According to Trilly Donovan, John Calipari is entering the 2023-24 on the hot seat at Kentucky.
According to Donovan, Kentucky has expectations like no other job in the country and Calipari has not lived up to them the last three seasons.
The article also lists Kenny Payne and former UK player Travis Ford as coaches on the hot seat.
Here are excerpts about all three:
John Calipari (Kentucky)
Only at Kentucky can a man with a $33M buyout land on the hot seat. Kentucky has expectations like no other job in the country and John Calipari has not lived up to them the last three seasons. Since making the Elite Eight in 2019, Kentucky hasn’t gotten out of the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. Off the court, Calipari’s relationship with athletic director Mitch Barnhart has deteriorated over the years. Public spats over facilities and funding have made things tense in Lexington. Big Blue Nation is not afraid to express their displeasure with how things have gone lately and they’re also not afraid to find some loose change to fund a buyout. Another first weekend exit could be the tipping point that ends Calipari’s wildly successful run at Kentucky.
Kenny Payne (Louisville)
Louisville is a top-10 job in the country, which makes it all the more surprising that they had one of the worst seasons in high-major basketball history. The biggest question going into this year is what will it take to earn a third season? Another 4-28 record definitely won’t cut it, but what’s the bare minimum? A .500 season? Passing the eye test? If things don’t turn around quickly, we could be looking at a new coach in the Yum! Center next season.
Travis Ford (Saint Louis)
Despite four 20-win seasons in the last five years, Travis Ford finds himself on the hot seat heading into 23-24. Ford enters his eighth year at Saint Louis with only one NCAA Tournament appearance. The Billikens had one of the oldest teams in the country last year, led by First Team All-A10 point guard Yuri Collins. SLU couldn’t capitalize on a down year for the league, losing three times to eventual champion VCU. Saint Louis athletic director Chris May issued a statement and vote of confidence at the end of the season. If there’s anything we’ve learned based on previous experience, it’s that votes of confidence are a kiss of death more often than not. Saint Louis needs a big year if Ford wants to see another season at Chaifetz Arena.
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