It was meant to be a moment of celebration for Kentucky fans. An opportunity to watch their head coach, Mark Pope, receive the acclaim he so clearly deserves. But when the list for the 2025 Naismith Midseason Coach of the Year Watch List went live, one name was missing: Mark Pope. And let’s just say, Big Blue Nation was not amused.

Mark Pope getting snubbed has Kentucky basketball fans up in arms. Pope, the first-year head coach of the Wildcats, has done the unimaginable, turning a bare-bones roster into a squad that has contended despite all odds.

Kentucky is 18-8 overall and 7-6 in the SEC as of late February 2025. That would be impressive in any context, but when you factor in the challenges Pope has had to navigate — the maladies of key players Lamont Butler, Andrew Carr, and Kerr Kriisa, to name three — it’s downright remarkable. 

Even now, with those struggles, Kentucky is a force, ranked 17th in the country. Pope’s defensive designs have paid major dividends too, with the team leaping from 109th to 68th in KenPom rankings. And, oh yeah, their offense—Kentucky’s ongoing scoreboard light show is now at 85.8 points per game.

Yet all that still did not earn him a slot on the Naismith Watch List. What is even more frustrating about it? Pope’s Wildcats have defeated a total of five top-15 teams this season, and three of the coaches which made the list — Pat Kelsey (Louisville), Jon Scheyer (Duke) and Todd Golden (Florida) — are among the ones he has knocked off. If that’s not deserving of some recognition, what is?

Kentucky fans, not surprisingly, took to social media to express their frustrations. “Where is Pope? He beat 3 of these guys on the list,” one fan wrote, summing up the collective disbelief.

A controversial snub for Mark Pope

“Why is Mark Pope not on this list?” That’s the question fans just can’t get their heads around. Between everything he’s been able to do with an injury-riddled roster, a missing name on the watchlist seems like a huge oversight.

Then there’s the comparison factor. “Kelsey over Pope is absurd,” wrote one fan. While Pat Kelsey has done good work at Louisville, Pope has gone through stiffer competition in the SEC. That’s a fair point — Kentucky has one of the hardest schedules in the country and Pope’s ability to handle it should count for something.

More than the victories and statistics, what separates Pope is his leadership. “Luckily, our coach cares more about his guys and his school than himself. The disrespect is comical.” another fan added. That feeling is echoed across the Kentucky community. Pope isn’t merely coaching; he’s developing something. His players have fully committed to his vision, and it’s reflecting on the court. Just ask Otega Oweh, who’s pursuing a remarkable streak of having scored double digits in every game this season.

For many Kentucky fans, the snub is merely the latest example of their program being judged by a different set of standards. “It’s always been Kentucky v the world.” one fan wrote.

Maybe, in the end, all of this will serve as motivation. Kentucky faces a massive challenge ahead against No. 4 Alabama, a game that could help prove Pope is one of the best in the game—whether the NCAA chooses to acknowledge it or not. One thing is certain about Mark Pope: he’s not coaching for awards. He’s coaching for his team, his school, and the loyal fans who’ve supported him from day one.

For Big Blue Nation, the message is clear: Pope represents everything Kentucky basketball stands for—grit, loyalty, and the relentless drive for greatness. Whether he gets nominated or not, they wouldn’t trade him for anyone.