Kentucky basketball is bringing a familiar face back to Lexington.
According to KSR, former Kentucky standout John Pelphrey has joined Mark Pope’s program as the Wildcats’ new Director of Player Development, adding a former Wildcat and longtime college coach to the staff.
Pelphrey was a member of Kentucky’s memorable 1992 team, known as the “Unforgettables.” During his playing career in Lexington, he recorded 1,257 points, 469 rebounds and 327 assists.
After his playing days, Pelphrey built an extensive coaching résumé. He began his coaching career at South Alabama in 2002, spending five seasons there before joining Arkansas as an assistant coach. He later became a head coach at Tennessee Tech, where he spent the last seven seasons.
Pelphrey went 79-138 during his tenure at Tennessee Tech and currently owns a 228-264 overall head-coaching record.
His return to Kentucky carries additional meaning because Pelphrey brought Tennessee Tech to Rupp Arena last season to face the Wildcats. That game also included a celebration of Kentucky’s 1992 “Unforgettables,” with Pelphrey, Richie Farmer, Sean Woods and Deron Feldhaus honored.
Now, Pelphrey will return to the program in a different role.
As Director of Player Development, he will work in an important off-court position designed to support the development and preparation of Kentucky’s players.
The move also comes as Pope evaluates the future of his staff. Kentucky recently posted an opening for an assistant coach position, leading to questions about whether additional staff changes could be coming.
Pope previously acknowledged that the program had the ability to strengthen or change its staff while also expressing confidence in how his current group was functioning.
“Certainly we have the potential to kind of grow the staff, strengthen the staff, change the staff right now, and that could happen, but right now it’s actually by far the best I’ve felt with how our staff is functioning together.”
With Pelphrey now back in Lexington, Pope has added someone who knows Kentucky basketball from both the player’s and coach’s perspective.
For BBN, the return of one of the “Unforgettables” adds another intriguing chapter to Kentucky basketball under Mark Pope.
