SALTY: Mark Pope's Lack of BYU Respect Since Taking Kentucky Job is Odd & Kevin Young Doesn't Help

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2 ай бұрын

In a whirlwind turn of events, last month saw SMU's decision to part ways with Rob Lanier despite a successful 20-win season, setting off a chain reaction in the college basketball coaching landscape. This move paved the way for Andy Enfield's departure from USC to fill the vacancy at SMU. Subsequently, Eric Musselman left Arkansas to take Enfield's place at USC, while John Calipari secured a monumental deal with Arkansas, ultimately leading to an opening at Kentucky.
Initial speculation hinted that Kentucky's athletic director, Mitch Barnhart, would pursue top-tier candidates, and indeed, he did. However, UConn head coach Dan Hurley, fresh off consecutive NCAA title runs, declined Kentucky's offer despite rumors of a substantial salary offer. Similarly, Scott Drew opted to remain at Baylor, leaving the Wildcats with uncertainty about their coaching pursuit, with no indication of serious engagement with other potential candidates like Billy Donovan.
Nevertheless, Barnhart's objective seemed clear: to secure an experienced coach with a winning track record. Surprisingly, Mark Pope emerged as a contender only after Kentucky seemingly failed to attract its preferred candidates. Pope, a former Kentucky player who clinched a national title in 1996, boasts a commendable coaching resume with successful tenures at Utah Valley and BYU. However, the prospect of Pope's appointment as the next Wildcats head coach raises questions about whether Kentucky will make the anticipated splash with its coaching selection.
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Пікірлер: 45

@mgers75 2 ай бұрын

Statement from Pope from a few days ago: On this sacred Sunday morning I am also filled with immense gratitude for the blessings that have lead us here. BYU will always be an incredibly special place to our family. Soon after we arrived at BYU one mentor told me that “BYU had more to offer me than I had to offer BYU.” Those words proved to be SO true as we felt the BYU experience change our lives for the better. It’s overwhelming to reflect on the countless lifelong friendships that we forged at BYU. We are SO grateful.

@richardsnyder9975 2 ай бұрын

Wow, I heard this statement myself. They're not really doing much listening.

@robincavins3466 2 ай бұрын

As a UK fan he has said many positive things about BYU and his time there.

@user-vv5qz4uo9z 2 ай бұрын

This clown just starting drama

@laddlish 2 ай бұрын

We were spoiled by having Lavell here for so long. Being a long-time BYU fan, I know that Edwards was offered several opportunities, including NFL opportunities, and never took them. He loved coaching at BYU and it was his dream job just like Mark Pope’s dream job is Kentucky so I don’t fault Mark Pope at all. I suspect that he will be the coach there for many years. Kilani Sitake Has been offered at least a few jobs according to Tom Holme, the athletic director here, and so far he has turned them down and I bet you that they were more lucrative. We are blessed to have players and coaches who want to be here, even when they are offered more money elsewhere. BYU is special, and I am a blessed fan. It is sometimes hard to be a fan here without perspective, And they’re always seems to be something that gets in the way, but I think that brighter days are ahead for our sports programs.

@Wetrockstah2116 2 ай бұрын

Im pretty sure he just made a statement about BYU over the weekend talking about how much he loves BYU and his time there.

@cbphoto87 2 ай бұрын

It was a tweet directed at Kentucky fans and was certainly better than nothing but still weird he missed the opportunity to put something more formal out there in the first couple of days. At this point it doesn’t matter, but he probably lost the good graces of most BYU fans with that move. Not that he cares.

@Wetrockstah2116 2 ай бұрын

@@cbphoto87 I disagree, he actually said it I believe on ESPN or the Paul finebaum show I believe. He made it clear he enjoyed his time at BYU and what it meant to him to coach there, and he seemed pretty genuine about it. Although he also has probably been swamped in work trying to recruit and get a staff together as soon as possible. Because after his press conference we haven't heard alot from him either other than the two interviews on ESPN and Finebaum.

@roobs6949 2 ай бұрын

His focus is on Kentucky now as it should be. They paid his bill at BYU and are signing his checks now. Seems appropriate to be looking forward and not backward.

@genebarker1023 2 ай бұрын

Mark Pope was a great coach at BYU. At BYU, we are always looking for the next Lavell Edwards, a coach who loved BYU and retirement is how he wanted to leave it. I hope Mark will have great success at Kentucky and miss him at BYU. Hopefully Caoch Kevin Young will build the legacy here and be with the cougars many years with great success.

@user-vh6uc7fi6y 2 ай бұрын

CMON. U know coach Pope. Cal left him and uk scrambling to get a roster and coaching staff. Having to move? Im sure his plate is FULL right now. I dont think its any disrespect

@wtk6069 2 ай бұрын

Exactly. Over a week in, and he still has only 3 players. He's extremely busy.

@beckypatrick7811 2 ай бұрын

I've heard Mark Pope thank & praise BYU for his time there. Look down in the comments to see what another poster said! This is just not true and this guy is just slamming Pope when I myself have heard him give BYU thanks!

@Bofadeez467 2 ай бұрын

Mark Pope is a great guy. He is just busy right now. We all know he loves BYU and BYU loves him.

@mgers75 2 ай бұрын

Well he gave flowers to BYU in a tweet post over the weekend and he gave somemore flowers during one of those interviews yesterday. Can't remember if it was Finebaum or Jim Rome though. Was surprised he didn't make a goodbye video a day or two after he accepted the job.. that was a misstep in my opinion. Maybe he feels bad about poaching a couple players & recruits & coaches?? I think 2 of his daughter attend BYU so I'm sure there's no ill will.

@Ainturmomma 2 ай бұрын

This is so dumb....coaches come and go

@TheRCBuildersPost 2 ай бұрын

So... you're upset that he's not praising BYU within his first week of a new job? Sounds a little delusional lol

@oxfordbuckingham5841 2 ай бұрын

Absolutely, right on! You're not afraid to speak out. Love it!

@SlamCastRevolution 2 ай бұрын

He has said BYU many times I am confused.

@SpiritFlockerstine 2 ай бұрын

You mad over uk taking your assistant coach?😂

@indigomarine91 Ай бұрын

Calipari is a terrible coach, he lost yo Kansas with allstars on his team, he cant adjust in-game, I can't even count the amount of times we lost a game and you could tell we were losing by halftime and it spans over to him and he has a look on his face like he has no clue what he's doing. Pope beat Kansas with a bunch of nobodies Reguirdless. Pope doesn't have to be a recruiter. He has to be a coach. We hired one of the best recruiters in the nation to do that job.

@user-ut1ec9rx1x 2 ай бұрын

The man is busy recruiting. Sheeeeesh!!

@roobs6949 2 ай бұрын

First year in Big12 with a BYU squad beat San Diego State, NC State, AZ State, Iowa State, Texas, WV, Baylor and Kansas! Lost to Baylor by -9, Houston -7, Iowa State-5. That is far from underwhelming, is exceptional,and should be appreciated. BYU beat Kansas. Come on get real. And I thought UK fans were delusional.

@rcjr2633 2 ай бұрын

The fact he brought a noname to the dance says he'll do great at s school like Ky

@defylogictech 2 ай бұрын

The Man is busy stealing BYU Players! Sheesh!

@oliverrowen729 2 ай бұрын

You guys can have him back if you want

@tonycobb4562 2 ай бұрын

As a Kentucky fan, outside of the press conference, we haven’t heard much from him either.

@johnnystivers6788 2 ай бұрын

lol what he has done a bunch of interviews including ESPN and Paul Fineburn

@beckypatrick7811 2 ай бұрын

You do know he's been traveling to recruit don't you? He's kind of busy putting a team together! Give the guy a break!

@tonycobb4562 2 ай бұрын

@@beckypatrick7811 ❤️

@OldiePo 2 ай бұрын

Now you want to talk shit about Mark Pope after he left…BYU basketball has always been irrelevant outside of Jimmer Fredette.

@glavnijoe 2 ай бұрын

Well the utes haven’t been relevant since Majerus in the 90s

@OldiePo 2 ай бұрын

@@glavnijoe I’m not a Utes fan but at least they’ve been to 3 final fours and even a championship game appearance. I hope BYU basketball recovers so I can see them kick all the Texas’ teams asses in the Big12!

@elimenet2566 2 ай бұрын

Pope was an extremely overrated coach at BYU. You'd think from his hyperbolic way of speaking that he lead BYU to many tournament runs. He had 2 good seasons with BYU, zero WCC conference championships, 2 or 3 tournament appearances. With the exception of last year and 2020, he was an underwhelming coach. He should succeed at Kentucky far better than he did at BYU as he will not be hobbled with the honor code.

@yellowmartian 2 ай бұрын

lol UK ...i hope you love being 5th in the SEC, not winning the SEC tournament or getting out of the first round of March Madness.

@rblfrmthewstdwn 2 ай бұрын

Well the past 5 years we have become accustomed to that lol…it was time for a change

@beckypatrick7811 2 ай бұрын

Look back on the last five years! You'll see that that's exactly what we're use to! It may take Pope a few years but I have faith with a bigger program and able to reach out more he'll be able to get us where we need to be!

@roobs6949 2 ай бұрын

Can’t wait to see how BYU finishes. I’ll even give you 5 years to show me something. Keep hating….