History of John Calipari in Timeline

John Calipari is a prominent American basketball coach, currently the head coach at the University of Arkansas. He is a three-time Naismith College Coach of the Year recipient and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, solidifying his impact and contributions to the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

February 10, 1959: John Calipari's Birth

On February 10, 1959, John Vincent Calipari was born. He is an American basketball coach.

Others born on this day/year

1981: Played Point Guard at Clarion

In 1981, John Calipari played point guard at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

1982: Assistant at the University of Kansas

In 1982, John Calipari became an assistant at the University of Kansas under Ted Owens.

1982: Continued Playing Point Guard at Clarion

In 1982, John Calipari continued playing point guard at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, leading the team in assists and free throw percentage.

1985: Assistant Coach at the University of Pittsburgh

In 1985, John Calipari became an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

1985: Departure from University of Kansas

In 1985, John Calipari left his position as an assistant at the University of Kansas.

1986: John Calipari's marriage

In 1986, John Calipari married his wife.

1988: Head Coach at UMass

In 1988, John Calipari became the head coach at the University of Massachusetts.

1992: Dominance in College Basketball

From 1992 to 1996, UMass became one of the most dominant programs in college basketball by winning both the Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament championships.

1992: 1992 Massachusetts Team

In 1992, John Calipari coached the Massachusetts team.

1992: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year

In 1992, John Calipari was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

1992: Technical Foul in Sweet 16 Matchup

In 1992, during a Sweet 16 matchup with Kentucky, John Calipari received a controversial technical foul.

1993: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year

In 1993, John Calipari was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.

1993: UMass Defeats North Carolina

In 1993, UMass defeated defending NCAA champion and preseason #1 North Carolina in the pre-season NIT at Madison Square Garden.

February 13, 1994: John Chaney threatens John Calipari

On February 13, 1994, Temple University's basketball coach John Chaney threatened to kill John Calipari at a post-game news conference, calling him an "Italian son of a bitch" and accusing him of manipulating referees. Chaney received a one-game suspension for the incident.

1995: Vacated wins in the 1995-96 NCAA Tournament at UMass

In the 1995-96 NCAA Tournament at UMass, there were 4 vacated wins (and one vacated loss).

1995: Calipari's Final UMass Season

In the 1995-96 season, during John Calipari's final UMass season, his Final Four team was described as a squad "with one superstar (Marcus Camby) and a collection of complementary parts".

1996: Dominance in College Basketball

From 1992 to 1996, UMass became one of the most dominant programs in college basketball by winning both the Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament championships.

1996: Head Coach and Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the New Jersey Nets

In 1996, John Calipari became the head coach and Executive VP of basketball operations for the NBA's New Jersey Nets.

1996: Head Coach of the New Jersey Nets

In 1996, John Calipari became the head coach of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.

1996: Final Four Appearance with UMass

In 1996, John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four, an appearance that was later vacated.

1996: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, National Coach of the Year Nominations, and Final Four Appearance

In 1996, John Calipari was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. He was also named the Naismith, NABC, Basketball Times & Sporting News National Coach of the Year. He also led UMass to its first-ever appearance in the Final Four.

1996: Naismith College Coach of the Year

In 1996, John Calipari was named Naismith College Coach of the Year.

1996: UMass's record and Final Four standing vacated

In 1996, UMass had its 4–1 record in the NCAA tournament and Final Four standing vacated after Marcus Camby was ruled ineligible.

1996: Vacated games in the 1996 season at UMass

In the 1996 season at UMass, there were games vacated by the NCAA.

1996: New Jersey Nets Head Coach

In the 1996-97 season, John Calipari replaced Butch Beard as head coach of the New Jersey Nets.

June 1997: Major Draft-Day Trade

In June 1997, the Nets, under John Calipari, made a major draft-day trade, acquiring Keith Van Horn, Lucious Harris, and two other players in exchange for Tim Thomas.

1997: Bright Spot for the Nets

In 1997, The 1997-98 season was a lone bright spot for the Nets in the late 1990s.

1997: Controversy with Dan Garcia

In 1997, while coaching the New Jersey Nets, John Calipari directed profanities at Star-Ledger sports reporter Dan Garcia and referred to him as a "Mexican idiot". He was later fined $25,000 by the NBA.

1998: Kentucky's first Final Four appearance since 1998

In 1998, Kentucky had its first Final Four appearance since 1998.

1998: Tubby Smith wins NCAA Championship at Kentucky

In 1998, Tubby Smith won an NCAA Championship at Kentucky.

1998: Playoff Appearance and Loss

In 1998, the Nets played well under John Calipari, winning 43 games and qualifying for the playoffs on the last day of the season. They lost to the Chicago Bulls in three straight games.

1998: Delayed Season and Underachievement

In 1998, the season was delayed due to an owners' lockout. Subsequently, the Nets underachieved, leading to a trade and Calipari's eventual firing.

1999: Departure from the New Jersey Nets

In 1999, John Calipari's tenure as the head coach of the New Jersey Nets concluded.

2000: Head Coach at Memphis

In 2000, John Calipari became the head coach at the University of Memphis.

2000: Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia 76ers

In 2000, John Calipari served as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia 76ers under Larry Brown.

2002: NIT Championship at Memphis

In 2002, John Calipari won the NIT Championship at Memphis.

2004: Calipari inducted into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

In 2004, John Calipari was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

2006: Conference USA Coach of the Year

In 2006, John Calipari was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.

2006: Memphis Earns No. 1 Seed

In 2006, John Calipari's Memphis team earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

2007: NCAA vacates wins from Memphis's 2007-08 season

In 2007, the NCAA vacated 38 wins and 1 loss from Memphis's 2007–08 season under Calipari due to violations of NCAA rules.

2007: Vacated wins at Memphis in the 2007–08 season

In the 2007-08 season at Memphis, there were 38 vacated wins (and 1 vacated losses).

2007: Memphis Wins Vacated

In the 2007-2008 season, the 38 victories were later vacated.

2007: Vacated Season

On May 28, 2010, John Calipari, Derrick Rose, and University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson reached a $100,000 out-of-court settlement with attorneys representing Memphis season ticket holders over the vacated 2007–08 season.

January 21, 2008: Tigers Ranked No. 1 in AP Poll

On January 21, 2008, John Calipari led the Tigers to the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll for only the second time in school history.

2008: Final Four Appearance with Memphis

In 2008, John Calipari led Memphis to the Final Four, an appearance that was later vacated.

2008: Naismith College Coach of the Year

In 2008, John Calipari was named Naismith College Coach of the Year for the second time and Conference USA Coach of the Year. He led the Memphis Tigers to an NCAA Division I Men's Basketball record for most victories in a season.

2008: Second Naismith College Coach of the Year Award

In 2008, John Calipari was named Naismith College Coach of the Year for the second time.

2008: NCAA Championship Game Appearance and Vacated Season Record

In 2008, John Calipari's Tigers advanced to the national championship game but lost to the Kansas Jayhawks. Later, the team's entire season record was vacated by the NCAA due to the invalidation of Derrick Rose's SAT score.

2008: Memphis Vacated Championship Game Appearance

In 2008, John Calipari's appearance in the NCAA Championship Game while at Memphis was later vacated by the NCAA.

2008: Vacated games in the 2008 season at Memphis

In the 2008 season at Memphis, there were games vacated by the NCAA.

March 30, 2009: Reports of Agreement with Kentucky

On March 30, 2009, it was reported that John Calipari would agree to be the head coach at the University of Kentucky after Billy Gillispie was fired.

March 31, 2009: John Calipari signs contract with Kentucky

On March 31, 2009, John Calipari signed an 8-year contract with the University of Kentucky worth $34.65 million, plus incentives.

April 1, 2009: John Calipari introduced as Kentucky coach

On April 1, 2009, John Calipari was formally introduced as the new head coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats by Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. Calipari expressed his emotional ties to Memphis and called the Kentucky job his "dream job."

December 21, 2009: Kentucky reaches 2,000th victory

On December 21, 2009, John Calipari led Kentucky to their 12th victory of the season, marking the program's 2,000th victory ever.

2009: Head Coach at Kentucky

In 2009, John Calipari became the head coach at the University of Kentucky.

2009: Publication of "Bounce Back" by John Calipari

In 2009, John Calipari published the book "Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life".

Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life

Check it on Amazon

2009: Sports Illustrated College Basketball Coach of the Year

In 2009, John Calipari was named Sports Illustrated College Basketball Coach of the Year and Conference USA Coach of the Year.

May 28, 2010: Out-of-Court Settlement

2010: Pat Forde's "Forde Minutes" Column

In 2010, ESPN.com writer Pat Forde commented on John Calipari's coaching ability in his "Forde Minutes" column.

2010: Kentucky finishes the regular season with a record of 22-8

In 2010, Kentucky finished the regular season with a record of 22-8, and a 10-6 record in SEC regular season play.

February 26, 2011: Calipari recognized for 500th career victory

On February 26, 2011, John Calipari was initially recognized for his 500th career victory as a Division I men's basketball coach after Kentucky beat the Florida Gators.

2011: Final Four Appearance with Kentucky

In 2011, John Calipari coached Kentucky to a Final Four appearance.

2011: Kentucky Wildcats Records

In 2011-2012 the Kentucky Wildcats earned a new NCAA Division I Men's Basketball record for most victories in a season.

2011: Head Coach of Dominican Republic National Team

In the summer of 2011, John Calipari became the head coach of the Dominican Republic national team.

March 15, 2012: NCAA officially recognizes Calipari's 500th victory

Due to vacated games, the NCAA officially recognized Calipari's 500th all-time coaching victory on March 15, 2012.

2012: Calipari's contract renegotiated

Following the 2012 championship, on May 4, 2012, UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart announced that Calipari's contract had been renegotiated, making him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches.

2012: Kentucky Wildcats Records

In 2011-2012 the Kentucky Wildcats earned a new NCAA Division I Men's Basketball record for most victories in a season.

2012: Final Four Appearance with Kentucky

In 2012, John Calipari coached Kentucky to a Final Four appearance.

2012: Kentucky National Championship and Dominican Republic National Team

In 2012, John Calipari led Kentucky to a national championship. He also continued as the head coach of the Dominican Republic national team.

2012: NCAA Championship at Kentucky

In 2012, John Calipari won the NCAA Championship at Kentucky.

2014: Final Four Appearance with Kentucky

In 2014, John Calipari coached Kentucky to a Final Four appearance.

2014: NCAA Runner-Up

In 2014, John Calipari finished as NCAA Runner-Up.

2014: Introduction of the Platoon System

In 2014, John Calipari introduced the platoon system for the University of Kentucky's basketball team. This system consisted of playing 10 men in legions of five, with each platoon including three ball-handlers and two taller players.

2014: Publication of "Players First" by John Calipari

In 2014, John Calipari published the book "Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out".

Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out

Check it on Amazon

September 11, 2015: Calipari inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

On September 11, 2015, John Calipari was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

2015: Final Four Appearance with Kentucky

In 2015, John Calipari coached Kentucky to a Final Four appearance.

2015: Induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2015, John Calipari was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He also won the Naismith College Coach of the Year for the third time.

July 2017: Head Coach of United States Men's National Under-19 Basketball Team

In July 2017, John Calipari was the head coach of the United States men's national under-19 basketball team.

April 2019: Calipari agrees to lifetime contract with Kentucky

In April 2019, John Calipari agreed to a "lifetime" contract with Kentucky, which included a 10-year coaching extension and a lifetime paid ambassadorship upon retirement.

July 9, 2020: Calipari supports Kentucky mask mandate

On July 9, 2020, John Calipari appeared at Governor Andy Beshear's press briefing to publicly support the Kentucky statewide mask mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Cancellation of the 2020 NCAA tournament

In 2020, the NCAA tournament was canceled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 21, 2021: Clarion University court renamed John V. Calipari Court

On September 21, 2021, the main basketball court at Clarion University's Tippin Gymnasium was officially renamed the John V. Calipari Court, known as "Coach Cal Court."

March 19, 2023: Calipari's official record as of March 19, 2023

As of March 19, 2023, Calipari's official record is 790–251 (.759), accounting for vacated wins and losses in 1995–96 at UMass and in 2007–08 at Memphis.

April 9, 2024: Calipari announces departure from Kentucky

On April 9, 2024, John Calipari announced that he would be leaving Kentucky, without immediately announcing his plans to retire or accept another job.

April 10, 2024: Calipari named head coach at Arkansas

On April 10, 2024, John Calipari was named the head coach at Arkansas, signing a 5-year deal worth $7 million a season, including a signing bonus, retention bonuses, and incentives.