Mark Pope, Kentucky's new coach, was officially introduced to a sold-out crowd at Rupp Arena. Pope expressed his understanding of the program's expectations and emphasized the goal of winning championships.
Days after John Calipari left town, Mark Pope stood on a podium in front of a sold-out crowd at Rupp Arena on Sunday.
Pope's arrival marked the latest step in a surprising sequence of events that has changed the SEC and men's college basketball. Three days ago, Calipari was introduced as the head coach at Arkansas following a 15-year tenure that included the 2012 national title. Calipari decided to leave the Wildcats after a series of lackluster postseason finishes and speculation about his future.
"They know my heart bleeds blue Kentucky," Pope said."And knew that. Maybe, he was a little cautious calling me because he knew I was going to say, 'Yes,' before he ever finished the question."There were fans outside Rupp Arena hours prior to Sunday's introduction, a rapid turnaround for a fan base that seemed initially skeptical of the hire before embracing the move.
Pope has amassed a 187-108 record in his coaching career but he has not won a conference title, a conference tournament championship or an NCAA tournament game. Under Calipari, Kentucky routinely attracted first-round picks. Pope said he is currently recruiting the players on the current team, members of Calipari's recruiting class who've decommitted and players in the transfer portal as he assembles his first roster.
Mark Pope Kentucky Coach Introduction Expectations Championships SEC Final Four National Titles
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