| | MEMPHIS -- John Calipari was introduced officially Saturday as the new head basketball coach at the University of Memphis.
Most recently an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, Calipari signed a five-year deal that could be worth up to $4.75 million.
The contract calls for Calipari to make $550,000 a year, with $135,000 as the base salary and the rest coming from outside income, such as a radio show. In addition, Calipari could receive another $400,000 per year in bonus and incentives.
"It's about family, not money," Calipari said of his decision.
Formerly the head coach of the New Jersey Nets and the University of Massachusetts, Calipari served under Philadelphia head coach Larry Brown at the University of Kansas from 1983-85 and joined the Sixers before this season after 1½ years with the Nets.
Calipari led Massachusetts to the NCAA tournament five times, including one appearance in the final 16 and one in the final eight during his eight years with the Minutemen.
"I enjoy coaching and want to be around players who want to be
coached and want to win," Calipari said. "The thing about the
pros is you're at a place for three or four years and then you move
on. I hope this will be it."
Calipari replaces interim coach Johnny Jones, who led Memphis to a 15-16 record. Jones became head coach in November when Tic Price resigned as head coach after the school learned of an affair he was having with a Memphis student.
The Tigers' season came to an end Thursday with an 80-76 loss to
DePaul in the Conference USA Tournament.
The list for Calipari's assistant coaches at Memphis could include Tony Barbie, a former UMass player, and N.C. State assistant coach Sean Miller, according to ESPN.com's Andy Katz, who spoke with Calipari on Friday morning. Scott Duncan, an assistant coach with Clemson, is another possibility.
Calipari's departure means he will likely miss an opportunity to
coach in the NBA playoffs again. The Sixers (34-26) are in fifth
place in the Eastern Conference. Calipari took the Nets to the
playoffs in 1998.
"This organization has been great. It's an unbelievable group
of guys," Calipari said. "It would be good if I could do both
because this team is coming together and I want to ride the wave
out."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. | |
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