This is the Fanbase’s Fault

[ComebackCats98]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Fire Mark HOPE and let's lose with somebody else...

 

[moses1uk]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

 

[ComebackCats98]

Which part of what I said is wrong?

 

[RunninRichie]

The fanbase hired Mark Pope? Interesting.


Anyway, Calipari won 1 NCAAT game in 4 years. With preseason hype and loaded classes every year. He had his best offensive lineup since Fox, Monk, and Bam riding the bench all year in favor of DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards. He alienated himself from boosters and the admin as a whole. He grew sick of the fanbase and was spiting us, openly saying **** like "I gotta get home to my dogs". And "I was watching little house on the prairie" in pressers. Calipari had to go, because he was burnt out. The correct hire was not Mark Pope. And the fans did not hire him.

This lies solely on Mitch Barnhart. Don't go full IU, and act like Calipari was Bob Knight.

 

[ComebackCats98]

The fanbase hired Mark Pope? Interesting.


Anyway, Calipari won 1 NCAAT game in 4 years. With preseason hype and loaded classes every year. He had his best offensive lineup since Fox, Monk, and Bam riding the bench all year in favor of DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards. He alienated himself from boosters and the admin as a whole. He grew sick of the fanbase and was spiting us, openly saying **** like "I gotta get home to my dogs". And "I was watching little house on the prairie". Calipari had to go, because he was burnt out. The correct hire was not Mark Pope. And the fans did not hire him.

This lies solely on Mitch Barnhart. Don't go full IU, and act like Calipari was Bob Knight.

A lot of truth in what you said

 

[ComebackCats98]

I’m just giving my opinion. Everyone is free to disagree.

 

[RunninRichie]

I’m just giving my opinion. Everyone is free to disagree.

I agree with your last paragraph. But, that all changes with one coach. UK would become cool instantly overnight, if we hired Nate Oats or Jai Lucas. Programs take the image of their coach usually.

 

[TommyMansky]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

I respect your opinion, but this has been discussed repeatedly since the coaching change.

 

[co_dee]

You’re right. But people hate Cal because he isn’t a Republican and he makes a lot of the fanbase feel inferior. Running off Cal right as NIL hit is one of the dumbest things any sports fandom has ever done.

 

[RunninRichie]

You’re right. But people hate Cal because he isn’t a Republican and he makes a lot of the fanbase feel inferior. Running off Cal right as NIL hit is one of the dumbest things any sports fandom has ever done.

Calipari alienated himself from NIL donors.

 

[ShakesTheClown564]

Fans grumbling after yet another postseason embarrassment didn't run off Cal. He was flirting with OSU mid-season and Mitch had already started his embarrassing welcome back tour with Calipari when he took the Arkansas job. He had been trying to hire Brad unsuccessfully as an assistant which Arkansas let him do. Cal had burnt all bridges with fans, media, boosters, and UK admin. He tucked tail and ran instead of making changes to his outdated coaching philosophy.

Pope being a bad hire changes none of that.

 

[TheBlueMist]

You’re right. But people hate Cal because he isn’t a Republican and he makes a lot of the fanbase feel inferior. Running off Cal right as NIL hit is one of the dumbest things any sports fandom has ever done.

That's a very weird take.

 

[VC99]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

"We" didn't hire anybody. 99% of the fanbase including KSR and the national media said "Why tf are you hiring Mark Pope?" This is Mitch Barnhart.

 

[STL_Cat]

Just because we bought into it after it was done doesn’t mean we caused it.

 

[ComebackCats98]

Just because we bought into it after it was done doesn’t mean we caused it.

True very good point

 

[jgraf1]

2 things can be true.

Cal and UK needed to separate.
Pope should've never been the replacement.

Oh and Mitch is the worst thing to ever happen to Kentucky basketball..... So I guess 3 things can be true simultaneously

 

[Henogee1975]

Most of the fan base was upset initially about the Pope hire. Then 48 hours later Rupp was packed in support. Because UK fans wanted him to be great, he ain’t close to great.

 

[Titpwhahi2014]

No one wanted this. We were shocked at the hire and then rallied behind one of our own because that’s all we could do. We thought we were getting a Nate Oates clone. Thought the system paired with the brand would work. It kind of/sort of did the first year but he’s gone totally away from it. Sadly we’re at The Point of No Return and it stinks. Really wanted this to work out and, barring a miracle, I think he’s done.

 

[BleedBlue_22]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

Well said, we are so stubborn. That grass is greener, huh? We did this to ourselves.

 

[ChocoChicken]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

Let’s be honest, it’s Mitch Barnhart’s fault. He did everything in his power to screw Cal over and he did. Was Cal fat and happy and completely washed? Absolutely! But I won’t ignore the BS that our AD allowed the boosters to put him through his last couple years.

Cal will probably never win another title, but I would rather have had him stay these last 3 years and retire than have him run off to Arkansas and hire one of the worst coaches in the SEC at the moment.

 

[ChocoChicken]

No one wanted this. We were shocked at the hire and then rallied behind one of our own because that’s all we could do. We thought we were getting a Nate Oates clone. Thought the system paired with the brand would work. It kind of/sort of did the first year but he’s gone totally away from it. Sadly we’re at The Point of No Return and it stinks. Really wanted this to work out and, barring a miracle, I think he’s done.

CMP simply doesn’t have the personality to be a top tier coach. To be honest, he seems too weird to become a successful car dealer.

The man could be the greatest X’s and O’s coach in all college basketball (he’s not, he’s average at best) and his personality would still get in the way of becoming a successful coach.

 

[Henogee1975]

Have you guys forgotten about St Peter’s and Oakland? And Kansas State and Wisconsin and the Covid year? Cal was great the first 10 years, then he was awful the last 5.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

GTFO with that bs. First of all, Cal has sucked for years, well before 2021. Secondly, he doesn’t do at UK what he’s done at Arkansas. It took getting his ego hurt and wanting to prove himself just to make him reach the sweet 16. Even if by some miracle things happened here just like they did at Arkansas, we would have been LIVID during last season and wouldn’t have been happy during the one that just ended either.

 

[VC99]

No one wanted this. We were shocked at the hire and then rallied behind one of our own because that’s all we could do. We thought we were getting a Nate Oates clone. Thought the system paired with the brand would work. It kind of/sort of did the first year but he’s gone totally away from it. Sadly we’re at The Point of No Return and it stinks. Really wanted this to work out and, barring a miracle, I think he’s done.

It feels like having to put your dog down, just tragic.

 

[Cats4321]

You said "we all got exactly what we wanted". Really? I don't know of a single Kentucky fan that wanted Pope hired. We got on board later because we desperately hoped it would work, but probably less than 1% even had Pope on our list of possible coaches.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Cal needed gone in 2019 when UCLA came calling..... Problem is Mitch didn't need to replace him with Mark Pope in 2024!

 

[BlueBloodKyFan72]

The fanbase hired Mark Pope? Interesting.


Anyway, Calipari won 1 NCAAT game in 4 years. With preseason hype and loaded classes every year. He had his best offensive lineup since Fox, Monk, and Bam riding the bench all year in favor of DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards. He alienated himself from boosters and the admin as a whole. He grew sick of the fanbase and was spiting us, openly saying **** like "I gotta get home to my dogs". And "I was watching little house on the prairie" in pressers. Calipari had to go, because he was burnt out. The correct hire was not Mark Pope. And the fans did not hire him.

This lies solely on Mitch Barnhart. Don't go full IU, and act like Calipari was Bob Knight.

No Barney did

 

[RunninRichie]

No Barney did

Look at the last part of my post.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

Well the Twitter universe fanbase would rather lose 12-15 games a year for the next 10’years than admit Mark Pope sucks. I’ve never seen a fanbase so torn over a terrible coach. This is why you never hire former players. If Pope were Billy Gillespie, I don’t think he gets this 3rd year.

 

[jgraf1]

The title says it, but probably not in the way you all think. I know some will still be stubborn and not admit it. That’s okay. Kentucky had a horrific stretch in the postseason from 2021-2024. If you look Self had a stretch like that as did Coach K. Our fanbase vocally wanted rid of a hall of fame coach that brought a national title and four final fours to Kentucky.

Was he perfect at the end? Absolutely not. However, UK would be coming off of back to back sweet 16s and a SEC tournament title after finishing 3rd in the SEC regular season. We would have Acuff and Thomas going pro and recruits taking notice. I know you’re going to say that’s not a final four, but at least they’re in the hunt.

Instead we hired a guy that would say buzzwords like “name on the front” and would lean into nostalgia. He immediately distanced Kentucky from the professional players narrative and fans took it hook, line and sinker.

Now, Kentucky can’t get recruits. Has lost any image of being a cool destination. Recruits still cared about Cal’s nba draft success, but hey we don’t want that. Too many can’t understand when Cal said five 1st round picks was the biggest moment in UK history it’s because he knew talented players would be beating down the door. Kentucky could have a good recruiting class including the #2 recruit, Billy Richmond and Cal with his professional development reputation as well as big NIL money. We cheered though as all of that was thrown away and now the program has been set way behind. We all got exactly what we wanted.

He left. We didn't make him leave.

He decided to disrespect the fans that made UK what it is and the entire reason he wanted the job for 25 years. He decided the SEC tournament didn't matter and ridiculed fans for getting upset after so many early exits. He decided not to watch film to prepare for teams. He decided roster retention was for the birds while changing his stance in Fayetteville.

It was time. We salute him for what he did but it was time. If Cal outlasted Mitch it's likely he would've just retired and been an ambassador for UK and helped out kids. And everyone wins. But Mitch is so fragile he couldn't keep his most important and successful employee happy because he didn't stand in line. And then Mitch wouldn't dare hire a replacement who was as brash and ego driven as Cal (oats or Pearl) so he goes with the safest panic hire he possibly could.

Those 2 did this. I didn't. We didn't.

 

[Kingslayer07]

Yeah we would have gotten better players and did well in the regular season. But Cal had totally lost his ncaa tournament swagger and confidence imo. Oh and he doesnt give a damn about the sec tournament.

 

[ShakesTheClown564]

Let’s be honest, it’s Mitch Barnhart’s fault. He did everything in his power to screw Cal over and he did. Was Cal fat and happy and completely washed? Absolutely! But I won’t ignore the BS that our AD allowed the boosters to put him through his last couple years.

Cal will probably never win another title, but I would rather have had him stay these last 3 years and retire than have him run off to Arkansas and hire one of the worst coaches in the SEC at the moment.

I'll blame mitch for almost anything including the time I tripped on campus walking to a football game, but he isn't to blame for Cal pooping his pants every postseason without Robic and Payne. I'm also not sure how you expect him to force the Crafts to keep cutting checks or use the plane after their war with Cal over Oscar either. And I don't even blame Cal for that whole fiasco either, but it is what it is.

 

[jgraf1]

I'll blame mitch for almost anything including the time I tripped on campus walking to a football game, but he isn't to blame for Cal pooping his pants every postseason without Robic and Payne. I'm also not sure how you expect him to force the Crafts to keep cutting checks or use the plane after their war with Cal over Oscar either. And I don't even blame Cal for that whole fiasco either, but it is what it is.

What happened there? Not sure I recall the story.

 

[Tim0808]

I’m just giving my opinion. Everyone is free to disagree.

Everything you said is true. The Ole saying "you can not win them all" is true. College basketball was changing and we did not give Cal time to figure it out. We were spoiled with Pitino's and Cal's quick success. We thought we could plug and chug coaches. So, now we got Pope the great.

 

[Jeff Sykes]

Which part of what I said is wrong?

Have no idea. After the first part, I stopped reading because it was all BS. No player is not going to come to UK because because some unknown fan said bad things on a freakiing message board. You need to get real with yourself. We are not that important to them. The reason is simple because several have said it. They want a coach who is going to coach them hard and put them in the NBA. Something Pope can and won't do. It really is that simple. You can hang on Cals nut sack if you want, but he had many bad seasons as well. Like the worst regular season record in modern history. Early flame outs in the NCAA to teams that he had no business losing to. It was time for him to go. The problem is that the AD hired a completely unqualified person for the job because he panicked and got lazy.

 

[RunninRichie]

Everything you said is true. The Ole saying "you can not win them all" is true. College basketball was changing and we did not give Cal time to figure it out. We were spoiled with Pitino's and Cal's quick success. We thought we could plug and chug coaches. So, now we got Pope the great.

Calipari wasn't figuring anything out. He said the game changed to be less reliant on freshmen and then lost in the 1st round the next year. The Craft's were done with him and wouldn't foot the bill for any NIL. Or a new practice facility. Reports came out that Calipari was on an island at UK. He shunned Matt Jones and KSR after they called him out for losing 16 games. It just goes on and on. You think if we just gave him more time, he'd have figured it all out?

 

[Tim0808]

You’re right. But people hate Cal because he isn’t a Republican and he makes a lot of the fanbase feel inferior. Running off Cal right as NIL hit is one of the dumbest things any sports fandom has ever done.

It will go down in Kentucky basketball history as the same as Kentucky football running off Bear Bryant.

 

[Ash Williams]

I’m just giving my opinion. Everyone is free to disagree.

The fans had ZERO to do with this. You have no evidence whatsoever to back up your specious claims.

 

[Tim0808]

2 things can be true.

Cal and UK needed to separate.
Pope should've never been the replacement.

Oh and Mitch is the worst thing to ever happen to Kentucky basketball..... So I guess 3 things can be true simultaneously

I agree it can be, but it does not mean it is.