As a proud "Girl Dad," I can tell you there is nothing quite like watching your child go out into the world and do the right things simply because they want to. To see them grow, learn, and serve others... There is just nothing in the world like it.
Mark Pope knows that feeling better than anyone right now. Recently, a video went viral of Pope picking up his daughter, Avery, at the airport. She had been gone for over 16 months serving on a mission trip in El Salvador. When he saw her, the emotion was written all over his face, and it was a moment every parent can relate to.
Pope recently spoke to Andy Katz and Seth Davis about that moment, and what he said is something every parent needs to read.
Check out the full interview that @TheAndyKatz and I did with @KentuckyMBB coach @CoachMarkPope for The Hoops HQ Show. Pope was typically thoughtful on family, faith, and all things Kentucky hoops @hhqsports https://t.co/ZKASEXRwr6
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) February 11, 2026
'Daughters are magic'
Here is what the head coach had to say about having his family back together after leaving a press conference early to go pick her up:
"It was a special family moment for sure. All of us that are blessed to have children can relate to the fact that... daughters are like magic. I'm blessed to have four of the most extraordinary human beings walking around the planet."
Avery spent over a year serving others in El Salvador, and for the Pope family, the distance was brutal.
"We're limited in contact with her. We only get to talk once a week as part of the program. So you spend all that time—a year and a half—feeling like you're down a starter. It's just magic to have her back."
"We were blessed that our other two daughters that don't live here were able to fly in for the weekend and we got to spend some time together. There's nothing better. If you start with family in your life... and finish there, then the rest of it is icing. It's just the most important institution on this planet."
Honestly, I think this is part of what makes Mark Pope the perfect coach for Kentucky and a coach that will be successful wherever he goes. He understands that while basketball is important, it isn't everything.
He builds relationships beyond the court. He treats his players like family because he actually values family. When you have a coach who cares about you as a person first and a player second, that is when you can really flourish. You can trust that the staff is going to do all they can to help you get to where you want to be.
It’s good to have the "starter" back, Coach.