The conclusion of John Calipari’s era at the University of Kentucky opened up a unique opportunity for Mark Pope to return to the school where he once played and had deep ties. This unexpected vacancy at Kentucky was something Pope never envisioned, especially considering how successful Calipari had been. However, when the chance to succeed Calipari arose, Pope quickly seized the opportunity to step into the role of head coach, despite initially being taken by surprise when rumors began circulating that Calipari would leave Kentucky for Arkansas.
In an insightful new documentary series by Vice Sports, titled Calipari: Razor’s Edge, produced by Omaha Productions, Pope shared some of his personal thoughts on the unexpected developments surrounding Calipari’s move to Arkansas. KSR+ was recently provided with exclusive access to Pope’s candid reflections on the situation.
Pope vividly recalled a particular morning that left a lasting impression on him. He explained, “It’s Saturday morning at the semifinal game… I just finished working out and went to the hotel lounge, the M Club Lounge.” It was there that Pope unexpectedly ran into two of Kentucky’s most revered figures—Tubby Smith, another legendary coach with a deep Kentucky connection, and John Calipari himself. Pope, who was at that time the head coach of BYU, didn’t hesitate to approach the two men. He said, “I know Tubby. I know John. They’re fantastic. They’re Kentucky royalty, two of the greatest coaches to ever coach in this game. I’m coaching at BYU at that time, and I’m like, I’m going to go say hi to my guys. I totally fanboyed them. I’m like, I’m taking a picture, guys. I still have a picture from that morning.” For Pope, it was a surreal and almost fan-like moment, underscoring the immense respect he had for both Calipari and Smith.
Calipari had been the head coach of Kentucky from 2009 to 2024, leading the Wildcats to tremendous heights during his tenure. Under his leadership, Kentucky won a national championship in 2012 and made it to the Final Four four times in his first six years. His high-energy coaching style, combined with the influx of top-tier talent, solidified his legacy at one of the most storied programs in college basketball history. However, by the end of his time with the Wildcats, Calipari’s program had faced a series of setbacks, including a string of early exits from the NCAA Tournament. In fact, by 2019, the Wildcats had not made it past the Round of 32 in the tournament, which led to growing tension within the Kentucky basketball program.
Reflecting on the unexpected news of Calipari’s potential departure, Pope recalled, “I don’t know what it was. It was 30 hours later… news breaks that there’s a rumor about Calipari going to Arkansas. It blew my mind. Then, a few days later, I got a call, started a conversation with Mitch [Barnhart], and everything happened fast.” Pope, who had long admired Calipari from afar and considered him a mentor, was left stunned by the turn of events. The sudden rumor turned out to be true, and within a matter of days, Pope was in discussions with Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart about the vacant coaching position. It was a whirlwind sequence of events, but Pope was quick to jump at the chance to return to his alma mater and lead the Wildcats.
A Kentucky alumnus, Pope had played for Rick Pitino at Kentucky during his college years, where he earned a national championship ring in 1996. After transitioning to coaching, Pope found success at various levels, eventually taking the reins at BYU. Under his leadership, BYU became a consistent NCAA Tournament team, and in 2024, Pope led the Cougars to an impressive tournament berth. Pope’s success at BYU, coupled with his deep understanding of Kentucky’s culture and basketball legacy, made him the perfect candidate to replace Calipari when the opportunity arose.
Pope’s respect for Calipari was evident when he spoke about his predecessor. “I love Cal. I think he’s been, not only a great mentor and ambassador… He’s been a great mentor to me, he’s been a great mentor to just about every young coach in college basketball. He’s been a great ambassador for the game of college basketball. As a Kentucky alum and a die-hard Kentucky fan, I’m grateful to Cal for everything he did here. He had unbelievable runs here, and he kept Kentucky at the forefront of all of college basketball. He’ll be remembered here forever as a legend.” Pope acknowledged Calipari’s tremendous impact on the Kentucky program and college basketball as a whole, recognizing his success in maintaining Kentucky’s place as one of the premier programs in the sport.
In his first season at Kentucky, Mark Pope has had a mixed start, with the Wildcats sitting at 17-7 overall and 6-5 in the SEC, which places them eighth in the conference. Though his tenure has gotten off to a solid start, Pope faces high expectations from Kentucky fans who are accustomed to the program’s storied history of success. Meanwhile, Calipari’s new chapter at Arkansas has been challenging. The Razorbacks, under his leadership, are currently 14-9 overall and 3-7 in SEC play, tied for 13th place in the conference. Despite Arkansas’ struggles this season, the Razorbacks were able to defeat Kentucky in their head-to-head matchup, showcasing that Calipari’s ability to win still remains, even in a new environment.
The transition between Calipari and Pope marks a significant moment in Kentucky basketball history. Pope’s journey to leading the Wildcats is a reflection of both the challenges and rewards of coaching at one of the sport’s most high-profile programs. With Calipari’s legacy firmly in place, Pope now faces the task of continuing Kentucky’s winning tradition while carving out his own legacy in the Bluegrass State.
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