University of Memphis loses head coach to Kentucky Wildcats
Patrick Comer
Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports
The Tigers of the University of Memphis are in search for a new head coach of their Men's basketball program.
John Calipari, who led the Tigers for the past nine years, signed a multi-year deal to coach at the University of Kentucky.
For Calipari it marks the third head-coaching job he has held in the collegiate ranks; he also was the coach of the New Jersey Nets from 1996-1999.
In his nine seasons with the Tigers, Calipari amasses 9 consecutive 20-win seasons a D-1A record and in all 253 wins.
In the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Calipari's Tigers advanced all the way to the title game before losing to University of Kansas.
This year Calipari's Tigers made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to the University of Missouri.
Many speculated that Memphis would pursue Missouri's head coach, Tim Jamieson, to replace Calipari. However Jamieson, signed a 8-year extension to stay at Missouri.
Calipari will be replacing Billy Gillispie who was fired from Kentucky after just two seasons. Gillispie had amassed a 40-27 record with the Wildcats.
John Calipari, who led the Tigers for the past nine years, signed a multi-year deal to coach at the University of Kentucky.
For Calipari it marks the third head-coaching job he has held in the collegiate ranks; he also was the coach of the New Jersey Nets from 1996-1999.
In his nine seasons with the Tigers, Calipari amasses 9 consecutive 20-win seasons a D-1A record and in all 253 wins.
In the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, Calipari's Tigers advanced all the way to the title game before losing to University of Kansas.
This year Calipari's Tigers made it all the way to the Sweet 16 before losing to the University of Missouri.
Many speculated that Memphis would pursue Missouri's head coach, Tim Jamieson, to replace Calipari. However Jamieson, signed a 8-year extension to stay at Missouri.
Calipari will be replacing Billy Gillispie who was fired from Kentucky after just two seasons. Gillispie had amassed a 40-27 record with the Wildcats.
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