Fans, media react to Kentucky's reported hiring of Mark Pope to succeed John Calipari
Kentucky is closing in on hiring BYU coach Mark Pope to succeed John Calipari, according to multiple reports.
Pope is a former Kentucky player and was a member of the Wildcats’ 1996 national championship team before moving on to a professional career. He’s been a college coach since 2009 and has been a head coach — either at BYU or Utah Valley — for the past 9 seasons.
Pope does run a more modern offensive system compared to Calipari. The Cougars attempted over half of their shots from 3-point range this past season and ranked in the top-5 nationally in 3-point attempt rate.
Still, Pope’s hiring is controversial to say the least. Other more high-profile names such as Scott Drew, Nate Oats, Billy Donovan and Dan Hurley were linked to this job over the last few days.
Pope also has a lackluster postseason résumé to this point in his coaching career. He’s made just 2 NCAA Tournament appearances as a head coach and has not advanced in either trip to the Big Dance. On both occasions, Pope’s teams were upset in the Tournament by double-digit seeds.
Pope will be expected to win in the NCAA Tournament — and soon — at Kentucky. The Calipari era ended this week after 4 straight postseason failures, including embarrassing upset losses to Saint Peter’s and Oakland. The Wildcats have not been to the Sweet 16 since the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
How Pope operates on the recruiting trail will be something to watch. He’s never coached at a program like Kentucky where he’s been able to attract elite talent — either as a head coach or an assistant — so he’s somewhat untested as a recruiter against the nation’s other top programs.
Reaction to Pope’s reported hiring has ranged from anger (from fans) to a mixture of skepticism and optimism (from media). Here’s the best of that reaction:
And now there is proof
I honestly thought they were gonna wait on Donovan…and so did most people around the program
This won’t go over great https://t.co/DTHAGUJMeP
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 12, 2024
Barnhart doing his best to kill our program
Absolutely DISGUSTING
— The Kentucky Network (@KentuckyNet) April 12, 2024
Mark Pope is probably an upgrade in terms of on-court coaching (runs modern principles on offense, good coach) and a downgrade in program stability (will he consistently get kids? What level is he as a recruiter?)
Really interesting hire, honestly, for Kentucky. Could work well
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) April 12, 2024
https://twitter.com/DylanBallard_UK/status/1778603259080442345
Not sure what’s going on, I’m getting excited if it’s true that Mark Pope is in consideration for @KentuckyMBB HC position. Amazing coach, great person… battled w him daily as a Freshman & he taught me the level of intensity that the game needs to be played at. #BBN #GoBigBlue
— Nazr Mohammed (@NazrMohammed) April 12, 2024
This can’t be real? Did #Kentucky really hire Mark Pope? pic.twitter.com/Mg2N3XKFPv
— Message Board Geniuses (@BoardGeniuses) April 12, 2024
Mark Pope is an awesome personality and a good basketball coach, I think he will get a kick out of BBN reactions to his announcement
— Tate Frazier (@tatefrazier) April 12, 2024
If Mark Pope is the next coach at Kentucky as these reports indicate I think it’s a great move. Mark is super smart and engaging, coaches an entertaining style, understands the job and won’t get caught up in the wrong stuff. All things considered this ended well for Kentucky.
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) April 12, 2024
Barnhart has to make one big decision for the first time in 15 years and folds harder than ever recorded
— Eli Cox (@elic0Xx) April 12, 2024
If Mark Pope is hired at Kentucky I just feel compelled to say that Mark is one of the best people you could ever know. Fierce competitor. Man of character and integrity. Someone you feel comfortable sending your son to play for. A GREAT player. Better coach.
— Rex Chapman?? (@RexChapman) April 12, 2024
The Pope hire possibly confirms something I heard on Monday, that Kentucky wanted a younger coach. May explain why Donovan, Pearl, Pitino were never in it.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) April 12, 2024
Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart swung for Scott Drew, Dan Hurley and Nate Oats.
He missed.
15 years ago, he was persuaded to go after someone with “baggage.”
This time he went with his choice.
Mark Pope.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) April 12, 2024
This is an absolutely atrocious process from Barnhart. Pope was taking this job next week, a month from now, etc. Mitch Barnhart seriously needs to be fired over this. https://t.co/mr0AhTwTBM
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) April 12, 2024
Mark Pope might be great at Kentucky. (Any competent coach should be great at Kentucky.) But I explained a few hours ago on the @EyeOnCBBPodcast why I would've aggressively pursued Billy Donovan, and the idea that UK reportedly didn't at all is pretty wild. pic.twitter.com/TY06ANms2L
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) April 12, 2024
I’m of the opinion Mark Pope is a really, really good college basketball coach. Still an underwhelming hire for UK.
On another note: BBN is preparing the Nukes and it’s been a joy to watch in real time on this app.
— Ethan Stone (@Ethanstone23) April 12, 2024
From what I’ve been able to gather, that’s true. Kept hearing Donovan would be open to listening, but no major push was made. Wild. https://t.co/fMCcrwHALF
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) April 12, 2024
I need Mitch Barnhart fired from his job immediately.
— Big Blue Carti (@BigBlueCarti) April 12, 2024
Kentucky has not yet announced this hire.
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Who?!?!
Who knows if UK wanted to go in this direction with a young coach it sounds like. UK fan’s have to get on board and support him. With what he did at BYU we can all only imagine what he can do at UK with the talent he will be able attract to UK.UK has and will always be a traditional great basketball program.Pope will just be the new era of that same program
The Blue meltdown may be a bit premature. Coaching ability and recruiting matters but in this new world the real question is whether Pope will have enough NIL money to buy the players that he will need. I suspect that the coaches that turned Kentucky down were more comfortable where they were.
I agree. I believe he will probably do fine and that the fans will (gradually) learn to love him. If so, he may be here for a long while.
Certainly underwhelming from a fan standpoint, but the folks that know him seem to think that he is a good hire. If he is indeed the guy, UK fans will need to rally around him.
The folks in Utah seem to be very disappointed that he is leaving, but understanding his decision and wishing him well.
I was mad last night. Slept on it, and while I still much prefer Billy D – I understand UK couldnt have waited on him not knowing when the Bulls will finish. Pope is a UK guy that loves the school. Won a ship here. We have to get behind him. If you are mad at anything be mad at Barnhart.
I think he will be fine here. His former teammates and Pitino all seemed to really like the decision to hire him. We’ll see how it goes. Definitely an upgrade from the past few years.
as some others have alluded, this really isn’t as bad of a hire as the initial reaction suggests.
his former teammates are speaking highly of him. he’s won a champ at uk, so he’s seen what it takes front and center. he’s been in the league. he’s coached at uga. he’s had a nice track record as a hc. first season with his team in going up against the grind of the big 12, he succeeded.
As the Big 12 was probably the toughest conference in which to win the past couple of years, a 5th place finish is not at all bad. That is about where we finished in the SEC this year and we were really a good team before the post-season.
Mitch panicked.
Billy D Would have been a mistake, even if he did finally decide to come (after everyone was going to be gone from the transfer portal). He got out of college ball 9 years ago in order to not deal with recruiting as it existed at that time.
I would’ve preferred he hire Luke Murray if he was going the youth and drive route.
Nevertheless, an upgrade over recent results is hoped with in this admirable individual.
Give the man a chance. Just may surprise all you naysayers! Also, if Calipari is telling the truth, then BBN needs to step up its NIL program. Same can be said for football as well. I believe Stoops has already stated this issue.
You get what you pay for in today’s NIL world.
NIL starting to come in. Apparently a lot of boosters were holding back until Cal was gone, at least according to some reports. A $4M commitment has already been pledged (from two individuals).
Great hire-couldn’t be happier.
HA! Great response, Oskie. Love the sarcasm.