Mark Pope Grateful to be at UK but also Appreciates BYU Experience

Jennifer Palumbo X Photo

New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope made sure that UK fans knew how much he had enjoyed his first week on the job with a lengthy social media post Sunday on X.

“One week ago the Pope girls and I came HOME to UK to start the greatest adventure of our lives. It has been a whirlwind of awesomeness—that’s what Kentucky basketball IS! It’s the pinnacle of basketball. And BBN has gone straight next level in redefining southern hospitality! Thank you! We are immersed in the work. We will be relentless. We know the assignment! We will ALL do this together. Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude. We are home,” Pope posted.

“On this sacred Sunday morning I am also filled with immense gratitude for the blessings that have led us here. BYU will always be an incredibly special place to our family. Soon after we arrived at BYU one mentor told me that ‘BYU had more to offer me than I had to offer BYU.’ Those words proved to be SO true as we felt the BYU experience change our lives for the better. It’s overwhelming to reflect on the countless lifelong friendships that we forged at BYU. We are SO grateful.

“I’m a believer. I believe God’s plans for our lives are way bigger than our own. Happy Sunday BBN! Lets go!!

Pope had a hectic week after his official introduction press conference attended by over 20,000 fans at Rupp Arena. He flew across the country meeting with numerous recruits and was back in Lexington Saturday to host three-time Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams of Drexel.  Williams has also visited Mississippi State. He was at Keeneland Saturday with Pope and then verbally committed to UK Sunday.

“I’m a believer. I believe God’s plans for our lives our way bigger than our own. Happy Sunday BBN! Lets go!!

Pope had a hectic week after his official introduction press conference attended by over 20,000 fans at Rupp Arena. He flew across the country meeting with numerous recruits and was back in Lexington Saturday to host three-time Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year Amari Williams of Drexel. Williams has also visited Mississippi State. He was at Keeneland Saturday with Pope.

Pope also was at Jeff Ruby’s in downtown Lexington and was photographed with Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops, recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow and other UK coaches.