Potential Replacements for John Calipari at Kentucky

While John Calipari has been announced to return as head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats in 2025, his future is still in question as he is undoubtedly on the hot seat at a school that has higher expectations than first round NCAA Tournament exits. Speculating the eventual exit of Calipari in Lexington, I theorize on some potential coaching replacements to take the throne after the departure.

Ohio State v Gonzaga / Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages

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Bruce Pearl (Auburn)

Pearl is probably the loudest choice of the four and has done great work turning around an Auburn Tigers program since his arrival in

His outgoing personality always has his teams hyped up and the atmosphere in “The Jungle” as Neville Arena is now known as is electric every home game.

Pearl has coached the Tigers to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including the last three seasons, and a final four appearance back in 2019. You would have to go back to a 30-year span between 1987 and 2017 to find a period where the Tigers made the NCAA Tournament five times before Pearl. Pearl has accomplished the same in only 11 years with the school.

Again, although Pearl has won at Auburn, Kentucky would provide him with next level resources and may be a lure for him to jump.

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