After seeming to entertain the idea of leaving to coach at UCLA, Kentucky coach John Calipari has agreed to a lifetime contract which will keep him with the Wildcats for the rest of his career.
Calipari, 60, previously signed a deal in 2017 which would have kept him at Kentucky through 2024 at least.
Already the highest-paid NCAA basketball coach in the country (he’ll make $9.2 million this year), Calipari was offered $48 million over six years by UCLA, The Athletic reported.
Under the terms of the extension, Calipari receives a 10-year extension to remain UK’s coach and also gets a promise that he can serve as a paid ambassador for the school after his retirement from coaching.
“They presented it to me and I appreciate it,” Calipari said on his radio show. “They want me to be here until I’m done coaching. This is a unique place and I appreciate the opportunities I’ve had here.”
During his tenure at Kentucky, Calipari has a 305-71 record and has taken the Wildcats to four Final Fours (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015) with one national championship (2012)
Before coming to coach at Kentucky, Calipari coached at Memphis and UMass. After he left those programs, both had to vacate Final Four appearances thanks to NCAA violations.
Kentucky went 30-7 this season and advanced to the Elite Eight before being bounced by Auburn on Sunday.
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