John Calipari is rooting for Mark Pope and Kentucky: "They hired the perfect guy."

Mark Pope has refused to let the transition of power in Lexington be anything but peaceful, raving about the job John Calipari did at Kentucky and embracing the Hall of Fame-sized shoes he has to fill with the Wildcats. His predecessor’s departure to Arkansas may have been polarizing for those on the outside looking in, but for the new guy taking over, he’s happy to admit he’s rooting for Calipari’s success.

Well, outside of their head-to-head battle inside Rupp Arena on February 1, of course.

“You’ll never hear me say a negative word about Coach Cal, because there’s not a lot to say,” Pope said in his first-ever SEC Media Day on Tuesday. “He’s a Hall of Fame coach. As a diehard Kentucky fan and alumnus and former player, I’m grateful for everything, all the incredible things that Cal accomplished at the University of Kentucky.

“And he’s also been a good friend, he’s been a terrific mentor. … We’ll be cheering for him every day like crazy, except for February 1.”

No controversy there. And there won’t be any from Coach Cal, either — no matter the clicks and headlines that’d pull.

When asked about his unique relationship with Pope and his thoughts on the new head coach’s first six months on the job, Calipari said there is no better person to replace him in Lexington than the guy Mitch Barnhart hired back in April. It’s a perfect fit, someone who understands the magnitude of the job.

“I think they hired the perfect guy for that job,” Calipari told KSR at SEC Media Day. “Part of it is because he played there, graduated from there, has a heart for the place and has an idea of what that is. When I walked in, I had Coach (Joe. B) Hall. I had Coach (Tubby) Smith too, but it was Coach Hall. It’s a different place if you’re just walking in, but he’s been there and understands it.”

Calipari hasn’t obsessed over Pope’s every move and the day-to-day at Kentucky since he left — he’s got a lot on his plate, he says — but there is nothing but love in his heart for the place he called home for 15 years.

“He and I have talked. I am fully immersed in what I’m doing. I’m like — you won’t believe this. I’m doing a lot of stuff, and I don’t have time for any of the other stuff, any of the things out there,” Calipari told KSR. “I’ll be rooting for ’em. I want Kentucky (to do well). Come on, man. 15 years. I gave them my heart and soul.”

Like Pope, Calipari will be rooting for his former program to do well — again, on most days.

“You think I want — I want them to do well. Except on what date? (February 1.) OK, that date,” he joked.

Coach Cal has always said he wanted Kentucky to be left in good hands the day he walked away. Looking back six months later, the Hall of Fame coach is confident it is with Mark Pope leading the way.

“He’s a good man and a terrific basketball coach,” Calipari said. “They hired the right guy. They really did.”