Kentucky still has a coaching staff opening, but Mark Pope isn’t treating it like an emergency.
As July begins, the Wildcats remain one assistant short after an offseason that saw Jason Hart and Alvin Brooks III leave. Pope has already brought Mo Williams onto the staff, yet there’s still one vacancy to fill.
When asked about it on BBN Tonight, Pope made it clear he’s comfortable with where things stand right now.
”This group is functioning at a high level,” Pope said. “I like the way our staff feels.
I like the way we feel in staff meetings every day. I like the way we are executing on the road.
I like the way we feel on the court right now.”
That’s not the language of a coach scrambling to plug a hole. Pope said he’s not desperate to add another piece to the staff at this point, and he pointed to the current group’s rhythm as a big reason why.
He also raised another factor that could shape the timing of the hire: new NCAA guidelines, especially those tied to international recruiting, are expected to be challenged in court. Pope said the outcome of those legal battles could influence how he handles the open spot.
For now, the search remains open. Jamal Crawford has been mentioned for a while as a possible candidate, and that idea may still be alive. But Pope’s comments also leave room for someone with strong international ties to enter the mix.
So the wait continues. Kentucky has a vacancy, but there doesn’t appear to be any rush to announce the next assistant.
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