John Calipari spent part of his Wednesday media session doing what he often does best at Arkansas: going to bat for Hunter Yurachek.
The Razorbacks coach was asked about the noise around the athletic director, who has taken heat from fans after Arkansas football’s 43-10 loss to Utah on Sept. 12 and amid reports that place the program near the bottom of the SEC in football roster spending. Calipari didn’t flinch.
"I'll say it again: we're one of the few campuses that aren't in debt," Calipari said. "Like deep debt.
We're not in debt. I know everybody's mad at Hunter.
I don't even know why. I'm like, 'why are you mad at him?'
We're not in debt."
That defense came after Calipari also weighed in on the Protect College Sports Act, a bill he supports. The PCSA passed the U.S. Senate Tuesday by a 77-22 vote, though the House of Representatives will not vote on it until after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
"You should be calling congressmen and saying, 'We want this bill'," Calipari said.
Calipari then circled back to the broader criticism of Yurachek, noting that some of the decisions made under the athletic department have not been easy sells with fans.
"Basketball reseating, baseball reseating, some of the other stuff - it's not popular," Calipari said. "People get mad. But that and a couple other things, we're going to be okay here in Arkansas."
That support stands out in a state where football still drives the conversation. Arkansas has not had consistent success on the gridiron under Yurachek, and the frustration around that has only grown. Basketball, though, has surged during Yurachek’s tenure, and Calipari has now repeatedly backed the AD while his own program benefits from the resources at hand.
Arkansas has reached the Sweet 16 five times in the last six seasons and spends more on men’s basketball than any other SEC school, according to NILnomics.
For Calipari, the focus now shifts back to the floor. His Razorbacks are being talked about as national contenders after he landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country.
Fans will get their first look at the 2026-27 team on Friday at Bud Walton Arena during Primetime at the Palace, a preseason event featuring a dunk contest, three-point contest and scrimmage, followed by a post-event autograph session with players. Free tickets are available for the event.
In Other News...
Calipari Reveals Early Setback Ahead Of Arkansas First Public Scrimmage
Arkansas is getting ready for its first public look of the season Friday night at Bud Walton Arena, where the "Primetime at the Palace" event will feature contests and a scrimmage with free admission. It is the kind of fall showcase fans look forward to, especially with John Calipari beginning to put the pieces together in his first season guiding the program.
There is already one early setback, though, as Calipari confirmed Cooper Bowser is sidelined with a fractured wrist and will miss the event and more time beyond it. Calipari also backed athletic director Hunter Yurachek during a difficult stretch for the department, with the football program facing criticism and the school dealing with financial strain. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Heads To Texas A&M With New Injury Concerns On Defense
Arkansas got its first individual injury report for the upcoming SEC trip to Texas A&M, and the list only added to the unease around a defense that is already trying to stay afloat. The Razorbacks have been working through a string of absences, with senior tight end Maddox Lassiter already lost for the season after upper body surgery tied to an injury suffered in fall camp, and Connor Smith and JLynn Allen also sidelined for the year.
The report for this one also shows several other Arkansas players listed as out or questionable, leaving the Hogs to sort through more uncertainty as the matchup approaches. For a team heading into a road conference game, the timing matters as much as the names, and the early injury picture suggests Arkansas may have to adjust again before it ever gets to kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Gets A Key Defensive Boost Before Texas A&M Test
The first SEC availability report of the week offered Arkansas a small but important bit of defensive news heading into its matchup with Texas A&M. Linebacker Bradley Shaw is expected to return after sitting out the previous game with an injury, giving the Razorbacks a boost in the middle of the defense as they prepare for a conference test with real weight attached to it.
Steven Soles is still the bigger name to watch on the report, though, since the starting linebacker is listed as questionable. Arkansas also has several other players marked out, a reminder that the early-season grind is already testing depth on both sides of the ball. The leagues injury reporting policy is designed to bring more transparency and better protect student-athletes, but for Arkansas the immediate concern is simply how complete the defense will be when the Aggies come to town. [Read more 🡒]