Mark Pope explains the root off his Taylor Swift fandom: 'I'm an adopted Swiftie'

New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope explained the root of his Taylor Swift fandom and he has his four daughters to thank.

He wasn’t an original Swiftie, more like an adopted one. Well, that’s exactly how he described his fandom of the music superstar.

Swift has transcended music and sports lately, especially with her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Looks like Kentucky is about to be a lot more lively in terms of Taylor Swift references.

“I’m an adopted Swiftie,” Pope said Wednesday afternoon on SportsCenter. “I have four daughters and so I’ve spent more than my fair share of midnight’s with album releases driving  through the streets of town, listening to each song one by one with the four girls in the back screaming and shouting and hollering. It’s not hard to appreciate greatness. And she sure has achieved that level.”

Pope even revealed his top Taylor Swift songs, something he didn’t do on his own, but loves it nonetheless.

“Well I got a little help on that list but I’m gonna own it,” Pope said.

His five songs are: “Cornelia Street,” “New Year’s Day,” “Karma,” “All Too Well” (10-minute version) and “Cruel Summer.”

Are practices going to feature these songs? Pregame warmups? Fans need to know the answers to these questions!

When Pope was introduced as the head coach in front of fans inside Rupp Arena, he and his family were actually presented with friendship bracelets. Those arpoe pular items at Swift concerts where fans hand make them and exchange with others.

“I didn’t share this with the guys before, but this is really important,” Pope said after BYU’s win over UCF in the Big 12 Tournament. “When I was in this building seven months ago I talked about how we were excited to be picked 13, because it’s Taylor Swift’s favorite number. 

“This morning I found out courtesy of the greatest statistician SID ever, that our first game against UCF was on January 13, our second game was on February 13, and so we knew that with our third game on March 13, like, the deck was stacked against these guys, man, it’s not even fair. It’s not even fair. Plus we’re in Kansas City. I mean, what? It’s beautiful. If I had told you guys that before the game would be like, our dude has lost his mind?”

Look what you made Pope do, or something like that. The Kentucky alum and captain of the 1996 national title team better hope “Pope’s Version” is a “Love Story” filled with greater success as head coach.

Pope returns to the Bluegrass State with a 187-108 career record with Utah Valley and BYU, including two NCAA Tournament appearances with the Cougars.