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Mark Pope: Kentucky is the greatest job in all of basketball at any level

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby: Grant Grubbs02/11/25grant_grubbs_
Jan 18, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives a thumbs up to his players during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope gives a thumbs up to his players during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

The Kentucky head coaching job hasn’t lost its luster for Mark Pope after coaching the Wildcats for 23 games. During an interview with ESPN’s Matt Barrie on Tuesday, Pope discussed his appreciation for the opportunity to be at the helm of Kentucky.

“Imagine that in whatever field you’re in, that the greatest job possible in that field is the one that you get to have,” Pope said. “That’s how I feel. Just to me on a personal level, and maybe objectively, it’s the greatest job in all of basketball at any level.

“The fact that I get to be here with this incredible fan base and coaching these great, great kids that we’re coaching right now is pretty special.”

Pope hasn’t allowed his dream opportunity to go to waste. Kentucky is 16-7 this season and boasts wins six wins over teams ranked in top 15 of the AP Top 25. Alas, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Wildcats.

Kentucky has battled a string of injuries this season. The injury bug first reared its ugly head when Kerr Kriisa suffered a foot fracture in Kentucky’s win against Gonzaga, which sidelined him indefinitely.

Since then, Lamont Butler (ankle) and Andrew Carr (back) have each missed time with injuries. Worse, Kentucky will be without second-leading scorer Jaxson Robinson against Tennessee on Tuesday night due to a wrist injury.

Robinson is averaging 13.3 points per game this season while shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc. He was pivotal in Kentucky’s win against Tennessee earlier this season, scoring 17 points in the upset victory.

Now, somebody else will have to step up for the ‘Cats. After all, Pope knows better than anybody that Kentucky fans don’t accept excuses.

Mark Pope played two seasons for Kentucky and was the team captain of the Wildcats’ 1996 national championship team. The 52-year-old head coach believes that his prior experience with the program has been extremely beneficial to his coaching efforts.

“I do think that knowing Kentucky basketball is helpful,” Pope said. “I think knowing this fan base, I think knowing what this place is about, I think having been able to experience it gives me a little bit of an edge on being able to share it with the fan base, with our current players, with recruits.

“But I think this is a one of one. It’s University of Kentucky basketball. There’s nowhere like it. And so I think it helps, certainly, with the learning curve.”

Mark Pope will look to make Kentucky proud on Tuesday as the ‘Cats square off against No. 5 Tennessee at 7 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.