Clarion Athletics

An outstanding point guard on the Golden Eagle basketball team from 1980-82, John is nationally recognized as one of the top NCAA Division I basketball coaches today. At Clarion, John helped the team to a 23-6 record, a runner-up PSAC finish, and the NCAA Div. II East Region runner-up (Final 8) in the 1980-81 season. Although suffering a double fractured cheekbone during the season, Calipari used a modified wrestling mask to finish the season. He played in 19 games, scored 58 points, handed out 49 assists made 17 steals and shot 46% from the floor. In 1981-82 Calipari helped the team to a 7-0 start, the Porreco Cup title (at Gannon), and a third place NCAA Division II ranking through January. The team made the PSAC-West playoffs and finished 16-11. John led the team with 143 assists, the ninth highest total in single season history. He was third on the team with 34 steals, shot 72 percent from the foul line and scored 144 points.

Although having another year of eligibility, John graduated in 1982 with a degree in business marketing and took an assistant coaching position with Larry Brown at Kansas. He was at Kansas from 1982 to1985, an assistant at Pitt under Dr. Roy Chipman and Paul Evans from 1985 to 1988, then became the head coach at U-Mass in 1988. In 1995 the Minutemen were ranked #1 in the nation. Posted an overall record of 29-5, and had a “Final 8” NCAA tournament finish. U-Mass has appeared in four straight NCAA Tournaments, won four straight Atlantic 10 titles, and also appeared in two NIT tournaments. A career record at U-Mass of 158-69 in seven years, John was Atlantic 10 “Coach of the Year” in 1993 and 1994.

A native of Coraopolis, Pa. and Moon High School John and wife Ellen have two daughters Erin and Megan.