The Louisville Courier-Journal and a Memphis television station are reporting that John Calipari, after last-minute attempts to keep him at Memphis, has decided to leave Memphis to become the next men's basketball coach at UK.
WREG-TV is reporting on its website that Calipari is currently at his home meeting with members of his staff explaining the decision.
The Courier-Journal said on its website Tuesday afternoon that Calipari called former UK coach Joe B. Hall to talk about the Kentucky job and the Kentucky tradition.
"That was awfully nice of him," said Hall, who coached UK to the 1978 NCAA title.
"Coach Cal is a hot item. He's a great coach as well as a superior recruiter. His track record speaks for itself. I think Kentucky was looking to do something dramatic in the face of all that has gone down."