How Kelvin Sampson and a chicken executive sold John Calipari on becoming Arkansas basketball coach

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Introduced before a crowd of thousands of cheering fans at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday night, new Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari quipped that he had “never gotten that kind of greeting in this building.”

The 65-year-old Hall of Famer recalled when he was ejected during a game inside the venue during the 2019-20 season that his Kentucky Wildcats won. Back then, the idea of Calipari one day leading another college basketball program – let alone an SEC rival – seemed unfathomable.

But it’s now reality, and Arkansas play-by-play announcer Chuck Barrett wasted little time hitting Calipari with the million dollar question.

“How did this happen?” Barrett asked as he shared a stage with Calipari for a question and answer session. “Walk us through this.”

“John Tyson,” Calipari responded, quick to credit the billionaire Arkansas booster he later referred to as “my good friend.” Both Calipari and Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek were adamant Wednesday that the former CEO of Tyson Foods played a vital role in landing Calipari to replace Eric Musselman, who left after five seasons to take the USC job.

According to Calipari, Tyson asked if Calipari would meet with Yurachek last week. Both happened to be in the Phoenix area for the Final Four. Calipari agreed, insinuating that he assumed Yurachek might want his opinion on candidates to replace Musselman.

“Whatever John Tyson would ask me to do, I’m doing it,” Calipari said.

The meeting lasted less than 90 minutes. Yurachek said Calipari “spent 15, 20 minutes bragging about how great of a job it was.” Yurachek eventually asked “why not you?”

“Why not me?” Calipari responded

“Yeah, why not you?” Yurachek shot back.

After talking with Yurachek, Calipari said he “went west” while mulling the possibility of leaving Kentucky for Arkansas. On his trip, Calipari said he spoke with a Catholic priest about the decision.

“Father, I’ve got…

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Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/how-kelvin-sampson-and-a-chicken-executive-sold-john-calipari-on-becoming-arkansas-basketball-coach/

Author : David Cobb

Publish date : 2024-04-11 01:58:50

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