Spurned by top candidates, Kentucky turns to Pope

Initially off the radar among Kentucky’s coaching targets, Mark Pope now is entrusted with maintaining the program’s gold standard.

Makes sense, since he helped do so as a player.

Kentucky hired Pope, 51, who had spent the past five seasons at BYU, to succeed John Calipari, who left for Arkansas earlier in the week. Pope was a captain on the Wildcats’ 1996 national championship team coached by Rick Pitino.

The school announced the hiring in a release Friday morning but did not mention any contract details. He will be introduced at a Sunday afternoon news conference at Rupp Arena.

Calipari guided Kentucky to its eighth NCAA title in 2012 among four Final Four appearances in 15 years. Kentucky hasn’t returned there since going 38-1 in 2015.

Pope was 110-52 in five seasons with the Cougars, including 23-11 this past season in their first year in the Big 12 Conference. BYU is coming off a second NCAA Tournament appearance in four years under Pope.

He was 77-56 before that in four seasons at Utah Valley and guided the Wolverines to consecutive runner-up finishes in the Western Athletic Conference in his final two years there. They reached the CBI quarterfinals both times.

Kentucky Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart cited Pope’s impressive 187-108 career record as a coach and keen knowledge of the program’s meaning to the state. The AD also praised Pope’s “dynamic” up-tempo offense and tough defense and called him an innovator.

“He is a strong recruiter with international ties and a person of integrity,” Barnhart said. “He fully embraces our high expectations and standards, and I know that as our fans get reacquainted with Mark, they will be eager to join him on what promises to be an exciting ride.”

Pope said he understands the expectations of taking over college basketball’s winningest program.

“It’s the definition of blue-blood program, where hanging a banner is the expectation ever year,” Pope said. “Equally as important, UK changed my life forever as a human being. The love and passion I have for this program, this University and the people of the Commonwealth goes to the depth of my soul.”

Pope’s hiring is surprising considering the higher-profile coaches mentioned as Kentucky’s top candidates. But Baylor’s Scott Drew and UConn’s Dan Hurley, both of whom have led schools to NCAA titles, turned down offers before Pope took the job.

CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP 2024 Kentucky has hired Mark Pope, who had spent the past five seasons at BYU, to replace John Calipari. Pope, a former Kentucky player, won a national title with the Wildcats in 1996.