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John Calipari joined the Arkansas Razorbacks in April, leaving behind a contract with the Kentucky Wildcats with a basic annual compensation of $8.5 million for the 2024-25 season. He signed a five-year contract with Arkansas worth a reported $38 million.
Calipari coached the Kentucky Wildcats for 15 years. His achievements at the program include one NCAA championship victory and four Final Four appearances with a 410-122 record.
According to USA Today, Calipari will receive $7 million in basic annual compensation at Arkansas. In addition to that, he will receive $500,000 annually as retention payments starting from June 2025. Calipari got a $1 million signing bonus, which puts his total pay in his first year to $8 million.
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If Arkansas plays in the NCAA Tournament, Calipari will get a one-year contract extension. He can receive two such extensions at the most, as per the contract. Calipari will also get an additional increase the following year if the Razorbacks make the tournament, and the amount varies depending on their performance therein:
- Make the tournament - $50,000
- Reach the Final Four stage - $350,000
- Win the national championship - $500,000.
John Calipari is the second highest-paid college basketball coach
John Calipari has a long list of achievements to his credit and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. According to USA Today, Calipari's $7 million annual salary with the Razorbacks makes him the second highest-paid coach in the nation after Bill Self. The Kansas Jayhawks head coach receives $9.6 million as basic annual compensation.
If Calipari is fired without cause, he will get 75% of the compensation agreed upon in the contract. However, if Calipari decides to leave without a valid medical reason, he will owe $6 million to Arkansas.
Do you think John Calipari will make a difference with the Arkansas Razorbacks? Let us know in the comments section below.
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