The University of Kentucky has officially named Mark Pope as its new men's basketball head coach on a 5-year deal, bringing him back to his alma mater where he was a captain of the 1996 National Championship team. Pope, who has been the head coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) since 2019, is expected to be among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. His hiring follows a tumultuous search to fill the vacancy left by John Calipari earlier this week. Despite having never won an NCAA tournament game, Pope's tenure at BYU was marked by a record of 110-52 over five years, including two NCAA tournament appearances. His appointment has drawn polarizing reactions, with some praising his offensive coaching prowess and others questioning his NCAA tournament success. Rick Pitino, a former Kentucky coach, endorsed Pope, stating that his leadership of one of Kentucky's best teams ever constructed would make this a dream scenario for him.
What Rick Pitino said about Mark Pope’s move to Kentucky Story from @jackson5payne https://t.co/M6GGMxY30N
'Nobody Epitomizes Kentucky Like Mark Pope' - Any UK Fan Still Freaking Out Needs To Calm Down By Listening To John Wall And Rick Pitino https://t.co/1PtMWP9gCC https://t.co/IDYfVxuNda
“Mark Pope offensively, no one does it better” Rick Pitino had high praise for his former player and new @KentuckyMBB head coach Mark Pope 🙌 (via @RealPitino) https://t.co/AK9LcUjMYO
Rick Pitino’s wholehearted endorsement of Mark Pope as the coach at Kentucky: https://t.co/DELUjjBX0n
Kentucky lands BYU’s Mark Pope as next head coach after tumultuous search https://t.co/WJ8W2znw3F https://t.co/RLlFy1lt5c
Rick Pitino weighs in on Kentucky hiring Mark Pope, his former player on the 1996 national championship team. https://t.co/1n92MvtN9P
Kentucky hires BYU’s Mark Pope as men’s basketball coach to replace John Calipari https://t.co/JHDo9AEDOz
.@StJohnsBBall head coach @RealPitino gives a statement on Mark Pope. “What a special day for University of Kentucky. … Mark Pope will go on to greatness!” https://t.co/ygM1mygd46
From this morning’s @EyeOnCBBPodcast: @GaryParrishCBS gave his thoughts on Kentucky hiring Mark Pope. https://t.co/YRfo52m2vR
An interested party on the hire of Mark Pope at Kentucky ... https://t.co/RDluB4qI8l
I'm probably in the extreme minority here but I actually think Mark Pope is going to do a good job at Kentucky. He is obviously an excellent offensive coach and now he will have access to a much different level of player. I think it is going to work out well for them
Now on @ForbesSports NCAA Coaching Carousel: Kentucky Tabs BYU Coach Mark Pope To Replace John Calipari via @forbes https://t.co/WfyCN6tBCf https://t.co/8A4cBvQEmV
Mark Pope is the new head coach of Kentucky 👏 The Wildcats made it official today 😼 https://t.co/dKgv9lqqEz
Kentucky fan eerily predicted in 2023 tweet exactly how Wildcats would land Mark Pope as next coach https://t.co/szsJr75Cko
BREAKING: Mark Pope is off to Kentucky, calling the job the ‘pinnacle of coaching in college basketball’ https://t.co/dsVxEo7tX9
It’s official. Mark Pope, who has served as BYU’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach for the last five years, is joining his alma mater in Kentucky. https://t.co/2djZo5Kgpw
Mark Pope: Will he get it done at Kentucky? https://t.co/BwQu4kyfll
Kentucky has officially named Mark Pope as its new MBB head coach https://t.co/C8wp9mJsKM
BREAKING: Kentucky hires BYU's Mark Pope as men's basketball coach to replace John Calipari https://t.co/qGmObAVnJW
Mark Pope brings a tremendous amount of energy, passion and purpose to his alma mater Kentucky. @KentuckyMBB fans will surely be entertained by his uptempo offensive style and his commitment to producing and developing shooters. Pope’s engaging personality will make him a fan…
Kentucky chose Mark Pope as its last, best head coaching option and it doesn't feel great https://t.co/cY9aWjWz8l https://t.co/0fpkeGmofl
It's official. The University of Kentucky has named Mark Pope its men's basketball coach, the school announced. https://t.co/4RtpuJ1Wd8
Mark Pope to Kentucky. We break it down NOW!! https://t.co/p2xxoQ1R4M
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart says Pope brings a, “complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state.” Who is Kentucky getting in BYU’s former coach? Here is his unconventional CV. https://t.co/gzCHkTeDCf
My take on Mark Pope to Kentucky!! https://t.co/BwQu4kyNaT
POPE LEAVING BYU🏀 Kentucky has hired BYU’s Mark Pope as men’s basketball coach, bringing home a member of the Wildcats’ 1996 national championship team to succeed John Calipari. https://t.co/vPdQHvI3oe
It's official. Mark Pope, who has served as BYU's Men's Basketball Head Coach for the last five years, is joining his alma mater in Kentucky. https://t.co/hf5Lp1tha3
Official: Kentucky hires Mark Pope to be the head coach of the Wildcats men's basketball program. #BYU #BBN #BYUHoops https://t.co/KVRd0LYO2C
REACTION: Did Kentucky make the right move to hire Mark Pope? The latest from @GoodmanHoops | PRESENTED BY @BetMGM https://t.co/9y7UvyLjOK
Breaking: Kentucky has officially named Mark Pope as its men's basketball coach, the school announced. https://t.co/Eqgp0kBW0C
We talk with @BillBender92 of The Sporting News now on @RamonKaylaWill! He'll bring us the latest on Kentucky hire of Mark Pope! https://t.co/Uvz4mBxUWh
It’s official, Mark Pope is the next head coach of @KentuckyMBB. https://t.co/EpWaNFPw1Q
The University of Kentucky has secured BYU head basketball coach Mark Pope to fill the position left open earlier this week by John Calipari. https://t.co/mYFkB4xY3r
He's back with the Wildcats‼️ Mark Pope is officially the new head coach of @KentuckyMBB, the school announced. https://t.co/Kf25fw4qny
It’s official: former BYU Head Coach Mark Pope is heading can to his alma mater to coach the Kentucky Wildcats #BBN @WHAS11 https://t.co/qFffQa4Wrw
BBN gets their man to head the @KentuckyMBB program . MARK POPE is the new leader of Wildcats basketball . @markcstory with interesting info on the hiring by AD Mitch Barnhart . https://t.co/LTxwRLmQ3N https://t.co/sDzcqnjEv1
It's official. UK announces Mark Pope is Kentucky's new basketball coach. Mitch Barnhart: “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.”
This episode of the @EyeOnCBBPodcast with @GaryParrishCBS & @DavidWCobb is 31 minutes on Kentucky hiring Mark Pope to replace John Calipari. WATCH: https://t.co/ReuzVAaTFk
Mark Pope returns to @KentuckyMBB as the new HC https://t.co/eL7OC3JNkn
Mark Pope named head men's basketball coach at Kentucky “Mark Pope not only brings an impressive record in nine years as a head coach, but also a love of the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state,” AD Mitch…
Welcome home, @CoachMarkPope! Pope, a captain of the 1996 National Championship team, has returned to the @universityofky as the 23rd head coach of @KentuckyMBB! https://t.co/5tDLhxKdTQ
This episode of the @EyeOnCBBPodcast is 31 minutes on Kentucky hiring Mark Pope to replace John Calipari. WATCH: https://t.co/kdIQPmHvIh
.@RexChapman on Mark Pope. https://t.co/MnuRtQ8Hvj
Kentucky Bringing On BYU’s Mark Pope To Replace John Calipari As Head Coach: REPORT https://t.co/wr9wbjxF5S
🚨🚨Will go live at some point today to react to Mark Pope/Kentucky - but because I'm a man of the people, went back and found my interview with Pope in the @AaronTorresPod archives from 2020. Like the hire or not - it's worth giving a listen ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/TjWdIEidvr
Mark Pope hasn’t won a tournament game, but the BYU coach brings something else to Kentucky https://t.co/zZbdp3mG42
Kentucky is hiring Mark Pope to replace John Calipari. Good move? Questionable move? The @EyeOnCBBPodcast will be live on @YouTube momentarily. WATCH: https://t.co/zWEvFjMyG9
More @RealPitino on new @KentuckyMBB coach @CoachMarkPope : "No one epitomizes playing for the name on the front more than Mark Pope " https://t.co/5f5IMcmMMs
I got to know Mark Pope 2 years ago at Battle4Atlantis. He is smart, engaging, confident in who he is and his style of play. He knows that Kentucky jersey well. Like every other coach in the SEC… recruiting will be the ultimate test. He will be embraced by UK fan base. Twitter…
ICYMI 🚨 Kentucky is hiring BYU’s Mark Pope to replace John Calipari as their next head coach. https://t.co/MWWri7kXiD
BREAKING 🚨 Kentucky is hiring BYU’s Mark Pope to replace John Calipari as their next head coach. https://t.co/uSwslcU0f4
Kentucky is hiring BYU coach Mark Pope, who has never won an NCAA tournament game in his coaching career, to replace John Calipari.
ICYMI my column on Kentucky basketball hiring Mark Pope. The more I think about it, the more I like it. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/QUu83UCxJW
NEW | With Kentucky set to hire Mark Pope, a few thoughts on athletic director Mitch Barnhart, and the risk he's taking My column on the reported hiring of Mark Pope by Kentucky https://t.co/X13ivBqUUo
Kentucky fans are REVOLTING after it was reported the Wildcats are likely hiring BYU coach Mark Pope to replace Calipari. CHECK OUT THE REACTIONS: https://t.co/hKLoVBjYZo https://t.co/TRv0xARYN8
Mark Pope hired by Kentucky. How are #Vols fans feeling today? @joerexrode and I discuss now on @1025TheGame https://t.co/A7eM9Ro58B
News broken last night by our @MattNorlander: Kentucky tags BYU coach/UK alum Mark Pope to be next Wildcats coach on a five-year deal. https://t.co/6kuLc6ZHyn
Rick Pitino told me: “If Mark Pope becomes the head coach of the University of Kentucky, it would be a dream for me, as he was the captain of one of the best teams ever constructed at Kentucky.” https://t.co/5f5IMcmMMs
Mark Pope will be among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball at Kentucky. #BYU #BBN https://t.co/00m2CdWas9
BYU coach Mark Pope closing in on a deal with Kentucky, one of college basketball’s biggest jobs https://t.co/WzF3l5YMRL
Memo to Kentucky fans: Mark Pope will win you over Story by @Harmonwrites https://t.co/ZzDKaIG40s
Reports: Kentucky targeting Brigham Young men's basketball coach Mark Pope for vacancy https://t.co/pLWcmejVmw
Introducing your new Kentucky basketball coach… Mark Pope… https://t.co/yj53E4yBqI
Kentucky is finalizing a 5-year year deal to make Mark Pope the next coach, sources tell me and @jeffborzello. https://t.co/kuUFYOxU8C
My column: Mark Pope might not be the basketball coach Kentucky fans wanted, but he could be the coach UK needs. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/QUu83UCxJW
Kentucky Targets Mark Pope As Next Head Coach https://t.co/m2mgnhiXsV
Update: BYU's Mark Pope to Kentucky? Reports say he's all but gone: https://t.co/MvhmR3FCV9
What The Hell: Kentucky Is Reportedly Hiring Mark Pope To Be Its Next Head Coach https://t.co/ntgy456B2c https://t.co/dcR9QcmZWd
Kentucky aimed and unsuccessfully shot for the stars chasing Hurley and Drew. Mark Pope will be viewed as a consolation hire, but the dude can COACH. What he did with BYU, in a weight class step up from the WCC to the Big 12, was nothing short of spectacular.
I understand why Kentucky fans may not be enthused about the Mark Pope hire, but saying it’s because he hasn’t had enough tournament success at *BYU and Utah Valley* is so unserious. The whole point of taking a “better” job is that you have the support to do more.
Wow, Kentucky ran off John Calipari to hire Mark Pope away from BYU? I still don’t understand why you wouldn’t have hired Bruce Pearl. Or Rick Pitino. What a mess this all was.
"Mark Pope is a smart, smart coach, that genuinely understands modern college basketball. I don't think THAT facet of this hire is something that should concern Kentucky fans" - @RobDauster LIVE reaction to Kentucky targeting Mark Pope ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/51Jo3A43w4
Kentucky fans, read the great @BFQuinn on Mark Pope and BYU from earlier this year: https://t.co/nAanuJLC2W
"There's a bit of a Greg McDermott vibe here, to me. I think, strictly from a basketball standpoint, and offensively speaking, that Pope is going to be just fine" - @RobDauster Reaction to Kentucky targeting Mark Pope ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/51Jo3A43w4
Have no clue whether Mark Pope will succeed at Kentucky but am glad he’s not at BYU anymore. He was great for them.
BREAKING: Multiple sources report BYU coach Mark Pope nearing deal to leave for Kentucky. https://t.co/geMEyuEM1U
Kentucky nearing deal with Mark Pope to replace John Calipari, per reports https://t.co/spqdHwJUtD
Kentucky working towards hiring BYU’s Mark Pope to replace John Calipari, according to @PeteThamel After the past few days, this is not the way Wildcat fans thought it could possibly end, especially after Thursday carousel Read: https://t.co/JYtLkao8FV https://t.co/LohccElVMG
🚨 Mark Pope to Kentucky 🚨 @RobDauster is LIVE with an emergency pod to react to the news NOW! TUNE IN: https://t.co/VaVFabcAsd https://t.co/GQuj5GjrgX
BREAKING: Kentucky set to hire Mark Pope as their next head coach per @GoodmanHoops | PRESENTED BY @BetMGM https://t.co/51Jo3A4BlC
Kentucky reportedly picking Mark Pope as its next men's basketball coach drew polarizing reactions https://t.co/3BEAY5tCy8 https://t.co/BlpKgtU54L
Kentucky nearing deal to land BYU’s Mark Pope as next head coach after tumultuous search https://t.co/phltjpZRQ0 https://t.co/e5j2wZ6cZn
Mark Pope to Kentucky? Social media took off after reports surfaced about the #BYU coach landing the Wildcats vacancy. #BYUHoops #BBN https://t.co/2PGvC8tkdh
With reports that Mark Pope will be Kentucky's new basketball coach, here's a column I wrote about Mark when he got his first head coaching job at Utah Valley. Dropped out of med school to go into coaching. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/gVdLxfamUC
5 things to know about Mark Pope, the expected next coach for Kentucky men's basketball https://t.co/3tlwfHZLh7 https://t.co/YtHvT2dYRg
Kentucky is reportedly targeting BYU's Mark Pope to be its next men's basketball coach https://t.co/Y2srGv6MLx
BREAKING NEWS ‼️ Kentucky is expected to hire BYU’s Mark Pope, barring a last-second collapse in negotiations, source told @TheFieldOf68. Pope played for the Wildcats from 1994-96, has been the head coach at BYU since 2019. https://t.co/7MRWicclyV
Kentucky is targeting BYU’s Mark Pope to be its next basketball coach and replace John Calipari, according to multiple reports. The deal is not yet finalized but could come together Thursday night. 🔗 https://t.co/y012a57DFs
Reports: BYU’s Mark Pope is nearing a deal to become Kentucky’s next head basketball coach Story by @ryanwmcdonald https://t.co/Jvh9U3tVKw
Kentucky is targeting BYU head coach Mark Pope to become the school’s next coach, per @PeteThamel. https://t.co/37u3SWLUqM
Mark Pope ➡️ Kentucky?? 👀 https://t.co/ed665C0WMe https://t.co/3APsKWvYjK
Mark Pope is probably an upgrade in terms of on-court coaching (runs modern principles on offense, good coach) and a downgrade in program stability (will he consistently get kids? What level is he as a recruiter?) Really interesting hire, honestly, for Kentucky. Could work well
#BYU's Mark Pope is the top target of the Kentucky head coach search, per reports. #BYUHoops https://t.co/kec5CZUwjy
Story with @PeteThamel on Kentucky targeting BYU's Mark Pope to be its next head coach, sources told ESPN: https://t.co/5BuhGrw7DG
BREAKING: Kentucky is expected to hire BYU’s Mark Pope, barring a last-second collapse in negotiations, source told @TheFieldOf68. Pope played for the Wildcats from 1994-96, has been the head coach at BYU since 2019. https://t.co/SHgNDK0xbg
Sources: BYU's Mark Pope has become the focus of Kentucky's head coaching search. @MattNorlander first. Pope is a former UK captain from the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team. He's 110-52 in five years leading BYU, making two NCAA tournaments. https://t.co/Q74Ktl9Ger
NEW: Kentucky is close to making Mark Pope its next men's basketball coach. https://t.co/Gi0U1zyaxN
Kentucky is targeting BYU coach Mark Pope to be their next HC, per @PeteThamel A deal is expected "in the near future" 👀 https://t.co/AGjLhfjWsU
🚨BREAKING🚨 Kentucky has focused its search on BYU head coach and former Wildcats player Mark Pope, source told @TheFieldOf68 https://t.co/lD3QAYmsbQ
I like Mark Pope. BYU was super fun this year. But Kentucky going from one of Dan Hurley, Scott Drew, or Nate Oats to him is... something. https://t.co/5m71d38qS5
BREAKING: Kentucky is 'targeting' BYU’s Mark Pope as next head coach, ESPN reports. A deal is expected to be completed soon👀 https://t.co/klitv6thdD https://t.co/fhXr5OFtWC
Kentucky is reportedly targeting BYU coach Mark Pope to be the school’s next coach. A deal is expected to come together soon. via @PeteThamel https://t.co/chClgwuq80
If Mark Pope is the next coach at Kentucky as these reports indicate I think it’s a great move. Mark is super smart and engaging, coaches an entertaining style, understands the job and won’t get caught up in the wrong stuff. All things considered this ended well for Kentucky.
Kentucky is closing in on BYU’s Mark Pope to become its next head coach, per @MattNorlander https://t.co/E4KfvP697I
Kentucky has focused its search on BYU head coach and former Wildcats player Mark Pope, source told @TheFieldOf68.
Sources: Kentucky is targeting BYU coach Mark Pope to be the school’s next coach. A deal is expected to come together in the near future. https://t.co/xpCnGk34a9
BREAKING: Kentucky is closing in on hiring BYU's Mark Pope, per a source.
Breaking news: Kentucky has lined up BYU's Mark Pope to be its next coach, sources tell @CBSSports. Nothing is signed at this hour but the sides are quickly working toward a deal and hope to get it done by the end of the night.
Now on @njdotcom Rick Pitino says BYU’s Mark Pope would be ‘an unbelievable choice’ for Kentucky https://t.co/9daJUwvztv @KentuckyMBB @TMKSESPN
BYU's Mark Pope to Kentucky? If the gate opens, he's gone: https://t.co/MvhmR3FCV9
Kentucky considering a “family” hire with Pope. The only former player with a resume worthy of consideration. https://t.co/OUdod0Ng4u
The top two candidates for the Kentucky job have both been from Big 12 schools: Scott Drew at Baylor and now Mark Pope at BYU. https://t.co/sUmCiHiIzO
REPORT: BYU coach Mark Pope has emerged as a candidate for the Kentucky head coaching job, per @JonRothstein. https://t.co/eTMVoOBQt6 https://t.co/lvH4ksU5Ij
Sources: BYU's Mark Pope is a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Kentucky. Pope was a member of the 1996 national title team in Lexington.