Is Mark Pope a Bozo? History Tells Us Banners Come Quickly for Kentucky Coaches

Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope looks on during NCAA Tournament First Round Practice at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

It’s been a busy week for the Kentucky basketball program. Media Day, Pro Day, and the ensuing Big Blue Madness have served as the unofficial start to the season. While quotes are flying left and right, one in particular stood out.

“Since UK can do things no other school can financially, he would have to be a complete bozo to not win one (title) soon.”

That quote came from a nameless coach as a part of a preseason CBS Sports series where Matt Norlander uses anonymity to get a true baseline on how college basketball coaches feel about their peers. This week’s question was simple. “Which college basketball coach will be the next to win their first NCAA Tournament title?”

I think everyone around Big Blue Nation will tell you that Mark Pope is not a bozo. Most will probably say that he’ll win a National Championship soon, but how soon? That will determine if he actually is a bozo. Let me explain.

Kentucky Coaches in the Final Four

Joe B. Hall
First Final Four: Year 3 (1975)
First National Championship: Year 6 (1978)

Eddie Sutton
Zero Final Fours

Rick Pitino*
First Final Four: Year 2 (1993)
First National Championship: Year 5 (1996)

Tubby Smith
First Final Four: Year 1 (1998)
First National Championship: Year 1 (1998)

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Billy Gillispie
Zero Final Fours

John Calipari
First Final Four: Year 2 (2011)
First National Championship: Year 3 (2012)

Past Coaches Set Expectations

Every quality Kentucky basketball coach made it to a Final Four by year three and won a title by year six. The one exception was Rick Pitino, who inherited a program that had a three-year postseason ban. He got to a Final Four with Mashburn and Travis Ford in his fifth season, but it was only the second year the Cats were eligible to compete in the NCAA Tournament.

Even though the anonymous coach was insulting, he’s got a point. Eddie Sutton didn’t make it to a Final Four because his program got caught paying players. Not smart. Would anyone disagree that Billy Gillispie is a bozo? I don’t think so.

If Mark Pope is not a bozo, Kentucky fans should expect to see the Wildcats in the Final Four over the next two seasons and win a National Title in the next five years.

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