Vicky Graff Photo
Cameron Mills works for the UK Radio Network and was on Kentucky’s 1996 and 1998 national championship teams. However, he admitted he had “no inkling” that former UK teammate Mark Pope was going to be named UK’s new head basketball coach last week.
“I do have evidence that I did say to a friend several days before Mark was hired that I didn’t think it would happen and didn’t think Mark was on top of Mitch Barnhart’s radar because he did not go deep enough in the (NCAA) tournament,” Mills said. “But I told my friend Mark would be a perfect hire.
“I am not denying that Danny Hurley (of Connecticut) or Scott Drew (of Baylor) would have been great. But I am telling you Mark Pope is the perfect hire. He beat Kansas and Baylor last season.”
Pope is 0-2 in NCAA Tournament play but former coach John Calipari was 1-3 in his last three NCAA Tournaments. Mills noted Drew also had early exits from the NCAA Tournament play.
“Mark Pope is a Kentucky boy (player) and program lover,” Mills said. “He is the only former player who could ever be offered the job or take the job. He will absolutely kill it here. Mitch went after the big names and should have. I was shocked when I found out Mark’s name was out there but I am telling you he is perfect for this job.”
Over 20,000 Kentucky fans who filled Rupp Arena for his introductory press conference would seem to agree and Pope said all the right things starting with the jersey he held up.
“Hey, this jersey comes from a hallowed place in my home because it is a jersey I got to wear with my teammates and all of Kentucky in the national championship games in the Meadowlands of New York,” Pope said. “And that’s not just a jersey that will go in the closet. It is a jersey that has blood, sweat, and tears and love and it is all of us together.”
2 Responses
Cameron Mills was one of my favorites, & his dad was too. I saw Terry Mills in the KY HS State Tourney as well as Mike Casey, 2 of the best HS players the state has had & 2 great Wildcats. If Casey was not injured then UK would have won it all with Issel, Pratt & Casey & Mills.
I have not agreed with some of Mills’ opinions but sure liked his great accurate long range shooting – just like his dad.
And I certainly agree that Mark Pope is the right fit as UK HC!!
Anyone in this job has a tough row to hoe. Pleasing fans and winning basketball games at the same time is almost impossible, and the two are not synonymous. Mark Pope is a smart guy and he knows coaching kids. I hope he does well.