right place at the right time for BYU to build something special and they are already on the right track. He will eventually leave (most Coaches do) but he and his staff have a chance to make a run at establishing BYU as an upper echelon (non-power 5 program) that gets the nod over most P5 basketball schools (think of Gonzaga, Wichita State, Butler, VCU [under Shaka Smart], etc). In fact, if we lose Pope to a program like Kentucky (there aren't many of those) it will be a huge compliment as he will have undoubtedly Coached BYU into a strong place of respectibility if not prominance.

Having said that, I concur with Rosey...BYU has four (4) very strong hold cards to keep Pope right here, they are; 1) he is a member of the Church at the preeminant LDS Church School in the World; 2) BYU has a strong tradition in Basketball dating back to two NIT Titles in the 50's when the NIT was bigger than the NCAA Tournament, one of the top five largest basketball arena's in the Country, the best basketball facilities for a non-state school in the U.S.A and something big to prove (i.e. BYU having the longest record for NCAA Tournament trips (29) without a Final Four appearance) to drive him; 3) Coach Pope's own wife is the daughter of a former Head Basketball Coach who himself Coached at all three of the major universities in the State of Utah; and 4) Mark and LeeAnn are very happy in Utah and have stated they want to raise their daughters here.

We can't wring our hands and worry about the future possibility of losing Pope because he is a great Coach and other programs will want him and will want to pay him. Rather, it's time to feel grateful, to rally behind him and his staff, watch, attend and cheer for their success. I for one think that while he and his staff are here, they can and will unseat Gonzage as the top program in the WCC. I know some of you will think I'm crazy...but why not?

Don't look now, but I think Mark Few is looking over his shoulder...