All breakups are not bad breakups. It’s news that might not have made you feel better as a teenager, but as an adult, most people can see the wisdom. Expect this Monday to contain plenty of “It’s not you, it’s me (but it’s really you)” from John Calipari and Kentucky. If the average marriage today does indeed last a bit over 6 years, it’s really remarkable that Calipari and Kentucky managed to double that and add a little bit more before parting. But Arkansas and a truck full of chicken money came calling, and a beautiful relationship turned sour finally ended.

But here’s the thing: This split is a good thing. For both sides.

Kentucky’s Big Blue Nation will get dragged across the coals a bit today. How dare they not revere and admire Calipari and make him feel more welcome, etc., etc. Those sentiments really can only be delivered by someone who hasn’t experienced the Calipari of the past 4 seasons. Since college basketball shut down in March 2020, Kentucky has won 1 NCAA Tournament game and 1 SEC Tournament game. No conference titles. no Sweet 16s and 2 embarrassing first-round NCAA folds.

It’s the kind of run that got Billy Gillispie run out of town in 2 seasons and made Tubby Smith’s final years a bit quicker and less comfortable than he might have wished.

Two things can be true. Kentucky’s passionate fan base can be a bit over the top. And Calipari failed to produce the kind of production that his position (and massive salary) demanded.

For Kentucky, it’s a fresh start. Hire a coach who is again willing to kiss babies and answer difficult questions. Find a guy who is a little less prone to turn everything into an NBA G-League commercial. For that matter, hire a coach who actually produces young assistants who become coaches. Part of the reason that Calipari is difficult to replace is that he has absolutely zero coaching tree. Not even a twig. There’s no Tubby Smith to hire as there was in the days of Rick Pitino. (Speaking of, BBN, would you like to see him return?)

Kentucky can’t be motivated by fear. There’s no shortage of coaches with more than 2 postseason wins over the past 4 years. The UK job admittedly isn’t for just anybody (ahem, Gillispie), but it’s for plenty of coaches ready to make a splash. Will recruiting take a step back? Probably. But a leap forward in on-court strategy and player development can easily offset that.

Calipari probably isn’t going to be considered blameless, either. We’re talking about a guy who was turning down massive NBA offers and is now taking a (rumored) pay cut to move within the Southeastern Conference. About the time that Calipari became the poster boy for March beatings from Saint Peter’s and Oakland, his image definitely took a hit. When the game moved on from one-and-done, it’s entirely possible it left Calipari behind. Or not.

For Calipari, it’s also a fresh start. Time to prove that you can win a meaningful basketball game again. Time to prove that doing things you way isn’t just a point of diminishing returns. If the man can recruit good players at UMass and Memphis, he can recruit them at Arkansas. It’s time to get back to coaching them, developing them, and maybe building slightly less mercenary relationships.

Frankly, it’s a chance to get rid of some dead weight in the support staff. Early reports suggested that Calipari intends to hire his son, Brad. That seems unwise. Just like Kentucky needs a young, hungry coach, Calipari needs to find a few who can work under him and help him avoid becoming a dinosaur.

He’s a Hall of Fame coach who has already taken 3 schools to the Final Four. If he has a rebuild left in his system, it’s time to fire it up. For a coach who loves to work from the Me/Us vs. the World, back-to-the-wall angle, it’s another chance.

So for Kentucky and Calipari, cue up Boyz II Men singing “End of the Road.” Sway rhythmically, maybe even shed a few tears. And then move on. You’ve both got work to do. But today, you’ve got the freedom to start doing it.

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