A New Era for Kentucky Basketball: Mark Pope Wins Over Former Cats

As the dust settles on John Calipari’s departure, Kentucky Basketball is entering a new era under the guidance of Mark Pope. The Big Blue Nation is abuzz with excitement, and former players from the Coach Cal era are weighing in on the change.

​ Candidates for a new beginning

After 15 seasons in Lexington, it was natural to wonder how former players would respond to the news. So far, the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. John Wall sounded off with his support on his podcast, and Kellen Grady expressed his excitement for the new offense coming to Rupp Arena.

Now, with the La Familia TBT team in town, two other former Cats have offered their support and enthusiasm for the future of the Wildcat program: Nate Sestina and Aaron Harrison.

​ Nate Sestina

“I think he said it best. All good things come to an end. I think it was great timing in terms of a good transition into a young and hungry coach like Coach Pope,” Sestina said. “He’s a guy that has been successful in his coaching career and for coach Cal transitioning into something new and something fresh for him.”

Aaron Harrison, another former Cat, echoed Sestina’s sentiments. “I love Coach Cal, obviously, but I am excited to see what Coach Pope can do, and I‗m definitely going to cheer for him,” Harrison said. “He seems like a great guy, and I‗m excited to meet him.”

The support continues to pour in for Coach Pope and his return to Lexington. It should be a fun year for the Cats.

​ The new era has begun

With Mark Pope at the helm, Kentucky Basketball is poised for a fresh start. As the season approaches, the excitement is palpable, and former players are eager to see what the future holds.

“I think it’s going to be a great change of pace for Kentucky basketball,” said Harrison. “I think Coach Pope is going to bring a lot of energy and a lot of enthusiasm to the program.”

As the BBN looks to the future, one thing is clear: Mark Pope has already won over the hearts of former Cats. Now, it’s time to see what he can do on the court.

​ The stage is set