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Pope fanfare on full display as Big Blue Nation welcomes its new head coach

In his nine years as a head coach, Pope has a record of 187-108.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Whether it comes as a surprise or not University of Kentucky fans in Louisville weren't all that surprised to see former basketball head coach, John Calipari, head for the exit last week.

"He said he was only going to stay ten years he ended up staying 15," Gary Brumleve, a Kentucky fan, said. "Might have been five years too long." 

"I didn't think it was that big a thing because I thought that he was eventually going to be forced out after his recent string of losses in the early rounds of the tournaments," Gene Leach, a Louisville fan, said.

Now, former Wildcat and national champion Mark Pope, who's coached at Brigham Young University the last five seasons, will be at the helm of one of college hoops best programs next season.

"The talk is he's one of our own. And let's give him a chance and get behind him and go [Big Blue Nation]," Brumleve said.

"I was surprised that they had to go that far down their list to get a coach," Leach said. "Because I know they had a lot of guys in line before him." 

His hiring comes after names like UConn's Dan Hurley and Baylor's Scott Drew reportedly turned down the job.

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Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls was thought to be the next candidate on the list, but Matt Norlander of CBS Sports reported Kentucky did not aggressively pursue Donovan. 

While a fan favorite, Pope has some big shoes to fill.

In 15 years with the Kentucky, Calipari amassed a national championship and three Final Four appearances.

In his nine years as a head coach, Pope has a record of 187-108.

Credit: (AP Photo/James Crisp)
Mark Pope exits a bus he rode into the arena, carrying the 1996 Championship Trophy at an event naming him head coach of the UK men's basketball team.

Since being with the Cougars he's taken two teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and 2024, however, he's yet to win an NCAA Tournament game.

"Well, he's 6'8'' or 6'10''. I'm sure he's got big shoes. He's already got 'em filled," Brumleve said, jokingly.

Head toward Lexington, Sunday, and you'd see Mark Pope fanfare everywhere.

"It's incredible, I mean, you can't get this in Arkansas, that's all I gotta' say," Cameron Wright, dressed up as the "Pope," said. "(I'm) very excited, very energized. It's a breath of fresh air to have somebody in here that bleeds blue and played for us and won a national championship and cares about the state of Kentucky."

One Lexington couple decided Pope's homecoming was the perfect way to spend their 35th wedding anniversary.

"I asked her where she wanted to go eat. She said, 'Well, we could go to UK at the Rupp Arena and welcome Mark Pope here,' and here we are. Go Big Blue Nation!" Steven Smith said.

Other fans decided no trip was too far to catch a glimpse of Pope's Kentucky welcome.

"Yes! All the way from New York! I am so excited but I will miss Cal," Ali Shachaffin said. 

Fans said they're interested to see how Pope navigates recruitment, a top priority for him and the team.

"There's gonna be some growing pains. Now they got money to bring in NIL. They got money to bring those guys in there," Leach said. "So along with the new guy, if he mixes them right, then there's no reason for him not to have a good year."

Contact reporter Connor Steffen at csteffen@whas11.com or on FacebookTwitter or Instagram. 

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