Rick Pitino was the first person to advocate for Mark Pope when it was announced in April that he would be taking the vacant ...

Rick Pitino has been coaching for decades, and the legendary tactician has seen some of his former players rise to the ranks of head coaches.

Mark Pope chest-bumps coach Rick Pitino on Senior Day in Rupp Arena in 1996. The current UK coach also chest-bumped Pitino during a game at Vanderbilt. Frank Anderson Herald-Leader File Photo ...

Rick Pitino rekindled his relationship with Kentucky fans last year when he endorsed new Wildcats head coach Mark Pope and ...

After a four-year battle with cancer, ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale is back covering a UK basketball game. Here ...

Wildcats head coach Mark Pope also seems to be looking forward ... However, Pope's coach from his college days, Rick Pitino, believes Kentucky fans do not respect Calipari as much as they should.

The head coach of St. John's is former Kentucky coach Rick Pitino. The 1996 National Championship team was coached by Pitino, and the captain of this team was Kentucky's coach Mark Pope.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Mark Pope played for Pitino for three seasons at Kentucky. He doesn't recall speaking with his former coach prior to the 2001 matchup.

Kentucky's Mark Pope started his coaching career at Rupp Arena with 11 straight wins. How does that start compare to other ...

LEXINGTON — More than two decades ago, Rick Pitino returned to Rupp Arena for the first ... going on to win 82-62. Mark Pope played for Pitino for three seasons at Kentucky. He doesn't recall speaking ...

LEXINGTON — More than two decades ago, Rick Pitino returned to Rupp ... Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Mark Pope played for Pitino for three seasons at Kentucky.