There is reportedly an unexpected bidding war over the services of Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari.
According to an exclusive report from The Athletic’s Seth Davis, Kentucky is now offering a lifetime contract to Calipari after discussions between Calipari and UCLA. The new deal would reportedly include a ten-year contract as a head coach, as well as the opportunity to serve as a “paid ambassador” after his retirement. (RELATED: Watch Selection Sunday Meltdown Compilation Of Kentucky Coach John Calipari)
Conversations between UCLA and Calipari have been much more extensive than previously reported. Here is my report for @TheAthleticCBB https://t.co/7b1ANBC7yO
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 1, 2019
And just in case, you think this is an April Fools’ day joke, Davis swears it’s not. (RELATED: Tom Brady Joins Twitter With April Fools’ Retirement Joke)
And no this is not an April Fools joke. UCLA asked Kentucky for permission to speak to Calipari and it was granted.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 1, 2019
UCLA reportedly offered Calipari a 6-year $48 million deal to become the Bruins’ next head coach. If UCLA is really going after Calipari, they are wasting their time. I do not have any inside information, but I can almost say for certain that Calipari is not leaving Lexington.
If the Bruins want to return to their place among the college basketball elite, they are going to have to find another coach.