History of John Calipari in Timeline
John Vincent Calipari is a highly successful American basketball coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Kentucky from 2009 to 2024, leading the team to a NCAA National Championship in 2012. His accolades include three Naismith College Coach of the Year awards and induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Currently, he holds the position of head coach at the University of Arkansas.
1986: Calipari's Marriage
John Calipari married his wife in 1986.
1992: UMass Championship Streak Begins
Starting in 1992, UMass under Calipari began a streak of winning both the Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament championships for five consecutive years.
1993: UMass Defeats Defending Champions
In 1993, UMass, coached by John Calipari, achieved significant victories against defending NCAA champions. They defeated North Carolina in the pre-season NIT and Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic the following year.
February 13, 1994: John Chaney Threatens John Calipari
On February 13, 1994, a heated incident occurred between Temple University basketball coach John Chaney and John Calipari. During a post-game news conference, Chaney publicly threatened Calipari, using aggressive language and accusing him of manipulating referees. Chaney received a one-game suspension following the incident. Although the incident was highly publicized for its intensity, they later reconciled and became friends.
1995: UMass Final Four Run
During the 1995-96 season, John Calipari led UMass to the Final Four with a team described as having "one superstar (Marcus Camby) and a collection of complementary parts.".
1995: Vacated Wins at UMass
In 1995, some wins at UMass under Calipari's leadership were vacated due to NCAA violations.
1996: UMass Championship Streak Continues
In 1996, UMass continued their streak of winning both the Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament championships, making it five consecutive years.
1996: UMass Tournament Record Vacated
In 1996, UMass had their 4-1 record in the NCAA tournament and Final Four appearance vacated due to Marcus Camby's ineligibility after contact with a sports agent.
1996: Vacated Games at UMass
In 1996, some of John Calipari's wins at UMass were vacated by the NCAA due to violations.
1996: Calipari Coaches New Jersey Nets
John Calipari began his tenure as head coach of the New Jersey Nets in the 1996-97 season, replacing Butch Beard.
June 1997: Nets Acquire Keith Van Horn
In June 1997, while coaching the New Jersey Nets, Calipari orchestrated a trade acquiring Keith Van Horn, Lucious Harris, and two other players in exchange for Tim Thomas.
1997: Nets' Playoff Appearance
During the 1997-98 season, Calipari led the New Jersey Nets to a 43-win season and a playoff berth, their lone bright spot in the late 1990s.
1997: Calipari's Controversial Remarks
In 1997, Calipari was fined $25,000 by the NBA for directing profanities and a derogatory remark towards a reporter. Although he apologized, a lawsuit was filed against him, which was later dismissed.
1998: Nets Lose to Bulls in Playoffs
In 1998, the Nets, coached by Calipari, lost to the Chicago Bulls in three straight games in the first round of the playoffs.
1998: Calipari's First NCAA Championship and Kentucky's 8th
In 1998, John Calipari achieved his first NCAA Championship victory as a coach, leading Kentucky to their 8th overall NCAA Championship title.
1998: Calipari Fired by Nets
After a disappointing 3-17 start to the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, John Calipari was fired as head coach of the New Jersey Nets. He then joined the Philadelphia 76ers as an assistant coach.
1998: Kentucky's First Final Four Appearance Since 1998
In 1998, Kentucky secured its first appearance in the Final Four since 1998 under the coaching of John Calipari.
2000: Calipari Becomes Memphis Head Coach
John Calipari's tenure as head coach at the University of Memphis began in 2000.
2004: Induction into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
John Calipari was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
2006: Memphis Earns No. 1 Seed
In 2006, the University of Memphis men's basketball team earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament under coach John Calipari.
2006: Conference USA Coach of the Year
John Calipari was named Conference USA Coach of the Year in 2006.
2007: Vacated Wins at Memphis
In 2007, wins from Memphis' season under Calipari were vacated due to NCAA rule violations.
2007: NCAA Record Season (Later Vacated)
In the 2007-2008 season, Calipari's Memphis team achieved a then-NCAA record of 38 wins, although the record was later vacated due to NCAA violations.
2007: 2007-08 Season Vacated
The 2007-08 Memphis basketball season was vacated due to NCAA violations related to Derrick Rose's eligibility.
2007: Memphis' 2007-08 Season Wins Vacated
The NCAA vacated 38 wins from Memphis' 2007-08 season under Calipari due to NCAA rule violations.
January 21, 2008: Memphis Ranked #1
On January 21, 2008, the Memphis Tigers, under Calipari, achieved the #1 ranking in the AP Poll for the second time in school history.
2008: Memphis Reaches National Championship Game
In 2008, Calipari led Memphis to the NCAA National Championship game, where they lost to Kansas in overtime. The season's wins were later vacated due to Derrick Rose's ineligibility.
2008: Naismith College Coach of the Year
John Calipari received the Naismith College Coach of the Year award in 2008.
2008: Vacated Games at Memphis
In 2008, games from Memphis' season under Calipari's leadership were vacated due to NCAA rule violations.
March 30, 2009: Calipari Accepts Kentucky Job
On March 30, 2009, John Calipari agreed to become the head coach at the University of Kentucky, leaving Memphis after their season-ending loss in the NCAA tournament.
March 31, 2009: Calipari Signs with Kentucky
On March 31, 2009, John Calipari officially signed a contract with the University of Kentucky.
April 1, 2009: Calipari Introduced as Kentucky Coach
John Calipari was formally introduced as the head coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats on April 1, 2009, calling it his "dream job."
December 21, 2009: Kentucky's 2,000th Victory
On December 21, 2009, John Calipari led the Kentucky Wildcats to their 12th win of the season, which also marked the 2,000th victory in the program's history.
2009: "Bounce Back" Book Release
John Calipari published his book "Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life" in 2009.
2009: Sports Illustrated Coach of the Year
John Calipari was named Sports Illustrated College Basketball Coach of the Year in 2009.
May 28, 2010: Settlement Reached Over Vacated Season
On May 28, 2010, Calipari, Derrick Rose, and Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson reached a settlement with attorneys representing season ticket holders regarding the vacated 2007-08 season. Calipari also donated his bonus to the Memphis scholarship fund.
February 26, 2011: Calipari's 500th Career Victory (Initial Recognition)
On February 26, 2011, John Calipari was initially recognized for his 500th career victory after Kentucky defeated Florida. However, this milestone was later debated due to vacated games.
2011: Kentucky's 38-Win Season
In the 2011-2012 season, Calipari's Kentucky team matched the 38-win record previously achieved by his 2007-2008 Memphis team, which had been vacated.
2011: Kentucky's 38-Win Season
In 2011-12, Calipari's Kentucky team achieved 38 wins.
March 15, 2012: Calipari's 500th Career Victory (Official Recognition)
On March 15, 2012, the NCAA officially recognized John Calipari's 500th coaching victory after considering vacated games from previous seasons.
2012: Calipari's Contract Renegotiation
Following the 2012 championship win, John Calipari's contract was renegotiated, making him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches in the country with an annual salary of up to $8 million (excluding bonuses).
2012: Kentucky's 38-Win Season
John Calipari's Kentucky team in the 2011-2012 season won 38 games and holds the NCAA record for most victories in a season.
2014: "Players First" Book Release and "One and Not Done" Documentary
In 2014, Calipari released his book "Players First: Coaching from the Inside Out" and was featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "One and Not Done".
September 11, 2015: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction
On September 11, 2015, John Calipari was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
April 2019: Calipari's "Lifetime" Contract with Kentucky
In April 2019, John Calipari signed a "lifetime" contract with Kentucky, which included a 10-year coaching extension and a lifetime paid ambassadorship upon his retirement.
July 9, 2020: Calipari Supports Kentucky Mask Mandate
On July 9, 2020, John Calipari publicly supported the Kentucky statewide mask mandate at Governor Andy Beshear's press briefing. He emphasized the importance of strengthening preventative measures against COVID-19 even amidst success, drawing parallels to his coaching philosophy. Calipari clarified that his appearance was voluntary.
2020: 2020 NCAA Tournament Cancellation
The 2020 NCAA tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
September 21, 2021: Clarion University Court Renaming
On September 21, 2021, the main basketball court at Clarion University was renamed "Coach Cal Court" in honor of John Calipari.
March 19, 2023: Calipari's Official Coaching Record
As of March 19, 2023, John Calipari's officially recognized coaching record is 790-251, accounting for vacated wins and losses at UMass and Memphis.
2024: Active Coaches in Hall of Fame
As of the 2024-25 NCAA season, John Calipari is one of six active coaches enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.