Mark Pope is formally Kentucky’s new males’s basketball coach, the varsity introduced Friday.
Pope was a captain on Kentucky’s 1996 nationwide championship crew and has been the pinnacle coach at BYU for the previous 5 seasons. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart opted for Pope after a number of high-profile candidates turned down the job or distanced themselves from the search.
“Mark Pope not solely brings a formidable report in 9 years as a head coach, but in addition a love of the College of Kentucky and a whole understanding of what our program means to the folks of our state,” Barnhart stated. “As a captain on the ’96 championship crew, Mark was a beloved and revered teammate. As a head coach, he’s extremely regarded nationally as an innovator. His groups run a novel and dynamic up-tempo offense, and so they get after it on protection. He’s a powerful recruiter with worldwide ties and an individual of integrity.
“He totally embraces our excessive expectations and requirements, and I do know that as our followers get reacquainted with Mark, they are going to be keen to affix him on what guarantees to be an thrilling journey.”
Kentucky didn’t disclose phrases of the deal, however sources advised ESPN on Thursday that the 2 sides had been finalizing a five-year contract.
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Pope replaces John Calipari, the Corridor of Fame coach who left this week for the Arkansas Razorbacks after 15 seasons in Lexington. Calipari led the Wildcats to 4 Closing Fours and the 2012 nationwide championship.
“The College of Kentucky is the head of teaching in faculty basketball. It is the definition of blue-blood program the place hanging a banner is the expectation yearly,” Pope stated. “Equally as necessary, UK modified my life endlessly as a human being. The love and keenness I’ve for this program, this college and the folks of the commonwealth goes to the depth of my soul.
“I am grateful to [Dr. Eli Capilouto, UK president] and Mitch Barnhart for this chance. I am proud to be your subsequent head coach, and I can not wait to do that collectively!”
Pope took BYU to 2 NCAA tournaments in 5 seasons, going 110-52 total with the Cougars. Of their first season within the Large 12 in 2023-24, they exceeded expectations, ending tied for fifth within the league and going 23-11.
Earlier than taking on at BYU in 2019, Pope was the coach at Utah Valley for 4 seasons. The Wolverines by no means gained a regular-season title underneath Pope, however he went 48-21 in his ultimate two seasons, going 22-8 in league play.
Pope does not deliver a lot high-level success, failing to win a regular-season or convention event championship throughout his 9 seasons as a head coach. His groups additionally suffered upset losses within the first spherical of the NCAA event, dropping as a 6-seed dealing with an 11-seed each instances — towards UCLA in 2021 and vs. Duquesne final month.
After serving to lead Kentucky to the nationwide championship in 1996, Pope performed for seven seasons within the NBA. He accomplished two years of medical college at Columbia College earlier than becoming a member of Mark Fox’s workers at Georgia in 2009. Pope then spent one 12 months as an assistant coach at Wake Forest and 4 years as an assistant coach underneath Dave Rose at BYU.
Kentucky and Barnhart pivoting to Pope on Thursday night got here after Baylor’s Scott Drew and UConn’s Dan Hurley turned down the job earlier within the day. Alabama’s Nate Oats and former Villanova coach Jay Wright had beforehand introduced they weren’t pursuing the job, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan stated he was dedicated to his crew and hadn’t had contact with Kentucky.
