Basketball Hall of Famer and former Kentucky head coach Rick Pitino has spoken out in a passionate statement aimed at University of Kentucky fans, urging them to rally behind newly appointed head coach Mark Pope.
Pitino, who led the Wildcats to a national championship in 1996, said in a video message released on Thursday, “Mark Pope loves this program as much as anyone I’ve ever coached. He’s one of us. He understands what it means to wear that Kentucky blue.”
Pope, a former Wildcats player under Pitino in the 1990s and a national champion himself, was named head coach following the departure of John Calipari. While the hire drew mixed reactions across Big Blue Nation, Pitino’s endorsement has added credibility and optimism to Pope’s arrival.
“Give him your full support,” Pitino added. “He’ll outwork everybody, and he’ll recruit kids who bleed Kentucky. This is a moment to unite, not divide.”
Fans have responded with a surge of online support following Pitino’s comments, and university officials said ticket inquiries have spiked since the message aired.
