eligible to graduate by the end of their senior years walked away with a diploma in hand , including five players who earned their degree in just three years . Calipari ’ s teams routinely have posted a combined team grade-point average of 3.0 or better .
Calipari has raised millions of dollars to help the lives of those in need in the Commonwealth and beyond . He has had a particular passion to assist those impacted by natural disasters . For instance , in 2010 , he used a telethon to raise more than $ 1 million for victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti . He followed that up with telethons in 2012 , raising $ 1 million for victims of Superstorm Sandy , in 2017 for victims of Hurricane Harvey , and played a leading role in the “ Kentucky United ” efforts that generated more than $ 5 million for victims of devastating tornadoes in Western Kentucky in 2021 . Led by a player-driven initiative , Calipari and the Cats raised more than $ 3 million for the Kentucky Flood Relief in August of 2022 with an open practice and telethon in Rupp Arena .
Calipari launched his foundation in 2012 , and since then the foundation has worked with several key partners and donated more than $ 1.5 million , a figure that does not include matching funds that have been contributed from individuals and corporations . In 2013 , Calipari initiated hosting an annual alumni weekend around his basketball fantasy experience with the intent to raise money for charity . After generating $ 350,000 for selected organizations and charities during the inaugural game , the weekend has generated millions of dollars for charity since its inception .
In 2019 , when federal workers were without pay due to a government shutdown , he , his wife and his foundation assisted workers with financial help and grocery gift cards . He and his wife , Ellen , teamed up with Fayette County Public Schools to help families in need during the COVID-19 pandemic .
His latest efforts include spearheading the creation of the John McLendon Minority Leadership Initiative , a nationwide coachdriven initiative to provide minorities a jump-start to their careers through practical experiences , opportunities to build their network and instilling the values of John McLendon : integrity , education , leadership and mentorship . Participants in the initiative will be known as MLI Future Leaders .
In 2017 , Coach Cal was named the head coach of the 2017 USA Basketball Men ’ s U19 World Cup Team , which finished third at the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup in Cairo .
Author of five books , including the New York Times Best Seller “ Players First : Coaching from the Inside Out ,” Calipari is a master of communication and maximizing talent . He lives by the motto that
“ it ’ s never a matter of how far you have fallen , but instead it ’ s about how high you bounce back .”
MISCELLANEOUS ON-COURT RECORDS Overall On-Court Record :......... 810-241 (. 771 ) March / April Record :................... 167-55 (. 752 ) NCAAT Record : ............................. 56-20 (. 737 ) Record in Conference Games :.. 381-120 (. 760 ) Record in Conference Tournament : 58-14 (. 806 )
• Calipari owns the NCAA ’ s most single-season wins with 38 , tying his own record ( Memphis in ‘ 08 and UK in ‘ 12 ) in 2015 with 38 wins . He owns the most single-season wins at UMass , Memphis and UK
• Calipari is the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history for a five-year span with 173 victories ( 2008-12 )
• Calipari is the first coach in NCAA Division I history to record five straight on-court 30-win seasons . Memphis hit the 30-win plateau from 2006-09
• Calipari is one of only two coaches ( Rick Pitino ) to lead three different schools to a Final Four
• Calipari is one of only three coaches ( John Wooden , Mike Kzryzewski ) to go to four Final Fours in five seasons
• Calipari has advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in 12 of the last 16 NCAA Tournaments and the Elite Eight in 10 of the last 16
• Calipari started with a 54-0 record in Rupp Arena as head coach of the Wildcats
• Calipari has helped 45 players earn selection in the NBA Draft ( 34 first-round picks ) over the last 13 seasons
• Calipari has more wins ( 327 ) in a 10-year period ( 2006-15 ) than any other coach in college basketball history
• Calipari is the fourth-fastest NCAA Division I men ’ s basketball coach to reach 300 victories at a single school
• Calipari ’ s 31 combined regular season and tournament league titles trail only Mark Few ( 39 ) of Gonzaga for the most among active coaches
• Calipari is the fourth-fastest coach to 800 on-court wins , behind Adolph Rupp , Roy Williams and Dean Smith
• Calipari has the second-most wins in school history , behind only Adolph Rupp
• Calipari ’ s 31 NCAA Tournament wins are the most in school history . Rupp had 30
56 - 2022-2023 College Basketball Season Preview