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Is Mark Pope following a similar path as Gary Crowton?

By Adam Gibby

PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 3: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars reacts in the final minutes of their game against the San Francisco Dons February 3, 2022 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - FEBRUARY 3: Head coach Mark Pope of the BYU Cougars reacts in the final minutes of their game against the San Francisco Dons February 3, 2022 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Feb 19, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope yells from the bench during the first half against the Saint Mary’s Gaels at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2022; Moraga, California, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope yells from the bench during the first half against the Saint Mary’s Gaels at University Credit Union Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Still No Verdict

When I started this article, my answer was these two should not be compared to each other. After all, BYU doesn’t appear to have a bunch of issues within the team or off the court. The Cougars are posting winning records (although can we really call a 5th place finish in the WCC a winning record?) and there are some promising recruits coming into the program in the next few years.

That being said, the comparisons are there, and I believe that the verdict isn’t out yet. I believe that Pope has the upper hand to this point considering the team is still on the bubble (albeit on the outside) whereas Crowton posted a 5-6 record in his final season.

Next season is going to say a lot about the future of this team, especially as they enter the Big 12 in two years.

I am rooting for Mark Pope. I believe that he can lead the Cougars to a lot of success in the coming years and make this team a respected middle of the pack (which is actually really good) Big 12 team that goes to the Big Dance every season.

But we can not deny that things aren’t looking great right now, and that is something to watch as we go forward.

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