Coaches say Mark Pope will outshine Pat Kelsey — here's why that matters
In a recent CBS Sports poll of anonymous college basketball coaches, one question struck right at the heart of a rivalry already simmering beneath the surface: who will be more successful, Kentucky’s Mark Pope or Louisville’s Pat Kelsey?
The results weren’t close.
Sixty-seven percent of coaches picked Pope. Only 33 percent chose Kelsey.
This isn’t just a barbershop debate in the Bluegrass — it’s a referendum on two programs trying to claw their way back to where their banners say they belong. And right now, the coaching world believes Pope is the better bet to get there.
Both coaches stepped into pressure cookers. Pat Kelsey inherited a Louisville program that had hit rock bottom under Kenny Payne, winning just 12 games over two seasons and becoming a punchline in their own league. Mark Pope, meanwhile, took over a Kentucky team rich in tradition but starving for March success. The Wildcats hadn’t seen the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2019. For Big Blue Nation, that’s an eternity.
In year one, both delivered progress. Kelsey’s Cardinals went from laughingstock to 8-seed. They were bounced by Creighton in the first round, but the improvement was tangible. Pope’s Wildcats grabbed a 3-seed and made it to the Sweet 16, knocking off Troy and Illinois before falling to SEC rival Tennessee.
Still, the expectations are different. Kentucky doesn’t celebrate Sweet 16s. Louisville needed a tournament appearance just to breathe again.
So why do coaches favor Pope? Likely because of his recruiting surge — landing top-10 classes, multiple McDonald's All-Americans, and flipping the culture in Lexington with a mix of high-character players and NBA-ready upside. His X’s and O’s impressed, but his ability to connect has made the biggest impact. He will talk to fans in the streets, take photos in grocery stores and seems to care about everyone.
Pat Kelsey might rebuild Louisville into a winner again. But in the eyes of those who know the grind best, Mark Pope is building something even bigger and beyond the basketball court.