Kentucky
Twitter loves Kentucky’s home-run hires of Alvin Brooks III and Jason Hart
Remember when people questioned if Mark Pope would be able to recruit at a place like Kentucky?
While he still needs to fill out the roster, Pope has been killing it when it comes to recruiting assistant coaches.
It began when Pope was able to reel in former G-League Ignite coach Jason Hart, who was a major player on the recruiting trail during his time with the USC Trojans. Hart also built significant connections with elite high school recruits like Jaden Hardy, Scoot Henderson, Matas Buzelis, and Ron Holland
But Pope wasn’t done there.
After the Kentucky Wildcats were turned down by Scott Drew to be the school’s next head coach, Pope was later hired, and he just plucked Drew’s top assistant coach away from the Bears in Alvin Brooks III.
During his time at Baylor, Brooks helped reel in four of the top 10 highest-rated commits in program history, including top-five recruit VJ Edgecombe in the class of 2024, who picked the Bears over Duke and Kentucky.
I’d say Pope just assembled one of the best staffs in America, and Twitter agrees.
Here are the best Twitter reactions to the big news!
BREAKING:
Baylor assistant coach Alvin Brooks III is finalizing a deal to become an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky.
This is a GREAT pick up. pic.twitter.com/OReRJvBSY5
— Casey (@casey_madis) April 24, 2024
This is Pope’s staff at Kentucky so far:
Alvin Brooks III (associate HC)
Jason Hart (G League Ignite HC/former USC asst)
Cody Fueger (BYU asst)
Mark Fox (special asst)Pope has one more off-the-road spot to fill. I’m told it’ll be a while before that pick is in.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) April 24, 2024
Hard to stress just how huge this is for Mark Pope.
Brooks III is one of the most respected assistants in the nation. Unanimously respected while also feared on the recruiting trail. Exceptional eye for talent.
That core group of Brooks, Cody Fueger and Jason Hart is special. https://t.co/mFqMycQFFP
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) April 24, 2024
I see @KyleTucker_Ath reporting Jason Hart will come to Kentucky as an assistant
If so, this is a MONSTER hire.
Spent a ton of time around him at USC – he is a great coach, person and recruiter, who frankly should’ve been a college head coach a decade ago.
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) April 19, 2024
When Coach Pope was hired and staff speculation began, Coach Alvin Brooks III was a name I thought of, but admittedly never thought it would/could happen. Well, here we are. One of the most respected assistants in the game with some BIG TIME recruiting chops.
Really excited!
— Brandon Ramsey (@BRamseyKSR) April 24, 2024
Jason Hart equals good hire. Coached guys like Buzelis, Scoot Henderson, & Holland in the G-League which is now defunct. He also coached over a half-dozen NBA players at USC. Mark Pope & Hart played together for the Bucks in 2000-01.
— David Sisk (@CoachDavidSisk) April 19, 2024
Alvin Brooks III & Mark Fox are expected to be officially announced as part of Mark Pope’s staff over the next few days.
Cody Fueger & Jason Hart are already here. And Pope talks about how they’re getting along so far.
“Those two together are dangerous.” https://t.co/jykfdYIeWy
— Ben Roberts (@BenRobertsHL) April 24, 2024
The Jason Hart hire is a much bigger deal than most people will make it out to be. HUGE get for Pope.
Opens up another level of recruiting.
Looks like Pope is going to go with some West Coast flavor on his staff for Year 1.
Mark Fox last coached at Cal
Hart with the G…
— Coach Ryan (@CoachRyanKY) April 19, 2024
A Big 12 coach on Kentucky’s hire of Alvin Brooks III:
“An awesome dude, one of the most respected Coaches in our league. He will have an instant impact on their roster. Home run hire.”
Kentucky fans should be excited about this one.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) April 24, 2024
Class of 2026, 5-star PF, Moustapha Diop on the hire of Mark Pope and Jason Hart at Kentucky.
“It’s a very good hire and I was pleased to hear [Mark Pope] is adding Jason Hart to his staff as I have a very close relationship with Coach Hart.” #BBN
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) April 22, 2024
Jason Hart is really good on the recruiting trail and I am told he is very well liked in the recruiting world
One coach just told me, “that’s a homerun for you guys”
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 19, 2024
Mark Pope on Jason Hart: “Jason Hart is everything as a coach that he was as a player. He has boundless energy. He’s fearless. He is stubborn. But he has endless joy and love for this game and our players.
“He has all of the grit that you’d expect from a big-time Syracuse point…— Keith Taylor (@keithtaylor21) April 22, 2024
Cody Fueger- Rising star and amazing offensive mind
Jason Hart- Tons of connections with recruiting and brings years of experience.
Mark Fox – Over 30 years of coaching experience. Knows his stuff.
I like these additions.
— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) April 19, 2024
The best part about the Alvin Brooks III hire to me is that he has a strong recruiting base in Texas. That is an area where there is constantly elite talent…
Julius Randle
PJ Washington
Tyrese Maxey
De’Aaron Fox
Jarred Vanderbilt
Cason Wallace
Andrew/Aaron Harrison— WT – Adou Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) April 24, 2024
‘Like’ our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more Kentucky Wildcats news and views! And as always, Go Cats!!!!
Kentucky
Kentucky Derby's thrilling finish draws 16.7 million viewers. It's the biggest audience since 1989
STAMFORD, Conn. — Mystik Dan’s nose victory in the 150th Kentucky Derby drew 16.7 million viewers, the biggest audience for the race since 1989.
Viewership peaked at 20.1 million from 7 to 7:15 p.m. EDT on Saturday, when 18-1 shot Mystik Dan, Sierra Leone and Forever Young hit the wire together in the Derby’s first three-horse photo finish since 1947. That marked the biggest peak audience ever for the Derby on NBC.
The 16.7 million viewers was up 13% from last year’s 14.8 million.
NBC Sports said Sunday it was the biggest Derby audience since 18.5 million watched Sunday Silence win in 1989, when the race was shown on ABC.
NBC Sports and Churchill Downs Inc. have agreed to a multiyear contract extension that will keep the Derby on the network through 2032.
Travis Kelce‘s in his Industrial Revolution era … trading horseback riding for car racing — ’cause he just arrived at the 2024 Miami Grand Prix!
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
Videos of the Kansas City Chiefs star are starting to populate online … and, we gotta say TK’s rocking a far chiller — and, definitely more comfortable-looking ensemble — for today’s event.
Check out the clip … Travis walks in wearing a loose-fitting green shirt and matching shorts, backward hat and sunglasses on — a far cry from his full suit and fedora ‘fit at the Kentucky Derby Saturday.
Welcome to Florida, Travis 🤙🤙 pic.twitter.com/cEjWG6UCKD
— BWT Alpine F1 Team (@AlpineF1Team) May 5, 2024
@AlpineF1Team
Of course … Travis isn’t just a fan today — he’s actively supporting the team he’s got an ownership interest in, Alpine Racing. Kelce and his teammate Patrick Mahomes bought into the team back in October.
It marks the end of a busy weekend for Killa Trav who seems to be on a tour of star-studded sporting events.
Like we said … Travis partied hard at the KD in Louisville yesterday and even hung out backstage at a Chainsmokers show late Friday night — so, we know the guy’s been throwing down with the best of ’em.
It seems he’s without his better half, Taylor Swift this weekend … who kicks off more international “Eras” tour shows later this week and is presumably in or on her way to Paris — though we don’t know for sure if that’s the case.
Anyhoo … looks like Travis is enjoying his action-packed weekend — even if he’s riding solo on this adventure.
It’s off to the races for Kentucky Derby fans! The 150th annual horse face kicked off on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Decorated hats and mint juleps were in abundance hours before the race kicked off on Saturday.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan’s jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. celebrates with the trophy after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan trainer Kenny McPeek raises the trophy with his family after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. celebrates atop Mystik Dan in the winner circle after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan’s jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. celebrates after winning the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr., crosses the finish line to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Sierra Leone #2, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione (L), and Forever Young #11, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai, cross the finish line second and third in the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Mystik Dan #3, ridden by jockey Brian J. Hernandez Jr. (R), crosses the finish line ahead of Sierra Leone #2, ridden by jockey Tyler Gaffalione, and Forever Young, ridden by jockey Ryusei Sakai, to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Leandro Lozada/Getty Images
U.S. jockey Brian Joseph Hernandez Jr. on Mystik Dan (R) competes to win the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
T O Password, with Kazushi Kimura aboard, and Sierra Leone, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, head to the first turn during the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The field heads to the first turn during the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
The field breaks from the gate at the start of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2024, in Louisville, Ky.
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