LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Mark Pope, the captain and starting center for the University of Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA title team, will follow John Calipari as the Wildcats’ men’s basketball coach.

UK made the news official Friday morning with this tweet, selecting Pope, who won 68% of his games the last five seasons while taking a pair of teams to the NCAA Tournament at Brigham Young.

“Mark Pope not only brings an impressive record in nine years as a head coach, but also a love of the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state,” UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart said in an e-mailed statement.

“As a captain on the ‘96 championship team, Mark was a beloved and respected teammate. As a head coach, he is highly regarded nationally as an innovator. His teams run a unique and dynamic up-tempo offense and they get after it on defense. He is a strong recruiter with international ties and a person of integrity. 

“He fully embraces our high expectations and standards and I know that as our fans get reacquainted with Mark, they will be eager to join him on what promises to be an exciting ride.” 

Mark Pope knows a thing or two about Wildcat tradition.

Pope, 51, was also the head coach at Utah Valley State for four seasons but has never won an NCAA Tournament game.

UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart chose Pope after Baylor coach Scott Drew declined to make the move on Thursday. UConn coach Danny Hurley, Alabama coach Nate Oats and former Villanova coach Jay Wright all publicly said they were not interested in following Calipari, who left UK after 15 seasons to become the head coach at Arkansas.

“The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball. It’s the definition of blueblood program where hanging a banner is the expectation ever year,” Pope said in the UK statement.

“Equally as important, UK changed my life forever as a human being. The love and passion I have for this program, this University and the people of the Commonwealth goes to the depth of my soul.

“I’m thankful to Dr. (Eli) Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart for this opportunity. I’m proud to be your next head coach and I can’t wait to do this together!”

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