Mark Pope is being recognized for a strong first season at Kentucky.

Per college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, UK’s Sweet 16 run activated an automatic contract extension and a $250,000 salary bump for Pope in the final year, 2029-30.

Though Kentucky aims for titles, Big Blue Nation was satisfied with Pope’s debut campaign in Lexington.

He led the Wildcats to a 24-12 record overall and 10-8 mark in SEC play. League play began with a 106-100 home win over future national champ Florida, one of just four losses for the Gators.

Crucially for Pope, UK snapped its Sweet 16 drought. The Wildcats made the second weekend for the first time since 2019.

The 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19, ending hopes during Kentucky’s last SEC title season. UK then missed the tourney in 2021 and had three straight early exits under John Calipari.

Now with Pope in place, Kentucky will look to end its Elite 8 and Final Four droughts.