Kentucky head coach Mark Pope has openly embraced Rick Pitino’s return to Lexington, expressing his deep admiration for the legendary coach. As Pitino prepares to lead St. John’s into a highly anticipated matchup against the Wildcats, Pope reflected on the profound impact Pitino has had on his life, both as a player and as a person.
“I love him. He changed my DNA as a human being,” Pope said of his former coach. Pope, who played under Pitino at Kentucky from 1994 to 1996, was part of the 1996 national championship team, one of the most dominant in college basketball history. Pitino’s leadership and influence during that time, according to Pope, went beyond basketball, shaping his character and approach to life.
“Coach Pitino wasn’t just about winning games—though he certainly did that better than anyone. He was about teaching us how to be relentless, how to push ourselves beyond our limits,” Pope continued. “That mentality didn’t just help me on the court; it’s helped me throughout my life.”
Pitino’s return to Kentucky with his St. John’s team has stirred a mix of emotions among fans, many of whom still hold him in high regard despite his controversial exit from Louisville. For Pope, however, the personal connection with Pitino is unshakable. As a player, Pope experienced firsthand the intensity and precision that Pitino demanded, and now as a coach, he recognizes how much of that has been ingrained in his own coaching style.
“He’s one of the best to ever do it. I learned so much from him, and I owe a great deal of my success in basketball and in life to his guidance,” Pope added. “It’s an honor to see him back here.”
Pitino, now in his first season with St. John’s after revitalizing his coaching career at Iona, will face a Kentucky team eager to prove themselves on a national stage. However, for Pope, this game carries added significance—one where mentorship, respect, and shared history intersect with competition.
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