LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky coach Mark Pope's frustration after Saturday's one-point loss at Auburn has now come with a price tag.
The Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday that Pope has been fined $25,000 and issued a public reprimand for comments made following the Wildcats' 75-74 defeat. The announcement comes before Kentucky faces face South Carolina in Columbia, looking to end the first three-game losing streak of the Pope era.
According to the league, the discipline stems from Pope's "postgame conduct and comments related to officiating."
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The SEC cited Bylaw 10.5.3, which prohibits coaches, players and staff from publicly criticizing officials. The commissioner's regulation regarding public criticism of officials also bars direct complaints, accusations of bias and even indirect or implied criticism, as well as public discussion of private communications with the conference office or officiating supervisors – extending even to social media platforms.
Pope's postgame news conference in Auburn lasted less than four minutes but was charged with visible frustration.
The Wildcats had just fallen after a controversial offensive foul was called on guard Collin Chandler in the closing seconds. The call returned possession to Auburn, which scored the winning points on a third-chance put-back basket with 1.2 seconds remaining.
"Well, we're not allowed to talk about the referees," Pope said. "But you guys saw it. And I think sometimes it's just super personal. I'm not allowed to comment on the referees. I won't comment on the referees."
When asked what he told his team afterward, Pope leaned into a broader message about control and resilience.
"We refuse to give control to people that are outside of our program. Refuse," he said. "Regardless of how personal it might get, or how bad it might get, we refuse to give control to fans, to give control to anybody else associated with this game, regardless of how blatantly people are trying to make this not happen, we refuse to give them our power.
"We're not giving away our power. We don't make excuses. Regardless of what is happening — regardless of how disgraceful things are — we don't give away our power."
As he stepped away from the podium, however, Pope made another remark within earshot of reporters, directing it toward athletics director Mitch Barnhart.
"Mitch, if those MFers try to fine me, screw 'em," Pope said. "Because I did not say a word about how they cheated us."
The SEC said fines assessed to schools and individuals are directed into the league's post-graduate scholarship fund.
Kentucky's tipoff Tuesday at South Carolina is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast by the SEC Network.
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