He’s Not Calipari!” — Fans Erupt After Pope’s…

The Mark Pope era just got a whole lot louder. Following Kentucky’s latest exhibition win, the Wildcats’ new head coach lit up social media with post-game comments that fans are calling “bold,” “refreshing,” and “completely un-Calipari.”

When asked about his team’s early-season chemistry and expectations, Pope didn’t hold back.

> “We’re not trying to be anyone else’s Kentucky,” he said. “This is our team, our identity — and it’s built on toughness, accountability, and togetherness. The past was great, but we’re building something new.”

The statement instantly went viral, with thousands of fans interpreting it as a subtle but pointed message distancing himself from former head coach John Calipari, who left a lasting — and sometimes polarizing — legacy in Lexington.

Within minutes, social media exploded with reactions.

> “He’s not Calipari — and that’s the best news we’ve heard in years,” one fan posted.

“Pope just said what everyone’s been thinking,” another wrote.

“Finally, someone who’s not afraid to run this program his way.”

Still, not everyone saw it as a positive move. Some longtime fans felt Pope’s comments bordered on disrespectful toward Calipari, who brought a national title and multiple Final Four runs to Kentucky.

> “Careful, Coach,” one user warned. “Big shoes to fill. Talk less, win more.”

Whether intended or not, Pope’s words have officially drawn a line between eras — signaling that this Kentucky team isn’t looking back.

As one insider put it:

> “Pope knows the comparisons to Calipari are inevitable. But he’s making it clear — this is his Kentucky now.”

With the regular season just days away, one thing’s for sure: the Wildcats may have a new identity, but the fire in Lexington burns hotter than ever.