2024 Masters delayed by thunderstorms; John Calipari takes over at Arkansas

This is an article version of the CBS Sports HQ AM Newsletter, the ultimate guide to every day in sports. You can sign up to get it in your inbox every weekday morning here.

🏀 Good morning to everyone but especially …

JOHN CALIPARI AND THE ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

Finally, it’s official: John Calipari is the new head coach at Arkansas, making the move to Fayetteville after 15 seasons, 410 wins, four Final Fours and one national championship at Kentucky.

Calipari’s contract is for five years and $38 million. He gets a maximum of two rollover years for qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, a $1 million signing bonus, $500,000 retention bonuses annually, and additional bonuses for making the NCAA Tournament and advancing through each round.

Calipari landing at Arkansas (and Kentucky now needing a coach … and a roster) was a complete whirlwind that started — somehow — with SMU surprisingly firing Rob Lanier. Andy Enfield then left USC for SMU, and Eric Musselman left Arkansas for USC. And now we’re here.

Calipari had his introductory press conference Wednesday night and delivered a bevy of entertaining stories, including how three different people helped him make the decision:

• John Tyson, the billionaire Arkansas booster and chairman of Tyson Foods
• A Catholic priest
• Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson, who worked under current Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek when Yurachek was at Houston

Calipari also preached patience given the state of the roster: “I met with the team,” he said. “There is no team.”

That, however, could change quickly. Kentucky’s roster and recruiting class are quickly departing, and some players could follow Calipari. Cameron Salerno has the latest details.

…