Mark Pope, head coach of Kentucky basketball, recently stirred up nostalgia among fans when he expressed his affection for the logo that graced Kentucky uniforms during his playing days in the mid-1990s. While addressing the possibility of a return to that iconic design, Pope was candid yet cautious.

“I have a very personal affinity for the logo when I was here,” Pope said. “But I’ll let the people that sign my paychecks make that decision.”

The comment comes as debates about Kentucky’s branding linger among the Big Blue Nation. After all the Nike contract is up after this basketball season. The current logo, introduced in 2015 as part of a broader university rebranding effort, has been a point of contention since its debut. Designed in collaboration with UK’s branding partner Cornett and the design firm Pentagram, the rebranding was directed by university leadership, including President Eli Capilouto and Provost Tim Tracy at the time.

The shift, which cost $80,000, retired the beloved logo featuring the silhouette of Memorial Hall and introduced a bold interlocking “UK” emblem aimed at emphasizing the university’s identity. But really it just looks like Houston’s logo. At the time, Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart defended the change, saying, “We’ve invested in it… It’s part of trying to have the K be a little more prominent.” However, many fans were unimpressed, feeling the new design lacked the tradition and spirit of previous logos.

The controversy didn’t stop there. The wildcat logo, sometimes criticized for resembling two birds, uh, “fighting,” only added fuel to the fire.

Pope’s comments signal that he’s not alone in his longing for a design that resonates more with Kentucky’s storied past. While he acknowledged the decision is out of his hands, his support for revisiting the old logo aligns with the sentiments of many fans.

Could a return to the classic design be on the horizon? It’s unclear. But if Kentucky’s branding team listens to its passionate fanbase—and perhaps its basketball coach—it might consider a nod to the past. Pope seems ready to embrace the change, even if he won’t be the one to greenlight it.

For now, Kentucky fans can only hope their voices—and their coach’s nostalgia—reach the decision-makers.