Announcement: Together again Kenny Payne rejoin John Calipari at arkansas razorbacks just now….

The Kentucky Wildcats reportedly attempted to get Kenny Payne back to Lexington earlier on Thursday.

That is not going to happen because Payne is going to rejoin John Calipari at Arkansas.

Arkansas announced the hiring on Thursday night.

After collaborating with Calipari in Lexington for ten years (2010–20), Payne will join him in Fayetteville. Payne was an assistant coach with the Oregon Ducks before to joining the Wildcats during the 2010 summer.

Payne led the Wildcats to one of their greatest 10-year runs in program history while he was a member of the Bluegrass. There were four Final Fours, seven Elite Eights, and the 2012 NCAA Championship. In addition, he assisted Kentucky in attracting and developing a large number of potential NBA players, including as Julius Randle, Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and De’Aaron Fox.

Unfortunately, Payne’s experience as a head coach wasn’t all that great.

Following his departure from Kentucky to work as an assistant coach for the New York Knicks for two years,

In 2022, Payne was appointed head coach of the Louisville Cardinals. Payne was a former player for the Cardinals who contributed to the team’s 1986 NCAA Championship run.

But Payne never could get Louisville moving, and after his second season, he was fired with an overall record of 12-52.

Payne will now try to resume having an influence in his role as Calipari’s primary assistant.