Kentucky expected to hire Mark Pope as new head coach

Mark Pope is currently serving as the head men's basketball coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. He was appointed to this position in March 2019, succeeding Dave Rose who retired after 13 seasons with the team. Prior to joining BYU, Pope had an extensive coaching career at various levels, including stints at Nevada, Utah Valley University, and most notably, as an assistant coach under Brad Stevens with the Boston Celtics in the NBA from 2013 to 2019.

Under Pope's leadership, BYU has experienced notable success. In the 2019-2020 season, the Cougars finished with a record of 24-9 (14-4 in West Coast Conference play), earning them a bid to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament for the first time since 2015. They were seeded 11th in the West Region but were unfortunately eliminated in the First Four by 6th-seeded Oregon in overtime.

The following season, despite facing numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BYU managed to secure another NCAA Tournament berth with a 19-9 (13-5 in WCC) record. They were seeded 9th in the West Region but were eliminated in the First Round by 1-seed Gonzaga.

Pope's coaching tenure at BYU has been marked by a focus on team defense and a commitment to developing players both on and off the court. He has been praised for his ability to connect with his players and instill a strong work ethic in them.

Now, with reports indicating that he is set to become the next head coach at the University of Kentucky, Pope is poised to take on a new challenge in one of college basketball's most storied programs. The Wildcats have a rich history of success, having won eight NCAA championships and 33 SEC regular-season titles. The expectations for the program are always high, and Pope will have his work cut out for him in trying to build on that legacy.

However, with his proven track record of success at BYU and his experience at the NBA level, Pope is well-equipped to handle the challenges that come with leading a program like Kentucky. The Wildcats' fanbase is eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new coach and the potential impact he could have on the team.

In summary, Mark Pope is a highly experienced basketball coach who has had success at various levels, including at BYU where he led the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances in the past four years. He is now expected to become the next head coach at the University of Kentucky, where he will look to build on the program's storied history and continue its tradition of excellence.