"Mark Pope ain’t f***ing around": Sturgill Simpson fires shots at John Calipari and Arkansas fans in concert

American country music singer-songwriter and Kentucky Wildcats fan Sturgill Simpson stepped into the Kentucky-Arkansas rivalry during a concert in Arkansas. Simpon told fans what he thinks about new Razorbacks coach and former NCAA champion John Calipari.

During a concert in Rogers, Arkansas, on Wednesday, Simpson, a native of Jackson, Kentucky, let the pro-Razorbacks fanbase hear what he felt about Calipari's departure from Kentucky and subsequent hiring in Arkansas.

"Don’t be mad, don’t be mad. You had your chance. Calipari’s gone. Now get ready to get that a** whooped," Simpson said (per On3). "You know what’s coming? I’m just saying. Mark Pope ain’t f***ing around, OK? Not to mix business with politics."

Calipari, who guided Kentucky to its last national title in 2012, was fired after another underwhelming season where the Wildcats were ousted in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. He was replaced by former Wildcats captain Mark Pope.

Following the unceremonious exit, Arkansas immediately hired the veteran coach as the team's bench tactician for the 2024-25 season. He also brought with him former Wildcats players DJ Wagner, Zvonimir Ivisic and Adou Thiero.

The country singer was introducing his drummer, Miles Miller, as a Kentucky fan to the audience when these lines were spoken. At a previous concert held in the Rupp Arena, Miller wore Pope's old jersey while playing the band's set.

Simpson also trolled around with the fans after their call of "Woo Pig Sooie" at the Walmart Arkansas Music Pavilion by pretending to end the gig.

“Alright, thank you very much. You guys were great! Oh s***. I told you. If I talk, stupid s*** just comes out. I’m just saying go ahead and get it in. You know what’s coming,” the singer said.

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John Calipari's return to Kentucky as Arkansas coach spices up SEC meeting in February 2025

There has been lots of preseason talk surrounding both teams, and fans of both schools are looking forward to seeing John Calipari back in Kentucky on Feb. 1 in an SEC regular season encounter at Rupp Arena in Lexington. The game will be televised on ESPN with the tipoff set at 8 p.m. CT (9 p.m. ET).

But before this, Arkansas is slated to have Red-White intrasquad games in Hot Springs at Bank OZK Arena on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT (5 p.m. ET) and at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Sunday at 5 p.m. CT (6 p.m. ET).

The main objective of the public practice is to show how Arkansas is committed to its fans, according to Calipari.

"This program is the state's program," Calipari said. "By going to them, it's like we're going to where you are. You don't always have to come to us," he said. "I also want to get the kids out in the community to understand the importance to this state that this program has."

Calipari and the new-look Arkansas team begin their quest for the 2024-25 college basketball season at home on Nov. 6 against Lipscomb. They will play again three days later against Baylor at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.