Kentucky Hires Alum Mark Pope To Lead Its Storied ProgramPhoto byBo Woodland (Picsart)

LEXINGTON- Following the abrupt resignation of men’s basketball coach John Calipari earlier this week, Kentucky finally has its man.

Ladies and gentlemen, let’s give a Big Blue welcome to…..Mark Pope?

Wait a minute? Who? With a wish list topped by names like Hurley, Drew, Donovan and even Nate Oats, Kentucky wound up Mark Pope?!?! Ehh, was Pat Knight too busy to accept your call? Has anyone talked to Billy Gillespie? Is he happy at Tarleton St.?

Ok, so maybe he's an upgrade over BCG? Let's hope so.

Nationally, Pope’s name doesn’t carry the cache of the other candidates Kentucky was looking to fill its vacancy. However, he’s no stranger to the Bluegrass State. Pope was a team captain and reserve forward on Rick Pitino’s 1996 national championship team.

Earlier this week Pitino said: “You have one of the premier young coaches in the game. Relish it because he will do you proud. I know I sit here today at St John’s, and I couldn’t be any more proud than to see Mark Pope lead the Kentucky Wildcats to another championship. He’ll get it done.”

Now, that he’s secured Rick Pitino’s vote of confidence. everyone should feel much better.

A Match Made In Big Blue Heaven

A Kentucky boy (kinda), leading the Kentucky program. How sweet.

Pope isn’t the splashy hire UK hoped to make with its first basketball hire in 15 years. He wasn’t the first choice, the second choice or even the third or fourth choice.

But, he may have been the only choice.

Talk to anyone associated with this programm and they’ll tell you it’s the best job in college basketball. Which must be the reason John Calipari bolted for Arkansas in the middle of the night. It also explains why the Wildcats search to replace him stretched out nearly a week as one premier coach after another politely declined the Wildcats offer.

The best job in America goes to….Mark Pope? A match made in Big Blue Heaven

My, how times have changed in basketball mad Kentucky.

A Steady Decline

Considered one of the bluest bloods of college basketball’s elite society, Kentucky hasn’t been very Kentucky of late. At one time, beating Kentucky any time was a big deal. Beating them in March? Almost unheard of. From 2010–2018, the Wildcats were 34–8 in the NCAA tournament, played in three Final Fours and two national championship games. The Wildcats split the difference, winning the 2012 national title and losing to UConn in 2014.

They ruled the SEC tournament with an iron fist, winning 6 SEC tournament titles and playing in the SEC tournament championship game in eight of those 9 seeasons. The Wildcats won 4 straight SEC tournament championships from 2015–2018 including a glorious stretch in which they won 13 straight conference tournament games and 15 of 16 overall from 2015–2019.Since then, UK is just 2–5 in SEC tournament play.

As for “The Big Dance” Kentucky, has been even more abysmal. In their last 3 NCAA tournament appearances, the Wildcats have failed to advance beyond the first weekend. In two of those three years, they’ve failed to make it out of the first round. In 2022, they were victimized by 15th seeded St, Peter’s. 2024 was nearly as bad, losing to no. 14 Oakland in the opening round. Since 2022, Kentucky is a combined 1–3 in the NCAA tournament.

As we speak, Adolph Rupp is rolling over in his grave at the mere thought of such a travesty.

Despite being retained by UK to lead its basketball program in 2024–25, longtime head coach John Calipari bolted for Arkansas earlier this week. If there were tears shed across the Bluegrass State when Calipari’s shocking announcement became public, they weren’t numerous in number. The program had fallen off and almost everyone associated with the program agreed it was time for a change.

Mark Pope, Really?

But, this is how you respond? Mark Pope, Really?

Let’s not try to glamourize Pope or pretend anyone is excited about the hire or the direction of the program moving forward. To his credit, Pope has spent the last 5 years at BYU. Not exactly a basketball hotbed. Under Pope, the Cougars were respectable, advancing to the NCAA tournament in 2019 and 2024. He went 87–41 overall.

But, this is Kentucky. Respectable in Lexington means a buyout of your contract and for sale signs in the front yard.

Kentucky fans. How do you feel about the hiring of Mark Pope. Let us know in the comments below.