There was a time when John Calipari wasn’t a name whispered in doubt. He once was one of college basketball’s most innovative minds who fashioned powerhouse teams and dominated the game. Things are very different today though. Under his watch, the Arkansas Razorbacks are off to their worst SEC start since 1985-86, 0-5. Fans have become frustrated, analysts remain skeptical, and even rival coaches are joining in, “That doesn’t fit together.” And the question they all asked now is how this decorated coach, who’d seemed unstoppable in his career, ended up here.

It’s a classic rise and fall story. Calipari was once lauded as a recruiting wizard who could turn raw talent into championship teams. But now is steering a program that is struggling to keep up. The Razorbacks’ disjointed performances reflect a deeper problem, one that’s hard to ignore.

Interestingly, this decline didn’t start in Arkansas. Calipari’s issues have been building for years. When Jeff Goodman, a well-known basketball analyst, shared comments from opposing SEC coaches, the criticism was brutal. Words like “outdated,” “can’t adapt,” and “out of touch” were thrown around. One coach didn’t hold back, saying, “When everything is equal talent-wise, he just can’t do it.” It’s a tough pill to swallow for a coach who built his career on being one step ahead.

Here’s where it gets even more intriguing. A source who worked with Calipari during his Kentucky days claims the cracks began to show when COVID-19 hit. Apparently, his work ethic and hunger started fading around 2019, and it’s been downhill since.

One of Calipari’s strongest assets—recruiting—started to peter out. The coach who once had a pipeline to the nation’s top talent, including the likes of Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Karl Anthony Towns, wasn’t getting the big names like he used to. He was still capable of inspiring players, preparing them for the NBA, but the strategy was starting to get a bit stale. His teams felt… off; his offensive systems weren’t keeping up with modern basketball trends.

This wasn’t just a perception, either. The numbers backed it up. Kentucky’s disaster of a 2020-21 season, 9-16 to miss the NCAA tournament. It was their worst record since 1926-27. He would exit Kentucky after making just one tournament appearance in four years. While he had a stellar overall record at Kentucky (410 wins in 15 seasons), these recent failures speak a different story. 

So, what’s going on with Arkansas this season? Even diehard fans can’t ignore a few of the glaring issues.

Breaking down John Calipari’s Arkansas Struggles

The Razorbacks have talent, but it just doesn’t click. Their offense looks clunky, and they rank 202nd nationally in three-point shooting. This is the big one. John Calipari’s playbook feels outdated. But rival coaches have been quick to point out that he hasn’t been able to adjust when competing against teams with the same talent.

Tramon Mark, for example. The Houston transfer has seen his production dip under Calipari’s system. It raises questions about whether the coach is making the most of his players’ abilities. Add to that a lack of player development, and you’ve got a recipe for frustration.

The Razorbacks’ 0-5 SEC start speaks for itself. They have yet to win a big game this season and their resume is thin, featuring just one highlight, a win over Michigan. And these problems have piled up in a perfect storm of challenges for Calipari and his team.

The real question isn’t just about this season. It’s about whether John Calipari still has the drive—and the tools—to turn things around. At an estimated $7 million a year, expectations are sky-high.