On April 1, 2009, John Calipari was named Head Coach of the University of Kentucky Men's Basketball team - one of the most storied programs in all of college sports. It is another stop on what has been a highly successful coaching career for Calipari. Taking the reins at a prestigious program such as Kentucky is a first for Calipari - who has spent the bulk of his coaching year's turning once anonymous teams into national powerhouses. Turning things around is Calipari's business. He has become a popular corporate and motivational speaker because of his ability to communicate how he gets the most out of his young players and coaching staff. Engaging and charismatic, Calipari has spent his entire career helping other succeed in life on and off the court - making him a winning choice for your next public speaking engagement. Before accepting the job at Kentucky, Calipari was the head coach at the University of Memphis for nine seasons, the last four of which elevated the Tigers' program to heights never before seen in school history, including an appearance in the 2008 NCAA championship game. The 2009 Sports Illustrated National Coach of the Year, Calipari led the Memphis Tigers to an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance and a 33-4 record this season. He also led the Tigers to the 2008 NCAA title game, and Memphis' 38 wins in 2007-08 made him the winningest coach for a single season in NCAA history. As a result, Calipari was named Naismith National Coach of the Year for a second time in his career. He is only the second coach to receive the honor multiple times since the award's inception in 1987. The Tigers' 147 wins the last four seasons made Calipari the winningest coach in a four-year span in NCAA Division I history. During that same time, he directed the Tigers to four straight 30-win campaigns becoming the first coach in NCAA Division I history to record four-straight 30-win ledgers. His 104 victories in the last three seasons are the second-most in NCAA Division I history in a three-year span. With his success in Memphis, Calipari's overall record soared to 445-140 for an impressive 76.1 winning percentage. His 445 wins is the second most in NCAA Division I history in the first 17 years.
