Mikhail McLean, the youngest Kentucky men’s basketball coaching staff member, was Kentucky HC Mark Pope’s final appointment last spring. McLean, an assistant coach at Lamar for three seasons, was also a support staff member under Kelvin Sampson at Houston, where he played from 2010 to 2015.
A native of the Bahamas, McLean is also the associate head coach and defensive coordinator of the Bahamas National Team. Now, after keeping McLean in Lexington, he’ll receive a hefty pay raise. How has his coaching reshaped the Wildcats?
Mikhail McLean Signs Contract Extension With Kentucky, Gets Significant Pay Bump
Mikhail Mclean signed with Kentucky last spring on a $150,000 contract, and he’s now agreed to an extension that’ll take him through the 2026-27 season. The 33-year-old will earn $400,000 in 2025-26 and $425,000 the following year.
Mikhail McLean is staying with Kentucky through 2026-27. The rising star assistant, praised by Mark Pope, will see a big raise — from $150K to $425K, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.
McLean played a key role in developing UK’s frontcourt and will now mentor a new group… pic.twitter.com/XGphSUDXac
— Chris Beasmore (@CBeasmoreSports) May 3, 2025
According to the Lexington Herald Leader, Pope hasn’t been shy about his praise for the young coach.
“Mikhail is going to be a star in this business. He’s going to be a star. You talk about high ceilings. He’s got a really high ceiling. He’s meant so much to us,” the Kentucky coach explained.
In his first year with the Wildcats, McLean primarily worked with the frontcourt, playing a key role in developing Amari Williams, Brandon Garrison, and Andrew Carr. Williams has entered the NBA Draft, while Garrison is returning to Kentucky for his junior season. Last season, Garrison averaged 5.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game coming off the bench.
“You guys have seen it, especially through circumstance and injury, our fives have had to carry a burden for our team, unlike any other fives in the country this year,” Pope said.
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“It leans into the way we play anyway, but they’ve had to carry all of that. Coach McLean has been with those guys every step of the way, mentoring, tutoring, teaching, and growing them…[He’s] coaching them on the court, coaching them in the classroom, and in their life,” Pope explained.
The Wildcats have added Jayden Quaintance, Malachi Moreno, and Andrija Jelavic to their frontcourt ahead of next season. If McLean, Pope, and the Wildcats can put it together, they could look to improve after a solid beginning to the Pope Era at Kentucky.
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