"I've spent a lot of time with John Calipari": Mark Pope makes honest admission about his relationship with former Kentucky coach

Mark Pope, the new head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, has been thinking about the key matchups the Wildcats will have to play this season. Kentucky will be playing in the SEC, which this year onwards features the Texas Longhorns and the Oklahoma Sooners.

However, there is one game that Pope is focusing on: the Wildcats' matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks, which will be the return of former Wildcats head coach John Calipari.

However, there appears to be no bad blood between Pope and his predecessor. Pope told Fox Sports:

"I've spent a lot of time with him [Calipari], and he's been so generous and gracious with me my whole career. I think he's that way to everybody, and he's one of the great ambassadors of the game. What he did here at Kentucky is super special, man. It's really incredible"

John Calipari led the Kentucky Wildcats for 15 seasons. During that time, he led the Wildcats to two NCAA tournament final fours and two national championship games. Kentucky won the championship game in 2012 and were runners-up two years later.

Every year, the Wildcats were in contention for both the SEC championship and the national championship. However, in recent years, things have not gone to plan.

In the last three NCAA tournaments, the Wildcats have struggled and only won one game. These defeats led to many fans calling for Calipari to leave the program. At the end of the 2024 season, Calipari became the new head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Calipari's new team will come face to face with the Wildcats on just one occasion this season, which is set to be a mouthwatering encounter.

Mark Pope praises Rick Pitino

John Calipari has not been the only former Kentucky Wildcats coach Mark Pope admires. Pope has also said good words about Rick Pitino, who won the national championship with the Wildcats in 1996. Pope told the Lexington Herald-Leader:

"He [Pitino] allowed me to be someone who feels I can walk into any room and take on any impossible task, and I will love him forever. And so I say St. John’s, because I have so much admiration for him. He’s probably the best that ever did it.”

Pitino is now in charge of St John's, and Mark Pope has been trying to get the two teams to play against each other soon.

"Guys, we’re working so hard. Next year — not this season, but next season — will be the 30th anniversary of Coach’s first national championship, which he won at the University of Kentucky. We have to play this game. And we’re trying so hard,” Pope said.

If the matchup is played, welcoming a former successful head coach back to Lexington would be another exciting encounter for Mark Pope's team.