illustrate ONE WAY Pope gets out of this

[champagnecat]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

 

[Blue Jesus]

Barring a miracle there's no "getting out of it" this season. I would consider it a successful close to the season--given the disaster so far--if we made the Sweet Sixteen.

It's all about next year. He has to trust the system that he used that got him this job. He has to get players for that system. You can't come to Kentucky and decide to reinvent yourself. That's the thing probably more than anything else that makes me worry he doesn't have what it takes. Trust yourself and (to use the immortal words of Cal) GO!

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

Look, pope played on the 96 team. He needs at least 14 years to learn to recruit and coach at the collegiate level. Around 2047 we should have a clearer view.

 

[UKCowboys]

Ok...I'll give you a few...Just answering the question.

Barnhart Hired him.
Barnhart paid Utah a $6M buyout to get Pope here.
Popes original contract was 5 years/$27.5M
Pope recieved a one year extention for making the S16 meaning he has four years left on his deal AFTER this season.
He automatically receives 75% of his remaining contract if let go.
That means we would owe him $17M if we buy him out.
Add that to the $6M we paid for his buyout and the $11M we have already paid him and that comes to $34M down the tubes for two years of Pope.
If we did spend $22M on this years roster, thats $56M plus whatever we spent on last years roster. Add that to the new coaches salary, whatever we have to pay for his buyout from his previous school, and whatever we pay for next season's roster, and what are we talking about? $100M over a couple of seasons. Will Barnhart make that move, basically admit his own screwup? I think...no shot.
Fire Barnhart. Let the new AD fire Pope

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

Ok...I'll give you a few...Just answering the question.

Barnhart Hired him.
Barnhart paid Utah a $6M buyout to get Pope here.
Popes original contract was 5 years/$27.5M
Pope recieved a one year extention for making the S16 meaning he has four years left on his deal AFTER this season.
He automatically receives 75% of his remaining contract if let go.
That means we would owe him $17M if we buy him out.
Add that to the $6M we paid for his buyout and the $11M we have already paid him and that comes to $34M down the tubes for two years of Pope.
If we did spend $22M on this years roster, thats $56M plus whatever we spent on last years roster. Add that to the new coaches salary, whatever we have to pay for his buyout from his previous school, and whatever we pay for next season's roster, and what are we talking about? $100M over a couple of seasons. Will Barnhart make that move, basically admit his own screwup? I think...no shot.
Fire Barnhart. Let the new AD fire Pope

You didn't answer the question. He was asking how pope can turn this around since he cant recruit, coach, or evaluate talent

 

[UKGrad24]

He doesn’t. That’s what some of us have been trying to say but the constant coach fans (they do it everytime) don’t see past anything. He can’t win here. There is no way. The best team pope will likely ever have here is last season, and sorry, they weren’t that great. They were okay.

Pope is literally a dead man walking, that’s why you’re seeing him lose it on air. It’s like some just have never watched this stuff. It baffles me. There isn’t a world where this should have been seen and understood.

 

[UKCowboys]

You didn't answer the question. He was asking how pope can turn this around since he cant recruit, coach, or evaluate talent

I did answer the first question...how can he keep his job?

As to how he can turn it around...while not saying I think he will....he could turn it around if he brings back the right 6-7 players, we end up getting Stokes, Holt or Collins, and if he goes out and gets one or two of the top five portal guys, or a Euro star or top five HS reclass.

Or....his team catches fire, gets lucky and matches or exceeds last years S16 finish.

Not likely. Not impossible

 

[AJG-15]

Ok...I'll give you a few...Just answering the question.

Barnhart Hired him.
Barnhart paid Utah a $6M buyout to get Pope here.
Popes original contract was 5 years/$27.5M
Pope recieved a one year extention for making the S16 meaning he has four years left on his deal AFTER this season.
He automatically receives 75% of his remaining contract if let go.
That means we would owe him $17M if we buy him out.
Add that to the $6M we paid for his buyout and the $11M we have already paid him and that comes to $34M down the tubes for two years of Pope.
If we did spend $22M on this years roster, thats $56M plus whatever we spent on last years roster. Add that to the new coaches salary, whatever we have to pay for his buyout from his previous school, and whatever we pay for next season's roster, and what are we talking about? $100M over a couple of seasons. Will Barnhart make that move, basically admit his own screwup? I think...no shot.
Fire Barnhart. Let the new AD fire Pope

Hold on, are you saying Mitch did a mistake hiring Pope ?

that will be a first….

if you did say that, welcome on board !

 

[Woodrow24]

He doesn’t. That’s what some of us have been trying to say but the constant coach fans (they do it everytime) don’t see past anything. He can’t win here. There is no way. The best team pope will likely ever have here is last season, and sorry, they weren’t that great. They were okay.

Pope is literally a dead man walking, that’s why you’re seeing him lose it on air. It’s like some just have never watched this stuff. It baffles me. There isn’t a world where this should have been seen and understood.

It’s hard for people to give up on one of our own. I think that’s a big part of it.

 

[UKCowboys]

Hold on, are you saying Mitch did a mistake hiring Pope ?

that will be a first….

if you did say that, welcome on board !

If you scroll back to the day he was hired, you will see me saying we should have hire Pope

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

He can step down. That’s it. That’s the only way. Next year with his 0 recruits and a team once again full of transfer players will likely be a disaster

 

[SamePooter]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

Depends. Do the boosters make money off the program like Mitch? Win or lose I feel Mitch makes millions.. idk if that’s correct. Just a guess

 

[Anon412784ffff.]

FIRED FOR INCOMPETENCY

 

[Tri-Countycat]

The boosters can force the issue and they very well might. I wish Pratt was still alive.

 

[Yardeth]

I’m sure we will pick up a Top 50 recruit that is a project

 

[Tim0808]

It will be better when "This team starts doing the things that will make BBN proud of them! This is special... it is special to be part of."

 

[UKGrad24]

It’s hard for people to give up on one of our own. I think that’s a big part of it.

I get it. It’s why from this point on unless it’s a Roy Williams situation, no hiring former players. Many have made this mistake and we can add UK to the list.

Guys we can talk about the 90’s, bring out the ole 96’r, call’m team captain, have ceremonies, bring out Don Pitino…we can do all of that. But if it hurts the program we can’t continue with it. Pope is really doing damage that a great coach is going to have to come in and clean up. The longer we wait, the worse it gets. I’m more in fear over this hire than I ever have been counting Gillispie. This is a dangerous, not he right time for it, hire.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

The only way out is to fire Pope. Pope will not quit. He’s not leaving that money on the table.

Mitch would do UK right and Pope right by firing him right now.

Mitch is not going to do that unless he’s forced to.

 

[ukalum1988]

Fire Barnhart. Let the new AD fire Pope

This is where I’m at, although there’s no way Barnhart will fire Pope. I guess Barnhart will “retire” in June(?). His successor needs to be someone from the outside who won’t be afraid to make the tough call to can Pope.

 

[Legionofdoom96]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

He played for them in 96! That's all I got

 

[wildcat111]

Ok...I'll give you a few...Just answering the question.

Barnhart Hired him.
Barnhart paid Utah a $6M buyout to get Pope here.
Popes original contract was 5 years/$27.5M
Pope recieved a one year extention for making the S16 meaning he has four years left on his deal AFTER this season.
He automatically receives 75% of his remaining contract if let go.
That means we would owe him $17M if we buy him out.
Add that to the $6M we paid for his buyout and the $11M we have already paid him and that comes to $34M down the tubes for two years of Pope.
If we did spend $22M on this years roster, thats $56M plus whatever we spent on last years roster. Add that to the new coaches salary, whatever we have to pay for his buyout from his previous school, and whatever we pay for next season's roster, and what are we talking about? $100M over a couple of seasons. Will Barnhart make that move, basically admit his own screwup? I think...no shot.
Fire Barnhart. Let the new AD fire Pope

We are basically stuck with an unmitigated disaster in the men's basketball program. So THANKS again BARNEY. So the fans just need to move on to the volleyball team or something else we are competitive in.

 

[chattanogawildcat]

Hold on, are you saying Mitch did a mistake hiring Pope ?

that will be a first….

if you did say that, welcome on board !

He has said that several times. Where you been?

 

[Big BlueBeard]

The boosters can force the issue and they very well might. I wish Pratt was still alive.

This right here. When that big money dries up, and he’ll be run off. Money talks and will make the bullsh!t walk.

 

[tjhunter]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

There is 1 way out, and he understands that! Winning!!
He really missed on his roster this year! Why? IDK
If you miss like this there is only so much you can do with X's O's to overcome it!
If he can keep MM CC Kam Hawthorne (jelly-JJ?) and they develop like CC this past year. He has a good foundation to add
3-4 high level guys! Everybody wonders who! That's to be determined! But that's what will have to happen!

 

[Skyguyb27]

Barring a miracle there's no "getting out of it" this season. I would consider it a successful close to the season--given the disaster so far--if we made the Sweet Sixteen.

It's all about next year. He has to trust the system that he used that got him this job. He has to get players for that system. You can't come to Kentucky and decide to reinvent yourself. That's the thing probably more than anything else that makes me worry he doesn't have what it takes. Trust yourself and (to use the immortal words of Cal) GO!

He didn’t have any system to “get him to Kentucky” other than playing here several decades ago and being a yes man.

 

[Skyguyb27]

It’s hard for people to give up on one of our own. I think that’s a big part of it.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right? Pope knows he is a deadman walking and doing harm to the University. So if he expects loyalty to the program so should we and he should step down and allow the program to recover.

Do you realize how bad you gotta suck for people to wish BGC was back in less than 2 years of your coaching?

 

[Goingfor9]

Barring a miracle there's no "getting out of it" this season. I would consider it a successful close to the season--given the disaster so far--if we made the Sweet Sixteen.

It's all about next year. He has to trust the system that he used that got him this job. He has to get players for that system. You can't come to Kentucky and decide to reinvent yourself. That's the thing probably more than anything else that makes me worry he doesn't have what it takes. Trust yourself and (to use the immortal words of Cal) GO!

All about next year yet pope hasn’t landed anyone for next year and I don’t see him bringing in what he needs. He should step down or risk being vilified like Bcg. I mean if you get the privilege to coach ukbb without a resume. If your sole qualification is that you played at UK you have a duty that when it’s evident it won’t work the duty is to step down asap. Your chance is over. Move on. And if we have to fire you plan to stay outta Lexington for a while.

 

[blackcat714]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

Fire Mitch only spend 2 million on roster get walk ons if need be save the nil money to pay on Popes buy out next year is gonna suck any way

 

[OleTiredBum]

Team has 0 talent. No recruits.

How does he possibly keep his job? I mean does he seriously have to get 10 transfers this off season? Are donors really gonna be hungry to spend millions again?

he's 100 million percent fkd

 

[Anon1751335390]

-Implement “The Tweak.” The 2014 team had to play themselves into a 8 seed through a strong SEC tournament.

-Retain Chandler, Williams, and Moreno. Throw a boatload of money at an elite portal prospect and then fill in the rest. We need to disabuse our obsession with being multiple players deep at every position for any conceivable contingency. Concentrate spending on elite talent. Fill in the rest with solid to good starters. We would’ve been much better off signing less players and having more funds to throw at Wilson or Yaxel.

 

[The Ganner]

-Implement “The Tweak.” The 2014 team had to play themselves into a 8 seed through a strong SEC tournament.

-Retain Chandler, Williams, and Moreno. Throw a boatload of money at an elite portal prospect and then fill in the rest. We need to disabuse our obsession with being multiple players deep at every position for any conceivable contingency. Concentrate spending on elite talent. Fill in the rest with solid to good starters. We would’ve been much better off signing less players and having more funds to throw at Wilson or Yaxel.

Yeah, imo the only way this works is going all in on a couple of portal studs (a guard and a stretch 4 type) while returning several guys to be the role players around them and then getting a few more budget role players. But I'm seeing no indication that Pope will deviate from his 10-man-rotation system.

 

[Bill_the_cat]

In 3 months time, we will have new portal players. They will be hyped as the next greatest group.

 

[Anon1751335390]

Yeah, imo the only way this works is going all in on a couple of portal studs (a guard and a stretch 4 type) while returning several guys to be the role players around them and then getting a few more budget role players. But I'm seeing no indication that Pope will deviate from his 10-man-rotation system.

10 man can be fine as long as we don’t overpay the 8, 9th, and 10th player.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Did my post seriously get deleted? Some mod has no sense of humor lol

 

[Blue Jesus]

He didn’t have any system to “get him to Kentucky” other than playing here several decades ago and being a yes man.

Sure he had a system. We all watched that YouTube video when he was hired about “the team with a video game offense” or whatever. That was all about the Zoom action, and last year with Amari Williams he played basically the same way. That’s who we thought we were getting as a coach and for me, to see him basically abandon that in his second season is as concerning as anything else.

 

[rick64]

Win the natty.

 

[Monday Nitro]

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[Monday Nitro]

 

[Loucatfan30]

He doesn’t. That’s what some of us have been trying to say but the constant coach fans (they do it everytime) don’t see past anything. He can’t win here. There is no way. The best team pope will likely ever have here is last season, and sorry, they weren’t that great. They were okay.

Pope is literally a dead man walking, that’s why you’re seeing him lose it on air. It’s like some just have never watched this stuff. It baffles me. There isn’t a world where this should have been seen and understood.

Pope knows it is getting to a point where he is going to lose the fans and then his job. That is why he is losing it at these press conferences.

 

[Loucatfan30]

It’s hard for people to give up on one of our own. I think that’s a big part of it.

He is not really one of our own. He played here a lifetime ago for a couple of years. He is not from ky and has no ties to ky other than playing here a couple of years. He needs to be gone because he isn't up for the job.