Mark Pope with Rick Pitino during UK's 1996 national championship season. (Clay Jackson Photo)
If new Kentucky coach Mark Pope wants to have a home-and-home series with St. John’s former UK coach Rick Pitino is all for it.
At his press conference Sunday, Pope praised his coach on UK’s 1996 national championship team and admitted that Pitino “changed” him.
“Like he changed me to my soul, changed my DNA as a human being. He allowed me to be someone who feels they can walk into any room and take on any impossible task. And I will love him forever. So I say St. John’s because I have so much admiration for him. He is the best that did it. I love him so much,” Pope said.
Pitino recorded a video endorsement of Pope he posted on social media after he was hired at UK and that probably helped lead to the capacity crowd Sunday at Rupp Arena for Pope’s first press conference.
The St. John’s coach did not need long to post on social media that he was ready, willing and able to take on a home-and-home series with UK.
“Wow, just saw clips from our Captain’s press conference. Not shocked, but pleasantly surprised. Would expect nothing less from Coach Mark Pope. Also, St. John’s Basketball accepts, this year at UK, next year at the Mecca! Looking forward to saying goodbye to Kentucky Basketball,” Pitino posted.
Pitino was beloved at UK for putting the Cats back in the national spotlight after the disastrous ending to the Eddie Sutton era. He won a national title in 1996 and made the title game in 1997 before leaving for the NBA. He won over 80 percent of his games while leading the Wildcats to five SEC Tournament titles, four SEC regular season championships, three 30-win seasons, three Final Fours and the 1996 national championship in his eight seasons.
However, many UK fans felt betrayed when he took over as the coach at Louisville and won the national title in 2013 that has been vacated. He was fired in October of 2017, coached three seasons at Iona and went 20-13 in his first season at St. John’s.
His last trip to Rupp Arena was in 2015 when Louisville lost 75-73 and Pitino let his frustration show as he left the court.
Now with Pope as the coach, maybe he can make one final return trip to Rupp Arena and my guess is that Pope would make sure UK fans give him a much warmer welcome.
14 Responses
I always liked Pitino as a competitor. He was never afraid. But like all true competitors and human beings, he had flaws just like all of us. I would welcome his back in a heartbeat.
Well said RJohn
Pitino had a nice run here, but he thought he was a basketball god. His time at Boston proved he was not. He was a much better coach at Louisville, but again, success went to his head. He wished he had never left Kentucky and was hoping to get the call to come back after the FRAUD left. St. Johns is a good place for him to be now. We have the right guy in Mark Pope. I would be all for a home and home series with St. Johns.
I think he did say that he wished he hadn’t left.
He said don’t mess with happiness.
Come on down Rick P.
Hey Rick you dirtbag after you flipped us off on your last visit I hope everyone boos your ass
Out the door
2 of the hottest tix for MBB next year at Rupp: Cats vs St John’s & Cats vs Arkansas.
Hot Tickets!!!
very hot ticket
Very hot tickets & I hope ALL UK fans show class & give Rick Pitino the welcome Coach Mark Pope got! He took UK to the pinnacle (3 Finals!) & UK failed to hire him back when he resigned from Boston. He was available & would have put UK back on top. Tubby could have kept his salary as an assistant to do it gracefully. UK blew AD blew it. Don’t blame Pitino!
Does anyone know if Tyler Ulis is staying with us as assist coach? I cannot see him going to Arkansas!
No word yet on Ulis
Thanks so much Larry! I have spent hours looking for answers on Tyler with no luck. We all know that Cal only cared about salvaging his ego and not about any damage he left behind. I, for one, am still glad that he left – regardless of the outcome. I could not imagine that Coach Pope would not keep Tyler if possible. He has so much knowledge and other priceless traits to share with these young men.
Matt Jones just posted some stuff but nothing definitive. Wish that we knew more!