Mark Pope Says Kentucky’s Coaching Staff Is Ready to Take a Major Leap in Year Two

“100 Times Better”: Mark Pope Says Kentucky’s Coaching Staff Is Ready to Take a Major Leap in Year Two

After a whirlwind first year at the helm, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope is entering his second season with more than just an upgraded roster  he’s returning with a fully intact, battle-tested coaching staff that he believes will be “100 times better” this time around.

In Year 1, Pope had to build his staff from the ground up under immense pressure. The clock was ticking. The transfer portal was in full swing. And the expectations of Big Blue Nation never wavered. Yet through all that, Pope assembled a collection of basketball minds that not only met the moment but helped push the Wildcats to a competitive and cohesive campaign in their first year together.

Now, with a full season of experience and chemistry under their belts, Pope is expecting a major leap not just from the players, but from the men in suits on the sideline.

A Staff Built on Speed and Substance

When Pope took over in April 2024, he had no assistants, no playbook in place, and almost no time. But by July, he had locked in a full staff:

• Alvin Brooks III, associate head coach with deep recruiting ties in Texas and over 20 years of experience.
• Cody Fueger, Pope’s longtime right-hand man from Utah Valley, brought continuity and trust.
• Mark Fox, a veteran coach with over 30 years of experience and prior head coaching roles at Georgia and Cal.
• Jason Hart, who previously led the G League Ignite, added professional-level development experience.
• Mikhail McLean, the youngest on staff, who turned heads with his player development chops  particularly with big men Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison.

It was a blend of veteran savvy, recruiting reach, and player development but most importantly, it was built on short notice.

From “Learning Each Other” to Leading Together

Pope reflected on the challenges and growth of that first season, emphasizing that simply having one full year together changes everything.

“We have so many more data points, right? One is a lot more than zero,” Pope said. “Our staff is going to be 100 times better than we were last year, just because we had a chance to function together and learn each other.”

In just a few months, these coaches learned Pope’s expectations, each other’s rhythms, and how to communicate more effectively on the fly. It’s the kind of intangible synergy that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, but transforms good teams into great ones.

With offseason planning already underway, Pope is focused on sharpening the entire operation  from player development to recruiting strategy, from game prep to locker room leadership.

“We’re excited to see how much better we can be in year two how much more efficient, smarter, more accountable,” Pope added. “How relentless we can be at doing that. I think that year two is fun because you have your one under your belt.”

Continuity Is the New Superpower

In today’s college basketball landscape  dominated by one-and-done talent and transfer portal turnover continuity is a rare luxury. And Pope knows it. Keeping an entire staff together, especially after a solid debut season, is no small feat.

But as Kentucky looks ahead to a 2025–26 season filled with high expectations and national intrigue, Pope believes the greatest competitive advantage might be the unity and growth of the guys on the bench.

Because for all the talent he’s bringing in and developing on the court, Mark Pope is just as confident in the coaching behind it. And that confidence, he says, will drive the program to new heights.