Mike Candrea. During his tenure, Heeke helped improve the men's and women's basketball programs and the football program, and oversaw the success of several sports teams. Heeke's departure comes as the school tries to recover from a $240 million miscalculation of projected cash on hand and a $55 million loan issued during the pandemic.
Nate Oats, the coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, confirmed his commitment to Alabama and dismissed rumors of moving to Kentucky after John Calipari accepted a coaching position at Arkansas. Oats received significant support from Alabama boosters to stay with the program, citing his desire to win the first national championship in men's basketball for the University of Alabama. Kentucky's potential pursuit of Oats could be complicated by an $18 million buyout clause in his contract,
Kentucky freshman Zvonimir Ivisic has been cleared to play by the NCAA after fighting for his eligibility throughout the season. Ivisic, a 7-foot-2 center from Croatia, was considered one of the best international prospects entering college basketball this season. The decision was announced by Ivisic himself on social media, with Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart confirming it. Kentucky fans had shown support for Ivisic's eligibility, raising money for a billboard near the NCAA headquarters. The Wildcats, currently ranked No. 8, have a 13-3 record without Ivisic and will now include him in their upcoming games.
No. 14 seed Oakland University stunned No. 3 seed Kentucky 80-76 in the NCAA basketball tournament's first round, with senior guard Jack Gohlke scoring 32 points and tying the second-most three-pointers record. Coach Greg Kampe praised Gohlke's performance and emphasized staying focused for the next game. Oakland advances to the second round for the first time in the school's history. Kentucky's loss marks a 1-4 record in their last five NCAA tournament games.
UConn coach Dan Hurley expresses concern over freshmen being lured towards the transfer portal with name, image, and likeness compensation offers from other schools, highlighting the impact of NIL deals on athlete transfers. The ease of transferring via the portal and the increased options for athletes have led to frustration among coaches, with a significant number entering the portal before the NCAA Tournament. Clemson coach Brad Brownell acknowledges the challenges faced by players and coaches, especially at midmajor schools, due to the current dynamics of college sports coaching.
The Washington Huskies have hired Jedd Fisch as their next head football coach, replacing Kalen DeBoer who left for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Fisch, who was previously the head coach for the Arizona Wildcats, has agreed to a seven-year contract worth an average of $7.75 million per year. He has experience as an offensive coordinator in the NFL and at various college programs, including Michigan and UCLA. Fisch's successful season with Arizona, where they finished 10-3 with a bowl victory, and his recruiting abilities were key factors in his selection.
Dan Hurley, head coach of UConn, criticized the committee's decision to exclude Big East teams from the NCAA Tournament, despite three teams advancing to the Sweet 16. The conference responded with all three teams going undefeated in the first four days of the tournament. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman praised the remaining teams, highlighting the conference's strength with top seeds. The Big East coaches are supporting each other in light of the snubs. Ackerman acknowledged the process and ongoing efforts to understand the selection decisions for future tournaments.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell and center Oumar Ballo have both entered the transfer portal, with Boswell averaging 9.6 points and 3.6 assists as a sophomore, while Ballo, a graduate student, thanked his supporters as he leaves to explore other opportunities. Ballo, originally from Mali and a former player at Gonzaga, credits coach Tommy Lloyd for his development, averaging 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in the NCAA Tournament with Arizona. This comes after the Wildcats lost Paulius Murauskas, Filip Borovicanin, and Dylan Anderson in addition to Boswell and Ballo.
The BYU and Duquesne Dukes mens basketball teams are scheduled to meet in a postseason tournament game at the CHI Health Center Arena in Omaha, Nebraska, on Thursday, March 21. The game is scheduled to start at 12:40 p.m. ET/10:40 a.m.
Robert Matthew Hurley (born June 28, 1971) is an American college basketball coach and former professional player who is the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was previously the head coach at the University at Buffalo.As a college senior, he was a unanimous first-team All-America for the Duke Blue Devils, with whom he won consecutive national championships. He is the all-time leader in assists in NCAA basketball. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Sacramento Kings and Vancouver Grizzlies from 1993 to 1999.
UConn guard Cam Spencer (12) and teammates celebrate during the final minutes of the teams NCAA college basketball game against Marquette for the championship of the Big East mens tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) UConn coach Dan Hurley gestures during the second half of the teams NCAA college basketball game against Marquette for the championship of the Big East mens tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. UConn won 73-57. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson talks to center Cedric Lath (2) as he comes off the court during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State in the championship of the Big 12 Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis.
Arizona's star center Oumar Ballo has announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal as a graduate student for his final year of eligibility. Ballo, originally from Mali and a former player at Gonzaga, excelled at Arizona, averaging a double-double with 12.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He was a key player in leading the Wildcats to the Sweet 16. Ballo's impressive performance includes shooting nearly 66% from the floor, achieving 20 double-doubles, and earning accolades such as first-team All-Pac-12 and a spot on the conference's all-defensive team.
William John Donovan Jr. (born May 30, 1965) is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. Before moving to the NBA, he served as the head basketball coach at the University of Florida from 1996 to 2015, and led his Florida Gator teams to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and 2007, as well as an NCAA championship appearance in 2000.Donovan was born and raised in Rockville Centre on Long Island, New York, where he played basketball at St. Agnes Cathedral High School. He was the starting point guard for Rick Pitino's Providence College squad and led the Friars to the 1987 Final Four. As such, he is one of only four men (Dean Smith, Joe B. Hall and Bobby Knight being the others) to appear in the NCAA Final Four as a player and win the NCAA national championship as a coach. After college, Donovan spent the 1987–88 and 1988–89 basketball seasons split between the developmental Continental Basketball Association and the NBA's New York Knicks, who were led by his former college coach, Rick Pitino.Donovan ended his professional basketball career in 1989 and briefly worked as a Wall Street stock broker before following Pitino to his new job at the University of Kentucky. Donovan served as an assistant coach for the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball from 1989 to 1993, working his way from an unpaid graduate assistant to top assistant coach and lead recruiter under Pitino. He accepted his first head coaching position at Marshall University in 1994 and led the Thundering Herd to a 35–20 record over two seasons. Donovan was hired to revive Florida's basketball program in 1996. After two losing seasons, while he rebuilt the roster with a national recruiting effort, Donovan's Gators began a streak of sixteen straight 20-win seasons, a period in which his teams appeared in four Final Fours and won two NCAA championships. He is the winningest coach in program history, and he led his teams to more NCAA tournament appearances, NCAA tournament wins, and Southeastern Conference (SEC) championships than all of Florida's other basketball coaches combined.During Donovan's 19 years at Florida, he was often rumored to be a candidate for various NCAA and NBA head coaching positions. In June 2007, after leading the Gators to their second consecutive national title, he accepted an offer to become the head coach of the NBA's Orlando Magic. However, he immediately had second thoughts, and after a week, he persuaded the Magic to release him from his newly signed contract and allow him to return to Florida, where he remained for eight more seasons, and wouldn't make an NBA return until 2015.After 19 years at Florida, Donovan accepted an offer to coach the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder in April 2015. In his first season with the team, the Thunder were division winners and reached the Conference finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in seven games after building a 3–1 series lead. In subsequent seasons under Donovan, the Thunder finished with winning records and never missed the playoffs but were unable to progress past the first round. He was named the NBA Coach's Association Coach of the Year after the 2019–20 season, but after a discussion with the Thunder front office regarding the "future direction of the team", he left by mutual agreement and accepted an offer to coach the Chicago Bulls in September 2020.
UConn coach Dan Hurley and players react during the first half of the temas NCAA college basketball game against St. Johns in the semifinals of the Big East mens tournament Friday, March 15, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) New Mexico players celebrate after defeating San Diego State in an an NCAA college basketball championship game at the Mountain West Conference tournament Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. New Mexico guards Jaelen House, center left, and Tru Washington, center right, dance in front of the trophy. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus) Virginia players sit on the bench to closing seconds in overtime of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina State in the semifinal round of the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament Friday, March 15, 2024, in Washington.
UConn head coach Dan Hurley celebrated with players and fans after their win against Purdue in the NCAA college Final Four championship basketball game on April 8, 2024, in Glendale, Arizona. Hurley hugged guard Stephon Castle and forward Alex Karaban during the game, showing his enthusiasm. He also reacted emotionally during the intense match, greeting fans and expressing his emotions towards the referees. The victory marked a significant achievement for Hurley and the UConn team.
Alabama guard Mark Sears, Alabama head coach Nate Oats, UConn head coach Dan Hurley, UConn center Donovan Clingan, and Alabama forward Grant Nelson prepare for the Final Four college basketball game in the NCAA Tournament in Glendale, Arizona. UConn will face Alabama on Saturday.
The Connecticut Huskies, led by Coach Dan Hurley, are defying doubters and advancing in the NCAA men's basketball tournament with a strong performance, including a recent win over Northwestern. Despite challenges and comments from 'The Doubter', the team remains focused on their identity and vulnerability, showcasing their strength and determination on the court.
During the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament National Championship game, UConn's head coach Dan Hurley engaged in heated exchanges with Purdue's Zach Edey, including confrontations on the court and verbal sparring, leading to social media backlash. Despite the tension, UConn secured a 75-60 victory over Purdue for their back-to-back national title. Hurley's emotional reactions, including shoving his own player during the game, drew criticism from fans and highlighted the spirited atmosphere of the match.
Mark Daigneault (born February 23, 1985) is an American professional basketball coach who is the head coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He spent five seasons as the head coach for the Oklahoma City Blue, the Thunder's G-League affiliate, before becoming the head coach for the Thunder.
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