Memphis inks Calipari to extension

Apr 26, 2008 - 6:27 PM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- John Calipari, who guided Memphis to the national championship game this season, signed a contract extension through the 2012-13 campaign Saturday.

The signing comes less than three weeks after the Tigers fell to Kansas, 75-68, in overtime in the title game.

The new contract has a total guaranteed package of $2.35 million, which includes a $500,000 increase over Calipari's 2007-08 salary. If Calipari remains at Memphis through the length of the contract, he will receive a donor-funded longevity bonus of $5 million.

"My position has never waived," Calipari said. "As long as the school was committed to having a top-10 national program, I wanted to stay. Obviously, I feel that this has been done in the past and will continue to be done in the future."

In his eight seasons at Memphis, Calipari has posted a 219-65 record, averaging 27.4 wins per season. This past season, the Tigers set an NCAA record for wins, finishing 38-2.

Since 2006, the Tigers have posted a 104-10 record, matching the NCAA mark for most wins in a three-year span. Kentucky also won 104 games from 1996-98.

In addition, Calipari joined Kentucky's Adolph Rupp and UCLA's Ben Howland as the only coaches in NCAA history to win 30 or more games in three straight seasons.

Calipari also won the Naismith Award as the Division I national Coach of the Year.

In late February, Calipari won his 400th, joining North Carolina's Roy Williams as the only coaches to achive the milestone in 16 seasons. Calipari owns an overall coaching mark of 412-136.

"Eight years ago, we hired John as head coach for our basketball program, and he and I set three goals," Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said. "First, graduate student-athletes under his tutelage. Next, place this basketball program on a national stage and compete for championships. Finally, rekindle and strengthen the bond between the city and basketball program.

"He's accomplished all three. John has committed to the university and community just as we have committed to him."

However, Calipari could be facing a rebuilding project as he likely will have five new starters next season.

Freshman Derrick Rose and junior Antonio Anderson, Robert Dozier and Chris Douglas-Roberts all declared for the NBA draft while senior Joey Dorsey used up his four years of eligibility.

Calipari also has to replace two assistant coaches as Chuck Martin took the head-coaching job at Marist and Derek Kellogg returned to his alma mater to succeed Travis Ford at Massachusetts.