Pope: I refuse to give control outside of our program "Fans included"

Damage_inc

Senior
Oct 4, 2019
418
755
91
Then its time to boycott the business. Then they will see we absolutely do matter. Nothing loses a coach his job faster than empty seats.
That’s not going to happen. Boycott is weak anyways. This will play out the way it plays out. With or without us.
 

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,808
6,779
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Get that guy out of that seat he’s an embarrassment. I’ve said it here before and few listened. I’ve tried to be nice, but mark isn’t the nice guy he’s made out to be. He’s a decent person but he’s not what he’s made out to be. So take it for what you want, but it is true.

He’s gone off on coaches, players, fans, and officials.

Never once holds himself accountable. Get him out of here.
 
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UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
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Btw this is why you don’t hire former players. He’s legacy in Lexington is now done. When he’s gone he’s gone and this is all he’ll be remembered for.

THIS is why I’ve been saying I want it TO END. Because I want his legacy in tact. Now some of you stubborn fidgets might start to get it.
 

mash_24

Heisman
Sep 26, 2011
9,224
26,988
108
The personal stuff about players and coaches should be off limits. To my knowledge none of these guys has done anything to deserve it. His coaching ability and the players effort level are fair game. And they deserve all the criticism they are getting. He’s on the way out. He’s not the one. I’m personally sad about that. It would have been so great for the program for him to kill it here.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,416
4,558
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Calm down. He was referring to opposing team's fans in the game environment. I'm no Pope apologist but he is not talking about UK fans.
There is no context at all to what he said. Any fan frustrated at Pope would assume he is talking about the UK fans or any fans included.
 

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
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6,779
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The personal stuff about players and coaches should be off limits. To my knowledge none of these guys has done anything to deserve it. His coaching ability and the players effort level are fair game. And they deserve all the criticism they are getting. He’s on the way out. He’s not the one. I’m personally sad about that. It would have been so great for the program for him to kill it here.
It’s not that I don’t agree with some of that, but this is a top 5 program / organization for recognition and fanbase in ALL OF sports College or pro. That’s how big that seat is. So they signed up for this. They get no excuses. They get paid period end of story and they’re paid to produce. Everything else is just noise.

Mark wasn’t a standout player he was very fortunate to play here. And to coach here? My God, the guy really isn’t assistant quality not top assistant. He’s been the most fortunate guy associated with UK basketball in history.

And this is what he does? No. People are going to be upset and he should be the first to get it. 100 years building this place. No, he needs to stop wining and leave.
 

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,416
4,558
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I would like to know as well. Very strange comment, but hard to really know without hearing what prompted that response.
I do agree as well. I saw it. Took it personally, as if he was talking to BBN because of the negative stuff online from BBN towards Pope.

I would recant my OP if he was talking about the opposing team.

But either way, if there is no context, we live in the land of conjecture.
 

actionjaksen

Junior
Oct 20, 2002
189
232
43
There is no context at all to what he said. Any fan frustrated at Pope would assume he is talking about the UK fans or any fans included.
He said 'outside of our program'. You don't seriously think he is trying to isolate the team from the fans? He is stating that he won't blame the refs or fans or anything else inside the game for a loss.

Pick on Pope all you want but he wouldn't insinuate that he can separate the UK fans from the team.