Kentucky's Sweet 16 run earns Mark Pope another year on contract

Field Level Media|published: Mon 24th March, 13:33 2025

Mar 20, 2025; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Pope speaks during an NCAA Tournament First Round Practice press conference at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

While Kentucky was busy earning its way into the Sweet 16, head coach Mark Pope was adding another year onto his Wildcats contract, as well as earning a hefty bonus at the same time.

Pope has turned his first season at Kentucky into a successful one by advancing to the second week of the NCAA Tournament following an 84-75 victory over Illinois on Sunday.

Hired to replace John Calipari on a five-year, $27.5-million contract, the Wildcats' Sweet 16 spot has earned Pope a sixth season on the deal worth $5.25 million that will keep in him Lexington, Ky., through the 2029-30 season, according to Sportico.

He also earned a $50,000 bonus after the team won its first two games of this NCAA Tournament.

No. 3 seed Kentucky will now face No. 2 seed Tennessee on Friday at Indianapolis.

Pope is in line to earn a $100,000 bonus with a victory over Tennessee, a $250,000 bonus for a spot in the Final Four, and an additional $500,000 for winning the national championship.

The former Utah Valley and BYU coach has guided Kentucky to a 24-11 record this season.

The Wildcats were ranked as high as No. 4 in this season's Associated Press Top 25 poll, finished tied for sixth in the SEC regular-season standings and advanced to the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament.

--Field Level Media