LEXINGTON — New Kentucky basketball coach Mark Pope has hired his first assistant. And it's a familiar face.

Cody Fueger, who has worked for Pope at Utah Valley and BYU, will be one of UK's assistants for the 2024-25 season, with the program officially announcing the hire Monday.

Fueger was a Utah Valley assistant for all four seasons (2015-16 through 2018-19) of Pope's tenure there, then followed the head coach to BYU, where the pair spent the past five seasons (2019-20 through 2023-24).

"Cody Fueger and I have been together for 11 years now," Pope said in a statement. "I'll never forget taking the job together at Utah Valley and trying to imagine how we were going to build a program that had just recently moved into Division I. If you had told us we were going to get to walk into the Joe Craft Center and coach at Rupp Arena, neither of us would have ever believed it.

In charge of the Cougars' offense, Fueger helped the team finish No. 14 nationally in offensive efficiency in the KenPom ratings last season.

“Cody is one of the most innovative offensive minds in all of college basketball," Pope said. "He has a grounded, wild creativity that is pushing the envelope in how this game is growing. He has been the most loyal friend who has delivered in massive ways for our team. Cody builds incredible relationships with our players."

Fueger is eager to hit the ground running in Lexington.

"I look forward to continuing to work with Coach Pope as we chase banners and carry on the tradition at this premier program," Fueger said. "Helping players grow on and off the court has always been a passion of mine, and I’m honored to get to continue that passion with the greatest fan base in the country."

Fueger had a prior stint at BYU (2013-15) as the program's director of basketball operations. He also has worked as the director of basketball ops at Utah State (2012-13), UC Riverside (2011-12) and Louisiana Tech (2007-11). Fueger started his coaching career at Utah, where he served as a student assistant and video coordinator from 2002 to 2007.

A Utah alum, Fueger received his bachelor's degree in economics from the university in 2006. He graduated with a master's degree in parks, recreation and tourism-sports management in 2007.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky basketball staff under Mark Pope adds Cody Fueger from BYU