Mark Pope, a former Kentucky player who has had a successful career as a D-I head coach, is reportedly set to become the Wildcats’ next men’s basketball coach. According to sources, Pope agreed to the position on Thursday afternoon after rejections from Baylor’s Scott Drew and UConn’s Dan Hurley. The deal is expected to be finalized on Thursday night, with Pope being offered a five-year contract averaging $5.5 million per season.
Pope played for Kentucky’s championship team in 1995-96 and has been eager for an opportunity to return to his alma mater. With nine years of D-I head coaching experience, including four at Utah Valley and the past five at BYU, Pope has a career record of 187-108, with a 110-52 mark at BYU. Despite being winless in the NCAA Tournament, Pope’s coaching style and energy were significant factors in his selection over other notable candidates like Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino.
Pope’s appointment as Kentucky’s head coach would make him only the second person in the program’s history, after Joe B. Hall, to have played for Kentucky and gone on to coach the team. His expected official announcement on Friday marks the beginning of a dream job for Pope, fulfilling his aspirations to lead the Wildcats on the court.
