St. John’s men’s basketball coach Rick Pitino, who was the head coach at Kentucky from 1989-1997, released a video on social media regarding Arkansas head coach John Calipari’s anticipated return Saturday to Rupp Arena to face Kentucky. Pitino encouraged Wildcats fans — “Big Blue Nation” — not to boo Calipari, who left Kentucky for Arkansas last April after 15 seasons, but rather give him “a huge standing ovation” in his return to Lexington.

“Show him what respect and admiration is all about,” Pitino said in the video. “I know you have the class, I’ve always believed in you. Do it once again.”

pic.twitter.com/jBLHZ6wAPz

— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) January 30, 2025

Saturday’s matchup between Arkansas (12-8, 1-6 SEC) and No. 12 Kentucky (15-5, 4-3 SEC) will make for a uniquely shared experience between Pitino and Calipari. In 2001, Pitino returned to Rupp Arena in his first season as the head coach of in-state rival Louisville, returning to the college ranks after a stint in the NBA with the Boston Celtics. He was greeted with a torrent of boos and jeers from the home fans at the time, which he described in Thursday’s video as the “toughest day” of his coaching career at Louisville.

“The reception … it tore me up apart, because I love that place so much,” Pitino added.

Clips of that moment from 2001 have also circulated on social media this week.

Glad this footage of Rick Pitino’s return to Rupp in 2001 as UofL’s coach is out there. I’ll never forget the moment he walked onto the court. Cal’s exit was different, but will be interesting to compare the feeling in the building. pic.twitter.com/8Jjg2zKZCY

— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) January 29, 2025

Pitino’s plea was a rather surprising one, considering the pair of now-former Kentucky coaches have had a reportedly icy relationship over the years, which Pitino also referenced in the video.

“As you all know, I’m not best friends with John Calipari. I respect him, certainly,” said Pitino. “But it was a mutual thing. The fans wanted a change. John read the tea leaves, he needed a change. He didn’t really want to leave, but what did he do for you? He brought the best talent in the history of the game of any university in America to Lexington. He also won a national championship.”

In addition to the 2012 national title, Calipari reached another three Final Fours and had more than 400 career victories with the Wildcats. But a string of disappointing finishes in recent years, including multiple first-round NCAA Tournament exits and failing to advance to the second weekend since 2019, led to unrest among Kentucky fans, which then grew only more hostile when Calipari left for another SEC program.

Pitino, who made a trio of Final Fours at UK and won the 1996 national championship, was long regarded as a public enemy by Big Blue Nation for coaching at Louisville, where he also won a national title in 2013 (which was later vacated due to NCAA violations). He’s since been welcomed back in Kentucky’s good graces due to his support for current head coach and UK alum Mark Pope, who was a captain on the 1996 title team. Pitino released a video last April upon Pope’s hiring, urging Wildcats fans to embrace the homecoming.

“I didn’t steer you wrong with Mark Pope when I sent out that last video, and I certainly won’t steer you wrong with this video,” Pitino said Thursday.

Pitino received his own absolution via standing ovation from a Rupp Arena crowd in October, when he appeared at Kentucky’s Big Blue Madness season kickoff event wearing a blue UK quarter-zip.

“I am so happy to be back,” Pitino said that night. “I said before I pack it in in coaching, I want to go back to Camelot for one more time.”

The Razorbacks and Wildcats tip off at 9 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN.

 (Photo of John Calipari: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)