By ADAM ZAGORIA
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — John Calipari shot down an Internet report saying he had “serious interest” in the UCLA job, and said he planned to “retire” at Kentucky where he has coached since 2009.
Before I go to bed, let me just say this: I’m coaching at the Univ. of Kentucky. In my opinion, there is no better job in the world to coach basketball. My plan and my desire is to retire at Kentucky. I think the university feels the same as I do and we’ve talked openly about it.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) March 21, 2019
Every year at this time Calipari is forced to respond to Coaching Carousel rumors related to the NBA or other college jobs.
Calipari makes more than $9 million at Kentucky and Kenny Payne makes $1.2 million. Calipari also has a school buyout of $25 million as of April 1. How and where UCLA would come up with that kind of money seems an open question.
John Calipari makes more than Tom Izzo and Bill Self combined. UCLA is going to come up with that kind of money? Don’t think so. pic.twitter.com/IN70Ug4YhI
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 21, 2019
Other names linked to UCLA are Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, TCU’s Jamie Dixon, Washington’s Mike Hopkins and former NBA head coach Jason Kidd.
Meantime, the No. 2-seeded Wildcats are set to face No. 15 Abilene Christian here in a Midwest Regional first-round game later Thursday without injured forward P.J. Washington.
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