Kentucky has released the full details of head coach John Calipari’s new contract with the school.
Calipari confirmed the new deal several weeks ago amid speculation that UCLA had contacted him for their then-vacant coaching opening.
And now his updated contract in Lexington is worth $86 million and will run through the 2028-29 season, with the option to step down and become special assistant to the athletics director/university representative beginning with the sixth year of the deal.
.@UKCoachCalipari wants to coach here until he retires. We want him to be our coach for as long as he wants to do this. We made it official today.
✍️➡️ https://t.co/47d0PvPJle pic.twitter.com/FaHSt3b7wt
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) June 13, 2019
Calipari offered his thoughts on the extension, courtesy of the school’s official website:
“I want to thank the university, Dr. Eli Capilouto, Mitch Barnhart and DeWayne Peevy for approaching me with the opportunity to finish my career at Kentucky,” Calipari said. “I’ve said from day one that this would be the gold standard and it has been for student-athletes and coaches. As I enter my 11th year, I’m reminded it took me 20 years to get an opportunity to like this. There is no other place I want to be. As I look forward, my mindset is what’s next and how can we be first at it for the young people that we coach.”
He has compiled a 305-71 record with the program, including a national championship in 2012 and three Final Four appearances.
The Wildcats return several key contributors next season season while also adding the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class to the mix.
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