When Nick Saban retired as the Alabama coach early in the year, it set off a chain reaction of coaching changes in college football. This ripple effect also impacted the basketball coaching carousel world, with John Calipari leaving Kentucky to take the vacant job at Arkansas. Multiple events led to Calipari’s surprising departure, starting with SMU firing Rob Lanier and hiring Andy Enfield as their new coach. This move prompted USC to hire Eric Musselman from Arkansas, which then led to Arkansas hiring Calipari and creating an opening at Kentucky. Kentucky eventually hired Mark Pope as Calipari’s replacement, bringing the coaching carousel full circle. This series of events unfolded over several weeks, culminating in new coaching hires and shifts at top college basketball programs.
The Impact of SMU’s Firing of Rob Lanier on John Calipari’s Departure from Kentucky and the BYU Coaching Position Available
