Kentucky is reportedly zeroing in on its next head coach. It's a name few were expecting when John Calipari vacated the job.
The Wildcats are finalizing a five-year deal with BYU head coach Mark Pope, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Pope played two seasons at Kentucky in the 90s, redshirting a season after transferring from Washington and then playing from 1994 to 1996 under Rick Pitino, winning a title in his senior year. That's a positive on Pope's résumé as he takes over a blue blood.
His history as a coach, however, makes the hire quite a surprise.