Rick Pitino Makes Surprise Visit to Kentucky, Says ‘I’m So Happy to Be Back’ to Support Mark Pope.
In a moment that caught many by surprise, legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino made an unexpected return to Kentucky, expressing his excitement to be back while showing support for Wildcats head coach Mark Pope. Pitino, who led Kentucky to an NCAA championship in 1996, was warmly received as he stepped back into familiar territory.
“I’m so happy to be back,” Pitino said, acknowledging the deep connection he still feels with the program. The visit comes as a significant moment, given Pitino’s storied past with the Wildcats before his eventual coaching stints elsewhere, including at rival Louisville.
Pitino’s endorsement of Pope, a former Kentucky player who took over the program in 2024, signals a moment of unity and respect within the Wildcats’ basketball community. Pope, who played under Pitino during the 1996 championship run, now finds himself leading one of college basketball’s most historic programs.
The visit served as a nostalgic and meaningful gesture, reminding fans of Pitino’s impact on the Kentucky basketball legacy while ushering in a new era under Pope’s leadership.
