University of Memphis Head Basketball Coach John Calipari is sounding like he will follow the money to the University of Kentucky.
That is the statement made to MyEyewitnessNews.com by a member of this year's Tigers team following a team meeting with the coach. "Yes, we met with him. He was talking like he was going to leave," was the quote from the player who attended this morning's meeting.
Kentucky fired its coach last week after two straight disappointing seasons. Calipari's Tigers squad won 30 or more games for four consecutive years, made the national championship game in 2008, and made it to the "Sweet Sixteen" in 2009 before a disappointing loss to Missouri where the Tigers missed 14 free throws and lost by 11.
The player, who asked that he remain anonymous for now, said he thinks the money that UK will offer is too much for Calipari to pass up. Broadcast reports say Calipari spoke with UK officials yesterday and could meet with them, in person, as soon as today.
Calipari's current base salary, at the University of Memphis, is around $2.5 million. Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson spent the weekend contacting boosters to try to arrange additional money to re-do Calipari's contract. College coaches routinely make more money from university associations, such as booster clubs and donors groups, and coach's shows then they do from their base salary.
Kentucky has won seven NCAA basketball championships, second most all-time to UCLA's 11. Kentucky has won more college basketball games than any other program.
There is no word on what time Calipari will meet with UK officials. MyEyewitnessNews.com will continue tracking the story as it progresses. ABC24 and CW30 Eyewitness News will bring you breaking news live, on the air, when it becomes available.
