John Calipari to Texas Rumors: ESPN’s Jay Bilas Weighs In During Kentucky Game

Kentucky has had a disappointing begin to the season, with an 11–6 total file and a 2–3 file in SEC play. That, together with the current job opening at Texas, has led to rumors over head coach John Calipari’s future with the staff.

Whereas the rumors swirl, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas doesn’t see Calipari going wherever.

“This has not been a enjoyable yr. However I simply don’t see him going wherever,” he stated on ESPN’s broadcast of Kentucky-Tennessee, by way of Nick Schultz. “I perceive the place the speak comes from. That’s type of the character of the enterprise proper now. However he’s not solely going to see it via this yr, however I simply don’t see him leaving anytime quickly. I don’t know the place these things comes from.”

In December, Calipari acknowledged the difficulties in conserving Kentucky basketball as much as the requirements of different blue bloods.

“It’s onerous to play right here now and it’s develop into more durable to play right here,” he stated. “You don’t need it to be so onerous that they don’t need to come right here.”

After the 2019, Kentucky signed Calipari to a “lifetime contract” that’s really an $86 million deal via the 2028-29 season, which additionally features a post-retirement job within the athletic division. Nonetheless, since signing that contract, Calipari has solely led Kentucky to 1 NCAA event look, which resulted in an enormous upset to No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s.

Kentucky can nonetheless flip it round this season, and a giant win over No. 5 Tennessee on Saturday is an efficient begin.