In April 2024, Mark Pope was appointed as the head coach of the University of Kentucky men’s basketball team, succeeding John Calipari. His contract, valued at $27.5 million over five years, averages $5.5 million annually, positioning him among the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. citeturn0search2
Pope’s contract includes several performance-based incentives:
– **Annual Salary Increase**: Starting at $5 million, his salary increases by $250,000 each year.
– **Contract Extensions**: Achieving a Sweet 16 appearance or beyond grants a one-year extension to his contract.
– **Performance Bonuses**: He can earn $500,000 for a national championship, $250,000 for a Final Four appearance, $100,000 for an Elite Eight, and $50,000 for a Sweet 16.
– **Academic Incentives**: Bonuses of $25,000 are awarded for maintaining a team GPA of 3.0 or higher and an Academic Progress Rate (APR) of at least 975.
– **Additional Benefits**: The contract also provides two luxury vehicles, 30 hours of private jet time for personal use, and 20 lower-level tickets for each home game. citeturn0search8
These terms reflect Kentucky’s commitment to securing a coach capable of leading the Wildcats to national prominence.
For more details on Mark Pope’s contract with the University of Kentucky, you can watch the following video:
videoMark Pope’s contract with UK now officialturn0search4
