In a homecoming that resonates deeply with the heart of Kentucky basketball, Mark Pope, a former captain of the University of Kentucky’s 1996 National Championship team, has been appointed as the 23rd head coach of the Wildcats’ esteemed men’s basketball program. The announcement, made by UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart on Friday, heralds a new chapter in the storied history of Kentucky basketball.
Pope brings a wealth of coaching experience, spanning nine years as a head coach at BYU and Utah Valley, with an impressive career record of 187-108. His coaching prowess is underscored by six postseason appearances and an unwavering commitment to excellence on and off the court.
Barnhart, in expressing his enthusiasm for Pope’s appointment, emphasized Pope’s profound connection to the University of Kentucky. As a revered member of the 1996 championship team, Pope embodies the spirit and tradition of Kentucky basketball. Barnhart highlighted Pope’s reputation as an innovator, known for his dynamic coaching style and unwavering integrity.
Pope’s successful tenure at BYU, where he compiled a remarkable 110-52 record, underscores his ability to build winning programs. Under his leadership, BYU secured three postseason appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Tournament. His teams consistently ranked among the top offensive units nationally, reflecting his strategic acumen and commitment to excellence.
For Pope, the opportunity to return to Kentucky holds profound significance. His deep-rooted love for the program and the Commonwealth is palpable, reflecting his transformative experience as a student-athlete at Kentucky. With an unwavering commitment to upholding Kentucky’s legacy of excellence, Pope is poised to lead the Wildcats back to national prominence.
Pope’s coaching journey, which began at Utah Valley before stints at BYU and as an assistant coach at Georgia and Wake Forest, reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence. As a former professional basketball player and standout collegiate athlete, Pope brings a unique blend of experience and passion to his coaching role.
With his appointment, Kentucky basketball embarks on a new era under the guidance of a leader whose dedication to the program is unmatched. As Pope assumes the helm of the Wildcats, he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of a passionate fan base, eager to witness the resurgence of Kentucky basketball on the national stage.
Pope is coming off a 23-11 season in 2023-24. It was BYU’s first season in the Big 12 Conference and the Cougars’ 10-8 league record featured victories over No. 7 Kansas, No. 11 Baylor and No. 24 Iowa State. BYU’s first win in the Big 12, on January 13 at Central Florida, also marked Pope’s 100th victory as head coach of the Cougars.
The Cougars ranked third in the country with 11.1 made 3-pointers per game in 2023-24, and also ranked in the top 10 in assists per game (3rd) and assist-to-turnover ratio (6th). BYU led the Big 12 in scoring at 81.4 points per game. They were ranked as high as No. 12 in the AP Poll after going 12-1 in nonconference action, winning the Vegas Showdown, BYU’s first multi-team event title since 2011. Pope was named to the 2024 Naismith College Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List for his efforts.
Pope’s teams also hit the postseason in 2020-21, finishing with a 20-7 mark and making BYU’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2015. The Cougars were 24-11 in 2021-22 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament. The Cougars captured win No. 60 under Pope in January of ‘22, making him the fastest BYU coach to achieve the mark.
Pope began his head coaching stint at BYU in the 2019-20 season, tallying a 24-8 record, the most wins for a first-year coach in program history. He finished the season ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and No. 16 in the USA Today/Coaches poll, becoming the first head coach at BYU to conclude the season with a national ranking in his first season. The Cougars finished second in the West Coast Conference with a 13-3 record. The Cougars also toppled No. 2-ranked Gonzaga, earning their best win over a ranked opponent inside their home venue in program history. The Covid pandemic prevented an almost-certain bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Pope’s Cougars were statistically among the top offenses in the nation in ’19-20. The Cougars finished the season ranked first in 3-point field goal percentage, second in assist-to-turnover ratio, third in field-goal percentage, fourth in 3-point field goals per game and fifth in assists per game.
Following his first season with the Cougars, Matt Norlander of CBS tabbed Pope as the best hire of the year. He was also awarded with the United States Basketball Writers Association District VIII Coach of the Year honor. He was a semifinalist for the Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year.
Pope’s first head coaching stint was a four-year term at Utah Valley. Beginning in 2015-16, the Wolverines increased their win total during every season of Pope’s tenure, culminating in a 25-10 overall mark and a runner-up finish in the Western Athletic Conference in 2018-19. Utah Valley was 30-2 at home from 2017-19, and the 25 wins in 2019 were a single-season school record.
He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Washington, where he was tabbed the 1992 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year. After his sophomore season, he transferred to Kentucky, where he appeared in every game of his two-year career with the Wildcats. UK won the 1995 and ‘96 regular-season Southeastern Conference championships, the ’95 SEC Tournament title and the 1996 NCAA Tournament. He averaged 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in 69 career games. Pope was named to the All-SEC Tournament Team in 1995, behind a pair of double-doubles in three games, including one in the title game that went to overtime.
Pope was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He played professional basketball from 1997-2005, including stints with Indiana, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets. In 2000-01, he started 45 games and helped the Bucks reach the Eastern Conference Finals.
Following his playing days, Pope enrolled in medical school at Columbia University and completed two years before returning to basketball. He joined Mark Fox’s staff at Georgia in 2009. He then spent one season as an assistant coach for Jeff Bzdelik at Wake Forest and four seasons at BYU under Dave Rose. The Cougars posted four straight 20-win seasons and advanced to postseason play in each of those four years, including three bids to the NCAA Tournament. His success as an assistant at BYU was the springboard to become head coach at Utah Valley.
Pope and his wife, Lee Anne, have four daughters, Ella, Avery Layla and Shay. He is a 1996 graduate of Kentucky with a degree in English.
Pope’s record as a head coach:
Season School Overall Conference, Place Postseason
2015-16               Utah Valley        12-18                    6-8, 5th                                Â
2016-17               Utah Valley        17-17                    6-8, 5th                                 College Basketball Invitational
2017-18               Utah Valley        23-11                    10-4, 2nd                              College Basketball Invitational
2018-19               Utah Valley        25-10                    12-4, 2nd                              College Basketball Invitational
2019-20               BYU                       24-8                      13-3, 2nd                              postseason canceled
2020-21               BYU                       20-7                      10-3, 2nd                              NCAA Tournament
2021-22               BYU                       24-11                    9-6, 5th                                 National Invitation Tournament
2022-23Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â BYUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 19-15Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 7-9, 5th
2023-24               BYU                       23-11                    10-8, 5th                              NCAA Tournament
