Vocal minority?

[ALL4UK]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

 

[BlueEmpire]

Most of these “fans” can step off for all I care. Mark Pope is one of ours and the real fans of this entire historic program are going to posse up with Pope.

He’s us.

 

[KYExtemper]

I get what you are saying but the issue here is that it gives a pass to the people making decisions on these hires. Its like we have to just eat whatever we are given and take it even though we know there were better options out there. It is one of those "Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining" type of things.

 

[thedahc]

but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan

This is what the board has been the past few years. Toxic fans are eating their own (Cal and players) and hoping for their failure.

We had people cheering for us to lose if in their words it meant getting rid of Cal.

And I agree anyone like that is no fan.

 

[bbnkat02]

Here we go starting this already.

I don’t think anyone hates Pope. There are serious doubts if he’s reddy for the job. And serious concerns why Mitch went straight for him without seeking other options.

 

[king of cali]

Who is hoping for failure? No one that I’ve seen. The fact of the matter is that Pope should not be the hire unless a laundry list of people said no. Other than “he is us”, no way would you be advocating for his hire.

Hes done ok out in Utah, but nothing in his coaching career would lead you to believe that he’s ready for this magnitude of a job. If the job came open in another 5 or 6 years, sure. But not now.

It was time for the Calipari era to end. But the fact that he was blown out and Pope is the hire is a giant kick in the nuts. I’ll be rooting for the team next season like i always do, but let’s not try to put lipstick on a pig. As it stands now, this was a terrible hire.

 

[AFKY_Blue_RedsBengals]

I get what you are saying but the issue here is that it gives a pass to the people making decisions on these hires. Its like we have to just eat whatever we are given and take it even though we know there were better options out there. It is one of those "Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining" type of things.

Well said. Stated better and more politely than I ever could driving home this point.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

I'm with you in supporting Pope but we are the minority I'm afraid.

 

[BBBLazing]

I get what you are saying but the issue here is that it gives a pass to the people making decisions on these hires. Its like we have to just eat whatever we are given and take it even though we know there were better options out there. It is one of those "Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining" type of things.

As fans, you absolutely have to eat what you are given and take it. If you are a season ticket holder, cancel them if you don't like it. I've read this board for years and have read nothing but people saying that they would never donate a nickel to NIL, encouraging other fans to not go to games and quit buying UK gear. So as a fan, you absolutely have to take what you get. If you don't like it, there are other teams. I will always cheer for my school, the University of Kentucky.

 

[bbnkat02]

I'm with you in supporting Pope but we are the minority I'm afraid.

I’ll support him. I’ll support him until he give me reason not to. But if Pope fails the first person to be grilled shouldn’t be Pope. It should be Mitch.

 

[ALL4UK]

I’ll support him. I’ll support him until he give me reason not to. But if Pope fails the first person to be grilled shouldn’t be Pope. It should be Mitch.

I’ll be honest Mark Pope was not my first choice. I think somewhere in the back of our minds we want a young Pitino or Calipari to walk through that door. Those coaches seem to not exist or if they do have not proven themselves.

I hope Pope knocks it out of the park in his introductory press conference. If he does I think he will win over a lot of doubters.

I know a lot of people will say he hasn’t proven himself, but I think he’s had restrictions not every school/coach has.

I just hope he is supported day one, and if so I really think he will be looked back on as one of the best hires we could have made.

 

[bbnkat02]

I’ll be honest Mark Pope was not my first choice. I think somewhere in the back of our minds we want a young Pitino or Calipari to walk through that door. Those coaches seem to not exist or if they do have not proven themselves.

I hope Pope knocks it out of the park in his introductory press conference. If he does I think he will win over a lot of doubters.

I know a lot of people will say he hasn’t proven himself, but I think he’s had restrictions not every school/coach has.

I just hope he is supported day one, and if so I really think he will be looked back on as one of the best hires we could have made.

Again it’s just way Mitch pushed this trough. Couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see how boosters would react? To see if some players would consider returning if he went with Pope? Just seems very rushed

 

[HeismaNole_rivals116019]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

REALLY? You think there's no other reason why a Kentucky fan could be upset about hiring MARK POPE other than "they love Cal and hate Mitch" ?

 

[ALL4UK]

Just wondering- Which players do you want back, and how do you know they weren’t consulted? Do we know the boosters had no input?

Again it’s just way Mitch pushed this trough. Couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see how boosters would react? To see if some players would consider returning if he went with Pope? Just seems very rushed

I have a feeling Reed was aware. That doesn’t mean he will come back, but I suspect he knew.

 

[Phil_The_Music2]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

I'm with in supporting Pope but we are the minority I'm afraid.

I’ll support him. I’ll support him until he give me reason not to. But if Pope fails the first person to be grilled shouldn’t be Pope. It should be Mitch.

I completely agree with that.

 

[wfc7]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

Yeah, this is ridiculous and in many ways a straw man fallacy type argument.

I’m a UK Alumni, Lexington native, lifelong UK fan who deeply respects Mark Pope and the fact he was on one of the greatest UK Teams of all time. Me questioning the competency of Mitch Barnhart and his recklessness in hiring Mark without exercising due diligence in interviewing more qualified candidates who are interested (Donovan) is in no way me being an embarrassing fan. It’s actually me challenging the incompetence of Mitch Barnhart and his setting Mark Pope up for failure because he may be the right coach, but this is very likely the wrong time. And that concern is validated by the shocked and appalled reactions from not only a great portion of UK fans, people who cover UK, and UK brass who are stupefied by Barnhart’s rush to hire Pope before interviewing his third choice or his next set of candidates. It’s caring enough about UK and Mark Pope to object and ask for reconsideration per interviewing more qualified candidates who are more seasoned and ready for the magnitude of the job.

 

[ALL4UK]

REALLY? You think there's no other reason why a Kentucky fan could be upset about hiring MARK POPE other than "they love Cal and hate Mitch" ?

No…hence the reason I said a lot. That doesn’t mean the only reasons.

 

[ALL4UK]

Yeah, this is ridiculous and in many ways a straw man fallacy type argument.

I’m a UK Alumni, Lexington native, lifelong UK fan who deeply respects Mark Pope and the fact he was on one of the greatest UK Teams of all time. Me questioning the competency of Mitch Barnhart and his recklessness in hiring Mark without exercising due diligence in interviewing more qualified candidates who are interested (Donovan) is in no way me being an embarrassing fan. It’s actually me challenging the incompetence of Mitch Barnhart and his setting Mark Pope up for failure because he may be the right coach, but this is the wrong time. It’s caring enough about UK and Mark Pope to object and ask for reconsideration per interviewing more candidates.

Donovan hasn’t coached college basketball in about 15 years. How do you know he is the most qualified candidate? The game has changed. That would be a huge gamble as well.

 

[RaginRondo]

This is what the board has been the past few years. Toxic fans are eating their own (Cal and players) and hoping for their failure.

We had people cheering for us to lose if in their words it meant getting rid of Cal.

And I agree anyone like that is no fan.

Calipari was torching this program and doing it with a smile. Don’t throw his name out there as one of our own. You don’t know the first thing about how pitiful that guy is.

And now we’re #4 on the list of programs and franchises that hate the guy. Arkansas will be next.

Pope is different. I’m going to get on board with him and give it exactly 24 months. I think given that he’s our first alumni hire in our lifetime, and the captain of the best UK team ever, a Pitino disciple of sorts, I’m waiting. But that doesnt excuse Barnhart in the least and that pos needs to hit the road and take this idiot president with him.

 

[wfc7]

Donovan hasn’t coached college basketball in about 15 years. How do you know he is the most qualified candidate? The game has changed. That would be a huge gamble as well.

He’s coached in the NBA the last ten years using the sets college basketball has begun to use more and more while managing younger and younger players and dealing with drafts and salary caps. He’s well ahead of the NIL / transfer curve AND has won two National Championships. He’s by far the most qualified candidate Barnhart was to interview and Mitch made no effort to do so because he couldn’t wait until next Wednesday. That’s not only absurd, it’s reckless.

 

[zwynn10]

Here we go starting this already.

I don’t think anyone hates Pope. There are serious doubts if he’s reddy for the job. And serious concerns why Mitch went straight for him without seeking other options.

Bingo! Mark is probably a great guy and is probably a good coach. The issue is that his resume does not say that he has the credentials for one of the top jobs in college basketball right now.

By analogy to MLB, Mark has been playing AA and we are calling him up to the major leagues to start in game 7 of the World Series. He just isn’t seasoned enough right now and, if everyone was truthful, he has been put in a terrible position. This is especially true when others are seasoned and ready for the challenge and were sitting by a phone hoping for a call.

 

[revcort]

We'll all come around. It's just the initial shock of it all. Pope wasn't on the top of anyone's list as a potential coach. So, to hear it announced was surreal. But I have no doubt, BBN will come through. We loved Mark Pope as a player and we will love and support him as a coach also. No worries.

 

[RunninRichie]

Calipari was torching this program and doing it with a smile. Don’t throw his name out there as one of our own. You don’t know the first thing about how pitiful that guy is.

And now we’re #4 on the list of programs and franchises that hate the guy. Arkansas will be next.

Pope is different. I’m going to get on board with him and give it exactly 24 months. I think given that he’s our first alumni hire in our lifetime, and the captain of the best UK team ever, a Pitino disciple of sorts, I’m waiting. But that doesnt excuse Barnhart in the least and that pos needs to hit the road and take this idiot president with him.

He’s smearing UK and Mitch behind the scenes right now too. Drew called an anonymous sec coach. And asked him if it was safe for his kids to go to school after a loss. Guess who he called?

 

[RaginRondo]

He’s smearing UK and Mitch behind the scenes right now too. Drew called an anonymous sec coach. And asked him if it was safe for his kids to go to school after a loss. Guess who he called?

Slime ball Italiano. I wish more here knew what a total evil scumbag psychopath that guy was. How he gets a job from anyone is beyond me.

 

[RunninRichie]

Slime ball Italiano. I wish more here knew what a total evil scumbag psychopath that guy was. How he gets a job from anyone is beyond me.

He’ll get the last laugh. Mark Pope was an awful hire.

 

[sam_o]

1/ Everyone supports Mark and hope he does great here

2/ This is questionable and Mitch deserves criticism

Both of these can be true

 

[KySportsfan74]

Most of these “fans” can step off for all I care. Mark Pope is one of ours and the real fans of this entire historic program are going to posse up with Pope.

He’s us.

I was absolutely floored by this hire, but I am a UK fan first and foremost and I will give this man my whole hearted support until he gives me a reason not too. I fully expect at least this first season to possibly be rough depending on what kind of roster he can hold together.

 

[Warf2012]

Sorry to bust your bubble but the outrage is EVERYWHERE. I’ve seen Mitch’s address, phone number and anything else you can thing of posted in about 5 different places. I called the UK office and the opening message said ‘please wait to leave a message but note that AD Mitch Barnharts mailbox is full and can’t accept anymore messages.’ I’ve seen people wishing death on him. While it’s not Pope’s fault technically, all of that anger is going to transfer directly to him when he starts bringing in players that a place like Vandy wouldn’t even take to fill the roster. Poor himself has to know he’s not ready, hasn’t earned this and it’s going to be a disaster. I can’t believe he would come here knowing he’s going to be hated by a large part of BBN and never given a chance.

This hire has 0.01% chance of even remote success. For Pope to have had even a chance, the entire BBN would have had to been fully on board and supporting him. Even then it’s a long shot. He will have far less than half of the fanbases support. Kal was despised on here and that poll asking who we’d rather have between the two, Kal was winning in it.

I’ve come up with probably 30+ reasons why this is absolutely horrible. How does Mitch’s dumbass get a coach for the women with a final four on the resume and the coach he gets for the men has never even won a tournament game!?

It’s malpractice and inexcusable. It’s shortsighted as hell and just shows how incompetent/stupid/lazy Barnhart is.

 

[know1]

I get what you are saying but the issue here is that it gives a pass to the people making decisions on these hires. Its like we have to just eat whatever we are given and take it even though we know there were better options out there. It is one of those "Don't piss on me and tell me it's raining" type of things.

This has always been the case. You didn't know that? But you don't have to take it. You can leave.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

People forget we're UK and can now buy players with the tons of NIL we'll have compared to BYU.

 

[sefus12]

I don’t understand why the stupid f*ckers here can’t at least wait until Pope fails before declaring this a complete failure.

Yes, there were other coaches I wanted more than Pope, but if we struck out on the top candidates, which it appears we did (even Tucker is saying we contacted Donovan and it was a no), then I’m fine with Mitch deciding to go young/up and coming instead of hiring someone older like Pearl. Not saying I agree, but I’m not saying it’s a failure.

Pope is apparently a great coach who runs an offense that we will like watching. After scouring the internet, a lot of people, including at least one ex player, raved about him as a coach. I’ll at least give him the chance to do well here before saying the entire situation is a disaster.

 

[sefus12]

Sorry to bust your bubble but the outrage is EVERYWHERE. I’ve seen Mitch’s address, phone number and anything else you can thing of posted in about 5 different places. I called the UK office and the opening message said ‘please wait to leave a message but note that AD Mitch Barnharts mailbox is full and can’t accept anymore messages.’ I’ve seen people wishing death on him. While it’s not Pope’s fault technically, all of that anger is going to transfer directly to him when he starts bringing in players that a place like Vandy wouldn’t even take to fill the roster. Poor himself has to know he’s not ready, hasn’t earned this and it’s going to be a disaster. I can’t believe he would come here knowing he’s going to be hated by a large part of BBN and never given a chance.

This hire has 0.01% chance of even remote success. For Pope to have had even a chance, the entire BBN would have had to been fully on board and supporting him. Even then it’s a long shot. He will have far less than half of the fanbases support. Kal was despised on here and that poll asking who we’d rather have between the two, Kal was winning in it.

I’ve come up with probably 30+ reasons why this is absolutely horrible. How does Mitch’s dumbass get a coach for the women with a final four on the resume and the coach he gets for the men has never even won a tournament game!?

It’s malpractice and inexcusable. It’s shortsighted as hell and just shows how incompetent/stupid/lazy Barnhart is.

This is the type of post that makes us look unhinged. Well, some of you folks are unhinged.

 

[BlueEmpire]

I'm with you in supporting Pope but we are the minority I'm afraid.

Good, because if there’s one thing I took from Cal, it’s the “Kentucky vs. all y’all mentality.”

If we’re wrong, we’ve already eaten all the crap up front and we’ll eat it again. If we’re right, we’re taking names. Specifically Rafters names.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

He’s smearing UK and Mitch behind the scenes right now too. Drew called an anonymous sec coach. And asked him if it was safe for his kids to go to school after a loss. Guess who he called?

Time for you to change the avatar to Pope!

 

[chroix]

Ran off good coaches chasing excitement only to land on the blandest possible hire. I’ll support whoever it is but a chunk of the fan base are rabid dogs that do more harm than they’ll ever acknowledge.

 

[AustinTXCat]

As I sit here scouring the message boards and internet, I am sincerely hoping that what I see is a vocal minority of fans or opposing teams fans trying to make us look bad.

It is embarrassing to see what seems to be a large percentage of the Kentucky fan base reacting the way they are. Mark Pope has been nothing but a class act his entire life. He is a lot better coach than Cal, and given the resources I think he will be special. He will coach for the name on the front of the jersey which I assure you is not spelled ‘NBA’, and every game, the regular season SEC championship, SEC tournament championships, and NCAA tournament championships will be as important to him as it is for us. We haven’t had someone like that in a long time.

I think a lot what I am reading has to do with some ‘fans?’ love for Cal or hatred for Mitch. Either way, I always felt that our fans were special, but if you are going to eat your own while hoping for failure to prove your point you are no fan. Please support some other team. I think Kentucky will be fine without you.

Well said. Totally agree.

As previously stated in other threads, new coach has not yet provided any reason that I should not support him.

 

[KYCatAttack]

This is what the board has been the past few years. Toxic fans are eating their own (Cal and players) and hoping for their failure.

We had people cheering for us to lose if in their words it meant getting rid of Cal.

And I agree anyone like that is no fan.

This is how this board has been since inception. However, you cannot sit here and say Mark Pope was your dream coach. We could’ve did much better and made a major splash. This is a very high risk hire no matter how you look at it. An unproven coach who has only coached one season in a major conference, never won a NCAA tournament game, and his best all time recruiting class was ranked 46th nationally. We are all hoping Mark Pope is successful but at Kentucky we could go out and get a more proven coach and take some of that risk off the table.

 

[AGEE11]

It's just the world we live in. Social Media and Participation Trophy mentalities.

Social media gives everyone a platform to express themselves for better or usually worse. Participation trophy ideals makes everyone think they should get a reward for breathing and get what they want when they want it.

When they don't get what the want, they don't have the character traits to restrain themselves and act rational. Now combine that with social media and we see the results last night. The hire might have people questioning UK nationally, the reaction has them laughing at the BBN.

I didn't even have Pope in my top 15-20 candidates, never went that far. I wanted several other candidates before him that we never reached out to. Golden, Pearl, Lloyd, etc... However, I'm an adult who can control my emotions and not fly off the handle like a toddler.

 

[PhattyJ4UK_rivals309166]

Donovan hasn’t coached college basketball in about 15 years. How do you know he is the most qualified candidate? The game has changed. That would be a huge gamble as well.

How can you things like this and also say poor is a better coach than cal? The guys never won a tournament game .. EVER. You have no clue whatsoever if he’s a better coach or not. None. Zero. Not even one. Nunca.

I swear the mental gymnastics some are doing is hilarious

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

This is what the board has been the past few years. Toxic fans are eating their own (Cal and players) and hoping for their failure.

We had people cheering for us to lose if in their words it meant getting rid of Cal.

And I agree anyone like that is no fan.

Well Cal is gone so everyone got what they wanted right?