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Mark Pope reflects on when he first wanted to be the Kentucky coach

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Mark Pope reflects on when he first wanted to be the Kentucky coach


Mark Pope wasn’t always going to be a basketball coach. Once he decided to make that career choice, though, Kentucky was always the job that was the apex on that path.

Pope spoke about wanting the Wildcats’ head coaching job during the first edition of his local radio show on Monday. He started by explaining why he, a Rhodes Scholar and medical student at Columbia University, was best off to step away from the profession in favor of returning to the hardwood.

“I think I actually made this comment. I love talking about this,” Pope prefaced as he laughed. “The truth is is that, when I dropped out of medical school, the entire medical community rejoiced. Survival rates multiplied exponentially. That was probably my greatest gift to the healthcare profession.”

That decision led Pope back to the basketball court at several jobs over the past 15 years. It included assistant roles at Georgia, Wake Forest, and BYU before becoming a head coach at Utah Valley and, most recently, at BYU.

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However, the opening of the gig at Kentucky was a whole new ball game for him. It was a seat that John Calipari had filled for a decade and a half. It was also one that the program was quickly considering new options for.

Still, once the coaching search got to Pope, it became the realization of an aspiration for him to return to his alma mater and take, in his opinion, the best job in college basketball.

“I think, my whole life after that, the unimaginable dream of someday being able to be associated with a staff at the University of Kentucky? I mean it is the ultimate in college basketball,” said Pope. “This is the best job. This is the best school. It’s the best team. It’s the best fanbase. It is the pinnacle of college basketball. It also is at the core of everything in my being, my whole heart.”

Pope played for the Wildcats back from 1993 through 1996 under Rick Pitino. That included his senior season where he was a captain on The Untouchables, a team that won the national title in ’96.

Becoming a coach at Kentucky, let alone the head coach, was something that was beyond belief at times for Pope, which the initial fan reaction to his hire evidenced. Still, it’s now very much his reality as the new leader of the Wildcats and the Big Blue Nation.

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“It seemed like something that would be unapproachable – yet here we are together,” smiled Pope.



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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge

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Watch: Blast brings down Northern Kentucky bridge


COVINGTON, Ky. (WKRC) – The Licking River Bridge was demolished Monday morning in a controlled blast, clearing the way for a replacement structure.

Authorities established a 1,000-foot safety perimeter, closed nearby roads and asked residents to shelter in place before the demolition. The bridge collapsed within seconds of the blast.

“Today we say goodbye to a bridge that has served Kentuckians for nearly a century and we make room for something new. A signature bridge that is safer, stronger and we make room for something new,” Gov. Andy Beshear said. “This region, like the rest of the commonwealth, is evolving, it is booming, it’s economy growing every day. What we’re doing together is building our new Kentucky home.”

The Licking River Bridge is now history after crews brought it down with a controlled demolition Monday morning. (WKRC)

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Crews will begin construction on the new bridge after debris removal is complete. The replacement bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028.



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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for March 1, 2026

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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for March 1, 2026


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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, March 1, 2026 winning numbers for each game.

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Cash Ball

03-07-16-32, Cash Ball: 25

Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Evening: 4-5-5

Midday: 3-1-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 4

Evening: 3-8-0-2

Midday: 6-2-3-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.



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Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County

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Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County


Kentucky State Police is investigating after a Shepherdsville woman died Feb. 28 in a two-vehicle crash in Bullitt County.

A preliminary investigation shows the crash, which occurred at 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of KY 44 East and Watergate Drive, began when the passenger-side tires of a Toyota Tacoma heading westbound on KY 44 East dropped off the right side of the roadway and onto a steep shoulder, Master Trooper Bryan Washer said in a statement March 1.

The teenage driver “overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline into the eastbound lane and into the path of a Ford Escape.”

Due to a head-on collision, the Ford Escape went down a small embankment and overturned on its roof before coming to rest, Washer said. The driver of the Ford Escape, Sarah Weisman, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was not injured from the crash.

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Trooper Scott Wheatley and Detective Brad Holloman of the State Police conducted the initial investigation into the crash, Washer said. Holloman continues to investigate.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter



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