Almost certainly affected the timing.

To make the move, he had to wind up his contract with BYU and sign new contract with UK — as well as sign any ancillary agreements with UK but also booster orgs, radio shows etc etc for various other economics.

On top of that he probably has an agent with an agreement. Maybe other professional advisors.

And a lawyer.

Many of those counter parties — including BYU and UK but also with an agent — will have restrictions on public announcements about the change. Sometimes those are negotiable.

But a guy in Pope’s shoes had to tiptoe within his legal obligations and usually get preapproval on his public statement about the change.

I’m sure he would have preferred to do it some way — but if UK or his agent or BYU (because it might affect buyout) withheld, delayed, or conditioned thst approval that’s not on him.

And, of course, till everything is signed and final his lawyer and agent would be telling him not to run off make unauthorized public statements.