Mark Pope, former college basketball player, has been named the new head coach of the Kentucky basketball program, replacing John Calipari who left for Arkansas. Pope has an impressive coaching record and is known for his dynamic offense and tough defense.
Key Points
Mark Pope was captain of Kentucky's 1996 national championship team
John Calipari stepped down to give the program 'another voice'
Pope has a career record of 187-108 as a head coach
Pope played in the NBA from 1998 to 2005
Pros
Mark Pope has a strong coaching record
Known for dynamic offense and tough defense
Has international recruiting ties
Embraces high expectations and standards
Cons
Replacing a successful coach like John Calipari may bring high pressure
Kentucky basketball program has not reached Final Four since 2015