John Calipari’s former players reacted to their former head coaches’ departure for Arkansas.

A handful of John Calipari’s former players reacted to their former head coaches’ departure for Arkansas.

In many ways, Kentucky’s TBT La Familia team will give Big Blue Nation one final chance to say goodbye to the John Calipari era

The roster consists of 11 former Wildcats, all of whom played for Calipari and will compete at Rupp Arena this summer.

A fear among Big Blue Nation following Calipari’s departure was whether or not Calipari’s former Wildcats would buy-in to new head coach Mark Pope and stay involved with the program. Much of that fear came after star center DeMarcus Cousins, from Calipari’s debut UK team insisted Arkansas, not Kentucky would be the program to watch following his departure.

Kentucky if they’re not on TV,” Cousins said following Calipari’s departure on the Bully Ball podcast. “What kids are looking for in today’s time is what’s hot, what’s cool, what’s relevant. I want to be on TV every night to show my talent. Guess what team is going to be on TV every night? The Arkansas Razorbacks.

“Arkansas will now be the hotspot; Arkansas will now have the No. 1 recruiting classes coming in every year. Arkansas will now be full of celebrities, and Arkansas will have the most talent coming in and out every year. The machine will go, it’ll just be in a different place.”

It’s safe to say Cousins stance on Calipari’s departure and Pope’s hire are not unversial among his former players.

Over the past few weeks, members of UK’s La Familia team shared positive reviews of Pope and the direction of Kentucky’s program meeting with the media.

“I’m very excited. I think we’re in really good hands. I read a lot about him and saw a lot of YouTube clips,” Kellan Grady, a member of UK’s 2021-22 team, said. “I know he’s historically had a very proficient offense and I think BBN will be excited about that.”

“I think he said it best. All good things come to an end. I think it was great timing in terms of a good transition into a young and hungry coach like coach Pope,” 2019-20 Wildcat Nate Sestina added. “He’s a guy that has been successful in his coaching career and for coach Cal transitioning into something new and something fresh for him.”

Even one of UK’s NCAA Tournament heroes from the Calipari era shared his excitement for a new era of UK Basketball.

“I love Coach Cal, obviously, but I am excited to see what Coach Pope can do, and I’m definitely going to cheer for him,” two-year Cat Aaron Harrison added. “He seems like a great guy and I’m excited to meet him.”

While all three former Cats had high praise for Calipari, there was a common unity and excitement for Pope and understanding that the fan base that supported them throughout their time in Lexington playing for Calipari isn’t going anywhere with its new coach.

“I couldn’t believe that there were 18,000 people there for a press conference,” Grady said. “I think that’s a testament just to the love and support we have from Big Blue Nation.