when BYU Coach Mark Pope Became head coach of Utah Valley University in 2015 and he hired Chris Burgess As an assistant.
The Pope and Burgess spent the next seven seasons together, including the last three seasons at BYU, with amazing results, including 68-26 records.
During April Burgess decides to leave Cougars and return to UtahAssistant coaching position under his alma mater, Craig Smith.
So what does the Pope think about Burgess leaving for Utah?
“I’m very happy. That’s what I want from everyone on this staff. There are four principles to consider when hiring. One of them is wanting to be a head coach.” Said the Pope last Friday. “The real principle is that I want my people to succeed in this business. To give Chris the opportunity to return to Utah, that is, he devotes his heart to Utah Valley and goes to BYU. But his heart is, if you ask him … it’s Utah. He’s Myouban, Utah. That means something to him. He can help the program. I think I can. When my guys find a step they’re excited about, I’m excited about them. “
And the Pope said the move was good for BYU as well.
last week, Pope announces employment of Kahil FennellSpent the last four years in Louisville. Fennell fills out the Pope’s staff. Cody Hooger When Nick Robinson..
“It’s also important for the staff. I wear it on purpose. The freshness of the staff is very important,” said the Pope. “The opportunity for us to reinvent ourselves now is really, really important. This is a big win for (Burgess) and a big win for us. And that’s what it’s supposed to work for. It’s the way. “
The Pope also looks forward to both Robinson and Hooger receiving new opportunities at some point.
“Coach Robinson and Coach Hooger are far from being head coaches,” he said. “And when that happens, I’ll be the happiest person in the world, because that’s the way this is supposed to work. They put all their energy into BYU while here. And if I have the opportunity to move on, I will move on. “
The Pope added that he feels like his player when they have the opportunity to play professionally.
“No one is as happy as I am. That’s the point. So we’re here, everyone. We’re going to win the game — that’s what we’re doing,” he says. I did. “I don’t accept anything less than that. But the real beauty of this is that these coaches and these young men grow up. That’s very exciting. Burg’s move is very exciting and I’m very happy with him. I’m really proud of it. “
