SEC Fines Coach Mark Pope for Postgame Actions and Comments

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope has been issued a public reprimand and fined $25,000 by the Southeastern Conference for post-game conduct and comments related to officiating following the Wildcats’ game at Auburn University on Saturday.  

Kentucky coach Mark Pope (Photo by Rob Raymond)

The comments violated SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 (Sportsmanship) and the SEC Commissioner’s Regulation regarding Public Criticism of Officials, which prohibit coaches, student-athletes and institutional staff from publicly criticizing officials or disclosing officiating-related communications.

SEC Bylaw 10.5.3 Sportsmanship. Coaches, 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.

SEC Commissioner's Regulation. Public Criticism of Officials. Public 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:

a.   Criticism of Officiating-Related Decisions. Comments regarding the quality of officiating, calls or no calls, missed calls or no-calls, the Conference’s officiating department and assignment process, an officiating crew, or an individual official.

b.   Public Disclosure of Officiating-Related Communications. Publicly divulging officiating related communications, including communications with officials, the Conference office, or the Conference coordinator of officials.

c.    Accusations of Bias. Accusing an official of acting with bias or questioning the integrity of an official or the Conference officiating program.

d.   Social Media. Posting 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) “liking,” or expressing support for or otherwise drawing attention to, prohibited officiating-related content.

e.    Implied or Indirect Criticism. Implied or indirect criticism of the officials or the Conference officiating program, or similar innuendos, constitute a violation of this regulation.

SEC Bylaws and Commissioner’s Regulations are approved by the Conference’s member institutions, and the Conference Office is responsible for enforcing those policies. Any proposed changes to Conference rules must occur through the established governance process; until such changes are adopted, institutions and their personnel are expected to comply fully.

Fines levied against schools and individuals in the Conference are directed into a fund supporting the SEC’s post-graduate scholarship program.