Duke hiring Kentucky assistant Jai Lucas

Duke is hiring Kentucky assistant coach Jai Lucas to perform the same role.

Lucas spent the past two seasons on John Calipari's staff and played a key role in the program's recruiting efforts.

"Yesterday, Jai informed me he was taking a promotion at another school. I asked where, and when he told me Duke, he expected me to be mad," Calipari said Friday in a statement. "I support what he thinks is best for his family. He's been loyal, terrific on the road, and great for our players, and I want what's best for him, so I'm good with it."

Before joining Kentucky, the 33-year-old spent four campaigns at Texas, serving as an assistant under former Longhorns bench boss Shaka Smart.

Lucas split his four collegiate seasons as a player between Florida and Texas. He becomes Duke's first external basketball hire since Tim O'Toole in 1995.

Chris Carrawell and Amile Jefferson round out Jon Scheyer's inaugural staff. The new Blue Devils head coach lost assistant Nolan Smith to Louisville earlier this month.