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BYU Basketball: Why Mark Pope should be the next BYU Head Coach

By Ethan Fleming

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 05: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the San Francisco Dons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 05: Basketballs are shown in a ball rack before a semifinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament between the San Francisco Dons and the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena on March 5, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 88-60. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Head Coach Mark Pope of the Utah Valley Wolverines reacts during a semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Orleans Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grand Canyon won 78-74. Grand Canyon won 78-74. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 15: Head Coach Mark Pope of the Utah Valley Wolverines reacts during a semifinal game of the Western Athletic Conference basketball tournament against the Grand Canyon Lopes at the Orleans Arena on March 15, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grand Canyon won 78-74. Grand Canyon won 78-74. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) /

With no Head Coach for the BYU Basketball team, the Cougars need the Pope. However, this Pope’s name is Mark. 

Just over a month ago, I wrote an article that outlined why I thought it was perhaps time for Dave Rose to step down. Now, as I write this article, Rose is officially retired.

I really appreciate what Dave Rose brought to BYU’s program. He is perhaps the greatest BYU basketball coach to ever pace the sidelines. He brought us Jimmer, the Sweet 16, and 200 victories in the Marriott Center. Coach Rose, thank you.

Now, it’s time for a new era in Provo. The coaching vacancy has left many to speculate who the next coach will be. I believe the man for the job is right down the street in Orem.

On March 24th, former Louisville Head Coach, Rick Pitino tweeted, “With all of the job openings, someone should jump to hire Mark Pope. He has done a great job at Utah Valley. 5 star teacher, recruiter and person. A superstar on the horizon.”

You’d be hard pressed to find a better

Dave Rose is also on record saying this about Pope, “Mark is a great recruiter and has all of the tools to be a successful head coach.” If you’re keeping count, that’s two highly successful coaches that have praised Pope’s recruiting ability.

Pope’s teams have broke what seems to be every Utah Valley basketball record. In this past season, his UVU team set a school record for wins (25) and secured UVU’s first ever back to back 20 win seasons. His first season, his team went 12-18. That’s quite the improvement.

BYU just needs a boost. The past three seasons have brought BYU two first round exits in the NIT and, of course, this year, BYU was not invited to the NIT and opted to not participate in a postseason tournament.

BYU has also seen an influx of players leaving the program early. Eric Mika, Elijah Bryant, and now Yoeli Childs left early to declare for the draft. Others have left the program in search of a new scene. It is a pattern that is becoming increasingly worrisome and detrimental to the program.

Mark Pope might not bring BYU automatic Sweet Sixteen appearances or regular season sweeps of Gonzaga, but he would bring a much needed boost to a stagnant BYU Basketball program.

Pope’s track record is a testament to the type of coach he is. Last year, Utah Valley scheduled to play Kentucky and Duke in a 24 hour period. He is fearless. He turned around UVU’s program. Who knows what he could bring to Provo?

While there are sure to be other options for the vacancy, Pope seems to be the best option for the program.

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