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Sources: Kentucky, Calipari nearing monster deal

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Jeff Goodman

Jeff Goodman is a senior college basketball writer for FOXSports.com. Check out his Yardbarker blog. MORE>>
 
Updated Mar 31, 2009 12:55 PM ET
     
 
Talks between Kentucky and Memphis coach John Calipari have intensified and the two sides are moving closer to an agreement that could make him the highest-paid coach in the country.
According to sources close to the Tigers coach, Calipari is close to a deal that will pay him in excess of $5 million per season. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, all signs point to the deal being completed in the next 24 hours. "It's a slow process," said a source familiar with the negotiations. The same source cautioned that the process could drag out until Tuesday. According to Scout.com, the two sides have already reached an agreement. Kentucky asked for, and was given permission to speak with Calipari on Monday. Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said in a statement that Calipari could meet with Kentucky representatives, but stressed Memphis will do whatever it can to retain the coach. Meanwhile, multiple sources have told FOXSports.com that Calipari is trying to get Memphis to bring his former assistant and current UTEP head coach Tony Barbee on as his replacement. However, the same sources say it's unlikely to happen. Calipari is 252-69 in nine seasons at Memphis and led the Tigers to the national title game a year ago, where they lost to Kansas in overtime. Memphis lost to Missouri on Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

Wild about the Wildcats

John Calipari Scout.com: Will John Calipari end up at UK? Will he restore the winning traditions at Rupp Arena? Get all the latest Lexington chatter from Scout.com.
Calipari has expressed significant interest in the Kentucky job over the last few years, sources told FOXSports.com, and was disappointed that he wasn't contacted two years ago prior to the hiring of Billy Gillispie, who was fired last week after a two-year record of 40-27. Another motivating factor in his decision, according to a source, is being down the road from Louisville coach Rick Pitino. The two have not gotten along in recent years and Calipari would likely relish the opportunity to go head-to-head against Pitino both on the court and in recruiting. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart made an attempt to lure Florida coach Billy Donovan last week, but the Gators coach turned the Wildcats down for the second time in two years. Barnhart, through a third-party representative, received word that Villanova's Jay Wright, Texas' Rick Barnes and Michigan State's Tom Izzo were not interested in the job. So Barnhart turned his attention to Calipari, who has done a terrific job in rebuilding the Memphis program and taking the Tigers to four consecutive Sweet 16 berths. Calipari is also an ideal pick for one of the most storied programs in history because of his willingness to mix with fans, boosters and also endear himself to the administration — something that Gillispie was unable to do in his brief tenure in Lexington. According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Calipari met with his players Monday morning to discuss his involvement with the Kentucky opening. At least some of the players left the meeting convinced that Calipari would take the job. Calipari told the team that Kentucky was the Notre Dame of basketball, the paper reported, citing an unnamed source. However, senior Antonio Anderson, who was not at the meeting, said he spoke with Calipari this morning and several of his former teammates. "Most of them think he's staying," Anderson said. "But he's going to see what Kentucky is talking about. I don't think he'll end up going because of what he's built at Memphis. It would be too tough for him to leave all of that." Calipari has lured an impressive recruiting class that includes shooting guard Xavier Henry and big man DeMarcus Cousins. However, there's a chance that Cousins, who hasn't signed with the school, could follow Calipari to Kentucky. The Tigers were also the leader for the nation's top point guard, John Wall, who could also begin to consider Kentucky if Calipari leaves. Landing Calipari won't be cheap. He has four years left on his contract paying him $2.35 million annually. He also has an annuity averaging $1 million over the deal through 2013. Throw in whatever settlement Kentucky negotiates with Gillispie, the Wildcats could have nearly $10 million invested in the head coach of its basketball program next year. That fact has had little effect on one of college basketball's most ardent fan bases, which seemed to be electrified by the possibility of getting Calipari. A Facebook group called "Bring John Calipari to UK" had swelled to more than 9,000 members as of Monday afternoon while a popular Kentucky message board had over 15,000 people on it during the lunch hour.
Tagged: Michigan State, Kansas, Xavier, Kentucky, Florida, Memphis, Notre Dame, Missouri, Louisville

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