[ky wildcats]

Date: Monday, March 30, 2009 4:20:00 PM
All indications suggest that John Calipari of Memphis is Kentucky s choice to be its new basketball coach.
UK president Lee Todd declined to confirm Calipari as the leading candidate. But when asked about the process on Monday, Todd said, It s going to move quickly.

Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson said Monday that he has granted permission for Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhardt to talk with Calipari about replacing Billy Gillispie. Such permission usually serves as one of the final steps in the hiring process.

However, I will tell you that we are elated with the job John has done as our head coach and we will do everything in our power to retain his services at Memphis, Johnson said in a statement .

Potential stumbling blocks remain. No one has a source saying UK and Calipari have agreed to a salary. Memphis is paying him in excess of $3 million per year. There was talk in Memphis of UK offering Calipari six years and $40 million.

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