Calipari and other future Razorback coaches’ history vs. Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — With John Calipari now leading the Arkansas Razorbacks, it’s worth reviewing how future and past Arkansas coaches have performed against the Hogs.

Using data from HogStats.com, here’s a breakdown of key matchups.

Calipari vs. Arkansas

Calipari’s teams faced Arkansas 20 times between 1994 and 2024, primarily while he was at Kentucky and Memphis.

His record in those matchups stands at 13-7, with a few notable wins but several tough losses, particularly in Fayetteville.

His most recent matchups with Arkansas came during the 2023-24 season, where his Wildcats won both contests.

While at Kentucky, he lost some key games, including an 88-73 defeat in 2023 and an 87-85 OT loss in 2014 in Fayetteville.

One of his biggest wins came in 2017, when his No. 1-ranked Wildcats dominated Arkansas 97-71 in Lexington.

Before his Kentucky tenure, Calipari also coached Memphis against Arkansas, splitting four games from 2000 to 2003.

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman, left, and Kentucky coach John Calipari talk before a game in Rupp Arena last season, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Kentucky coach John Calipari talks with guard DeAndre Liggins as Arkansas defeated Kentucky, 77-76, at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. (Mark Cornelison/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – JANUARY 14: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats yells at a referee during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Bud Walton Arena on January 14, 2014 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

LEXINGTON, KY – JANUARY 23: John Calipari the Head Coach of the Kentucky Wildcats gives instructions to his team during the SEC game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 23, 2010 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

WATCH: John Calipari previews returning to Kentucky & Rupp Arena

Other Razorback coaches who faced Arkansas

Several other future Razorback coaches had matchups against the Hogs before taking over the program:

Mike Anderson faced Arkansas twice while coaching Missouri in the 2000s, going 1-1.

Nolan Richardson saw the Razorbacks once while leading Tulsa in 1984, winning 70-66 in Little Rock.

Charles Bassett coached against Arkansas while at Texas A&M in the late 1920s, but his Aggies struggled, going 0-4.

Ex-Hog coaches facing Arkansas

History also shows that once coaches leave Arkansas, they have struggled against their former team:

Eddie Sutton coached Oklahoma State against Arkansas four times from 2000 to 2003 but lost all four matchups.

Presley Askew of New Mexico State lost his lone matchup against Arkansas in 1957.

Hog coaches against their former teams

Coaches who have led Arkansas and later faced their former programs have seen mixed results:

Mike Anderson had seven wins and six losses against Missouri after leaving for Arkansas.

John Pelphrey lost to Arkansas in his first season coaching South Alabama but won the rematch in Mobile.

Nolan Richardson dominated his former school, Tulsa, winning seven out of eight games from 1987 to 2001.

The Arkansas Razorbacks play at Kentucky at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31. Stay with Pig Trail Nation for updates.