Mark Pope has enjoyed an eventful few days ahead of his maiden season as Kentucky’s new men’s basketball head coach. The news of his mentor and St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino returning to Lexington has made him an even happier man.
Pitino will attend a football game between the Wildcats and the Vanderbilt Commodores on October 12. During a press conference on the Wildcats’ Media Day on Tuesday, Pope couldn’t contain his joy knowing he will meet Pitino very soon.
“I’m really excited,” said Pope. “Coach hit me a week ago and he kind of asked me but he really told me he’s coming back so I sat down with the staff and said you’re going to have to carry the day.
“Any time I get to spend some time with Coach is incredibly well spent.”
Mark Pope shares a special relationship with Rick Pitino
The relationship between Mark Pope and spans nearly three decades. Pope emerged as a top talent when he played for the Wildcats from 1994 to 1996, during which Pitino was the program’s head coach.
Pope was the captain for the Wildcats’ 1996-winning team, during which he averaged 7.6 points and 5.1 rebounds. In three seasons with the Wildcats, Pope averaged 7.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 69 games, and the Indiana Pacers rewarded his efforts by making him a second-round pick in the 1996 NBA draft.
After spending nine seasons in the NBA, Pope pursued a coaching career in college basketball. His most notable stint was with the BYU Cougars, tallying a 110-52 record in five seasons.
The departure of John Calipari to the Arkansas Razorbacks offered Pope the opportunity to come full circle with the Wildcats, as he replaced him as head coach. He received a special endorsement from Pitino, who believed the program will be on its way back to the top.
“Right now, they have a fabulous program with all sports and I think that it’s going to be a special, special time for Mark Pope and the University of Kentucky Wildcats.”
Pitino will stay at an old Kentucky home during his visit to the University of Kentucky. With the biggest preseason event of Wildcats basketball, taking place this Friday, October 11, there is a slim possibility of Pitino coming to Rupp Arena for the event.
Pope will look to make a strong start to life at Kentucky, with the Wildcats opening their season with a home game against the Wright State Raiders on November 4.
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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh
