Mark Pope is officially Kentucky's new men's basketball coach, the school announced Friday. Pope was a captain on Kentucky's 1996 national …
Storyboard
Kentucky Takes 'Massive Gamble' in Hiring Mark Pope
Expectations are always high in Lexington, where legends like Rupp and Pitino have guided the Wildcats to eight national titles since 1948. Now, the burden will fall on Pope, a captain on Kentucky’s 1996 championship team, after UConn’s Dan Hurley and Baylor’s Scott Drew turned down the job. Read about the hiring that, despite Pope’s connection to the program, has many fans feeling blue. Plus, what led John Calipari to leave Kentucky? Arkansas’ massive NIL war chest didn’t hurt.
Pope Brings 'Impressive Record' to Kentucky
His most-recent BYU team surpassed expectations, but Pope has yet to win a conference title or an NCAA tournament game.
Will Kentucky Become National Contender?
Expectations will be enormous from day one.
Rejuvenated Calipari inherits NIL War Chest
He has "no team" after portal transfers and eligibility expirations, but Calipari will have the funding to draw recruits.
Will UK Fans Grow to Love Pope?
Plus, how BYU moves forward after the coach's departure.
More College Basketball Coverage
Get all the news and analysis from top sources across both women’s and men’s NCAA hoops in the U.S. All articles are curated by Flipboard’s human editors.
