Kentucky head coach Mark Pope’s emotional reaction following the Wildcats’ crushing loss at Auburn has officially drawn discipline from the SEC — and it has Big Blue Nation split.
On Tuesday, the conference announced that Pope has been publicly reprimanded and fined $25,000 for his postgame comments and conduct regarding officiating after Kentucky’s February 21 matchup against the Tigers.
The SEC cited a violation of Bylaw 10.5.3 and the Commissioner’s Regulation on Public Criticism of Officials. Those rules prohibit coaches, players, and staff from publicly criticizing officials or revealing private communications related to officiating decisions.
The controversy centers on a pivotal late-game call. With 14 seconds remaining and Kentucky clinging to a 74-73 lead, guard Collin Chandler was whistled for an offensive foul after appearing to push off Auburn defender Kevin Overton. The call wiped away a crucial possession and gave Auburn the ball.
Moments later, the Tigers hit a game-winning shot with 1.1 seconds left, handing Kentucky a heartbreaking defeat.
While Pope was measured during his official postgame press conference, frustration spilled over shortly afterward. In a hallway exchange that quickly made rounds, Pope could be heard venting about the possibility of being fined.
“Mitch (Barnhart), if those MFers try to fine me, screw them. I didn’t say a word about how they cheated us,” Pope said.
That comment ultimately led to the conference’s decision.
Now, fans are divided. Some believe Pope was simply defending his team after what they view as a questionable call in a critical moment. Others argue that regardless of the circumstances, the SEC’s rules are clear — and coaches must maintain professionalism publicly.
Either way, the fine adds another layer to an already emotional loss and keeps the spotlight firmly on Kentucky as the Wildcats push forward in a tightly contested SEC race.
