Watch: New Kentucky HC Mark Pope makes epic first impression

Kentucky HC Mark Pope Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

Watch: Kentucky head coach Mark Pope makes incredible entrance at introduction

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 4/14/24

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope knows how to make an entrance.

The former Wildcats center from 1993-96 was formally introduced as the team's head coach on Sunday and he brought along teammates from Kentucky's 1996 championship-winning squad to mark the occasion.

This is an all-time entrance by a new head coach. Mark Pope getting off the bus with his teammates from Kentucky’s historic 1996 national title team is phenomenal. This is how you fire up Big Blue Nation. Pope has immense pride for this program. pic.twitter.com/T93IUMtPyF
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 14, 2024

Former NBA guards Tony Delk, Jeff Sheppard and forward Derek Anderson were among Pope's old college teammates to accompany him to the packed event.

Fans came out in droves to Rupp Arena for Pope's introduction, seemingly eager to move on from ex-head coach John Calipari, who agreed to become the head coach at Arkansas last week.

Rupp was PACKED for Mark Pope’s introduction

(via @JackPilgrimKSR)

pic.twitter.com/tkVnnBlHM3
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) April 14, 2024

Pope is light on coaching credentials, but his connection to Big Blue Nation has clearly helped him get off on the right foot. Pope coached the past five seasons at BYU, reaching the NCAA Tournament twice and losing in the first round both times.

Prior to that stint, Pope served as head coach at Utah Valley State from the 2015-16 through 2018-19 seasons, where he went 77-56 and without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

While he received a warm welcome at his introduction, fans won't give him a honeymoon period during the regular season, a fact Pope has already embraced.

"I understand the assignment," he told those in attendance, per ESPN. "We are here to win banners... That's our job."

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