LEXINGTON, Kentucky – After an extensive search for a new men’s basketball coach, the University of Kentucky is set to hire Mark Pope, the current coach of BYU. This decision comes after Kentucky’s initial overtures to Scott Drew of Baylor and Dan Hurley of UConn were declined. Pope, a former player on Kentucky’s 1995-96 championship team, has been offered a five-year deal with an average annual salary of $5.5 million, sources revealed. The agreement is expected to be finalized by Thursday night.
Pope’s coaching experience includes four years at Utah Valley and the past five years at BYU, where he led the Cougars to a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament this year. Despite a first-round exit, Pope’s track record and coaching style impressed the selection committee at Kentucky. The 51-year-old coach, known for his high-energy approach, emerged as the top choice over other notable candidates like Billy Donovan and Rick Pitino.
The decision to hire Pope was influenced by his connection to Kentucky as an alumnus and his desire to return to his alma mater. His success at BYU, where he revamped the team’s offensive strategy and achieved a top-15 offense in college basketball, solidified his position as the leading candidate for the coaching job. With enthusiastic support from former players and Kentucky’s athletic director Mitch Barnhart, Pope’s hiring is anticipated to bring a fresh perspective and energy to the program.
If the agreement is finalized, Pope will be following in the footsteps of Joe B. Hall as one of the few men’s basketball coaches at Kentucky who have both played for and coached the team. The official announcement of Pope’s hiring is expected to be made on Friday, marking a significant moment for the university and its basketball program. Pope’s appointment represents a new chapter in Kentucky basketball history and signals a return to the program’s roots with a coach who embodies the spirit and legacy of the Wildcats.