Mark Pope, previously the head coach at BYU, has officially been hired by the University of Kentucky to replace John Calipari as the head basketball coach, on a 5-year contract worth $27.5 million. This decision has sparked a variety of reactions among fans and analysts, with some expressing skepticism due to Pope's lack of NCAA Tournament wins and others lauding his potential based on his coaching prowess and connection to Kentucky as an alumnus. Pope, who played for Kentucky and was part of the 1996 national championship team, has been recognized for his modern offensive strategies and his deep understanding of the program's significance. Despite not being the first choice for many, his hiring is seen as a move that could bring a fresh perspective to Kentucky basketball. Rick Pitino, Pope's former coach, endorsed the hiring, highlighting Pope's potential to surprise those skeptical of the decision. Pope's departure from BYU leaves the university with a significant coaching vacancy to fill.
Mark Pope and family arrive in Kentucky https://t.co/VZMK3ZWsBr
Mark Pope 🛬 Lexington, KY https://t.co/e6aggOA6s7
Mark Pope, the new Kentucky coach, had his best NBA season with the Bucks in 2001 https://t.co/itP5UUT4v1
I talked to people about Mark Pope's offense at BYU. It's big on analytics, spacing, execution and lots and lots of three-pointers. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/jqEHYM2eI0
BBN should embrace the passion of MARK POPE who loves @KentuckyMBB . Just found out that Mark roomed for 2 years with JEFF SHEPPARD while playing on the great NCAA championship 96 team .This might help in Reed returning. Also @RealPitino texted me Mark is a very good voice!
He isn’t Nate Oats or Dan Hurley, but Mark Pope might still offer something valuable to the Wildcats. https://t.co/cBqlkt11yS
With head coach Mark Pope headed to Kentucky, who will AD Tom Holmoe turn to next? https://t.co/UdXKz9CXI1
Mark Madsen’s ties to Utah and the LDS Church would have made him an ideal candidate to replace Mark Pope. https://t.co/sqiYpcGSrW
Pitino, now at St. John’s, coached Pope and his teammates to a 1996 national championship with the Wildcats. | By @jackson5payne https://t.co/B2dmx9HG27
Kentucky hiring Mark Pope was not the popular move. But what did fans expect after being turned down by others? Four days after John Calipari left for Arkansas, reality set in for Kentucky fans, and it might turn out to work in the long run. Read: https://t.co/j9iYUwFmtR https://t.co/NRzVLyreSO
Kentucky's hiring of Mark Pope was met with skepticism -- understandably so. But the good news for the largely unproven alum is that it never matters what you were when you were hired as much as it matters what you do once you are, writes @GaryParrishCBS. https://t.co/drNLOsfo1c
Mark Pope’s mentor and current St. John’s coach Rick Pitino defended Kentucky’s hire, saying Pope’s light resume is in line with Villanova’s Jay Wright and Florida’s Billy Donovan hire. https://t.co/uZp3Shlpvy
COLUMN: Kentucky's hiring of Mark Pope was met with skepticism from fans -- and understandably so. But the good news for the largely unproven alum is that it never matters what you were when you were hired as much as it matters what you do once you are. https://t.co/6PAN1bcrz2
Kentucy Fans: Mark Pope showed his coaching prowess at BYU. He coaches according to his personnel, unlike many who coach according to their system. His achievements at BYU in the Big 12 this year, with wins over Kansas, Iowa State and Baylor were impressive. He has coached an…
Mark Pope is working on assembling a staff right now. He is expected to bring one assistant and at least one administrative person with him from BYU I think there will be at least one former UK player on staff in some role
The swing of emotions from UK fans about Mark Pope is pretty illustrative of how these things go. No matter how they felt initially, fans will talk themselves into a hire, especially by the end of the introductory presser It's what makes Kevin Stallings at Pitt such an anomaly
A lot of #BYU basketball talk with @JeremiahJensen & @Mitch_Harper as the Cougs need a new head coach with Mark Pope off to Kentucky. - Tiger will make the cut at #themasters - #NHL to Utah update - Utah spring game is tomorrow TUNE IN: https://t.co/X4xHq0mM3C
Mark Pope is headed to Kentucky, and BYU has a coaching vacancy to fill. Cal coach Mark Madsen already said he's not coming to Provo. Who should the Cougars hire? VOTE: https://t.co/JxO0mDiafw https://t.co/enYH2bAT8T
From @AaronTorresPod: Mark Pope is officially Kentucky coach - what are his first orders of business? * Which players can he retain from last season? * Which players should come with him from BYU? * Staff? Plus... sophomore Reed Sheppard? LOCK IN ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/sHrKtUmtHt
Rick Pitino on Mark Pope: "I think he’ll shock people and surprise people that want a brand name (coach). You can get a lot of great suits that don’t have to be Brioni or Armani. That’s going to come across." Read more at: https://t.co/lAUmxJfiX5
Analysis: Mark Pope wasn’t perfect at BYU, but his departure could leave program hurting for awhile Story by @drewjay https://t.co/tIWdH89I8i
Rick Pitino coached Mark Pope on the Kentucky team that won the 1996 national title, which was the best college team I've ever seen. Pope loves MSG. Could a future home-and-home series be on deck? https://t.co/EGeS4Aaioc
Mark Pope introductory press conference 📅Sunday, April 14 🕟4:30 p.m. inside Rupp Arena #BBN, time to show up and show out!!! https://t.co/h0ODLolM9P
Pope’s Kentucky deal is worth a reported $27.5 million over 5 years (not including incentives). He becomes the sixth highest paid coach in college basketball.
Mark Pope will arrive in Lexington tomorrow The press conference is Sunday at Rupp Arena because Disney on Ice starts Monday
Kentucky hiring Mark Pope was not the popular move, but what did fans expect after being turned down by others. This move could end up working, or blowing up in the face of decision makers. But, you’ll be there supporting them. Read: https://t.co/j9iYUwFmtR https://t.co/60k4M8Ymk7
Will be referring to Mark Pope’s Kentucky career exclusively as The Papacy. https://t.co/m5bPafB2qZ
We're LIVE on @AaronTorresPod YouTube talking Mark Pope to Kentucky: * What he brings to UK * What his first orders of business are * And why I believe it'll work. SO MUCH TO DISCUSS. JOIN US ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/Uny2ixBHnm https://t.co/ebc6maRQ9a
Follow the new Coach @CoachMarkPope
'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
Reed Sheppard's father has confirmed new head coach Mark Pope has been in communication. Mark Pope and Jeff Sheppard were roommates in college at Kentucky👀 https://t.co/qJyGcfUR14 https://t.co/eOxRtz2w4S
NEW ARTICLE @Deseret. Pope made his big choice, now the @BYU roster and recruits must make theirs👇🏻#BYUHoops #BYU #GoCougs #MarkPope #byualumni @YsGuysLive @BYUSportsNation https://t.co/Cu2DM7pVAm
The Mark Pope business at Kentucky got my gears turning, and @MattGlenesk let me write about it. Basketball programs -- even the bluest bloods, like Kentucky -- should be in the business of making stars, as much as if not more so than hiring them: https://t.co/lBK39GiTK8
The loss of Mark Pope is significant, but BYU will survive Story by @DaveMcCannTV https://t.co/heTHNijq9b
A Mark Pope endorsement from Rick Pitino https://t.co/GwmHU2yiX6
“Mark Pope will go on to greatness. You can put it down.” https://t.co/ESo3XLK2N8
Will go live in a bit to talk Mark Pope. Really do like the hire. One thing he'll definitely bring, which I think the program sorely needs is energy and juice. As I said last night UK fans, wait til Saturday. I think youll love him https://t.co/NLoS4HZ0db
How social media reacted to Mark Pope leaving BYU for Kentucky Story from @jackson5payne https://t.co/jiSAmiG6TN
In Mark Pope BBN gets two things they have been most vocal about: a modern offense built around the three, and a pivot from player first to program first. His passion for the program will win over this fan base - if it hasn't already.
Six years ago, Mark Pope told me he was going to let some students Taser him in hopes of getting more fans out to games in Orem. Now he's the head coach at Kentucky. "Everything's always on the table." https://t.co/IMnNHTtUXd
Kentucky fan eerily predicted in 2023 tweet exactly how Wildcats would land Mark Pope as next coach https://t.co/szsJr75Cko
It's been a scramble in the Newsroom this morning keeping up with all the latest details in the coach Mark Pope news. It will be very interesting to see how quickly BYU moves to name a new head coach as they face the possibility of losing players to the transfer portal.
On Mark Pope: “He’s a relentless worker. Has no hobbies. He’s a killer.” https://t.co/BwQu4kyfll
Congratulations, @CoachMarkPope! Welcome home to the BBN! https://t.co/WKt3hKt5GT
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
It's official. Mark Pope is moving on https://t.co/Jvh9U3tnUY
REACTION: Did Kentucky make the right move to hire Mark Pope? The latest from @GoodmanHoops | PRESENTED BY @BetMGM https://t.co/9y7UvyLjOK
Kentucky fans have no idea how lucky they are. We will miss Coach Pope in Provo. https://t.co/W2JD8LR650
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
Trying to wrap my head around Kentucky hiring a head coach who has only coached at two schools off the same highway exit in Utah, who has not been the most successful coach of the last decade at either of those schools
This episode of the @EyeOnCBBPodcast is 31 minutes on Kentucky hiring Mark Pope to replace John Calipari. WATCH: https://t.co/kdIQPmHvIh
In 2020, after BYU beat Gonzaga, Mark Pope bought the entire student section dinner. Ran up an $1800 tab. Have known him since we were both seniors at UK. Tremendous person all around. https://t.co/sf2Myw5Sqg
.@RexChapman on Mark Pope. https://t.co/MnuRtQ8Hvj
Can't help but think of the speed in which takes fly in 2024 Kentucky fans have gone from incendiary to intrigued about the Mark Pope hire It's been all of 12 hours. The more they learn about his style of ball & hear about his love of the program, the more they'll like it.
I think Kentucky-Louisville next season will be a blast. Mark Pope vs. Pat Kelsey. Two energetic, enthusiastic, up-and-coming coaches whose teams play entertaining basketball. Could be a 110-109 game. https://t.co/4cWWAGf6lJ
What UK fans/boosters wanted was to know Mitch Barnhart went all the way down the path with each of the surefire home run hires. And clearly he didn’t. That’s why Mark Pope, who loves his alma mater and a lot of non-UK basketball folks think is awesome, starts in a tough spot.
Barnhart got impatient, no doubt. But Mark Pope wouldn’t have lost to Oakland with that roster. The challenge will be getting that type of roster or close to it. Needs to bring in some recruiting killers on the coaching staff.
I woke up to a flood of text messages in two distinct groups m: UK fans, some upset and some worried, about the Pope hire Basketball coaches/players and those around the sport telling me Mark will do great, fans will end up loving him and saying “give him a chance”
From the Twitters/Xs, a lot of UK fans assumed they could offer big $$ to Dan Hurley, Billy Donovan, Nate Oats...Scott Drew...and one of them would run to Lexington. Kentucky has tremendous tradition & history, but it's not for everyone. And Dan Hurley has a better job now. https://t.co/E5jFiVPjf1
The Daily! It was quite the ride for @KentuckyMBB to land on Mark Pope. A timeline and reax. Plus: • Latest portal news, including Jonas Aidoo • @UHCougarMBK won’t have Shead back • But @MarquetteMBB & @DukeMBB? They’re happy Subscribe! Just $1/week https://t.co/XLbW5AgO8c
Kentucky goes inside the family and hires BYU coach Mark Pope after Scott Drew stays at Baylor, @Jdfletch3 joins | Spring football EXTRAVAGANZA with Miami S @Meesh_Powell, @Zach_Berry on Ole Miss (and @JoeyJaws) and @RJHarvey07 and @kfizzzy talking UCF https://t.co/UfZNHdGtTv
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
Who will #BYU basketball hire to be the next head coach? Here's a big board of potential calls that AD Tom Holmoe should make. #BYUHoops #GoCougs https://t.co/ouGNgzIvss
The replies are wild. Pope runs high-level, modern offense, is a good dude with a pretty unimpeachable rep, is a program alum who understands the beast, and played in the NBA. Missing on others doesn’t make this a bad hire. Y’all might’ve lucked into something better. https://t.co/Pvi6MNnofa
Kentucky targets Mark Pope #MarkPope https://t.co/M8k52m7vra
Cal coach Mark Madsen is at the top of the list, but he’s unlikely to leave Berkeley after signing a contract extension recently. | By @drewjay https://t.co/KDHIVp6ZPd
Now on @njdotcom Kentucky hiring BYU’s Mark Pope on 5-year deal, Rick Pitino calls it ‘an unbelievable choice’ https://t.co/9daJUwvztv
HOLY (WHITE) SMOKE!! Who says Kentucky's Mitch Barnhart doesn't gamble? Hiring Pope would be a high-stakes roll of the dice https://t.co/X13ivBqUUo
There seems to be at least a pocket of BBN that doesn’t like the Mark Pope hire. Hard to tell how real it is but the reason Pope is well suited for the job is he won’t worry about it. He knows if the wins come, the fans follow. He won’t waste energy on what some fans write on…
There will be many more words, but here are a bunch — some from me, some from Mark Pope, a few from @CJMooreHoops — on Kentucky’s new basketball coach. Not one of the names people expected, but an intriguing choice nonetheless. Certainly a new era. https://t.co/yDpR368FvB
Kentucky Has Reportedly Found Next Head Coach to Replace John Calipari https://t.co/pZ8i2chpu1 https://t.co/SxlaitYgXS
Memo to Kentucky fans: Mark Pope will win you over Story by @Harmonwrites https://t.co/ZzDKaIG40s
Mark Pope with a 5 year, $5.5 million a year according to @MattNorlander
Really fun wide open offense (think Bama) Smart coach w/ HC experience Recruits to his style of basketball Knows how special #BBN is a fanbase Likely to keep Reed Sheppard on roster Fire & passion to be a Cat. Remind me what's not to like about this potential hire for UK?
CBB world not entirely sold on Mark Pope https://t.co/SUrftyFbwg https://t.co/h5yyrRWHw2
Here are some of the candidates BYU AD Tom Holmoe should consider to replace Kentucky-bound Mark Pope Story by @drewjay https://t.co/NgXiZxg27C
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
Nah. Mark Pope has been a head coach, and has had success. Also started at Utah Valley before he got to BYU. Kenny Payne had no head coaching experience when he was hired at a Top 10 job. https://t.co/44fxiyYABB
Reminder: Mark Pope won a National Championship in 1996 as a @KentuckyMBB player. https://t.co/7jUFpvxWOR
Mark Pope at Kentucky is going to be the exact opposite stylistically and personnel wise from Calipari Thy love skilled guys who can all shoot, run a ton of offensive sets and run constant motion This issue for me will be can he recruit. We shall see
Kentucky reportedly closing in on new basketball coach https://t.co/4jM1Wwso5S https://t.co/QwYCSm4Smf
The thing is, Mark Pope is a really sharp coach who everyone that knows him loves. I've not dealt with him much, but all our @TheAthleticCBB staff that has rave about him. And I support Hamilton-lyric-spitting. https://t.co/FHSJUR8xEg
Kentucky has 1 tournament win since '19 They appear to have just hired a really sharp coach that bleeds blue & white, knows what #BBN is all about & they didn't have a pay a massive buyout to do it If UK is as much of a blue blood as their fans believe, they are in GREAT hands
The biggest question I have about Mark Pope is kinda simple: Wouldn’t he have crawled 2,000 miles on broken glass to take that job a week from now? I mean … we’re talking about UK basketball. Couldn’t you kick a few more tires first?
Mark Pope is very smart…maybe the smartest dude to ever play here (for real). He has a great offense and he loves this place. Plus he was part of the greatest team in school history Assuming this is finalized, I am going to pull for him as hard as I can. He deserves that
Top candidates to replace Mark Pope at BYU: Chris Burgess, Mark Madsen, Barret Peery.
I’m not mad at Kentucky poaching coaches from the Big 12. It’s good they started with Drew at Baylor, but there weren’t any better options than Pope?
Really wild that Kentucky, Duke, and Carolina hired guys with combined 0 tourney wins. 3/4 of college basketball royalty operating on vibes only, but it’s possible when those places mostly recruit themselves https://t.co/Jb87EDL5PC
Ok. I’m on board. Ride or die for Mark Pope https://t.co/Gcv48YQoxB
Mark Pope and Jeff Sheppard were roommates I believe in college and are very close
It really is wild that KENTUCKY just hired a coach who has never won an NCAA Tournament game. Like, let that sink in.
idk what y’all are talking about, Mark Pope is a huge hire https://t.co/4fxsqrVdqQ
Kentucky fans are heated tonight on social media and the message boards. The potential hire of Mark Pope is being met by mixed reactions, and there will certainly be emails sent tonight. Read: https://t.co/JYtLkao8FV https://t.co/loubEPcTrS
Interesting dynamic seeing the UK fans' reaction to Pope, and comparing that to UNC/Davis and Duke/Scheyer. All 3 schools went with alums to succeed legends. UK's guy is the only one with head coaching experience, and it's the one getting fan vitriol. Personally, I like Pope.
Mitch Barnhart’s basketball hires at Kentucky: Billy Clyde Gillispie John Calipari (not really his choice) Mark Pope
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.
.@RobDauster's message for Kentucky fans: "Buy into it. Maybe it'll take 2-3 years. But Mark Pope is the antithesis of a lot of the things that you grew tired of under Calipari. He's outperformed expectations and resources. He's one of your own. If it doesn't work, it doesn't… https://t.co/7OMKXl6CgN
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.
The true endorsement: Are your rivals glad to see you go? Honestly didn’t think Kentucky was smart enough to hire Pope, figured they had to have a *BIG NAME* at all costs. https://t.co/pWO0PZalLL
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.
#USF fans may remember prospective new Kentucky coach Mark Pope from his 2019 trip to the @yuenglingcenter. His Utah Valley club fell to the Bulls 66-57 in second round of CBI.
Looks like @KentuckyMBB has a Pope. https://t.co/3MDEdQMKr7
Kentucky nearing deal with Mark Pope to replace John Calipari, per reports https://t.co/spqdHwJUtD
Kentucky’s AD deciding between BYU’s HC and Rick Pitino. https://t.co/4IY35Kddl2
Mark Pope is an awesome personality and a good basketball coach, I think he will get a kick out of BBN reactions to his announcement
It seemed like Louisville FLAILED through its coaching search, but they stuck the landing and the fans seem to immediately love Pat Kelsey. Kentucky had a good initial plan, but after Candidates A & B said no, the fan base seems universally apoplectic over the Mark Pope hire.
If Pope is the guy, I feel genuinely bad for him that the reception is gonna be pretty awful. Not his fault, but fans are hot. If you’re moving on from Calipari, and the top of the list is Hurley, Donovan, Oats, Drew, they’re not gonna go wild over a guy with zero NCAA wins.
Here’s what I will say about Mark Pope: He has way more shit to him than most realize. https://t.co/TB1r83GC1a
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart swung for Scott Drew, Dan Hurley and Nate Oats. He missed. 15 years ago, he was persuaded to go after someone with “baggage.” This time he went with his choice. Mark Pope.
Mark Pope was operations coordinator under Mark Fox at Georgia in 2009-10. Fox coached him as an assistant at Washington before Pope transferred to Kentucky. https://t.co/uPEbRwRfIA
In Phoenix, BYU head coach Mark Pope joined our show to tell his favorite Rick Pitino story. He also had some truly heartfelt things to say about Kentucky. Here is a portion of that interview: https://t.co/yuzbhObar7 https://t.co/iPQhoFpRw2
Spent some time talking to Pope when I did the BYU-LMU game last year. Think he's pretty sharp and intentional about what he's doing with program, and got results with it in Big 12 last year. https://t.co/4Bthmq3Sqo
After Alabama’s Nate Oats and Baylor’s Scott Drew, among others, withdrew from consideration, BYU head coach is reportedly a candidate for the Wildcats opening. | By @trentdwood https://t.co/PUQEZjbjRZ
The Pope hire possibly confirms something I heard on Monday, that Kentucky wanted a younger coach. May explain why Donovan, Pearl, Pitino were never in it.
Mark Pope to Kentucky, Pat Kelsey to Louisville. Neither were the first choice, but both should do well.
Mark Pope might be great at Kentucky. (Any competent coach should be great at Kentucky.) But I explained a few hours ago on the @EyeOnCBBPodcast why I would've aggressively pursued Billy Donovan, and the idea that UK reportedly didn't at all is pretty wild. https://t.co/TY06ANms2L
All I ask Kentucky fans: Give Mark Pope til the opening press conference. Super dynamic and he won at a place thats basically impossible in the modern era And he clearly knows Kentucky expectations. Give him a chance. You'll be impressed. And it's on him once the season starts
Have a feeling people are going to say Mark Pope is a boring hire or a low-ceiling hire. And I disagree. Established successful coach with nearly a decade of experience across three conferences, including the Big 12, AND an alumni from your program’s greatest team? High ceiling.
Very curious to see what BYU does now. Mark Pope was the super-obvious pick last time around. This time, though? Nothing super-obvious, or right down the street, staring you in the face.
Kentucky fans watching this coaching search https://t.co/NRzT9g8NI8
So I have a take: I don't hate hiring Mark Pope as head coach. I think there's a chance he's good. But you can hire Mark Pope in a week, month or two years. At that point, you have to wait out Billy Donovan and circle back with Pope when the NBA season is done
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
“Mark Pope?” Calipari: https://t.co/E4VaDAOq3p https://t.co/KIPQ7TPGVL
Mark Pope is absolutely a high-major head coach, but this feels like a real reach. https://t.co/ZT1H1zygJh
Honestly don’t know what to say. I like Mark Pope as a person. If it comes together, It’s not the hire I would have made
Kentucky is about to hire Mark Pope after never aggressively pursuing Billy Donovan at any point, according to @MattNorlander. Genuinely curious: How do UK fans feel about this? https://t.co/drjhzHxleY
Mark Pope is a solid coach that should do well but it will be hard to sell it after fans were told by national media that they had 100 million to throw around for Danny Hurley, Billy Donovan (who they never called), and every other big time name
Rick Pitino to BYU?
Mark Pope is going to show the country what Utah basketball is all about. A fun fun brand of hoops with some awesome hoopers. He will care too! An alum that won a national title at UK in the 90s. I’m a fan of this hire.