Kentucky basketball coaching legend Rick Pitino took to social media to publicly endorse Mark Pope, who was hired to be the head coach of the Cats on Friday.
In a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pitino said he felt Pope was ready for the mantle.
— Rick Pitino (@RealPitino) April 12, 2024
“What a special day for the University of Kentucky,” he said. “The leader — the captain of the untouchables — is coming home to lead the Wildcats.”
Pitino is not just a former head coach of Kentucky, he is Pope’s former coach, with the new man in charge, along with Jeff Sheppard — father of Reed — leading Kentucky to its sixth national championship in 1996.