I'm trying to be objective here. Not sharing my own opinions, but just sharing what I've heard from sources closer to the program than me. This is what I've gathered, both good and bad:

Praise of Coach Pope:

- Nobody in college sports works harder than him. He is absolutely relentless in all facets, and he has a work ethic like few others.
- He's not political with his players. The best players will play, period.
- Pope is super competitive and does not have room on the roster for those who aren't. No coasters on his team.
- Pope is a fantastic recruiter - great with kids and parents in the recruiting process. Also fantastic in follow-up, praise, and "sales". Won't get out-worked by anybody.
- The guy knows basketball and can coach. He's learned from the very best.

Criticism of Pope:

- He burned a lot of bridges in the state of Utah with high school coaches and AAU coaches. Many saw him as a slimy salesman, without loyalty or integrity.
- From a friend within the UVU admin, Pope is a curse word over there, and it's not merely because he left them. He said Madsen did the same but is still loved and respected.
- Pope rubbed a lot of former and existing BYU players the wrong way. His constant 'big energy" was exhausting and annoying to some.
- Some players always felt like Pope was using them to boost his own image. The "best locker room in America" thing was exhibit A. The team knew their locker room wasn't good, but Pope kept singing that tune to make himself look good.
- Some players hated doing radio and TV interviews alongside Pope, because the whole process felt fake. They felt pressure to "act" instead of just being themselves.
- There has been a feeling, for a very long time, that Pope has no loyalties to anybody. Even some of "his guys" that he brought from UVU felt like Pope used them up and spit them out.
- Part of the rub between Pope and some BYU administrators is due to Pope misleading and over-promising NIL (etc) and then throwing BYU under the bus when it didn't come to fruition.