Mark Pope made a bold move ahead of the 2024-25 college basketball season when he accepted the head coaching job at the University of Kentucky. Taking the reins from John Calipari, who had helmed the program for over a decade, Pope stepped into one of the most prestigious and high-pressure roles in college basketball. He arrived in Lexington following an impressive five-year stint at BYU, where he developed a reputation for building competitive teams and emphasizing strong fundamentals.
In his first season back at his alma mater, Pope quickly proved he belonged. He led the Wildcats to a 24-12 record and guided them to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament — a strong foundation for a new era of Kentucky basketball. Expectations are high as the program enters the offseason, a critical period for shaping the future roster and refining the team’s identity for the 2025-26 campaign.
