If UConn winning the National Championship was the most expected outcome this season, then John Calipari's decision to leave Kentucky for Arkansas is the polar opposite.
Calipari announced his decision to take the Razerbacks job Sunday night, which sent shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. Calipari is one of the NCAA's most respected coaches, and his ability to produce NBA-ready talent is second to none.
Often scrutinized for his failure to win more than one National Championship with the Wildcats, Calipari remained steadfast in his methods and his ability to recruit the highest talent.
This year's first-round exit in the NCAA tournament signaled a time for change, and Coach Cal did what he felt he needed to do.
This leaves Kentucky searching for a new coach for the first time since 2008 and given their wealth, talent, upside, and expectation, this is a highly desirable job.
Join me as I break down the potential candidates who may help lead Kentucky to the top of next year's March Madness odds board.
Next Kentucky head coach odds
| Coach | Odds |
|---|---|
 Scott Drew |
+160 |
| 🏀 Billy Donovan | +200 |
 Dan Hurley |
+350 |
 Mark Pope |
+1,000 |
 Richard Pitino |
+2,000 |
 Rick Pitino |
+2,000 |
 Sean Miller |
+2,000 |
 Chris Beard |
+2,000 |
 TJ Otzelberger |
+2,000 |
| 🏀 Will Wade | +2,000 |
Odds as of 4/9
Favorites to be next Kentucky coach
Scott Drew (+160)
Scott Drew leaving Baylor for Kentucky makes sense in some fashion, but I don't believe we'll see it happen.
Drew is a highly sought-after coach after helping Baylor rebuild and ultimately win a National Championship in 2021. He's a guy who can recruit, build a program, and then elevate it to its peak.
A program like Kentucky does not need such a coach. They need a guy who can handle elite NBA-ready talent, manage egos, and take the scrutiny that comes with the gig.
Billy Donovan (+200)
Cue Billy Donovan.
This is a coach with a winning pedigree as he led the Florida Gators to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
Much of the reason he bolted from the college level was the inability to cope with the recruiting demands, but in the year of NIL and players using the transfer portal like a stepping stool, Donovan may not need to recruit as hard as he did in his first stint.
Kentucky sells itself and with Donovan's lack of success as an NBA coach, why not return to college and get paid handsomely to do so?
Dan Hurley (+350)
Dan Hurley's name was always going to be thrown in the mix given his success over the last two years at UConn which saw the Huskies win back-to-back national championships.
However, Big East and SEC basketball are not the same, and leaving a program after two consecutive titles is a tough sell no matter which team comes knocking.
If we are looking beyond Hurley, Mark Pope (+1,000) is a Kentucky alumnus and a coach who deserves credit for his role at BYU.
My best bet: Billy Donovan (+200)
Kentucky vs John Calipari specials
| Event | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kentucky to win at Rupp Arena vs. Arkansas during the 2024-25 regular season | -193 |
| Kentucky to lose at Rupp Arena vs. Arkansas during the 2024-25 regular season | +145 |
| Kentucky to win at Bud Walton Arena vs. Arkansas during the 2024-25 regular season | +145 |
| Kentucky to lose at Bud Walton Arena vs. Arkansas during the 2024-25 regular season | -193 |
Odds as of 4/9 via FanDuel
When Kentucky and Arkansas hook up for the first time next year it's going to be appointment television. There's just something special about a coach — who left unceremoniously — making his return to face his former team.
Sportsbooks know full well these two meetings will garner a lot of attention and you can now bet on which party will have the last laugh.
Going off of trends alone, Kentucky has won five of the last six meetings at Bud Walton Arena which could make +145 a nice play. Arkansas has registered just three wins over the last 13 trips to Rupp Arena, but two of those wins have come in the last three meetings.
My best bet: Kentucky to win at Bud Walton Arena vs. Arkansas during the 2024-25 regular season (+145 at FanDuel)
