Love Pope. Doubt he has said a bad word to any recruit about BYU, and he lifted the BYU program to where a Kevin Young would join us.

When he took the job at BYU, he was upfront with Tom Holmoe that his life's goal was the UK job.

I'm sad that so many are spreading lies about a man who jumpstarted BYU's basketball program, gave it his all, and did BYU basketball a lot of good.

He had a meeting with the team to say farewell upon accepting the UK job, and within a few days expressed heartfelt gratitude to BYU and Cougar Nation.

In a word, I don't see why people who are reasonably intelligent and not filled with rage, believe any of the crap about Pope's character. He is one of the best things ever to happen to BYU basketball and demonstrated kindness and respect to all within his reach, the lowly and the great.

Did he say and do everything BYU fans wanted from him in the early days upon taking the UK job? Probably not. Should BYU fans understand that Pope was a controversial hire at UK and he found it expedient to focus fully on UK and to reassure the UK alums, donors, and the fan base in his first few days at UK? That would be a rational response.

I think during his time at BYU, Pope learned to love and respect the Gospel.

I wonder how CBers will choose to deal with Pope's memory at BYU as he continues to grow in stature and becomes an increasingly legendary coach at UK, as I expect him to become.

I choose now to believe his memory deserves to be defended and revered.

Thank you Mark Pope!

Go Cougs!