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John Calipari

Updated: Wikipedia source

John Calipari

John Vincent Calipari (; born February 10, 1959) is an American basketball coach who is the head coach at the University of Arkansas. He has been named Naismith College Coach of the Year three times (1996, 2008, and 2015), and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Previously, he was the head coach at the University of Massachusetts from 1988 to 1996, the NBA's New Jersey Nets from 1996 to 1999, the University of Memphis from 2000 to 2009, and the University of Kentucky from 2009 to 2024. During the 2011–2012 season, he led Kentucky to a national championship. Additionally, he was the head coach of the Dominican Republic national team in the summers of 2011 and 2012 as well as the United States men's national under-19 basketball team in July 2017. Calipari coached Kentucky to four Final Fours in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. He also led UMass and Memphis to the Final Four in 1996 and 2008 respectively; those appearances were later vacated, though Calipari was cleared of wrongdoing in both cases. As a college coach, Calipari has twenty-nine 20-win seasons, eleven 30-win seasons, and five 35-win seasons. As of December 2024, with 865 official wins, Calipari ranks 9th on the NCAA Division I all-time winningest coaches list.

Infobox

Title
Head coach
Team
Arkansas
Conference
SEC
Record
29–16 (.644)
Born
(1959-02-10) February 10, 1959 (age 66)Moon Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1978–1980
UNC Wilmington
1980–1982
Clarion
Position
Point guard
1982–1985
Kansas (associate assistant)
1985–1988
Pittsburgh (assistant)
1988–1996
UMass
1996–1999
New Jersey Nets
1999–2000
Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
2000–2009
Memphis
2009–2024
Kentucky
2024–present
Arkansas
Overall
842–277 (.752) (college)72–112 (.391) (NBA)
Tournaments
58–23* (NCAA Division I)15–6 (NIT)

Tables

· College statistics
1978–79
1978–79
Year
1978–79
Team
UNC Wilmington
GP
25
GS
N/A
MPG
N/A
FG%
235
3P%
N/A
FT%
840
RPG
0.3
APG
0.9
SPG
0.0
BPG
0.0
PPG
1.2
1980–81
1980–81
Year
1980–81
Team
Clarion
GP
19
GS
N/A
MPG
N/A
FG%
457
3P%
N/A
FT%
615
RPG
0.9
APG
2.6
SPG
0.9
BPG
0.0
PPG
3.1
1981–82
1981–82
Year
1981–82
Team
Clarion
GP
27
GS
N/A
MPG
N/A
FG%
387
3P%
N/A
FT%
717
RPG
1.0
APG
5.3
SPG
1.3
BPG
0.1
PPG
5.3
Year
Team
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3P%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
1978–79
UNC Wilmington
25
N/A
N/A
235
N/A
840
0.3
0.9
0.0
0.0
1.2
1980–81
Clarion
19
N/A
N/A
457
N/A
615
0.9
2.6
0.9
0.0
3.1
1981–82
Clarion
27
N/A
N/A
387
N/A
717
1.0
5.3
1.3
0.1
5.3
Statistics overview · Head coaching record › College
UMass Minutemen (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1988–1996)
UMass Minutemen (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1988–1996)
Season
UMass Minutemen (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1988–1996)
1988–89
1988–89
Season
1988–89
Team
UMass
Overall
10–18
Conference
5–13
Standing
8th
1989–90
1989–90
Season
1989–90
Team
UMass
Overall
17–14
Conference
10–8
Standing
6th
Postseason
NIT First Round
1990–91
1990–91
Season
1990–91
Team
UMass
Overall
20–13
Conference
10–8
Standing
T–3rd
Postseason
NIT Fourth Place
1991–92
1991–92
Season
1991–92
Team
UMass
Overall
30–5
Conference
13–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
1992–93
1992–93
Season
1992–93
Team
UMass
Overall
24–7
Conference
11–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
1993–94
1993–94
Season
1993–94
Team
UMass
Overall
28–7
Conference
14–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
1994–95
1994–95
Season
1994–95
Team
UMass
Overall
29–5
Conference
13–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1995–96
1995–96
Season
1995–96
Team
UMass
Overall
35–2*
Conference
15–1
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Final Four*
UMass:
UMass:
Season
UMass:
Team
189–70 (.730)*
Overall
91–41 (.689)
Memphis Tigers (Conference USA) (2000–2009)
Memphis Tigers (Conference USA) (2000–2009)
Season
Memphis Tigers (Conference USA) (2000–2009)
2000–01
2000–01
Season
2000–01
Team
Memphis
Overall
21–15
Conference
10–6
Standing
2nd (National)
Postseason
NIT Third Place
2001–02
2001–02
Season
2001–02
Team
Memphis
Overall
27–9
Conference
12–4
Standing
1st (National)
Postseason
NIT Champion
2002–03
2002–03
Season
2002–03
Team
Memphis
Overall
23–7
Conference
13–3
Standing
1st (National)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2003–04
2003–04
Season
2003–04
Team
Memphis
Overall
22–8
Conference
12–4
Standing
T–1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2004–05
2004–05
Season
2004–05
Team
Memphis
Overall
22–16
Conference
9–7
Standing
T–6th
Postseason
NIT Semifinal
2005–06
2005–06
Season
2005–06
Team
Memphis
Overall
33–4
Conference
13–1
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2006–07
2006–07
Season
2006–07
Team
Memphis
Overall
33–4
Conference
16–0
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2007–08
2007–08
Season
2007–08
Team
Memphis
Overall
38–2**
Conference
16–0**
Standing
1st **
Postseason
NCAA Division I Runner-up**
2008–09
2008–09
Season
2008–09
Team
Memphis
Overall
33–4
Conference
16–0
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
Memphis:
Memphis:
Season
Memphis:
Team
214–68 (.759)**
Overall
101–25 (.802)**
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2009–2024)
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2009–2024)
Season
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2009–2024)
2009–10
2009–10
Season
2009–10
Team
Kentucky
Overall
35–3
Conference
14–2
Standing
1st (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2010–11
2010–11
Season
2010–11
Team
Kentucky
Overall
29–9
Conference
10–6
Standing
2nd (East)
Postseason
NCAA Division I Final Four
2011–12
2011–12
Season
2011–12
Team
Kentucky
Overall
38–2
Conference
16–0
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Champion
2012–13
2012–13
Season
2012–13
Team
Kentucky
Overall
21–12
Conference
12–6
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NIT First Round
2013–14
2013–14
Season
2013–14
Team
Kentucky
Overall
29–11
Conference
12–6
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Runner-up
2014–15
2014–15
Season
2014–15
Team
Kentucky
Overall
38–1
Conference
18–0
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Final Four
2015–16
2015–16
Season
2015–16
Team
Kentucky
Overall
27–9
Conference
13–5
Standing
T–1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2016–17
2016–17
Season
2016–17
Team
Kentucky
Overall
32–6
Conference
16–2
Standing
1st
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2017–18
2017–18
Season
2017–18
Team
Kentucky
Overall
26–11
Conference
10–8
Standing
T–4th
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2018–19
2018–19
Season
2018–19
Team
Kentucky
Overall
30–7
Conference
15–3
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2019–20
2019–20
Season
2019–20
Team
Kentucky
Overall
25–6
Conference
15–3
Standing
1st
Postseason
Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21
2020–21
Season
2020–21
Team
Kentucky
Overall
9–16
Conference
8–9
Standing
8th
2021–22
2021–22
Season
2021–22
Team
Kentucky
Overall
26–8
Conference
14–4
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2022–23
2022–23
Season
2022–23
Team
Kentucky
Overall
22–12
Conference
12–6
Standing
3rd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2023–24
2023–24
Season
2023–24
Team
Kentucky
Overall
23–10
Conference
13–5
Standing
T–2nd
Postseason
NCAA Division I Round of 64
Kentucky:
Kentucky:
Season
Kentucky:
Team
410–123 (.769)
Overall
198–65 (.753)
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southeastern Conference) (2024–present)
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southeastern Conference) (2024–present)
Season
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southeastern Conference) (2024–present)
2024–25
2024–25
Season
2024–25
Team
Arkansas
Overall
22–14
Conference
8–10
Standing
T–9th
Postseason
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2025–26
2025–26
Season
2025–26
Team
Arkansas
Overall
7–2
Conference
0–0
Arkansas:
Arkansas:
Season
Arkansas:
Team
29–16 (.644)
Overall
8–10 (.444)
Total:
Total:
Season
Total:
Team
842–277 (.752)***
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
Season
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion
Season
Team
Overall
Conference
Standing
Postseason
UMass Minutemen (Atlantic 10 Conference) (1988–1996)
1988–89
UMass
10–18
5–13
8th
1989–90
UMass
17–14
10–8
6th
NIT First Round
1990–91
UMass
20–13
10–8
T–3rd
NIT Fourth Place
1991–92
UMass
30–5
13–3
1st
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
1992–93
UMass
24–7
11–3
1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
1993–94
UMass
28–7
14–2
1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
1994–95
UMass
29–5
13–3
1st
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
1995–96
UMass
35–2*
15–1
1st
NCAA Division I Final Four*
UMass:
189–70 (.730)*
91–41 (.689)
Memphis Tigers (Conference USA) (2000–2009)
2000–01
Memphis
21–15
10–6
2nd (National)
NIT Third Place
2001–02
Memphis
27–9
12–4
1st (National)
NIT Champion
2002–03
Memphis
23–7
13–3
1st (National)
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2003–04
Memphis
22–8
12–4
T–1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2004–05
Memphis
22–16
9–7
T–6th
NIT Semifinal
2005–06
Memphis
33–4
13–1
1st
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2006–07
Memphis
33–4
16–0
1st
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2007–08
Memphis
38–2**
16–0**
1st **
NCAA Division I Runner-up**
2008–09
Memphis
33–4
16–0
1st
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
Memphis:
214–68 (.759)**
101–25 (.802)**
Kentucky Wildcats (Southeastern Conference) (2009–2024)
2009–10
Kentucky
35–3
14–2
1st (East)
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2010–11
Kentucky
29–9
10–6
2nd (East)
NCAA Division I Final Four
2011–12
Kentucky
38–2
16–0
1st
NCAA Division I Champion
2012–13
Kentucky
21–12
12–6
T–2nd
NIT First Round
2013–14
Kentucky
29–11
12–6
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Runner-up
2014–15
Kentucky
38–1
18–0
1st
NCAA Division I Final Four
2015–16
Kentucky
27–9
13–5
T–1st
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2016–17
Kentucky
32–6
16–2
1st
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2017–18
Kentucky
26–11
10–8
T–4th
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2018–19
Kentucky
30–7
15–3
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Elite Eight
2019–20
Kentucky
25–6
15–3
1st
Postseason cancelled due to COVID-19
2020–21
Kentucky
9–16
8–9
8th
2021–22
Kentucky
26–8
14–4
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Round of 64
2022–23
Kentucky
22–12
12–6
3rd
NCAA Division I Round of 32
2023–24
Kentucky
23–10
13–5
T–2nd
NCAA Division I Round of 64
Kentucky:
410–123 (.769)
198–65 (.753)
Arkansas Razorbacks (Southeastern Conference) (2024–present)
2024–25
Arkansas
22–14
8–10
T–9th
NCAA Division I Sweet 16
2025–26
Arkansas
7–2
0–0
Arkansas:
29–16 (.644)
8–10 (.444)
Total:
842–277 (.752)***
National champion Postseason invitational champion Conference regular season champion Conference regular season and conference tournament champion Division regular season champion Division regular season and conference tournament champion Conference tournament champion
· Head coaching record › NBA
New Jersey
New Jersey
Team
New Jersey
Year
1996–97
G
82
W
26
L
56
W–L%
317
Finish
5th in Atlantic
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Missed Playoffs
New Jersey
New Jersey
Team
New Jersey
Year
1997–98
G
82
W
43
L
39
W–L%
524
Finish
3rd in Atlantic
PG
3
PW
0
PL
3
PW–L%
000
Result
Lost in first round
New Jersey
New Jersey
Team
New Jersey
Year
1998–99
G
20
W
3
L
17
W–L%
150
Finish
7th in Atlantic
PG
—
PW
—
PL
—
PW–L%
—
Result
Fired
Career
Career
Team
Career
G
184
W
72
L
112
W–L%
391
PG
3
PW
0
PL
3
PW–L%
000
Team
Year
G
W
L
W–L%
Finish
PG
PW
PL
PW–L%
Result
New Jersey
1996–97
82
26
56
317
5th in Atlantic
—
—
—
—
Missed Playoffs
New Jersey
1997–98
82
43
39
524
3rd in Atlantic
3
0
3
000
Lost in first round
New Jersey
1998–99
20
3
17
150
7th in Atlantic
—
—
—
—
Fired
Career
184
72
112
391
3
0
3
000

References

  1. Lexington Herald Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-basketball-men/article44000313.html
  2. WECT
    https://www.wect.com/2019/09/20/kentuckys-john-calipari-reflects-about-his-time-wilmington/
  3. Kansas City Star
    http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article57302503.html#storylink=cpy
  4. KUSports.com
    http://www2.kusports.com/news/2012/apr/02/john-calipari-talks-about-ku-days/
  5. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
    https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/john-calipari-1.html
  6. Memphis Tigers Men's Basketball
    https://uofmtigers.blogspot.com/2007/05/great-article-on-calipari-from.html
  7. "An asterisk can't ruin UMass' Final Four dream | Sporting News, The | Find Articles at BNET"
    https://archive.today/20120709033458/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1208/is_n23_v221/ai_19503011/
  8. "05FB-29-40"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090326095331/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/umas/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/mbb115-144.pdf
  9. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=4937960
  10. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1028056/2019/06/14/the-power-of-opportunity-caliparis-children-have-run-from-his-shadow-to-pursue-their-own-dreams/
  11. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/25/sports/calipari-apologizes-publicly-for-his-slur.html
  12. "NBA education of John Calipari"
    http://umasshoops.com/history/alumni/john_calipari/news/nba_education03131998.htm
  13. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/27/sports/stern-fines-calipari-25000-for-insulting-reporter.html
  14. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/08096/870837-291.stm
  15. Pig Trail Nation
    https://www.nwahomepage.com/sports/pig-trail-nation/ink-is-dry-former-kentucky-coach-john-calipari-signs-multi-year-deal-to-become-new-head-coach-of-arkansas-mens-basketball/
  16. Sports Illustrated
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090321141806/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/ncaa/mens-tournament/03/18/all.americans/index.html
  17. Mike DeCourcy. The Sporting News. "Pepperdine's offense is a recruiting tool, too" Archived December 25, 2007, at the W
    http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=258992
  18. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=3066270&campaign=rss&source=NCAAHeadlines
  19. I'll Show You
  20. Memphis Commercial-Appeal
    http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/oct/06/deal-put-price-tag-memphis-tiger-disgrace/
  21. WHAS11 News "John Calipari accepts offer to be new UK basketball coach Archived 2009-04-02 at the Wayback Machine", WHAS
    http://www.whas11.com/sports/stories/whas11-topstory-090330-calipari-uk-coach.87f62981.html
  22. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4031573
  23. A Sea of Blue
    https://www.aseaofblue.com/2009/5/15/875832/uk-basketball-john-calipari-speaks
  24. University of Kentucky Basketball Encyclopedia
  25. Forbes
    https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomvanriper/2012/03/05/the-highest-paid-college-basketball-coaches/
  26. Washington Post
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120505153201/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/kentucky-gives-john-calipari-a-raise-following-ncaa-title-extends-contracts-of-assistants/2012/05/04/gIQAf4fa1T_story.html
  27. Bleacher Report
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  28. Washington Post
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  29. CBSSports.com
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  30. arkansasrazorbacks.com
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  31. USA TODAY
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2025/03/22/arkansas-sweet-16-march-madness-sec-turnaround/82617770007/
  32. AP News
    https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-arkansas-texas-tech-score-48e7ef12a455bbe3c5c66caeb28c0ca5
  33. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/news/story?id=4412279
  34. ESPN
    https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/31836/ncaa-calls-john-caliparis-win-total-wrong
  35. ESPN.com
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  36. University of Memphis Athletics
    https://gotigersgo.com/news/2004/5/6/Calipari_To_Be_Inducted_In_National_Italian_American_Sports_Hall_of_Fame_Saturday
  37. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/12622781/john-calipari-receives-enough-votes-inducted-basketball-hall-fame-sources
  38. NCAA.com
    https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2015-09-09/john-caliparis-biggest-basketball-hall-fame-challenge-his
  39. KSR
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  40. Bounce back : overcoming setbacks to succeed in business and in life
  41. Players first : coaching from the inside out
  42. ESPN.com
    https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/28484240/brad-calipari-finds-court-detroit
  43. Heavy.com
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  44. Heavy.com
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  45. Lexington Herald-Leader
    https://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/ex-cats/article232152162.html
  46. On3
    https://www.on3.com/teams/kentucky-wildcats/news/john-caliparis-cousin-tj-friedl-plays-for-the-louisville-bats/
  47. Courier-Journal
    https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/07/09/gov-beshear-kentuckians-must-wear-masks-public-starting-friday/5389753002/
  48. Courier-Journal
    https://www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/2024/02/13/john-chaney-john-calipari-umass-temple-kill-threat-basketball-kentucky/72586012007/
  49. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/14/sports/college-basketball-chaney-lambastes-umass-s-calipari.html
  50. "John Chaney to John Calipari: "I'll Kill You""
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jUpHClybQ
  51. The Philadelphia Inquirer
    https://www.inquirer.com/philly/columnists/mike_kern/John_Chaney_John_Calipari_ESPN_30_for_30_documentary_Temple.html
  52. masslive
    https://www.masslive.com/umassbasketball/2021/01/john-calipari-mourns-john-chaney-long-after-famous-feud-former-umass-and-temple-coaches-remained-friends.html
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