SI

Kentucky Fan Eerily Predicted in 2023 Tweet Exactly How Wildcats Would Land Mark Pope as Next Coach

Nailed it.

Mike McDaniel

Mar 20, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope talks with the media
Mar 20, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Brigham Young Cougars head coach Mark Pope talks with the media / Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

After reportedly swinging and missing on several elite coaches, Kentucky settled on one of their own, former Wildcats basketball player and BYU head coach Mark Pope to take over in Lexington for John Calipari.

Pope, who starred on on Kentucky's 1996 national championship team as a player, has emerged as a very good head basketball coach with an offensive system that's difficult to defend.

While the hiring of Pope surprised many in the Kentucky fan base, it did not surprise one Wildcats fan, who eerily predicted how Kentucky's eventual coaching search to replace Calipari would go. See the social media post from January 12, 2023.

" I can already predict the headlines. 'Kentucky pursues Scott Drew.' 'Scott Drew signs lifetime contract with Baylor.' 'Kentucky has reached out to Billy Donovan.' 'Kentucky set to announce Mark Pope as next head coach.'"

Yep, that's pretty close to exactly how the search went, according to multiple media reports.

Here are some of the best reactions to the Kentucky fan's prediction over a year in the making:

Published
Mike McDaniel

MIKE MCDANIEL

Mike McDaniel is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where he has worked since January 2022. His work has been featured at InsideTheACC.com, SB Nation, FanSided and more. McDaniel hosts the Hokie Hangover Podcast, covering Virginia Tech athletics, as well as Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast. Outside of work, he is a husband and father, and an avid golfer.

Home/College