A good friend made an astute observation yesterday as we were discussing Pope's apparent immaturity and low-class departure from BYU. One BYU coach, Diljeet Taylor, now also an athletics administrator, truly appreciates what it means to be at BYU. I've never heard an interview where Coach Taylor has not expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be at BYU--the athletes, the administration, the community. Despite not being a member of the church, Diljeet gets and loves BYU. Not only is she a living, breathing poster child for all that's good about the Spirit of BYU, she is a phenomenal coach who has achieved true greatness by all relevant standards in her chosen profession. Have elite universities come calling for Coach Taylor? Absolutely. She could probably go about anywhere she wanted in the country. Why is she still at BYU? Because being at BYU for her means more than money. Will she stay forever? No idea. I'm just grateful and appreciative of coaches like Coach Taylor who are proud to represent BYU and its unique mission. Diljeet Taylor oozes class, a true professional.

On the other hand, if we're honest, what has Coach Pope achieved during his tenure at BYU and would anyone be so bold as to say that Coach Pope was a BYU guy. In short, no. I believe Coach Pope's greatest accomplishment as a coach was posting a respectable record during our first season in the Big-12. Expectations were zero and he exceeded them. Kudos, Mark. Beyond that, I see what many on the University of Kentucky's fan board see; namely, Pope has performed poorly (zero wins) in the only tournament (March Madness) that matters. Worse yet, words (words ad nauseum) not backed up by deeds ring hollow. Never heard a coach talk so much in my life. I think the correct term to describe Coach Pope is "blowhard." Listen to Brian Regan's "I Walked On the Moon" bit and you'll have a good idea what I'm talking about. Many, like me, began tuning him out five years ago. If I were writing a story about Mark Pope and what fans at UK ought to anticipate in the years to come, I'd title it: Used-Car Salesman hired to coach B-Ball at UK. Despite the voluminous rhetoric, Pope never was a BYU guy. I'm thrilled he's chosen to take his schtick to Lexington. Curious on the over/under for Coach Pope surviving his contract (5 years) at Kentucky. The "Me Monster" (hat tip: Brian Regan) certainly has a future in politics if all else fails. Dream job or not, Pope's decision to burn his ships in the harbor as he's departed BYU say a lot about him and not much of it is good. More Diljeet Taylor and less Mark Pope, please!