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The Kentucky head coaching search hit yet another roadblock on Thursday following another rejection from a high-profile candidate. This time, it was UConn’s Dan Hurley.
The Wildcats were reportedly ready to back the Brinks truck up to Hurley’s back door, but he’s opted to stay in Storrs after winning his second national championship. That’s forced the program to turn to a somewhat uninspiring target as it searches for John Calipari’s replacement.
Kentucky has swung and missed on some of the top coaches in the sport, for one reason or another.
Those include Nate Oats, who opted to stay at Alabama after boosters ponied up boatloads in NIL funds to keep him put, Baylor’s Scott Drew, whose candidacy sparked an online war between Big Blue Nation and HGTV star Chip Gaines, and now Hurley.
Hurley gave Kentucky their official No a bit ago. He turned down a massive offer
UK now has the choice on whether to wait next week for after the Play-in game for Billy Donovan
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 11, 2024
Others on linked to the Wildcats’ short list included Jay Wright and Billy Donovan, who’ve both said, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to this point.
In Hurley’s case, the program was rumored to be willing to pay historic money to land college basketball’s hottest coach.
Reports claimed that the number fell in the $11M/year range, but it wasn’t enough to convince him to come to Lexington. Now, the search has taken an unexpected turn.
The Kentucky coaching search is now focused on Mark Pope.
Sources: BYU’s Mark Pope is a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at Kentucky.
Pope was a member of the 1996 national title team in Lexington.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) April 11, 2024
Jon Rothstein reports that Mark Pope is now a name of interest. The former Wildcat played on the 1996 national championship team and has led BYU over the last five seasons.
While his head coaching resume boasts a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, including a first-round exit at the hands of 11-seed Duquesne this past March, it’s not moving the needle for the majority of Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky fans: “We want Dan Hurley, Scott Drew or Billy Donovan!”
Mitch Barnhart: pic.twitter.com/9WjGzItxGq
— Matt McGavic (@Matt_McGavic) April 11, 2024
While things may be looking bleak in the Kentucky coaching search, Mark Pope’s hiring could have its positives.
Obviously, he’s familiar with the program being a former player. He also suited up alongside superstar Reed Sheppard’s father, Jeff, while on campus. Maybe the relationship is enough to keep him on the roster.
Still, we’ve seen former player hires backfire in the past, most recently at rival Louisville with Kenny Payne. Time will tell if the Wildcats find themselves in a similar situation when this search concludes.