It’s been a strange offseason for Kentucky Wildcats fans.
Not only did John Calipari leave the team for conference rivals Arkansas, but they struggled to get any of the coaches they first targeted. The situation got so awkward that even one head coach admitted that it was embarrassing to see the Wildcats stumble like that in their search for a new head coach.
However, their search seems to have come to an end as they’re set to sign BYU Cougars head coach Mark Pope to take over the program. The signing is shocking since he wasn’t even in the grapevine among analysts who were considering which head coach would take over the post.
However, fans were less than happy with the chosen replacement for Calipari and didn’t hesitate to share their thoughts on social media.
Kentucky Wildcats fans react to the surprise hiring of Mark Pope
Fans didn’t hesitate to question the Kentucky Wildcats’ decision to hire Pope, who has been with BYU for five seasons now with only two first-round exits to show for.
One fan got especially explicit with his rant about the Mark Pope hiring:
When life gives you lemons, you make dog shit #BBN https://t.co/hoABLFdx5m pic.twitter.com/2BPsBBQ9OR
— Samurai Hoops (@samurai_hoops) April 12, 2024
Some sections of the fanbase openly questioned whether the UK heirarchy are still deserving of their positions in the organization:
— Jennifer Lindsey (@jlindsey62371) April 12, 2024
It’s time to reevaluate the leadership of UK Athletics from top to bottom. #BBN
— Adam Edelen (@adamhedelen) April 12, 2024
Mitch Barnhart should lose his job over this. Absolutely no way you hire Pope when Donovan made people aware he’s interested. I’m sorry but this is a joke.
— Big Blue Express (@bigbluexpress) April 12, 2024
Why was Pope selected as the next Kentucky head coach?
It’s easy to see why many of Kentucky’s fans are uncertain with the hiring. They were linked to the likes of Nate Oats and Dan Hurley, no matter how unlikely the Wildcats’ chances of getting the two were.
However, Pope was a solid contributor during his two years with the Wildcats in the 90s. As a senior, Pope contributed 7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks over 36 games as a 6’10” center.
His coaching career has been good but doesn’t have anything to write home about. He first cut his teeth as Utah Valley’s head coach from 2015-2019, where he had a 77-56 record.
He continued the good times with BYU, where he enjoyed a more impressive 110-52 win-loss record as head coach. However, it’s also undeniable that he’s never made it out of the first round of March Madness.
It may be the Kentucky Wildcats taking a leap of faith with Pope. It may also be the team option for a fresh option. Regardless the reason, the only way they can make the doubters shut up is through dominant play on the hardwood.
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