Former Wildcats Saw Calipari’s Exit Coming — And Say Mark Pope Was the Perfect Man for the Job

Former Wildcats Saw Calipari’s Exit Coming — And Say Mark Pope Was the Perfect Man for the Job

When news broke last spring that John Calipari was in talks with Arkansas, it didn’t exactly shock the former Kentucky players. The writing had been on the wall for a while. But the timing during the Final Four and the destination  an SEC rival  made jaws drop. Still, the change didn’t feel like betrayal. It felt inevitable.

What came next was one of the wildest coaching searches in Kentucky basketball history, a rollercoaster of rumors and reactions that ended with the hiring of former Wildcat Mark Pope. At the time, the move sparked debate. Could Pope handle the heat of the Big Blue Nation? Was Kentucky settling? But fast-forward a year, and the answers are emphatic. With a return to the Sweet 16, eight top-15 wins  tying an NCAA record  and a ranked season from start to finish, Pope silenced the doubters and won over the faithful.

Even the guys who once played under Calipari knew the time had come.

“I mean, I knew Cal was gonna leave,” said Doron Lamb, the sharp-shooting guard who led UK in scoring during the 2012 national championship game. “I had a feeling because the fans were really on him, and I know Coach Cal don’t like that.”

Lamb, who spent two seasons in Lexington and has remained close to Calipari since, sensed the coach’s frustration. Years of early tournament exits and growing tension had built to a boiling point. A fresh start was inevitable.

For DeAndre Liggins, the moment brought flashbacks to 2009, when Billy Gillispie’s exit paved the way for Calipari’s arrival. This time, Liggins saw the same signs.

“When I first heard that, I didn’t believe it,” he said. “Then I saw Coach Cal taking the garbage out at his house, and reporters were there. I was like, ‘Oh, this is real.’ That’s what they did with Gillispie, too.”

And yet, this wasn’t a messy divorce. No one stormed out. No bridges burned. Instead, both sides found new life. Calipari found a spark in Fayetteville. Pope brought one back to Lexington. Both made it to the Sweet 16. Sometimes breakups really do work out for everyone.

“Mark Pope is doing a great job,” Lamb continued. “He’s a great coach who knows what he’s doing with his guys… He just got here, but he’s off to a great start. I was surprised, because that first year with a new team, everyone is brand new. It’s hard like that, but he did a great job  ranked the whole season and won a lot of big games that nobody expected.”

Liggins agreed.

“Pope was a perfect hire. That was the right hire,” he said. “His first year, he did a fantastic job getting to the Sweet 16 after battling through injuries. I think he’s done a great job here and is gonna continue to do a great job.”

Archie Goodwin, another Calipari-era guard who will join Lamb and Liggins on the court this summer for La Familia in The Basketball Tournament, said what Pope accomplished in year one shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“It’s hard to follow up behind a guy like Coach Cal because of who he is and what he means to organizations,” Goodwin said. “You see how Memphis had a couple of down years once he left. When he leaves, it’s such a drastic change.”

He’s not wrong. Since Calipari’s departure in 2009, Memphis has yet to make it past the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Seven trips. Three total wins. None in the Sweet 16.

Pope, on the other hand, got there immediately  and on his own terms.

“He did it his way,” Goodwin said. “Trying to follow behind what Coach Cal does wouldn’t necessarily work for him  because they’re not the same person, they are two different personalities. For him to do it his way and have the success that he had, I think that’s going to be great.”

In Goodwin’s view, Pope’s first team had real national championship potential  if not for untimely injuries. But the foundation is laid, and Pope’s vision has taken root.

“They had a chance to win a championship, in my opinion,” Goodwin added. “I think he’s going to continue to do an amazing job here.”

What once looked like a crossroads for Kentucky basketball now feels like a rebirth. The legends who wore the jersey see it. The fans feel it. And Mark Pope? He’s just getting started.