Memphis head coach John Calipari tries to motivate his team during the Conference USA men's basketball tournament at the FedEx Forum, in Memphis, Tenn., earlier this month.
The University of Memphis gave Kentucky permission Monday to speak to John Calipari about the Wildcats’ head coaching position, then made a final push to try to keep the coach.
Some of Memphis’ key boosters met with Calipari on Monday. But one booster expects Calipari to go to Kentucky, though the person, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing negotiations, acknowledged the coach was torn between the two great opportunities.
The Wildcats had a short meeting at their practice gym Monday afternoon. Asked afterward if they had a new coach, senior Jared Carter said, “I think so.” Asked if it was Calipari, Carter shrugged his shoulders and said, “I don’t know.”
Several other Kentucky players, including stars Jodie Meeks and Patrick Patterson, were escorted by university staffers and did not comment after leaving the Joe Craft Center.
Calipari met with Memphis players Monday morning.
“He told us he’s going to keep us posted,” Memphis freshman forward Wesley Witherspoon told WHBQ-TV in Memphis after Calipari met with the team Monday morning.
Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie on Friday, ready to move on after two frustrating seasons.
Kentucky spokesman DeWayne Peevy would not confirm or deny an ESPN report that Wildcats officials had already met with Calipari and were prepared to offer him the job. Citing unidentified sources, ESPN.com reported the offer was believed to be for eight years and around $35 million.
Calipari did not immediately return text messages from The Associated Press, and several Memphis players did not respond to e-mail messages left by the AP. And Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart did not respond to AP requests for comment.