BYU Photo
Mark Pope has been named Kentucky Men’s Basketball Head Coach. This comes after John Calipari leaves the program for the coaching job at Arkansas.
Mark Pope’s Playing Career
Pope played at Kentucky from 1993-1996 where he played in 69 games with 1,459 minutes. During those 1,459 minutes, he had 546 points, 394 rebounds, 66 assists, 60 steals, and 82 blocks. From 1993 to 1996 years he also was named All-Sec Tourney during the 1995 season. After his collegiate career, he was drafted by the Indiana Pacers and then spent time with Nuggets over his career he played in 153 games with 1,634 minutes. During those 153 games, he had 285 points, 261 rebounds, 63 assists, 32 steals, 45 blocks, and 242 personal fouls.
Coaching Career
Mark Pope started his career at Georgia where he was director of Basketball Operations from 2009-2010. He then moved on to being an assistant coach at Wake Forest from 2010-2011. Pope then coached alongside Dave Rose as a BYU assistant coach from 2011-2015. He then was named Head Coach at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah where he coached from 2015-2019. After that, he returned to BYU as Head Coach after Dave Rose retired in 2019. Pope has coached for the Cougars from 2019-2024. His next adventure will be at his alma mater Kentucky University.
From 2011 to 2015 with the Cougars he helped coach the Cougars to a 98-43 record and three NCAA tournament appearances with a trip to the NIT semifinals. During his time as Head Coach at UVU, he led the Wolverines to a 77-56 record. They were 30-2 at home from 2017-2019 and also went to the CIB all three seasons.
In his most recent job with the Cougars, he has led them to a 110-51 record over five seasons. He is the fastest coach in program history 60 wins. Won ten or more games in Provo at home in all five of his seasons and won his 100th game at home on Jan, 13th 2024. Led the Cougars to fifth place in the Big 12 with a 10-8 record with wins over No. 7 Kansas, No.11 Baylor, and No. 24 Iowa State.
BYU Statements
Tom Holmoe AD
“We want to thank Coach Pope for all that he has given to the BYU men’s basketball program in his nine years here as an assistant and head coach,” BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe said. “His unique combination of passion, dedication, creativity, and excitement has inspired our BYU community. He led our team to a very successful inaugural Big 12 season and left the program in a position of strength moving forward. There is a lot for Cougar Nation to be excited about right now. We wish Mark all the best as the head coach at his alma mater. He will always be a part of our BYU family.”
Kentucky Statements
Mitch Barnhart AD
“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.
Mark Pope Head Coach
“The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball. It’s the definition of a blueblood program where hanging a banner is the expectation every year,” Pope said. “Equally as important, the 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!”
