LEXINGTON — Those with any link to the Kentucky basketball program, be it a former player, coach or fan, recognized Sunday as a seminal moment: Mark Pope was officially introduced as the Wildcats’ new coach, becoming the first former player to ascend to the role since Joe B. Hall succeeded the legendary Adolph Rupp in 1972.
Those emotions hit even harder with Jeff Sheppard.
One of Pope’s closest friends, Sheppard roomed with the new coach during their time as UK teammates in the 90s.
“When you watch a friend be given an opportunity like this, it’s touching,” Sheppard told The Courier Journal shortly after the ceremony Sunday evening at Rupp Arena. “It touches your heart. It moves you to see his family so committed and so proud of him.
“It’s a powerful moment as a teammate and as a friend.”
He was far from the only former Wildcat in attendance Sunday; numerous former players stepped off the bus that drove into the arena to an ear-shattering ovation to kick off the ceremony.
The Courier Journal caught up with Sheppard and three other former players — Derek Anderson, Rex Chapman and Richie Farmer — for their thoughts on Pope’s hire and what it means for the program’s future.
The following is a roundup of their quotes, edited for length and clarity
