John Calipari Texas rumors: Everything to know so far [UPDATED]

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari has been linked to the Texas Longhorns vacancy. Would he actually take it?

Coach Cal is in the midst of a tough season in Lexington. Big Blue Nation wants him out, as the program hasn’t won a National Title since 2012, and hasn’t made the Final Four since 2015. That includes an NCAA Tournament defeat to St. Peter’s, a 15-seed, just last season.

Calipari and Kentucky lost to South Carolina on Tuesday night, their second straight defeat in conference play. It’s beginning to look like a lost season for UK.

John Calipari contract buyout

While Calipari’s contract runs through most of the next decade and has a lucrative buyout, there is an out for both sides here. If Calipari feels as though he needs a new challenge, and Kentucky is willing to part ways, that buyout number becomes much smaller.

Texas basketball rumored as John Calipari destination

247Sports’ Travis Branham stated over the weekend that Texas had reached out to Calipari about the opening. He went as far as to say “I do suspect that if a competitive offer is made then Cal would likely jump at it.”

Calipari refuted any rumors on Monday: “I haven’t talked to anybody. My concern right now is my guys, my team, and getting this right. … I only want to talk about this job. I love this job. I love this group.”

If Calipari’s tenure continues to spiral in Lexington, expect the rumors connecting him to the Texas opening — and perhaps others across the country — to grow louder. For now, though, it appears he’s committed to turning this season around for the Wildcats.

Texas AD Chris Del Conte echoed this, as well, saying he hasn’t been in contact with Calipari to potentially replace Chris Beard.

“That’s news to me,” he said. “We’ve been focused on supporting Rodney Terry and our athletes. I have not had any discussions with anybody. That’s way too premature, just Internet fodder.”

For now, the rumors at just that — rumors.