When John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats parted ways over the offseason, it signified the end of a 15-year relationship that resulted in multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, three Final Fours, and Kentucky’s first national championship since 1998, marking the school’s return to prominence.
Kentucky and its fans won’t have to wait long for Calipari’s return to the school, as he accepted the head coaching position with SEC rival Arkansas and will face the Wildcats at Rupp Arena on February 1.
The Wildcats hired BYU Cougars head coach and former Kentucky guard Mark Pope to replace Calipari. Pope played for Rick Pitino on the 1995-96 Kentucky squad that won the national championship and recently called his new job ‘the best job in basketball.’
During SEC media day on Tuesday, Calipari opened up on Pope’s hiring, saying Kentucky made the perfect choice and he’ll be rooting for them, except on February 1.
“I think they hired a perfect guy for that job. Part of it is because he played there, graduated from there. He has a heart for the place, and he has an idea of what that is… He’s been there and understands it. I am fully immersed in what I’m doing. You won’t believe this. I’m doing a lot of stuff, and I don’t have time for any of the other stuff, any of the things out there, but I’ll be rooting for [Pope]. Come on, man. Fifteen years, I gave my heart and soul I want them to do well.” the Hall-of-Fame head coach noted.
Pope echoed Calipari’s sentiments, calling the coach a friend and mentor and saying that he’ll be rooting for Calipari’s success.
“I’m grateful for everything he’s done for our university. He’s also been a good friend. He is a terrific mentor. We’ve gone through our coaching journey, and so we wish him the best in everything he does and we’ll be grateful for everything that he did at Kentucky. We’ll be cheering for him [except on] Feb. 1st,” Pope said.
[ESPN]
