LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Calipari is finalizing a five-year deal to become the next men's basketball coach at Arkansas, sources told ESPN on Sunday night, a blockbuster move that will shake up the SEC and college basketball landscape.
Calipari's contract is expected to have an overall base salary of slightly less than the $8.5 million he's making at Kentucky, sources told ESPN. However, the deal is expected to be incentive-laden with the ability to pass that number.
The contract is expected to be completed in the next 24 hours.
The key relationship to help the deal come together was Calipari's long-standing ties to John H. Tyson, a billionaire who is a longtime Arkansas benefactor.
Calipari is set to replace Eric Musselman, who left for USC last week. After his departure, Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek pursued Ole Miss' Chris Beard and Kansas State's Jerome Tang, although both coaches returned to their respective schools. Arkansas is believed to have offered Beard in the neighborhood of $5 million per year, sources said.