Pope’s contract calls for him to make $27.5 million total, including a $5 million salary and a $250k annual raise.
In collegiate basketball, Kentucky is a member of the ‘blue blood’ club, however since the 2018–19 season, the team has not advanced past the opening weekend. Following the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, UK was unable to qualify for the NCAA Tournament in 2021 and has exited in the first round in two of the previous three seasons.
Pope will receive a bonus if he advances to the Sweet Sixteen as a result. An extra $250,000 will be given to him for each Sweet Sixteen appearance.
That’s a lovely increase, but Pope isn’t here for that. ‘Hanging a flag’ at Kentucky should be the standard each season, as he said when he accepted the position.
Pope declared, “The University of Kentucky is the epitome of coaching in college basketball.” “This is the epitome of a blueblood program—every year, hanging a banner is the standard.”
Pope would also receive $500k for winning the National Championship, $250k for reaching the Final Four, $100k for winning the SEC regular-season championship, and $50k for winning the SEC Tournament.
Kentucky is coming off a 23–10 record and an upset defeat to Oakland in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.After a 23-11 season, Pope guided BYU to the NCAA Tournament this past season.
