After Baylor’s Scott Drew turned the Kentucky job down, BYU coach Mark Pope’s name seems to be moving up the list of candidates for the Wildcats job.
After Scott Drew announced his decision to stay at Baylor, the Wildcats’ list of candidates is unquestionably shrinking.
As of Thursday, Pope had the third-best odds, at least on some lists, to replace John Calipari, who ducked out down a back alley a few days ago to Arkansas, where he’ll start with an ascending schedule to make some $38 million over the next five seasons, with all kinds of additional financial provisions to haul in more and stay longer with the Razorbacks, if he so desires. He was scheduled to make even more at Kentucky, with less security.
Pope played at Kentucky before his run now as BYU’s coach, where he has had ups and downs, but more ups. This past season was particularly impressive, as BYU managed its way through its first season in college basketball’s best league — the Big 12. Most figured the Cougars would be lucky to win three or four conference games. Instead, they finished 10-8 in league and 23-11 overall.
The problem with that line of thinking now is that generational money — even if it were short of what Calipari was making — is offered at a place like Kentucky, so much so that money would never again be a concern for Pope or Pope’s family.
Brigham Young University Cougars Athletics Sports
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Gordon Monson: Utahns were the real stars of the NCAA Tournament at the Delta CenterGordon Monson: Utahns were the real stars of the NCAA Tournament at the Delta Center
Read more »
Gordon Monson: Angels and Demons argue over whether Utah should dump basketball coach Craig SmithThe Runnin’ Utes have improved each of the last two seasons — but is progress coming fast enough?
Read more »
Gordon Monson: Latter-day Saints should live and let live, especially in UtahTribune columnist Gordon Monson warns against religious overreach from Utah lawmakers and Utahns themselves.
Read more »
Gordon Monson: Look out, Latter-day Saints, Patrick Kearon is a hard-charging, hard-not-to-like apostleTribune columnist Gordon Monson praises Patrick Kearon's first General Conference talk as an apostle.
Read more »
Gordon Monson: For Latter-day Saints, Dieter Uchtdorf is a man of God whose words soothe the soulTribune columnist Gordon Monson comments on LDS apostle Dieter Uchtdorf's General Conference talk.
Read more »
Gordon Monson: Great news for BYU — maybe — heading into the NCAA TournamentThe odds of winning the NCAA tournament are always long, but Vegas likes the Cougars more than most.
Read more »