As college basketball continues to evolve, two rising coaches, Mark Pope of BYU and Pat Kelsey of the College of Charleston, are making waves. Both are ambitious, determined, and have established themselves as coaches to watch. However, the question looms: Will Mark Pope be more successful than Pat Kelsey over the next five years?
Mark Pope, the head coach of BYU, has proven himself as a transformative figure since taking over the program in 2019. He has guided BYU to multiple successful seasons, including a 24-8 record in 2020 before the NCAA tournament was canceled due to the pandemic. Under his leadership, BYU has consistently competed at a high level, earning a reputation for toughness and discipline. Now, as BYU enters the Big 12—a Power Five conference—the stakes are higher. Pope will face stiffer competition, but also greater opportunities to elevate the program’s profile on a national stage. Recruiting, development, and navigating the challenges of a more competitive conference will be key to his success over the next five years.
On the other hand, Pat Kelsey has also made a name for himself at the College of Charleston. Known for his energetic coaching style and ability to maximize his players’ potential, Kelsey has revitalized the program, leading them to a 31-4 record in 2022-23 and a trip to the NCAA tournament. Kelsey’s success comes from his up-tempo offense and relentless defense, traits that have made Charleston a tough opponent in the mid-major ranks. Though he faces a different level of competition than Pope, his ability to achieve success with fewer resources demonstrates his coaching prowess.
The comparison between the two comes down to the environment in which they coach. Pope has the advantage of recruiting in a Power Five conference, which gives him access to higher-level talent, and he will face more nationally prominent opponents. However, with that comes immense pressure to perform at a high level consistently. Kelsey, meanwhile, may not have the same resources, but his ability to exceed expectations and create winning teams in a smaller conference speaks to his adaptability and coaching talent.
Ultimately, success over the next five years will be defined differently for Pope and Kelsey. If Pope can guide BYU to consistent NCAA tournament appearances and contend in the Big 12, he could be considered more successful in terms of exposure and achievements. However, if Kelsey continues to dominate the mid-major landscape and lead Charleston to regular NCAA tournament appearances, his success should not be underestimated. Both coaches are poised for bright futures, but only time will tell who will be more successful in the coming years.