Kentucky Basketball head coach Mark Pope says the program is in no rush to fill its final assistant coaching vacancy, noting that upcoming NCAA decisions could play a major role in how the staff is ultimately structured.
“We’re taking our time with this last assistant coaching position,” Pope tells UK Sports Network. “We’re trying to read the tea leaves on some decision-making that the NCAA is going to make clear here over the next few weeks that’s going to direct us on what space we need to really focus on.”
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Kentucky has undergone notable staff turnover this offseason, losing two assistants in Jason Hart, who left for SMU, and Alvin Brooks III, who took a position at NC State after departing Lexington.
In response, Pope added Mo Williams, a former head coach at Alabama State and Jackson State, to the staff. Williams’ hire also strengthens Kentucky’s development pipeline with incoming freshman point guard Mason Williams, a 4-star prospect in the class of 2026.
One assistant position still remains open, and speculation has centered around former NBA guard Jamal Crawford as a potential target. However, Crawford would need to relocate to Lexington and also consider his son JJ Crawford’s future playing situation, making the decision complex. Crawford is also coaching his son on the AAU circuit and will continue to do so into the middle of July.
Pope cannot afford to wait indefinitely, as summer workouts and preseason preparation are approaching quickly. Still, Kentucky’s momentum under Pope remains strong, highlighted by a major transfer addition in Milan Momcilovic and a top-10 2027 commitment in forward Ryan Hampton.
Here’s to hoping Pope continues that momentum and makes a major addition to his staff.
