John Calipari left his job as Kentucky’s head men’s basketball coach in early April 2024, stepping down after 15 seasons to take the head coaching position at Arkansas.

Quick Scoop: When did John Calipari leave Kentucky?

  • John Calipari stepped down from Kentucky in April 2024, with news of his departure breaking around April 7–9, 2024.
  • He immediately moved to become the head coach at Arkansas, finalizing a multi‑year deal there.
  • His exit came after 15 seasons in Lexington, where he coached Kentucky from 2009 through the 2023–24 season.

Why this was a big deal

  • The decision followed increasing pressure and frustration after several disappointing NCAA Tournament results, including a first‑round loss to Oakland in 2024.
  • Reports highlighted tension with Kentucky’s administration over facilities and NIL issues, which helped push Calipari toward a “fresh start” at Arkansas.

In short: if you’re looking up “when did John Calipari leave Kentucky,” the answer is that he exited in April 2024, right after the 2023–24 season ended, to take over at Arkansas.

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