John Calipari’s lawyer has the receipts.
Calipari’s attorney, Tom Mars, shoot down A report from a former Kentucky coach and Arkanassas’ new coach had I asked the school for matching. Arkansas’ proposal was reported, only to be told not to do so.
He even attached a text message purportedly from someone in the athletic department.
“That’s weird,” Mars said in a tweet in response to X’s post. Aggregate reports From Dick Gabriel Kentucky sports radio personality.
“Dick’s report does not appear to be consistent with a text message I received from Kentucky Athletics at 1:22 p.m. ET as Coach Cal’s attorney, which read: ‘Cal… I hear you made a counter-offer to us???’ That was never acceptable to us.”
Mars later attached a screenshot and captioned it, “For those who doubt.”
In this exchange, a Kentucky source sent the following message: I hear that Cal made us a counter offer??? That was something that (Kentucky athletic director) Mitch (Barnhart) and I never accepted. ”
Mars asks, “What are you up against?” and the source replies, “What are you up against?” Sheesh. ”
It’s been a rough week for Kentucky and Arkansas as Calipari thwarted their blue blood plans. Officially joined SEC rival Arkansas on Wednesday.announced the team.
Calipari is reportedly starting to feel disliked by fans following an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, again this time in favor of Oakland, and is reportedly starting to feel disliked by fans, this time in favor of Oakland, as well as the support of Arkansas’ billionaire booster and Tyson Foods chairman John.・He has ties to H. Tyson.
On Tuesday afternoon, before Calipari officially announced he was leaving Kentucky, Gabriel reported that Kentucky had a chance to keep the former championship-winning coach but passed up that opportunity.
“Calipari had a meeting with Mitch Barnhart, but he wasn’t very effective. Mitch had influence.” gabriel said. “From what I hear, Calipari said, ‘This is what it takes to keep me,’ and UK said, ‘I don’t think so.’ My understanding is that no deal was made. However, an agreement will be reached.”
The report paints a much different picture than Calipari’s voluntary departure, and Maas provided his client’s version via video on X about an hour after Calipari’s announcement.
Late Wednesday night, Gabriel said he received incorrect information.
“Explanation of the comments I made regarding KET: I should not have made it sound as if there was a ‘counter-offer’ situation.” Posted by Gabriel. “I didn’t do a good job of saying UK was aware of the Arkansas offer, but it was inaccurate to make it sound like Calipari was asking for a counteroffer. I apologize.”
According to ESPN, Calipari has signed a five-year contract with Arkansas, leaving the Wildcats to search for a new leader at one of the major programs in sports.
The Wildcats have already been publicly turned down by college players Dan Hurley, Alabama’s Nate Oats and former Villanova coach-turned-TV analyst Jay Wright.
According to ESPN, Bulls coach Billy Donovan is considered a “home run candidate” and said he is fully committed to his current role.
Baylor’s Scott Drew, who won the national title in 2021, is rumored to be a suitable candidate.
