University of Kentucky students, fans react after reports that Calipari is headed to Arkansas

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WDRB) -- Reports that Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari is finalizing a deal to become the next head coach at Arkansas caught many by surprise, but some fans we spoke with said it's probably the best move for the program.

Calipari has spent the past 15 seasons as the leader of the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team. While fans appreciate what he has accomplished during his tenure, some are saying Calipari's exit will give the program the fresh start it needs.

We stopped by the University of Kentucky campus Monday to get reaction from students and fans.

Calipari's long reign and devotion to the program is what some students say drew them to UK.

"It's sad because when I was younger that's who I grew up watching, and this is my senior year at UK, and I thought maybe we'd go out with a bang," said Ashton Baird.

Kylee Roy said Calipari was "one of the biggest reasons that I came here was because of the UK basketball team. I grew up watching them and I loved Calipari."

Calipari became almost as much a part of the UK Brand as the Wildcat.

"When I think about Kentucky I definitely think about Coach Cal, and all that he's done for the NBA," said Isaiah Ingram. "It's kind of sad to see him leave."

Parker Carol said Cal's reign has lost its luster after several losing seasons.

"I'm not too sad about it," Carol said. "I think we needed a new coach. We had all the talent you can imagine, and we didn't do anything with it."

Fans at KSSports Bar and Grille in Lexington echoed that sentiment.

"I think it was a good time for Cal and Kentucky as well," said Daniel Gary. "It was going to be toxic moving forward."

Steven Peake expressed gratitude for Calipari's role in several Final Four appearances, but agreed that it's time for a change.

"He brought a lot of happiness to me personally, my family and my friends as we watched Kentucky be dominant for 5-6 years under Cal, but it does feel like it got kind of stale."

While at UK Calipari compiled a 410-122 record with four Final Four appearances.

He led the Cats to their last national championship in 2012.

Now fans hope his successor can continue the Wildcat dynasty. At least one fan we talked to had been refusing to wear his UK gear while Calipari remained as head coach.

"I just told my golf buddy yesterday -- one of my other golf buddies was wearing his UK gear -- and I was like 'I'm not wearing it again until he's gone,'" said Daniel Gary.

After hearing Monday that Calipari is most likely headed to Arkansas, Gary was sporting Big Blue Nation gear once again.

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