BYU's Mark Pope is Reportedly Nearing Deal to Become Kentucky's Head Coach

Mark Pope is nearing a deal to become the head coach at Kentucky

Mar 21, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope keeps an eye on the action / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

BYU basketball head coach Mark Pope is nearing a deal to become the next head basketball coach at Kentucky according to multiple reports. Matt Norlander of CBS Sports was the first to report the news. For Pope, who led BYU to the NCAA Tournament and a top five finish in the Big 12, Kentucky is home. Pope played for the Wildcats under Rick Pitino for two years and he was a team captain of the 1996 national championship team.

Kentucky has always been viewed as Mark Pope's dream job. When longtime Kentucky coach John Calipari left Kentucky for Arkansas, the Wildcats went after some of the top coaches in the sports. When a few of those plans fell through, they landed on Pope.

Pope helped BYU exceed expectations in their first year in the Big 12. The Cougars were picked to finish 13th out of 14 teams in the preseason. Instead, BYU had a winning record in conference play and finished 5th. BYU earned a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament before losing to 11-seed Duquesne in the first round.

For BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe, he will have to move quickly to replace Pope. In the transfer portal era, BYU's entire roster is now in danger of transferring out of the program. BYU returns a solid core of players and they are expected to welcome in former four-star recruits Collin Chandler and Isaac Davis. BYU had a lot of momentum in the program coming off their first season in the Big 12. Pope's departure is a major blow to the BYU basketball program.

The search for BYU basketball's next head coach is underway.