A fan told Mark Pope at BYU he could ‘easily’ coach at Kentucky one day. His response? “It would be an honor, just as it was when I wore the uniform.”
by:
Jack Pilgrim
•
11/26/24
Mark Pope reveals his original Kentucky jersey at his first Big Blue Madness as Kentucky’s head coach – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio
Mark Pope reveals his original Kentucky jersey at his first Big Blue Madness as Kentucky’s head coach – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio
Mark Pope‘s time at Kentucky has been something of a Big Blue Nation fan fiction, the former captain of the 1996 national championship team returning to Lexington to coach at his alma mater, knocking down every barrier in his way since the minute he arrived. He built an elite coaching staff and a competitive roster, then laid a strong foundation on the recruiting trail before stacking up early wins in his debut season.
Check, check, check.
What if I told you, though, Pope spoke his future as the head coach at Kentucky into existence way back when, starting as a player and then when working his way up the ranks as a coach? He did it with the help of a member of BBN named Linda, who has been a supporter of his since his playing days in blue and white.
She called into Pope’s first call-in radio show of the season on Monday and reminded him of their 30-year history together dating back to that ’96 title. Linda and her husband were there at the trophy presentation in April of 1996 where Pope stayed after to sign autographs and talk to fans as long as security would let him. She responded by sending him a token of appreciation: a magnet
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