After much conjecture, SMU formally appointed former USC men’s basketball coach Andy Enfield to the same position on Monday.
As a result, USC must now locate Enfield’s replacement. Several national publications have identified Mark Pope, the head coach of BYU, as an early contender.
Along with Eric Musselman of Arkansas, Buzz Williams of Texas A&M, Jamie Dixon of TCU, Jerome Tang of Kansas State, and Niko Medved of Colorado State, Pope was listed by CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
Meanwhile, Pope was added to the list by ESPN’s Jeff Borzello, who also included Amir Abdur-Rahim of USF, Brian Dutcher of San Diego State, and Jason Hart, the former head coach of the NBA G League Ignite (who, incidentally, was a player for the Utah Jazz in 2007–2008).
“Has enjoyed great success out West, winning more than 20 games at Utah Valley twice prior to joining BYU and steering the Cougars to two trips to the NCAA tournament,” Borzello wrote of Pope.
Borzello noted that Pope might change coaches this spring, especially at Washington, where former Utah State coach Danny Sprinkle was hired. This was in late February, before the coaching circus of the year truly got off.
Pope, 51, has guided the BYU program to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including this one, and has a record of 187-108 in his five seasons in charge.
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