Mark Pope’s surprise admission: "We’ll be 100 times better in year two"
Mark Pope has never been short on confidence, and he’s never lacked a plan. But his latest comments might be his boldest yet — and if he’s right, Big Blue Nation is in for something special.
“I talk about our players being better,” Pope said recently. “The second year, our staff is going to be 100 times better than we were last year, just because we had a chance to function together and learn each other. And the guys have had a chance to learn me… we’re excited to see how much better we can be.”
That statement goes far beyond the usual offseason optimism. It’s a look behind the curtain at what Pope believes is truly being built at Kentucky — and why he expects year two to be such a massive leap forward.
More than just on-court coaching
When most fans think of a basketball staff, they picture the suits on the bench. But the team behind Mark Pope is deep, experienced, and wide-ranging.
Pope’s staff includes a core group of coaches he trusts:
- Alvin Brooks III – Associate Head Coach
- Mark Fox – Associate Coach
- Cody Fueger, Jason Hart, Mikhail McLean – Assistant Coaches
But it doesn’t stop there. The infrastructure supporting this team includes operations, training, strength, conditioning, academics, video, creative content, communications, administration, and medical — a full ecosystem working behind the scenes to elevate Kentucky basketball every day.
Here are just a few of the names helping the machine run:
- Nick Robinson – Director of Operations
- Randy Towner & Marrius Jones – Strength & Conditioning
- Brandon Wells – Senior Athletic Trainer
- Ryan Duffy, Craig Hornberger, Addison Feldhaus – Creative Team
- Dr. Rob Hosey & Dr. Scott D. Mair – Team Physicians
- Will Barton, Megan Summers, Brett Rybak – Program Administration
- Michael Stone – Director of Academic Services
Every one of them had to learn how Pope operates in year one — how he communicates, how he coaches, how he leads. Now, in year two, everyone from the trainers to the video coordinators knows what’s expected, and Pope knows what they can deliver.
Why it matters
If you’ve ever joined a new work team, you know the early months are all about figuring things out — how people prefer to collaborate, where their strengths lie, and how to align toward a common goal.
That’s what year one was under Pope. Year two is about execution.
Now the strength and conditioning staff knows exactly how Pope wants his players to move and defend. The training staff understands the physical toll of his system. The creative team knows how to reflect his personality in Kentucky’s branding. And the coaching staff — some of whom are also new — are speaking the same basketball language.
It’s all smoother. Crisper. More efficient.
And when your players are developing, your schemes are clicking, and your entire operation is running 100 times more smoothly? That’s when good programs become great — and great programs start winning titles.
BBN should be thrilled
Mark Pope didn’t say “a little better.” He said 100 times better. That’s the kind of language Kentucky fans live for.
With a roster that blends returning talent like Otega Oweh with high-upside freshmen and proven transfers, there’s already reason to believe this team could be great.
Now, with the entire Kentucky basketball operation gelling behind the scenes, Pope believes this program is ready to take off.
If he’s right, the rest of the SEC — and the country — better be on notice.