Arkansas basketball coach John Calipari will return to his former stomping grounds on Saturday when his Razorbacks square up against the Kentucky Wildcats. It represents his first time back at Rupp Arena since leaving last year.
Rick Pitino found himself in those same shoes earlier in his coaching career. After leaving Lexington and landing at Louisville, he faced an angry Big Blue Nation in 2001.
Pitino led the Wildcats for eight seasons, leading the program to three Final Fours and a national championship. He left to coach in the NBA before returning to college for a bitter rival.
At Louisville, he won another title before his controversial exit. He says the most difficult time in his coaching career came as a visitor in Rupp Arena.
John Calipari now expects to see a similar welcome when facing a Kentucky program he previously led to a title. The head coach experienced immediate success at the start of his tenure, racking up four Final Fours in his first five seasons.
Unfortunately, he was unable to sustain that success throughout the remainder of his time in Lexington. While the Wildcats were an annual NCAA Tournament team, they often struggled in the postseason.
A string of early exits to lower-ranked foes eventually led his relationship with the fanbase to sour. He chose to walk away from Lexington after 15 years, agreeing to a deal with SEC rival Arkansas while bringing a few Kentucky players with him. Calipari spoke on his upcoming return to Rupp Arena this week.
John Calipari anticipates that he’ll hear some boo birds ahead of tipoff. While it may not be as hostile as the one Rick Pitino previously experienced, you can bet Kentucky fans would take satisfaction in embarrassing their former coach.
Pitino reflected on his return, which came more than two decades ago. He begged Big Blue Nation not to boo Coach Cal as he walked onto the floor.
The Razorbacks and Wildcats are set to face off at 9 PM ET on Saturday night. Kentucky enters as the nation’s 12th-ranked team while Arkansas looks to right the ship after a 1-6 start in SEC play.
The welcome John Calipari receives will be a talking point throughout the night. We’ll see if the fanbase listens Rick Pitino’s pleas.