Why Austin Pope Could Be Kentucky’s Smartest Hire

Kentucky will be looking for at least one addition to the coaching staff for next season. Jason Hart is moving on to SMU, accepting the Associate Head Coach position. Let’s not forget this isn’t the only potential change. While nothing is confirmed, there are rumors we could see one to three more coaches leaving. If that comes to fruition, Kentucky will essentially be replacing an entire staff.

No matter what ends up happening with the other coaches, we can say for certain they will need to replace Jason Hart.

So who does Kentucky turn to?

The rumor mill has already started flying, with multiple former NBA players potentially joining the staff who have connections to a couple of Kentucky recruits. Names like Mo Williams and Jamal Crawford have already surfaced. With the latter already being debunked as an online rumor. But with only a few weeks before Kentucky starts to truly start to build its roster. The need to have a staff in place quickly is needed.

While rumor swill abound especially as we enter the crazy season. There is a name I think Big Blue Nation should be watching. It just so happens to be a familiar one from Mark Pope’s first staff at Kentucky last year.

Austin Pope, who is currently the Lead Video Coordinator for the South Bay Lakers, would be an excellent choice to replace Jason Hart and return to the program he helped last season. Austin was critical to on-court production, player development, and more.

At just 31 years old, a former Division I player at Chaminade, and an elite basketball mind, he brings Kentucky a real chance at landing high-level recruits that he began establishing relationships with last year. He is already linked to several five-star prospects in the 2027 and 2028 classes and most importantly. He understands what it means to be at “Kentucky”.

Coaching with BTI on the AAU circuit, which has produced players like Nik Khamenia at Duke, Isaiah Johnson at Colorado, and Xavier Stanton at BYU, Coach Pope (that won’t get confusing lol) has worked with high-level NCAA players already. Tounde Yessoufou and Paulius Murauskas are just a few examples of the high caliber players under his tutelage.

You would be bringing in an assistant coach and lead recruiter who has now spent a year in the NBA with a prestigious brand like the Lakers. He has a unique basketball mind, a relatable personality, and understands how to build and establish relationships with top-tier recruits. Most importantly, he’s a rising star in the coaching ranks some compare to another former Kentucky coach. Jai Lucas, and if Austin Pope turns out to be anywhere near that caliber of coach Kentucky would be lucky to have him, again.

Austin Pope just seems to check all the boxes!