What an Imaginary Conversation with Mark Pope Would be like for Tina Cox

Former UK coach Rick Pitino quickly endorsed Mark Pope, his former player, when he was named the new coach at UK. (UK Athletics Photo)

I am sure the list for a sit down interview with coach Mark Pope is endless. As the season approaches the list will continue to lengthen.

I am not on that list. However if i were to be given the opportunity to spend a few minutes with Pope this is what I would say:

I will have to admit when the hire was announced I was taken back. You were not on my short list, in fact you weren’t on my top ten list. I went to bed that Thursday night doubting the decision. Social media was exploding Friday morning. Fans were being brutal and I will admit I saw no hope for the future of Kentucky basketball.

Then your Coach (Rick Pitino) brought the fanbase together. The video from Coach Pitino brought this rabid fanbase together. I hung on every word he spoke. He was sincere. Like him or not he cares about this program and above all he might just be your number one fan.

I was concerned that the attendance at your introduction press conference would be low. The thought of you being introduced as our Coach in front of 1,000 people in Rupp pulled at my heartstrings. You were the chosen one for this job and over a 48 hour period I had realized you were the right person for the job.

As you drove past the line to enter Rupp you took the time to park and mingle with the fans. The excitement and joy on your face gave the fanbase the message that you “get it.” You didn’t go in a back door to avoid fan contact, you welcomed it.

I won’t dwell on the details of the press conference. Just know that you gave Kentucky fans from the age of 5 to 95 their passion back. You brought back together a fanbase that had suffered division for the past few years. I will never forget the moment the bus rolled into Rupp and history stepped off the bus, one by one. Thank you for this moment.

It is the first of June and there is not a coach that has been as busy as you. You have brought together a roster that will be competitive. You have hired a staff that is one of the best in the nation. You have been relentless. I know you must be tired but your love for the University of Kentucky and this program shines every time the camera turns your way.

I look forward to your post game press conferences. I don’t feel intimidated by you. I know you won’t embarrass me or degrade me. I might ask my first question ever. I know you will show up, win or lose.

I would suggest a few things to you. Please remove the words “tweak” and “gold standard” from your vocabulary. You are the captain now…make your own words.

I have taken enough of your time.

Thank you for being you and for getting it. The season is just around the corner.