Kentucky’s search for another assistant coach is still alive, but Mark Pope made it sound like the Wildcats are in no rush to force the issue.
With Alvin Brooks and Jason Hart gone, Kentucky had to rework its staff this offseason. The program already addressed one opening by hiring former Jackson State head coach and NBA champion Mo Williams, but the second spot remains unresolved. On Wednesday, Pope talked about that vacancy during an appearance on KSR and said the Wildcats are leaning toward adding someone else.
“Most likely, yes,” Pope responded when asked if he plans to hire another assistant coach. “I can't tell you when, this is what I can tell you.
I love the way that our staff is working right now. So, there's been a chance in the NCAA right now in terms of staff.
So right now, I get Will Corbin, I get Nick Robinson, and Matt Santoro on the court. All staff members are allowed to be on the court right now.
I like the way we feel as a staff. I'm engaged in conversations about staff every day.
Even when our staff is full, I'm still talking to people and seeing where it goes. If we hire someone, it's gonna be the right person that's gonna be the right fit for what we do, but we're working at a really high level.”
That answer keeps the door open on a number of possibilities, including Jamal Crawford, whose name has been floating around the conversation for months. Pope addressed that directly, too, and made clear that Crawford’s current situation matters.
“Jamal's still got two years left on his NBC contract. I'm good friends with Jamal, we've been friends for a long time.
There might be a time where it's good for him to jump into coaching, it's something he would like to do. He's one of those guys that's cut from a little bit of a similar cloth like Mo Williams is, where, Mo was -- it's hard to run an AAU program.
And there's a lot of guys that fund an AAU program -- Mo was running an AAU program. Jamal is running and coaching an AAU program.
When you find guys like that with their background, he could have a great future in college, he could go get a job in the exact right space as a head coach in the NBA maybe, but I think coaching is in his future and he's got a sweet deal right now and he's got a couple years left.”
For now, Pope’s comments suggest Kentucky is still evaluating its options rather than racing to make a hire. The Wildcats appear comfortable waiting for the right fit, and Crawford’s NBC deal makes him a tough pull at the moment.
In Other News...
Will Steins First Kentucky Season Just Got Even More Brutal
Will Steins first season in Lexington is already shaping up to be a grind, and the early read on Kentuckys 2026 slate only sharpens that reality. ESPN FPI has the Wildcats at No. 4 in the country for schedule difficulty, a brutal backdrop for a coach trying to establish a new identity while navigating a league schedule loaded with Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina and a long list of other familiar SEC headaches.
The challenge is obvious, but so is the reason for some optimism around the program. Stein has already started to build momentum on the recruiting trail, including a promising 2027 class, and his track record at Oregon gives Kentucky reason to believe the long-term picture can improve even if the short-term road is steep. The question now is how much patience the Wildcats will need if the results in year one get tested by one of the toughest slates in the sport. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Pope Just Added Fuel To Kentuckys Biggest Rotation Debate
Trent Noahs sophomore season at Kentucky never quite got off the ground the way some around the program expected, with his shooting wavering even as his rebounding and defensive effort continued to stand out. John Calipari had already pointed to Noahs impact on that end of the floor during preseason camp, and the conversation around him has only grown louder as fans debate how much run he should get this season, especially with the Wildcats looking for reliable help at the two spot.
Mark Popes latest comments only sharpened the discussion. He has been openly impressed with Noah through the first month of camp and sees a player whose value goes well beyond the box score, which is exactly why the rotation question has become so interesting. The remaining issue is whether Noah can make enough progress as a shooter and defender to turn all that praise into a real, every-night role. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Just Entered A Massive Battle For A Surging Elite Guard
Kentucky has jumped into the mix for one of the fastest-rising guards in the 2027 class, extending a scholarship offer to NaVarro Bowman Jr. after his recent surge on the national stage. The point guard helped lead the USA U17 National team to a gold medal, and his profile has only grown as major programs across the country continue to circle.
Bowmans recruitment is still in its early stages, but the list of suitors is already starting to look like a heavyweight fight. He is lining up official visits to Arizona and Texas, with North Carolina and Illinois also in the mix, giving Kentucky an immediate chance to make up ground in a race that figures to stay crowded for a while. [Read more 🡒]