Kentucky Officially Announces Mark Pope as Next Basketball Coach

It’s officially official. On Friday morning the University of Kentucky announced former Wildcat Mark Pope will be the school’s 23rd head basketball coach.

John Calipari’s successor spent the last nine years at BYU and Utah Valley where he went 187-108. Pope tallied six 20-win seasons and made six NCAA Tournament appearances. He oversaw BYU’s successful transition to the Big 12 last season where the Cougars went 23-11 and earned a No. 6 in the Big Dance.

“Mark Pope not only brings an impressive record in nine years as a head coach, but also a love of the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state,” Barnhart said. “As a captain on the ‘96 championship team, Mark was a beloved and respected teammate. As a head coach, he is highly regarded nationally as an innovator. His teams run a unique and dynamic up-tempo offense and they get after it on defense. He is a strong recruiter with international ties and a person of integrity.

“He fully embraces our high expectations and standards and I know that as our fans get reacquainted with Mark, they will be eager to join him on what promises to be an exciting ride.”

Pope began his college basketball playing career at Washington before transferring to Kentucky. He was a captain on the 1996 National Championship team.

“The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball. It’s the definition of blueblood program where hanging a banner is the expectation ever year,” Pope said. “Equally as important, UK changed my life forever as a human being. The love and passion I have for this program, this University and the people of the Commonwealth goes to the depth of my soul.

“I’m thankful to Dr. (Eli) Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart for this opportunity. I’m proud to be your next head coach and I can’t wait to do this together!”

Kentucky will make Pope one of the ten-highest paid coaches in college basketball. He’s reportedly signing a 5-year deal worth $5.5 million annually before incentives.

Following his playing days at UK, Pope was drafted by the Indiana Pacers. Once his professional career ended in 2005, the Rhodes Scholar candidate attended Columbia Medical School. Two years later he returned to the basketball world and began his climb up the coaching ranks.

Got thoughts? Continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1.