AD says John Calipari will return to Kentucky for a 16th season

Longtime coach John Calipari will return to Kentucky for his 16th season, athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Tuesday.

“As we typically do at the end of each season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of the men's basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach,” Barnhart wrote on Channel X.

As we typically do at the end of each season, Coach Calipari and I have had conversations about the direction of the men's basketball program and I can confirm that he will return for his 16th season as our head coach.

– Mitch Barnhart (@UKMitchBarnhart) March 27, 2024

Barnhart's announcement comes on the heels of speculation about Calipari's future after the Wildcats went 23-10 this season and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to No. 14 seed Oakland. Kentucky is ranked No. 3.

Calipari said on his weekly radio show Monday evening that the team was “hurting” after the season-ending loss, and vowed to “go do something special.” Under Calipari, the Wildcats have reached seven Elite Eights, four Final Fours and a national title in his first 10 seasons.

“I'll work,” Calipari said on the show. “This is the commitment I give to the fans. (The expectation) never goes away, but I love it. This is what I want. This is what I wanted. That's why I never left. Now let's come together and do something special. We can do it. I did it. Let's do it.” That again.”

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(Photo: Christopher Hanwinkel/USA Today)