April 13, 2006

University of Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson announced today that John Calipari, who led his Memphis Tiger basketball team to a Conference USA Championship and a number one seed in this year's NCAA Tournament, has signed a new contract which will keep the renowned coach at the helm of the Memphis program through the 2010-11 season.

"Six years ago we hired John Calipari as head coach for our basketball program and he made three commitments," said Johnson. "First, graduate student-athletes under his tutelage. Next, place this basketball program on a national stage and compete for championships. Finally, rekindle and strengthen the bond between the city and the basketball program. He's accomplished all three. John has committed to the university and the community, just as we have committed to him".

Calipari guided the Tigers to a record-setting year in 2005-06. Memphis posted a 33-4 record, won the Conference USA regular season and tournament titles, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and made a run to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The 33-4 record and the 33 victories were the best in school history. The league regular season title was the Tigers' second in three seasons (2004, 2006), and the conference tournament crown was the program's first since 1987. The No. 1 seed was the first in school history, and the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight appearance was the Tigers' first since 1992. Memphis finished the year ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press poll and No. 6 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll, the highest final poll ranking in school history.

"My statements have never wavered," said Calipari. "As long as the school was committed to having a top-10 national program, I wanted to stay. Obviously, I feel that this has been done in the past and will continue to be done in the future. I look forward to coaching this wonderful group of players to heights unseen in this program's history."

In 14 seasons, Calipari's record stands at 341-130 (.724 winning percentage), and he has averaged nearly 25 wins per season in his six years at Memphis (148-59 record; .715 winning percentage). He moved into the top 10 (No. 6 spot) for victories through a coach's first 14 seasons. In the 2004-05 campaign, Calipari joined Roy Williams, Everett Case, Denny Crum, Jim Boeheim, Tubby Smith and Nolan Richardson as the only coaches in the history of NCAA Division I basketball to win 300 or more games in their first 13 seasons.

In 2005-06, Calipari joined more elite coaching company when he led the Tigers to a top-10 national ranking, becoming only the 13th coach in NCAA Division I history to direct two different teams to top-10 spots in the national polls. Calipari's UMass team went to No. 1 in 1995 and 1996, while the Tigers reached as high as No. 3 in the 2005-06 campaign. Calipari also joined Roy Williams as the only two coaches in NCAA Tournament history to lead two different programs to No. 1 seeds in the "Big Dance."

Calipari's 148 victories are the most by a Memphis head coach in any six-year span. He is the only Tiger mentor to guide the program to 20-plus wins and a postseason berth in each of his first six years at the helm.