{"id":488242,"date":"2026-02-24T20:25:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:25:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/488242\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:25:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:25:08","slug":"kentucky-coach-mark-pope-reprimanded-fined-25000-for-comments-on-officiating-in-loss-to-auburn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/488242\/","title":{"rendered":"Kentucky coach Mark Pope reprimanded, fined $25,000 for comments on officiating in loss to Auburn"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kentucky<\/a> head coach Mark Pope<\/a> has been issued a public reprimand and a $25,000 fine for comments he made about SEC officiating. The comments followed the Wildcats\u2019 75-74 loss to Auburn<\/a> Saturday night.<\/p>\n

The comments were made in reference to a\u00a0costly\u00a0Collin Chandler<\/a> foul with 14 seconds remaining in regulation. On an inbounds play with\u00a0Kentucky\u00a0leading 74-73, Chandler\u00a0pushed off on\u00a0Auburn\u00a0defender\u00a0Kevin Overton<\/a>\u00a0and was called for a costly offensive foul.<\/p>\n

This resulted in\u00a0Auburn\u00a0getting the ball, which ended with the Tigers making the game-winning shot.\u00a0Pope\u00a0commented on the play following the game, saying that he felt the refereeing felt \u201csuper personal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kentucky coach Mark Pope has been issued a public reprimand and fined $25,000 by the SEC for post-game conduct and comments related to officiating after the Wildcats\u2019 game against Auburn, per the league.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we\u2019re not allowed to talk about the referees. But you guys saw it, and\u00a0I think sometimes it\u2019s just super personal. So, I\u2019m not allowed to comment on the referees and I won\u2019t comment on the referees,\u201d Pope said. \u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate. It\u2019s just unfortunate. It didn\u2019t cost us the game because we\u2019re in control of the game, but we\u2019ll find ways to go win.\u201d<\/p>\n

As soon as the press conference concluded, however, Pope loudly criticized officiating. He did so while claiming to speak towards Kentucky AD Mitch Barnhart.<\/p>\n

\u201cMitch, if those MFers try to fine me, they can\u2019t,\u201d he said. \u201cI didn\u2019t say a word about how they cheated us.\u201d<\/p>\n

With the loss,\u00a0Kentucky\u00a0has now lost three consecutive SEC games (first time since 2020-21 season). Prior to the skid, the Wildcats had won eight of their last nine conference games and jumped back into the AP Poll Top 25 Rankings.<\/p>\n

Mark Pope committed multiple SEC violations with postgame tirade<\/p>\n

\u201cThe comments violated SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 (Sportsmanship) and the SEC Commissioner\u2019s Regulation regarding Public Criticism of Officials, which prohibit coaches, student-athletes and institutional staff from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications,\u201d the SEC\u2019s release said.<\/p>\n

SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 Sportsmanship.\u00a0Coaches, players and support personnel shall refrain from all public criticism of officials, which shall include making public any specific communications with the Conference office and\/or officiating coordinators related to officiating.<\/p>\n

SEC Commissioner\u2019s Regulation. Public Criticism of Officials.\u00a0Public criticism of officials or the Conference officiating program is prohibited. This broad prohibition applies to comments or statements made by any coach, student-athlete, or other institutional staff member to the media or on social media. Examples of public criticism of the officiating include but are not limited to:<\/p>\n

a.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Criticism of Officiating-Related Decisions.\u00a0Comments regarding the quality of officiating, calls or no calls, missed calls or no-calls, the Conference\u2019s officiating department and assignment process, an officiating crew, or an individual official.<\/p>\n

b.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Public Disclosure of Officiating-Related Communications.\u00a0Publicly divulging officiating related communications, including communications with officials, the Conference office, or the Conference coordinator of officials.<\/p>\n

c.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Accusations of Bias.\u00a0Accusing an official of acting with bias or questioning the integrity of\u00a0 an official or the Conference officiating program.<\/p>\n

d.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Social Media.\u00a0Posting on social media negative or derogatory statements, or sharing other content on social media (e.g., a graphic or meme), regarding the officiating or an official including, but not limited to, (i) responding to or repurposing prohibited officiating-related content, or (ii) \u201cliking,\u201d or expressing support for or otherwise drawing attention to, prohibited officiating-related content.<\/p>\n

e.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Implied or Indirect Criticism.\u00a0Implied or indirect criticism of the officials or the Conference officiating program, or similar innuendos, constitute a violation of this regulation.<\/p>\n