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OFFICIAL: Mark Pope hired as next head coach of Kentucky men’s basketball

Related Topics: Mitch Barnhart, Mark Pope

It’s official, as of Friday morning Mark Pope is officially the next head coach of Kentucky basketball.

News first broke late Thursday that Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart had zeroed in on Pope as the next man in charge of the Cats and it was made official Friday morning.

“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 to UK Athletics. “As a captain on the ‘96 championship team, Mark was a beloved and respected teammate.