How did the strong fall?
Multiple top head coaching candidates have declined (or even tried?) positions with Kentucky’s men’s basketball program, and in response, the Wildcats have made their own bid to replace John Calipari. The decision was made to hire a head coach.
Kentucky has reached a settlement with BYU head coach Mark Pope and agreed to a five-year contract with the new captain, according to a report Thursday. ESPN. (Related: Caitlin Clark Effect: Indiana Fever to have 36 games on national TV in 2024, up from just one game in 2023)
Pope, a 1996 UK graduate, played two seasons as a Wildcat and earned a national championship ring with the program. In his five years as the Cougars’ head coach, Pope led the Cougars to March Madness twice. This past season, for example, BYU had a 23-11 record with him, but that was after moving to the Big 12 Conference. His overall record with the Cougars is 110 wins and 52 losses. Prior to that, he was the captain of the Utah Valley. He coached there for four seasons, compiling a 77-56 record.
In his nine years as a college basketball head coach, his overall record is 187 wins and 108 losses.
BREAKING: Kentucky has named BYU’s Mark Pope as its next coach, officials say @CBS Sports. Although nothing has been signed at this time, both sides are working quickly towards an agreement and hope to reach an agreement by the end of the night.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 12, 2024
I know what you’re asking yourself. Mark Pope? Who? Why did Kentucky choose this guy? ”
My feelings are exactly right, and from the looks of it, the Wildcats didn’t even try…
The Pope’s news came in this context through multiple sources: Britain did not actively pursue Billy Donovan at any point in the past four days, sources told CBS Sports. Ta. He was also told that he had no contact with Rick Pitino.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 12, 2024
What the heck is going on in Lexington right now?
