Kentucky fans are putting head coach John Calipari on the hot seat after the Wildcats fell to Oakland 80-76 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday night.
The No. 14-seeded Golden Grizzlies pulled off a massive upset over the No. 3-seeded Wildcats, marking Kentucky's second upset in the last three seasons. The Wildcats were also upset by No. 15-seeded St. Peter's in 2022 when they were a No. 2 seed.
After the game, college basketball fans called for Calipari's firing after 15 seasons at the helm.
Matt Norlander @MattNorlanderThere is a very real chance John Calipari has coached his last game at Kentucky.
Deablo fan account @DeferredWalkOnAs a longtime Kentucky fan, I think I speak for all of <a href="">#Wildcat</a> nation when I say John Calipari needs to be fired and his $33M buyout paid in full.<br><br>Right now, all of our resources as an athletic department must go to getting rid of this terrible coach!
Jake Roeding @Jroe8Calipari needs to be fired <a href="">
Alex Kirshner @alex_kirshnerI think all the Kentucky fans who wanted Calipari fired a few years ago are more or less vindicated. Tough business and he's one of the better coaches in history, but you can't have this
Jason McIntyre @jasonrmcintyreWhat a friggin game<br>He just keeps jackin<br>10-19 from deep!!<br>Kentucky loses and you gotta wonder if Calipari is fired
Bryan Bourget @bbourget300Calipari probably should be fired. This is 100% a fireable offense.
Mark Titus @clubtrillionKentucky cannot let John Calipari coach another game for them and still be considered a serious program
Jeremy Hodge @_hodge_jmCalipari definitely gets fired after this, right?
Essex Thayer @essexthayer7I really think Calipari is going to get fired for this. Have to imagine the fan base is losing its mind.
Chase @Chase6DThis man just fired John Calipari. <br><br> <a href="">
Erich Richter @erichterrrA team from Oakland Michigan is going to get John Calipari fired
Jay Hochstetler @JDHarnessWhen all you feel is pain but then you remember John Calipari is getting fired. <a href="">
Gabriel Morency @sportsragekentucky are down and they keep just walking ball up the court as the secs tick off . its insane how little calipari is doing . does he want to get fired ?
Mason💙💛 @masonyo25I'm so happy that Calipari will get fired after this.
It's not clear whether the 65-year-old's future is in jeopardy or not, but he will certainly be nervous heading into this offseason.
While the last few seasons have been marred by early exits, Kentucky has reached the Final Four three times and won a championship under Calipari, but the latest upset could be enough to end his tenure in Lexington.
