"We are not sure we want you yet": Kentucky HC Mark Pope revisits interview calls with Mitch Barnhart for Wildcats HC role
Mark Pope got the unique opportunity to return to Kentucky this offseason. The Wildcats witnessed the sudden departure of long-term coach John Calipari, who moved to team up with Arkansas. Kentucky opted to hire a former player who was in charge at BYU.
On “The Paul Finnebaum Show” on Monday, Mark Pope explained what it felt like when Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart informed him that he was being considered to replace Calipari. The coach couldn’t wait to take the job despite not being a certain option.
“Mitch called and he said: ‘Mark, this is Mitch Barnhart, and I'd like to talk to you about the…’ and I was like: ‘Yes! I'm coming.’
"And he said: ‘We are not sure we want you yet, let's have a conversation.’ That's not what happened in real time, but that's what happened in my heart, for sure.”
Family played a role in Mark Pope's decision
Securing the Kentucky coaching job was a lifetime opportunity for Mark Pope.
Following his interview process and other necessary procedures, the coach turned to his family to make his final decision. This involved his wife, Lee Anne, and his four daughters. Pope said:
“Mitch was incredibly generous. We kind of went through a very thorough but very quick interview process in terms of the magnitude of the opportunity. Then Mitch gave me a little bit of time to gather.”
“We had a couple of hours to gather everybody from respective locations and meet together as a family with Lee Anne. Everybody got to put in their two cents and each of the girls had their own heavy opinion but it was a clearly unanimous decision that this is what we would do.”
Despite not recording much success in his career as a college basketball coach, his legacy as a player for Kentucky played a role in securing him the job.
Pope had a brilliant college career at the program and was part of the Wildcats' 1996 national championship-winning team
Mark Pope on the attendance at his press conference
Mark Pope’s introduction press conference was done in a unique way.
It was held at the Rupp Arena in front of a full house. This was a unique way to present a coach, and Pope noted that it wasn’t all about him to Paul Finebaum:
“That really had very little to do with me, that's Big Blue Nation. That's Kentucky faithful getting together and telling the world just how important, relevant and massive this program is.
"That was all of BBN getting together and saying ‘This is our team’ in a way that doesn't exist at any other college program.”
Over 5,000 fans were reportedly turned away from Rupp Arena after it was filled to maximum capacity. That showcases the level of support Mark Pope is getting as he begins his tenure as the program’s coach.