Darrell Bird

When the announcement of Mark Pope as new Kentucky coach was met with negative reaction, Mitch Barnhart doubled down by opting to hold the event in cavernous Rupp Arena. In an exclusive one-on-one with The Cats' Pause, Barnhart and Pope go behind the scenes for hilarious details leading to the phenomenal introduction.

Now at Kentucky, coach Mark Pope knew he had to change his thought process on hiring assistant coaches. "I've always had guys that are young guys," Pope said. "This job is bigger than that. It just is."

Mark Pope reflects on coming home to Kentucky.

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — As he stood before more than 20,000 Kentucky fans for his introductory press conference on April 14, new coach Mark Pope had two choices when it

AD Mitch Barnhart on Kentucky's 2023-24 athletics year: "I'm thankful for in-season efforts and wins and we've been solid, but we can be better. It hasn't been one of our banner years." Exclusive one-on-one interview from SEC Spring Meetings.

Mitch Barnhart: "I've got 675 student athletes. Am I going to be able to maintain 675 student athletes or am I going to have to adjust? I don't know the answers. We've got a lot of questions and not a lot of answers, but we know there's massive change ahead in the way we do our work."

New Kentucky coach Mark Pope took dead aim at one of basketball's most sacred, and long-standing beliefs – Xs and O's of coaching. Part 6 of an exclusive one-on-one interview with The Cats' Pause from the SEC Spring Meetings in Florida.

Before becoming Mark Pope's right-hand man, Cody Fueger grew up under the mentorship of Rick Majerus. The stories in this exclusive one-on-one interview with The Cats' Pause are as outrageous as one might expect. Fueger also details the growth of Pope from rookie head coach to his new job at Kentucky.

A decade ago, Travis Perry dreamed of being Aaron Harrison. Today, as a freshman on Kentucky's 2025 team, he gets to practice against those he deems "the icons in college basketball."

A decade ago, Travis Perry dreamed of being Aaron Harrison. Today, as a Kentucky freshman, he gets to practice against those he deems "the icons in college basketball."