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Kentucky HC is saying all the right things, but can that save his job?

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky's John Calipari is saying all the right things, but can that save his job?

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated 3/25/24

Kentucky basketball head coach John Calipari has been fighting for his job ever since the Wildcats' upset loss to the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

To be fair, he should be. Kentucky came in as a massive favorite against what should have been an undermatched Oakland team.

Calipari's team featured several soon-to-be NBA players in freshmen Rob Dillingham, Reed Sheppard and Justin Edwards. The Golden Grizzlies featured Jack Gohlke, a former Division II transfer who lit up the Wildcats for 32 points off 10-of-20 shooting from three-point land.

There's a world in which Coach Cal should be fired. It's hard to rule that out since he's not yet met with Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart. He's expected to do so on Tuesday.

That said, speaking on his radio show on Monday after the 80-76 upset loss, it's worth noting that Calipari did sound like a coach who believes he'll be back.

John Calipari on his message to any player that will return from this Kentucky team:

"Under eight months and we got the first game of the year. Let's go. I want this taste out of my mouth."
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 25, 2024

John Calipari says he will meet with Mitch Barnhart tomorrow.

"I'm sure he's hurting. I was on the plane back. He's hurting like the rest of us. And I look forward to hearing his thoughts. You know what, how we can be better."
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) March 25, 2024

Calipari also said all the right things regarding getting the Wildcats back on track.

John Calipari says the criticism should all be on him: "I'm the adult in the room. I'm the leader of all this. My job is to lead them."
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) March 25, 2024

Calipari is talking the talk, but is that a surprise? We know he's a master recruiter who can read any room. That's never been the part of his skill set that has been in question.

What is in question, though, especially after this latest March Madness loss is Calipari's ability to consistently coach a winner. He's done it before — winning the NCAA championship in 2011-12 — but that was well over 10 years ago now, and his record as of late hasn't been stunning.

Despite fielding what is usually the more talented team, Calipari is 10-7 in the NCAA Tournament since the Wildcats last made the Final Four (2014-15).

Kentucky was a No. 3 seed against No. 14 Oakland. Two years ago, the No. 2 ranked Wildcats lost to No. 15 St. Peter's in the first round.

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