LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 18: Kentucky Wildcats fans cheer during the CBS Sports Classic between the Wildcats and the North Carolina Tar Heels at T-Mobile Arena on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
“I love Mark Pope and his family, and he would be an unbelievable choice.”
Pope, BYU’s current head coach, guided the Cougars to the NCAA Tournament last season, where they were eliminated in the first round.
There are obviously bigger names on the list ahead of Pope, but this seems like another safe hire for Barnhart assuming he makes it. I doubt it gets that far, but at the very least, they are conducting thorough due diligence.
For the time being, Pope should be considered a backup option if Kentucky does not secure further coaching candidates.
Kentucky has a new men’s basketball coach.
On Friday, the Wildcats signed a contract with Mark Pope, a Kentucky alum and Brigham Young coach. Pope follows John Calipari, who departed Kentucky after 15 seasons to become Arkansas’ new head coach.
“Mark Pope not only brings an impressive record in nine years as a head coach, but also a love for the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our programme means to the people of our state,” Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in a statement. “As captain of the 1996 championship team, Mark was a valued and respected teammate. As a head coach, he is well regarded as an innovator across the country. His teams play a distinctive and dynamic up-tempo offence, as well as aggressive defence. He is an effective recruiter with global connections and a person of character.”
