Dick Vitale named Mark Pope his Dickie V Coach of the Week

Dick Vitale knows the Kentucky-Florida basketball rivalry well. He had the best seat in the house for several games between the Wildcats and Gators, including the ’03 classic in Rupp Arena and many others for ESPN. Remember “This is an embarrassment!” when the Wildcats pummelled No. 1 Florida in Lexington?

Another top-10 Florida team lost in Rupp Arena this past weekend, and though Vitale wasn’t a part of the ESPN broadcast, he was impressed by what he saw from the game at home. So much so that on Monday, Vitale named Mark Pope his Coach of the Week across college basketball, one of four weekly Dickie V awards each week. Marquette’s Kam Jones won Player of the Week, Ian Jackson was Diaper Dandy of the Week, and West Virginia was his Team of the Week for upsetting No. 7 Kansas.

My DICKIE V WEEKLY WINNERS! @MarquetteMBB KAM JONES @UNC_Basketball IAN JACKSON @KentuckyMBB MARK POPE @WVUhoops COACH DeVRIES pic.twitter.com/ae9Y9FbNzz

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 6, 2025

Vitale pursuing a return to broadcasting

Dick Vitale remains optimistic about calling college basketball games again despite a fight with vocal cord cancer. Now cancer-free, he says, Vitale believes he has more broadcasting in him at 85 years old. Vitale recently told Seth Davis he hopes to be back as soon as the current season.

“I will have a better feel after the scoping of my vocal cords in early January. He was very optimistic after he heard my motivational tip of the day,” Vitale shared via text to Davis. “It really all depends on what happens during my exam with Dr Zeitels. Praying for good news!”

Vitale hasn’t called a game since the 2022-23 season.