Derek Anderson didn't try to hide his enthusiasm when former UK teammate Mark Pope was named Kentucky's new coach. (Vicky Graff Photo)
It was easy for Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team to select Mark Pope as team captain.
“He was the guy who sacrificed it all and did whatever was asked of him. He started and then Walter (McCarty) did in that spot but he did not care because he wanted to win. He was selfless,” said former UK teammate Derek Anderson.
“We all voted for him as team captain. Usually you do not have a senior captain coming off the bench but he was different. He was tremendous for us with his sacrifice and effort. He cares more about UK than he does anything else and always has. That’s his passion. We knew who he was and he was our captain. He was an impactful person and an impactful player. It just went hand in hand with him.”
Anderson valued Pope so much as a teammate that he flew into Lexington from Los Angeles on the day of Pope’s introductory press conference as UK’s new coach and flew back to LA later the same night.
“I was not going to miss that,” Anderson laughed and said. “I would have flown more than four years to be there for him.”
Maybe that’s why Pope gave the national championship trophy to Anderson to hold after the new coach carried it off the bus when it rolled into Rupp Arena to mimic UK’s 1996 national championship reception.
“We were on the bus talking about who should take the trophy and somebody said I should take it because I had better hands. So rather than take a chance on breaking it, I did it for the team just like Mark used to do things for our team.”
Anderson said UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart knew the support Pope would have from former players when he hired him following John Calipari’s resignation. The initial UK fan base may not have seemed overly thrilled with the pick but Anderson knew that would change.
“You are getting a coach who believes in Kentucky and believes you will win. No one could have wanted this job more than him and no one understands the history better,” he said. “Mark loves Kentucky and has always loved Kentucky.”
Anderson remembers how former UK players like Jim Master and Roger Harden left their numbers in lockers so new players would learn who they were year after year.
Anderson said he has no ill will toward any UK coach but admits many former players did not “feel a part of the program” under Calipari.
“We are part of Kentucky basketball. Mark knows that because he was part. We just want the coach to win games and see enthusiasm for players and the university. We want to win championships,” Anderson said. “Mark knows his assignment. He came here to win. All games matter. That’s why we play. You don’t just play for a good time or what is coming later. We all came here to win and Mark did too.
“If you are a golfer, the goal is to make the PGA (Tour). If you are a boxer, you want to win titles. If you go to med school, you want to be a doctor. Mark wants to be the Kentucky coach.”
Anderson said Pope, who came to UK from BYU, will “never” make excuses for a loss or how his team plays.
“He knows he has to get the right guys to play hard and that’s not easy to find,” Anderson said. “We (former) players are going to help in recruiting any way we can. We’ve told him, ‘What you need, you let us know.’
“He doesn’t make excuses. He will hold himself accountable and keep the standard high because that’s how he played. You have to believe when you come to this university that it is about winning and banners.”
Anderson admits NIL and the transfer portal make constructing championship teams harder but not impossible.
“UConn just did it again. Villanova won two (titles),” Anderson said. “Bill Self (of Kansas) won in the NIL era with transfers out of control. It can be done and Mark will figure it out.”
29 Responses
Now that recommendation carried weight !!!
yes it did Paul
How can anyone not say that Mark Pope was the best choice to coach Kentucky? I can’t ever remember BBN being this excited about the future of our basketball program. Mark will insist that this will be a Kentucky First team or they won’t take the floor. There are those who say Kentucky fans are unrealistic; they expect to win every game and win a national title every year. Nothing could be further from the truth. I do expect our team to be prepared to play and be competitive. We will win more than we lose but don’t ever lose due to a lack of effort. NIL and the portal have changed the game, but we would not have a respectable team this coming season if it were not for the portal. I have no clue what to expect from this team as far as wins and losses. This cake is still batter being stirred in a bowl and has yet to even hit the oven. My gut tells me this cake is going to turn out better than most expect. I am excited to watch Kentucky basketball again!
I had quit watching Uk play. They have always been my team but to me lately they didn’t have the drive. This year’s team was a great team they could beat any team in the nation but they lost to losing teams. When Coach Cal came it was exciting and he did bring excitement back to Uk. However the last few years it has been like he was more concerned about other things than winning. I have always said he was one of the greatest recruiters ever. He would get out coached. Instead of one championship, with the teams he had he should have had at least three. I’m excited about Uk this year. I check Google for what’s happening at Uk. Yahoo is only interested in what Cal is doing. I am very opportunistic with this team and the coaching staff. These guys all could be head coaches themselves. Fox was a very good coach and I used to dread playing him. Go Big Blue
I had been in the same boat. Last 4 years I hadn’t watched a full game and the last couple I had even quit reading the UK news…just checked the scores. I am excited to get back in with a coach who actually cares if we win.
Hope we see you back here commenting a lot Shane
Derek Anderson was always my favorite Kentucky player. He grew up in the same neighborhood I did he attended does high school and when my older sister went their so we attended all of the games. I went to Beth haven Christian school my freshman and sophomore years then went to Doss my junior and senior year. Their is a big plaque of Derek Anderson when you walk into Doss. He was amazing in high school as well. I remember when he signed to play for Ohio state. He completely dominated high school basketball in Louisville. I was there to witness it and it was cool. When he came to Kentucky I was so excited because I knew what we were getting.
This rates up there with Rick Pitino endorsing Pope. An amazing player giving such high compliments to Pope is an endorsement for the ages.
If Andersen plays just the 5 min in OT, UK wins in ‘97.
What a comment – about “former players not feeling a part of the program” when the last person paid mega-millions as the supposed coach was here!!
Good point Little Baron
Many thanks, Larry! Now that UK BB is getting back on track in a way that reminds us of the Rupp, Hall & Pitino eras, it’s much easier for me to focus on the positive & “forge those things that are behind” as the Apostle Paul admonished when telling believes to pursue the High calling.
The BBN sure made a statement with that press release!!!
Well he does still have to win
Excitement is back in BBN! I hope coach tries to bring back a game in Freedom Hall. I remember going to the day before the game practice that was open to the public. Got the entire 1978 Championship team autographs. Would be great to reopen this type of access to UK basketball in Louisville again.
Here it is.
The fraud was NEVER about this program despite his weary words that he repeated several times a week to try to convince us that we can’t believe what we see.
Former players saw it. Former players felt it.
That’s why Thiero is in the portal…too much bullshit his two years here.
Adou Thiero is a classic UK player. Tough, skilled, aggressive, fearless.
He reminds me of players like Charles Hurt, who had no "back down" in any fiber of his body or mind.
I sure hope Coach Pope can help Adou understand the changes the are occurring, and how Adou could be a major player for UK and help with this transformation.
So do I Professor but believe that ship has sailed
Larry, I think you are right. He wants to be closer to home and far away from the SEC.
I agree Barry
I also really like the idea of convincing Thiero to stay. Personal contact by phone, or even much better in person, by Delk, Andersen & 1 or 2 other great former UK players just might be the extra encouragement he needs to see the light.
The more tape I see of Berke Buyuktuncel of UCLA, 6’9", 245, the more I like him. He is good enough from 3 to make you guard him and he can put it on the floor and flush it, unless he gets picked up and then he is good at finding the open man. He excels at putbacks and post up play in the paint and he is not afraid to bang.
I quit watching uk games three years ago. Coach Cal was a great recruiter for the NBA. He wanted to see how many players he could get in the NBA. Just couldn’t Coach the X"s and O’s.Coach Pope will bring back pride to UK..PROUD to wear the UK jersey. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Glad to have you back Robby
There’s the right guy for UK basketball! Bleeds blue, just like the rest of blue Nation. Great fit!!!
I am with you Tony
I hope that Cal treats Adou better at Ark than he did here at UK. I am shocked that he went there but maybe it was about the money. I sure was hoping that he would come back here but wish him the best of luck at his new home.
I have been done with Calipari for several years. Can he recruit? Yes! But can he coach? NO! I have always thought Patino could coach him under the table. This last year was one of the most frustrating if not the most frustrating year I have had in over 60 years of watching Kentucky Basketball.
John lost sight of what his job was. Winning games and going farther than the 1st round of the NCAA Tournament. He was the highest paid coach to do just that. His stupid ego, wouldn’t change direction and he wanted to be known by how many players he could get in the NBA. He became development and farm team for the NBA and winning was down the priority list and he thought he was so great hevwas untouchable.
All I know is I couldn’t be more satisfied with our new coach, and our old coach well I couldn’t be more happy that he is where he is, may he get everything he deserves.
Pope is Hope Kevin
MOST CERTAINLY, I believe in Coach Pope and happy that I will never have to listen to another post game press conference from the F. B. and thanks for the reply….
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