Personally, I think more than a little of it had to do with BYU's image. And if there's one thing that'll get BYU's BOT to fold on old mores — it's that.

Pope going to UK had the potential to expose BYU's cheapness in an embarrassing way — as he was poised to move from barely-50-ranked classes to Top-5 classes — really, over night. And whatever Pope's failings while at BYU mighta been — I think everyone in the department was fully aware that Mark had the drive, vision & brains to handle the transition to the big lights of UK basketball.

BYU therefore HAD to respond — else be exposed for its cheapness & LACK of vision. At least I think that's the message that was finally driven home to our BOT. We needed a big-time coach — & fast. And we needed to get him whatever funds he needed.