Kentucky is close to hiring former player Mark Pope to replace John Calipari

According to various media outlets and reports, the University of Kentucky is in advanced negotiations with Mark Pope, a former Wildcats basketball player and current head coach of Brigham Young University (BYU), to become the next head coach of the Kentucky men's basketball team. This news comes after John Calipari announced his decision to step down from his position as head coach of the Wildcats after 10 successful seasons.

Mark Pope, who was a member of Kentucky's 1996 NCAA championship team, has had an impressive coaching tenure at BYU since taking over in 2016. In his five seasons with the Cougars, he led them to a remarkable record of 110-52 (.679), including a 23-11 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 2022-2023 season.

Prior to his time at BYU, Pope spent eight seasons as the head coach at Utah Valley University (UVU), where he compiled an impressive record of 77-56 (.583). During his tenure at UVU, he led the team to three consecutive 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Pope's coaching success can be attributed to his ability to develop talent and build strong team dynamics. Under his guidance, several players have gone on to have successful professional careers, including BYU's Alex Barcello and Gideon George, who were both named to the All-WCC First Team this season.

The potential hire of Mark Pope by Kentucky would mark an exciting return for the Wildcats, as he was a key contributor during their 1996 championship season. His coaching experience and success at both UVU and BYU make him an excellent candidate for the position and a promising leader for the future of Kentucky basketball.

However, it's important to note that no official announcement has been made by either Kentucky or BYU regarding this matter. The negotiations are ongoing and the deal has not yet been finalized. Once an official announcement is made, more details regarding the terms of the contract and other related information will be made available.

In summary, Mark Pope, a former Kentucky Wildcats player and current head coach of BYU, is reportedly in advanced negotiations with the University of Kentucky to become their next head coach of men's basketball. He has had an impressive coaching record at both UVU and BYU and would bring valuable experience and success to the Wildcats if hired. The deal has not yet been finalized and an official announcement has not been made.