Pope didn't work hard at BYU to use it as a launching pad.

Pope worked hard at BYU because he likes to win and be successful. He worked hard at BYU because that is what he is - a hard worker. He didn't work hard just to get to the next job.

This doesn't mean he wasn't open to opportunities - and he did take the opportunity to go to his dream job at his dream school for more pay and a higher ceiling as far as potential sustained success.

But it would be wrong to imply that the only reason Pope worked hard at BYU was to get a job elsewhere. That's not the case. He would've kept working hard at BYU even if he knew BYU was his ceiling.