Pope Press Conference Photo Gallery

OREM, Utah--NBA veteran and former NCAA national champion Mark Pope has been named the Utah Valley University men's basketball head coach, it was announced Tuesday at a press conference in the Student Life and Wellness Center on the UVU campus. Pope becomes just the second coach in UVU's 12-year Division I era and eighth coach in the program's 42-year history.
 
"I could not be more excited to be the new head coach at Utah Valley University," Pope said at Tuesday's press conference. "This is going to be a really special run. UVU is an extraordinary place. I've played and coached at universities all across the country, and I've never seen a place like this; that offers the innovative, academic, cultural experience that is available here. It is unbelievable. I am excited to be part of it."
 
Pope, 42, served as an assistant coach at Brigham Young University for the past four seasons. This past season, he helped BYU to a 25-10 record and an at-large bid into this year's NCAA Tournament in Dayton. He spent four seasons with the Cougars, helping the team to a 98-43 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the semifinals of the NIT. 
 
"Today is a great day to be a Wolverine," said Utah Valley athletic director Vince Otoupal. "We are getting the whole package with coach Pope. We couldn't be more excited to have him join the Wolverine family."
 
Pope spent the 2010-11 season as an assistant coach at Wake Forest under Jeff Bzdelik. He has also previously served as the director of basketball operations at Georgia under Mark Fox during the 2009-10 season.
 
As a player, Pope helped Kentucky claim the 1996 NCAA National Championship and enjoyed a nine-year professional career that included seven seasons in the NBA and two in Turkey. Pope was drafted in the second round of the 1996 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. Following the draft, Pope played a season as a professional in Turkey for Efes Pilsen. He then joined the Indiana Pacers where he played for two seasons under head coach Larry Bird and helped the team to the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals.
 
He enjoyed a brief stint with the CBA's La Crosse Bobcats under Hall of Famer Dennis Johnson in 2000-01 before finishing the season in Turkey. Pope returned to the NBA the following year and spent two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks under head coach George Karl. Pope started 45 games and helped the Bucks reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001. After two seasons with the Bucks, Pope spent the 2002-03 season on injured reserve with the New York Knicks. He wrapped up his NBA career playing two seasons from 2003-05 with the Denver Nuggets.
 
Pope began his collegiate career playing for the University of Washington. He earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors in 1992 after setting a freshman single-season record, averaging 8.1 rebounds per game. He was named to the Pac-10's All-Academic team as a sophomore in 1992-93. Following his sophomore campaign, Pope transferred to Kentucky where he played for Rick Pitino. After redshirting in 1993-94, Pope helped the Wildcats win back-to-back SEC titles, advance to the NCAA Elite Eight in 1995 and win the NCAA National title in 1996. Pope earned Academic All-SEC honors in 1995 and graduated from Kentucky with a degree in English in 1996.
 
Before joining the basketball staff at Georgia, Pope spent three years in medical school at Columbia University in New York. He did much of his pre-med course work while playing in the NBA. Pope and his wife Lee Anne have four daughters: Ella (14), Avery (12), Layla (9) and Shay (6). Lee Anne worked at ESPN before serving as David Letterman's personal assistant for four years.

What they are saying about coach Pope

"Mark is a tireless worker and will be an outstanding head coach. I loved coaching him every second of his career."
 Rick Pitino – Head Coach, Louisville
 
"Mark Pope's appointment might be the best hire in the country. I coached him over 20 years ago and he later served as part of my staff. He and Lee Anne are wonderful people and will be great additions to the Utah Valley family. He has an infectious spirit that will immediately energize the program. Mark was able to play for great coaches during his terrific playing career. His knowledge of the game and the skill set he brings to the job will make him a huge success."
Mark Fox – Head Coach, Georgia
 
"Utah Valley is getting a great coach in Mark Pope. He will bring great energy and a love for the game to that program. Mark is a great recruiter and has all the tools to be a successful head coach. This is a great opportunity for him and his family. I wish him nothing but the best."
Dave Rose – Head Coach, Brigham Young University
 
"Coach Pope always had his players best interests at heart. He worked as hard as any coach I have played for. I have a relationship with him that goes far beyond the game of basketball. I know he will be successful as the head coach for UVU and its players. Fans should be excited for the future of their men's basketball program."
Brock Zylstra – Brigham Young University guard (2009-13)