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Kentucky is set to hire former player Mark Pope as its next head coach, according to recent reports. As it turns out, the Wildcats might have SMU to thank (or blame) for the up and down coaching search that’s transpired over the last few days.
In a very busy offseason, the coaching carousel was spinning. A domino effect of departures led to an opening at arguably the highest profile program in college basketball!
Let’s rewind.
The SMU Mustangs hired Rob Lanier in 2022, who’d go just 10-22 in Year 1. While he saw a 10-game improvement this past season, the program opted to move on after a loss to Indiana State in the NIT.
Two seasons was apparently all the administration needed to see!
With the gig opening up, USC’s Andy Enfield decided to ditch Bronny James and head to Dallas to fill the role.
It didn’t take long for the Trojans to find their replacement, a former NBA coach with California ties. After leading the Warriors and Kings in the early 2000s, Eric Musselman made his way to the college ranks.
Most recently at Arkansas, he took the Razorbacks to a Sweet 16 and a pair of Elite Eights. Looking to get back to the West Coast, he quickly jumped at the USC opportunity while making the Hogs’ athletic director look foolish in the process.
Then, the biggest domino fell.
With tensions growing between Kentucky and John Calipari, the head coach opted to bail for Fayetteville, taking over a program that might better appreciate his history of success.
Suddenly, the biggest job in the sport was open!
But while interest from high-level coaches was seen, none jumped at the opportunity.
It was a coaching search of ups and (mostly) downs as the program whiffed on top targets again and again. When the dust settled, they landed on Mark Pope, a former Wildcat player and national champion.
Many don’t believe his resume to be “Kentucky worthy,” but he’ll have a chance to carve his own path (and maybe pick up his first NCAA Tournament win in the process).
As it stands today, though, not many around Big Blue Nation are thrilled with the hire.
If you are one of those ‘Cats fans unhappy with how everything unfolded, and you’re searching for someone to blame, look no further than SMU – who, again, fired a head coach that just doubled his win total in only his second season with the school.
Who would’ve guessed it could have this impact?!