Emotional John Calipari makes a heartwarming gesture upon Arkansas media legend's death: "The rest of our lives, we'd have been talking to each other"

John Calipari paid an emotional tribute to Arkansas media legend Bob Holt, who died on Wednesday due to cardiac arrest. The Arkansas coach spoke about Holt's outgoing personality during a press conference Saturday following the Razorbacks' win over the UTSA Roadrunners.

Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari looks on after their NCAA basketball game against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center. Photo: Imagn

Calipari opened the media briefing with kind words for Holt, who traditionally asked the first question in press conferences following Arkansas' basketball games. He said that he regretted not forming a friendship with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reporter, who collapsed while covering a football game between the Razorbacks and the Missouri Tigers on Saturday.

Holt was on his way to the press box at Faurot Field when the tragic incident occurred. The veteran sports reporter, who started covering the Razorbacks in 1981, was 65 years old.

"I’ve been praying and thinking about Bob, and I was so happy with what the school did today. He’ll always be the first question. I’ve got great friends in the media and he would have been (one of them). For the rest of our lives, we would have been talking to each other," Calipari said.

John Calipari gives Bob Holt a moment of silence during press conference

Calipari showed a touch of class during the postgame media briefing, giving Holt "the first question" and honoring him with "a moment of silence."

Holt won numerous awards during his time as a sports reporter in Arkansas. He was named the state's Sportswriter of the Year four times in his illustrious career. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 2022.

Arkansas gave Holt a fitting tribute, defeating UTSA 75-60 at home. Adou Thiero starred for the Razorbacks, who rallied from a 32-27 halftime deficit. He scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, posting his second career double-double with Arkansas.

Thiero did most of his damage in the second half, scoring 17 of his 26 points. He shot 8 of 10 from the field and made 10 of his 13 free-throw attempts against the Roadrunners.

Johnell Davis was the only other player to score in double figures for the Razorbacks, who improved to 7-2. He scored 13 points and dished out three assists in 34 minutes of action.

Primo Spears and Marcus Millender led the scoring for UTSA, combining for 37 points in a losing effort. The Roadrunners dropped to 3-5 with the defeat and are still winless on the road this season.