Kentucky names alum Mark Pope as new men's basketball coach - ESPN

Mark Pope is officially Kentucky new men's basketball coach, the school announced Friday.

Pope was a captain on Kentucky's 1996 national championship team and has been the head coach at BYU for the last five seasons. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart opted for Pope following several high-profile candidates turning down the job or distancing themselves from the search.

«Mark Pope not only brings an impressive record in nine years as a head coach, but also a love of the University of Kentucky and a complete understanding of what our program means to the people of our state,» Barnhart said. «As a captain on the '96 championship team, Mark was a beloved and respected teammate. As a head coach, he is highly regarded nationally as an innovator. His teams run a unique and dynamic up-tempo offense and they get after it on defense. He is a strong recruiter with international ties and a person of integrity.

»He fully embraces our high expectations and standards and I know that as our fans get reacquainted with Mark, they will be eager to join him on what promises to be an exciting ride."

Kentucky did not disclose terms of the deal, but sources told ESPN on Thursday the two sides were finalizing a five-year contract.

Pope replaces John Calipari, the Hall of Fame coach who left earlier this week for Arkansas Razorbacks after 15 seasons in Lexington. Calipari led the Wildcats to four Final Fours and the 2012 national championship.

«The University of Kentucky is the pinnacle of coaching in college basketball. It's the definition of blueblood program where hanging a banner is the expectation every year,» Pope said. «Equally as important, UK changed my life forever as a human being. The love and passion I have for this program,