In just one season as head coach, Mark Pope has proven himself as the best thing to happen to BYU Basketball since Jimmer Fredette

By Nate Schwartz

It didnt take long for Mark Pope to seal his name in the annals of BYU Basketball history.

In his debut season as head coach, the man who Fox Sports Tate Frazier refers to as Young Pope led the Cougars on a 24-8 campaign that, if not for the novel coronavirus, would have culminated with BYUs 30th-ever March Madness appearance.

By elevating the Cougars to their first AP Top 25 ranking since Jimmermania in 2011, Pope accomplished something that BYU fans have been waiting on for nearly a decade: he ushered the team back into college basketball relevance.

Pope, however, doesnt see himself as the impetus behind the Cougars sudden resurgence. He directs all the praise to the team he inherited, which included four returning starters.

They were so hungry and willing to set it all aside, Pope said in an interview on the Titus & Tate podcast in April. Nobody really sets aside their personal agenda, but what our guys were willing to do was try as hard as they could to trust the game. If they gave themselves to the game, then the game was going to pay them back double than their own agenda.

Of course, the players redirected that praise right back at their coach.

Hes brought so much to this program, but he just has so much energy and he works so hard. You never really see him taking days off or taking time off, starting guard TJ Haws told The Salt Lake Tribune in February. Hes always up in his office. Hes always working. Hes always trying to figure out what to do next and that kind of energy is contagious to all of our guys.

In addition to earning his players respect through his work ethic, Pope also managed to win over the hearts of the Cougar fan base with his enthusiasm. After BYUs surprising 91-78 victory over No. 2 Gonzaga in February, the coach invited fans to celebrate with him at a local eatery where he picked up a $1,800 tab.

Some may chalk up Popes impressive first year to beginners luck, and he could be in danger of a one-hit-wonder label if the 2021 season doesnt mirror success in 2020. While only the future can truly reveal Popes legacy as a coach, a closer look at his recent track record before BYU shows this might not be a fluke.

During his four years as head coach at Utah Valley University, Pope led the Wolverines to a 17-win season in 2017, a 23-win season in 2018, and a program-best 25-win season in 2019 before signing with BYU the following April. Pope isnt lucky, hes methodical.

Under Popes offense, BYUs three-point percentage jumped from 33.0% in 2019 (240th overall) to 42.3% in 2020 (first overall) notwithstanding that this year the three-point line was pushed back from 20 feet, 9 inches to 22 feet, 1 inches. At the seasons close, BYUs offense ranked third overall in efficiency according to teamrankings.com.

Popes scheming doesnt stop at the chalkboard either, as some of his most notable successes have occurred during the offseason. He has quickly built a reputation as a fierce recruiter.

In May, he landed Purdues star center Matt Haarms, a player who was being pursued by both Kentucky and Texas Tech. BYU was also in the conversation to pick up Georgetowns firecracker guard Mac McClung, who ultimately signed with Texas Tech. Before Pope, BYU was not known as a destination for high-profile transfers, but this offseason is showing signs that players are starting to see the program in a new light.

Theres a clear reason why Pope was a finalist for the 2020 Naismith Mens Coach of the Year Award and was labeled CBS Sports No.1 Most Rewarding New Hire, the first wave of what will surely amount to many accolades during his (hopefully) lengthy tenure at Brigham Young University. As a BYU student (probably) once said, Long live the Young Pope.

Nate Schwartz is a guest contributor for the Daily Universe. He is a BYU alumnus and recent graduate of the masters of journalism program at Northwestern University.

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