Mark Pope will officially become Kentucky's new men's basketball coach, the school announced Friday.
Pope was the captain of Kentucky's 1996 national championship team and has been the head coach at BYU for the past five seasons. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart selected Pope after several prominent candidates turned down the job or distanced themselves from the search.
“Mark Pope has not only achieved great results in his nine years as head coach, but he has also shown a love for the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state.” Barnhart said. “As captain of the 1996 championship team, Mark was a beloved and respected teammate. As a head coach, he is nationally acclaimed as an innovator. His teams were unique, dynamic, and Run a tempo offense and keep going after it.'' He is a strong recruiter with international connections and a man of integrity.
“He fully buys into our high expectations and standards and is eager to join what promises to be an exciting ride as our fans reacquaint themselves with Mark.” You would think so.”
Kentucky did not disclose the terms of the deal, but sources told ESPN Thursday that the two sides are finalizing a five-year deal.
Pope replaces Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, who left this week for the Arkansas Razorbacks after 15 seasons in Lexington. Calipari led the Wildcats to four Final Four appearances and a national championship in 2012.
“The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball. It is the definition of a blueblood program that is expected to raise the banner every year,” Pope said. “Just as importantly, Britain has changed my life as a human being forever. My love and passion for this program, this university and the people of the Commonwealth has reached deep into my soul. I'll come.
“I am grateful to Dr. [Eli] Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart for this occasion. I’m proud to be your next head coach and can’t wait to do this together!”
Pope led BYU to two NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons, with an overall record of 110-52 with the Cougars. In the 2023-24 season, their first season in the Big 12, they exceeded expectations, finishing tied for fifth in the league with 23 wins and 11 losses.
Before taking the position at BYU in 2019, Pope was the head coach at Utah Valley for four seasons. Although the Wolverines never won a regular season title under Pope, he posted a 48-21 record in his final two seasons and a 22-8 league record.
Pope hasn't had much success at a high level, failing to win a regular season or conference tournament in his nine seasons as head coach. His teams also suffered upset losses in the first round of each of their NCAA Tournament appearances, losing again in 2021 as 6-seed vs. 11-seed UCLA and last month against 6-seed vs. 11-seed Duquesne.
After leading Kentucky to a national championship in 1996, Pope played seven seasons in the NBA. He completed his two years of medical school at Columbia University and joined Mark Fox's staff at the University of Georgia in 2009. Pope then spent one year as an assistant coach at Wake Forest and four years as an assistant coach under Dave Rose at BYU.
Kentucky and Barnhart pivoted to Pope Thursday night after Baylor University's Scott Drew and UW's Dan Hurley declined to resign earlier in the day. Alabama's Nate Oats and former Villanova coach Jay Wright previously announced they would not pursue the jobs, and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan remains committed to the team and is currently pursuing a career at Kentucky. He said he has not had any contact with him.