Mark Edward Pope born September 11, 1972 is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team. As a player, Pope played both power forward and small forward positions. He began his collegiate career at the University of Washington, where he was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1992 after setting a freshman record with 8.1 rebounds per game. After two seasons with the Huskies, he transferred to the University of Kentucky. Pope sat out the 1993–94 season due to NCAA transfer regulations, then played for the Wildcats for two more years.
Mark Pope Biography 2025
He was a key contributor to Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA national championship team and served as a team captain, averaging 7.6 points in 20.3 minutes per game. Pope also helped Kentucky win two SEC titles during his time with the program. After college, Pope was selected in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He played six seasons in the NBA, also spending time with the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Denver Nuggets before retiring in 2005. Pope transitioned to coaching after his playing career, with various roles in college basketball. Prior to taking the head coach position at Kentucky, he served as head coach for the BYU Cougars in the Big 12 Conference.
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Mark Pope Biography Details
Born
September 11, 1972 (age 52)
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Listed height
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Listed weight
235 lb (107 kg)
High school
Newport (Bellevue, Washington)
College
Washington (1991–1993)
Kentucky (1994–1996)
NBA draft
1996: 2nd round, 52nd overall pick
Mark Pope Early Life
Mark Edward Pope born September 11, 1972, in Omaha, Nebraska is an American professional basketball coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team. Standing 2.08 meters tall and weighing 235 pounds, Pope played both power forward and small forward during his playing career. He attended Newport High School in Bellevue, Washington, before playing college basketball at the University of Washington from 1991 to 1993, where he earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors. Pope then transferred to the University of Kentucky, where he was a key contributor to the Wildcats’ 1996 NCAA national championship team. Following his playing career, Pope transitioned into coaching and, prior to his current role at Kentucky, was the head coach at BYU. He is married to Lee Anne.
Mark Pope Bio
Information
Details
Full Name
Mark Edward Pope
Born
September 11, 1972
Birthplace
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Height
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight
235 lb (107 kg)
Spouse
Lee Anne
College
Washington (1991–1993), Kentucky (1994–1996)
High School
Newport (Bellevue, Washington)
Religion
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Mark Pope Playing Career
Time Period
Team
Position
1996–1997
Anadolu Efes S.K.
Power Forward
1997–1999
Indiana Pacers
Small Forward
1999
La Crosse Bobcats
Power Forward
1999–2000
Ülkerspor
Small Forward
2000–2002
Milwaukee Bucks
Power Forward
2002–2003
New York Knicks
Small Forward
2003–2005
Denver Nuggets
Power Forward
Mark Pope NBA Career Stats
Category
Total
Games Played (GP)
153
Games Started (GS)
57
Minutes per Game (MPG)
10.7
Field Goal Percentage (FG%)
40.1%
3-Point Percentage (3P%)
17.9%
Free Throw Percentage (FT%)
57.3%
Rebounds per Game (RPG)
1.7
Assists per Game (APG)
0.4
Points per Game (PPG)
1.9
Mark Pope Coaching Career Timeline
Year
Team
Position
2009–2010
University of Georgia
Director of Basketball Operations
2010–2011
Wake Forest University
Assistant Coach
2011–2015
Brigham Young University
Assistant Coach
2015–2019
Utah Valley University
Head Coach
2019–2025
Brigham Young University
Head Coach
2025–Present
University of Kentucky
Head Coach
Mark Pope Coaching Success at Utah Valley
Year
Record
Postseason Achievement
2015–16
12–18
N/A
2016–17
17–17
CBI Semifinals
2017–18
23–11
CBI Quarterfinals
2018–19
25–10
CBI Quarterfinals
Mark Pope First Year at BYU
Year
Record
Conference Finish
NCAA Tournament
Other Highlights
2019–20
24–8
2nd in WCC
Not held
Ranked No. 23 in AP Poll
Mark Pope Head Coaching Record at BYU
Year
Record
Conference Record
Postseason
2019–20
24–8
13–3
No postseason
2020–21
20–7
10–3
NCAA Round of 64
2021–22
24–11
9–6
NIT Quarterfinals
2022–23
19–15
7–9
No postseason
Mark Pope First Season at Kentucky
Year
Record
Conference Record
Postseason
2025–25
3–0
0–0
N/A
Mark Pope College Career Statistics
Category
Statistics
Total Points
285
Total Assists
63
Total Rebounds
261
Mark Pope NCAA National Championship (1996)
Achievement
Details
NCAA Title
Kentucky Wildcats (1996)
Team Captain
Yes
Points per Game (PPG)
7.6
Minutes per Game (MPG)
20.3
Mark Pope Coaching Highlights at BYU
Achievement
Details
First Year Record
24–8
Top 25 Finish
Ranked as high as No. 14
Signature Win
Defeated No. 2 Gonzaga
NCAA Tournament Status
Projected bid before COVID-19
Mark Pope Influence on BYU’s Basketball Program
Metric
Impact
Wins per Season
20+ for 4 seasons
Postseason Appearances
4 straight NCAA bids
Conference Titles
2nd in WCC (2019–2020)
Mark Pope Coaching Strategy
Focus Area
Description
Offensive Efficiency
Top 5 in multiple national categories
Defensive Approach
Aggressive, team-oriented defense
Mark Pope Career Milestones
Milestone
Date
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
1992
NCAA National Champion
1996
Fastest 60 Wins at BYU
January 2022
Mark Pope Personal Life
Personal Detail
Information
Spouse
Lee Anne
Children
Four daughters
Father-in-law
Lynn Archibald, former Utah coach
Mark Pope Net Worth
Mark Pope an estimates net worth $27.5 million.
Mark Pope Summary
Mark Pope has established himself as a formidable force in collegiate basketball, both as a player and coach. His journey from a pivotal player on Kentucky’s 1996 NCAA championship team to a successful coach at BYU and Utah Valley highlights his deep understanding of the game and his ability to build winning programs. Now at the helm of the Kentucky Wildcats, Pope is expected to continue his legacy of excellence in one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country.
