The University of Kentucky basketball program is set to undergo a significant transformation next season.
The Wildcats are said to be in the final stages of securing a deal with one of their former players to assume the head coaching role of the school's men's basketball team.
Kentucky has selected Mark Pope, the current head coach of the BYU Cougars, to fill the position vacated by longtime coach John Calipari, per college hoops insider Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Calipari, who has held the position since 2009 and guided the team to a national championship in 2012, departed from his role at Kentucky earlier this week to take over the head coaching position at the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
Pope played college basketball for Kentucky from 1993 to 1996, including a redshirt season. He notably served as the captain of the Wildcats' championship-winning team in 1996.
Kentucky fans skeptical of Mark Pope hiring
Some Kentucky fans are concerned about Pope's hiring due to his perceived lack of a solid track record.
The 51-year-old tactician has only led BYU to the NCAA Tournament twice during his five-season tenure. The team failed to secure a victory on both occasions, exiting in the first round each time.
Pope has amassed a record of 110-52 during his five seasons as the head coach at BYU.
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