Mark Pope’s Balancing Act: Why Kentucky Basketball Needs a General Manager in the NIL Era
Will Stein may be new to the head coaching ranks, but he’s already operating like a seasoned CEO. Since stepping into the top job at Kentucky football, Stein has made one thing clear: he’s not trying to do it all himself. In today’s SEC, that’s not just smart - it’s necessary.
Right out of the gate, Stein built a front office that could help him navigate the ever-shifting landscape of college athletics. He brought in Pat Biondo from Oregon as General Manager and tapped Pete Nochta from Louisville as his assistant GM.
The result? A roster that’s coherent, competitive, and built with purpose.
The portal was kind to the Wildcats, but that wasn’t luck - it was structure.
Now shift the lens to Kentucky basketball, where Mark Pope is in Year 2 and taking a different route. He’s leaned heavily on his coaching staff to serve double duty: coaching the current team while also managing recruiting, scouting, and roster construction.
It’s a lot. And so far, the results have been... uneven.
The “Do No Harm” Dilemma
Pope has been candid about his hesitation to bring in a GM. Back in December, he said, *“We’ve seen places around the country where it’s been an epic disaster, and we’ve seen places where it’s been functional.
When it lands right, we’ll do it. But it’s not something that we want to rush into, because it can be really costly.
There’s the do-no-harm vibe.” *
It’s a valid concern. But in 2026, standing still is its own kind of risk.
While Pope is focused on protecting team culture, Stein is adapting to the new reality of college sports. As Stein put it, *“You just gotta be adaptable.
You gotta be able to change with the times. It is what it is.”
That’s the heart of it. The modern college landscape - with NIL, the transfer portal, and increasingly complex recruiting dynamics - demands more than just X’s and O’s. It demands infrastructure.
The Jayden Quaintance Gamble
A perfect example of where a GM could’ve changed the equation? Jayden Quaintance.
Pope went all-in on the talented big man, who was coming off a major ACL injury. No one questions Quaintance’s upside - when healthy, he’s a rare breed.
But betting a large chunk of your NIL budget and a precious roster spot on a teenager still recovering from knee surgery? That’s a high-stakes roll of the dice.
This isn’t a knock on Quaintance. The kid has immense potential.
But part of a GM’s job is to manage risk. They’re the ones calling doctors, reviewing medicals, and weighing the long-term impact of every personnel move.
A GM might’ve said: *“Let’s take a safer route. Let’s invest in someone who’s ready to contribute now.”
Instead, Pope made a bet based on talent and upside - and he’s not alone in doing that. Most coaches would be tempted by Quaintance’s ceiling. But now, with his status uncertain, the roster could end up paying the price.
Recruiting in 2026: Momentum or Missed Opportunities?
Looking ahead, Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting outlook is murky.
Tyran Stokes once looked like a near-lock. There was buzz he’d commit before Halloween. That cooled off, and now the chatter says Kansas is in the driver’s seat.
Christian Collins, the No. 2 player in the class, was another major target. At one point, it felt like Kentucky had him.
But Collins, a California native, now appears headed for USC. It’s a familiar story - just ask Johnny Juzang, who made a similar west-to-east-to-west journey.
Other top names? Caleb Holt is trending toward Arizona or Alabama.
Jordan Smith seems destined to follow John Calipari. Brandon McCoy is eyeing Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, and Miami.
So who’s left?
Miikka Muurinen is on the radar. He’s expressed interest in the NCAA, but he’s currently playing professionally in Serbia. That raises eligibility questions - especially with the Charles Bediako situation still fresh in the minds of NCAA decision-makers.
Then there’s Sayon Keita, a highly regarded Malian big man playing in Spain. Another international prospect with professional ties. Another potential eligibility hurdle.
That’s a tough position to be in - especially with the resources Kentucky has poured into recruiting. Yes, things can change quickly in high school recruiting. But right now, there’s not a lot of momentum to hang your hat on.
The CEO Needs a CFO
This is where a General Manager earns their paycheck.
A GM doesn’t just help with recruiting - they help with everything. Identifying roster gaps.
Managing NIL budgets. Vetting medical reports.
Talking to agents. Lining up portal targets.
Keeping tabs on eligibility red flags. Freeing up the head coach to focus on coaching.
Mark Pope shouldn’t be the one negotiating contracts or tracking down transcripts. He should be breaking down film, building chemistry, and drawing up game plans. That’s what he does best.
Will Stein figured that out before he ever coached a game. He built a support system that lets him lead like a head coach, not a one-man band.
Pope is a brilliant basketball mind. But he’s trying to wear too many hats - and in today’s college game, that’s a recipe for burnout and missed opportunities.
It’s time for Kentucky basketball to modernize its approach. Hire a GM.
Build the infrastructure. Let Pope do what he was hired to do: lead the Wildcats from the sideline, not the spreadsheet.