The UK Job - How Attractive Is It?

[BookofMormon]

Where does this job stack up in today's world? Let's hypothetically presume these jobs may open up alongside it, how is the UK job perceived across top coaches (pros/cons)? Pitino recently came out and said that Blue Blood's no longer exist, so in today's world it's less about the the esteem and more about support & logistics.

Kansas - Self retires
Michigan - May goes to the NBA
Florida - Golden goes to the NBA
Michigan St - Izzo retires

Where does the Kentucky job stack up?

 

[RunninRichie]

Coaches ranked it tied with UNC after the Duke job, like a month or two ago. So pretty damn attractive.

 

[rick64]

First UK needs a top tier AD who's not going to accept just being mediocre. Whoever that person is needs to get their ducks in a row quickly because as the OP mentions Self could very well retire after next season coaching Stokes. Izzo is getting up there in age, how much longer will he be around. May and Golden are two top young coaches, will an NBA team come after one or both of them.

 

[Drcats2025]

The job is attractive, but that doesn’t matter if it marries an ugly b****.

 

[BookofMormon]

Coaches ranked it tied with UNC after the Duke job, like a month or two ago. So pretty damn attractive.

This was a year ago, 2nd after UNC. But UNC just went through their search and ended up with a backup to the backup. What are everyone's expectations for a next coach? We couldn't pull Elmer Fudd out of Waco last year, nor Hurley.

https://247sports.com/longformarticle/ranking-college-basketballs-10-best-jobs-duke-still-high-byu-joins-after-aj-dybantsa-signing-248243444/#2630059

 

[BBNSZN914]

Real talk- we need to handle this Pope sitch with respect and integrity so A. We treat one of our own the right way B. So someone won’t be scared off by any recent BBN behavior

May be unrealstic.

I think the line is pretty short for someone to be able to succeed here bc you need the persona to go with the skills and experience.

That list is gonna be 2-5 people long, or we are gonna need to think creatively like unc.

 

[BookofMormon]

Real talk- we need to handle this Pope sitch with respect and integrity so A. We treat one of our own the right way B. So someone won’t be scared off by any recent BBN behavior

May be unrealstic.

I think the line is pretty short for someone to be able to succeed here bc you need the persona to go with the skills and experience.

That list is gonna be 2-5 people long, or we are gonna need to think creatively like unc.

Short list?

Donovan
McCollum
McCaskill
Schertz

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

I saw in another thread how the JMI contract might be having an effect. Do you think its possible that it could attract who we can get as a coach?

 

[UKCowboys]

Where does this job stack up in today's world? Let's hypothetically presume these jobs may open up alongside it, how is the UK job perceived across top coaches (pros/cons)? Pitino recently came out and said that Blue Blood's no longer exist, so in today's world it's less about the the esteem and more about support & logistics.

Kansas - Self retires
Michigan - May goes to the NBA
Florida - Golden goes to the NBA
Michigan St - Izzo retires

Where does the Kentucky job stack up?

Not attractive to Billy Donovan, Dan Hurley or Scott Drew apparently

 

[BookofMormon]

Not attractive to Billy Donovan, Dan Hurley or Scott Drew apparently

Two HOF coaches is a high bar, that's being idealistic. Why would a coach coming from a program where he's getting to finals just about every year want to come? Drew I'm not even sure we'd want.

 

[PoopooPeePee]

Even if we got a middle of the pack coach, he could do better than Pope here.

Pope got trolled by a high school recruit that KNEW he wasn’t coming to UK for a month. National recruiting analysts tried to warn Pope but he doesn’t take calls from media. It’s 100% coaching malpractice and he should be fired today. Idc if the new coach has to fill the roster with mid major guys. He can get a pass his 1st year.

 

[PoopooPeePee]

I saw in another thread how the JMI contract might be having an effect. Do you think it’s possible that it could attract who we can get as a coach?

I don’t believe this at all. JMI isn’t affecting Will Stein in the slightest.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

I don’t believe this at all. JMI isn’t affecting Will Stein in the slightest.

Thank you, I was just curious if the JMI deal could potentially effect who we can get.

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

Even if we got a middle of the pack coach, he could do better than Pope here.

Pope got trolled by a high school recruit that KNEW he wasn’t coming to UK for a month. National recruiting analysts tried to warn Pope but he doesn’t take calls from media. It’s 100% coaching malpractice and he should be fired today. Idc if the new coach has to fill the roster with mid major guys. He can get a pass his 1st year.

The current coach is filling the roster with mid-major guys.

 

[CrimsonCats_rivals]

I think it’s still one of the more attractive jobs at the college level. We just may have to re-calibrate our expectations for what that means. I think our hiring cycle that led to getting Pope as well as this year’s opening at UNC shows that coaches who are already successful at the power conference level generally aren’t viewing those kind of jobs as an extra step above anymore, so if Pope does move on soon and your list is something like Hurley, May, Lloyd, Golden, and Oats, you’re likely going to be disappointed.

I do think we’d still be close to first in line for promising coaches from mid-majors and the assistant ranks, but it’s going to take doing our homework and making the right hire instead of just expecting our name value to make the already established best coaches in the game come to us.

 

[Cats192]

I've heard over and over on Twitter that Nate Oats really wants the Kentucky job. And that he will take it if offered.

I've also heard that Kyle Tucker and Oats are bro's. And you'll notice Kyle is pulling ZERO punches when it comes to Pope. Some people have suggested Kyle is trying to help out his buddy Oats. But obviously Mark Pope needs ZERO help losing the job at the rate he's going.

I think it was Scott Van Pelt or some ESPN talking head suggested Donovan would take a year off and then wanted to take the UK job if open.

Jai Lucas is killing it on the recruiting trail, and surely would do even more with UK resources.

Josh Schertz is clearly a dude and will take a power conference job after next season.

Beyond that, I don't know if a lot of the desired guys will leave. Ben McCollum can clearly coach. He's from Iowa and I think told UNC he wasn't interested.

Otzelberger's wife is from Iowa and he just turned down UNC and signed an extension.

Lloyd is a west coast guy and turned down UNC.

McCassland is a Texas guy and having a lot of success at a Texas school.

 

[BookofMormon]

I've heard over and over on Twitter that Nate Oats really wants the Kentucky job. And that he will take it if offered.

I've also heard that Kyle Tucker and Oats are bro's. And you'll notice Kyle is pulling ZERO punches when it comes to Pope. Some people have suggested Kyle is trying to help out his buddy Oats. But obviously Mark Pope needs ZERO help losing the job at the rate he's going.

I think it was Scott Van Pelt or some ESPN talking head suggested Donovan would take a year off and then wanted to take the UK job if open.

Jai Lucas is killing it on the recruiting trail, and surely would do even more with UK resources.

Josh Schertz is clearly a dude and will take a power conference job after next season.

Beyond that, I don't know if a lot of the desired guys will leave. Ben McCollum can clearly coach. He's from Iowa and I think told UNC he wasn't interested.

Otzelberger's wife is from Iowa and he just turned down UNC and signed an extension.

Lloyd is a west coast guy and turned down UNC.

McCassland is a Texas guy and having a lot of success at a Texas school.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

Highly attractive, but it takes a competent AD to lead the charge. UK's leadership at the top is lacking mightily.

 

[K_TIME]

I don’t believe this at all. JMI isn’t affecting Will Stein in the slightest.

Thank you....this whole JMI narrative from Matt JOnes is baloney. Stein aint' having a problem in the world with it. And Jones can't explain that away

 

[rivercatinfl]

I saw in another thread how the JMI contract might be having an effect. Do you think its possible that it could attract who we can get as a coach?

We need to ditch the NIL deal. There has to be money being made by lots of people to hang this approach on our recruiting.
My guess is the deal won't be re-worked for that reason.
Really pisses me off!!

 

[megablue]

I wonder if the higher profile jobs, with the highest coaching pressure, are often seen as not as attractive as current/other situations, considering the associated high-level stress and expectations ... just a guess ???. Also, especially with the ability now to construct rosters through NIL$$$, the portal and international players, is it more appealing and FUN to try to build the mountain, rather than to maintain the lofty perch, even with the big $alary ???. I'm just thinking out loud ... of course. It probably takes a special kind of person to actually WANT the challenges that Kentucky, Kansas, UNC, Duke, etc ... present, even considering the big money to coach there. There are many who are settled in their communities and really like their current situation, it seems to me.

 

[Goingfor9]

Short list?

Donovan
McCollum
McCaskill
Schertz

Donovan will be off the board by then. If we want Donovan now is the time. Schertz isnt uk material by any stretch. We can’t afford another bad hire. We need a slam dunk. That means big time name recognition. We need someone who knows how to innovate and adapt. If we get a bb friendly AD who can sell who knows how to piece together a hiring committee with gravitas. We have a lot of former greats who make it hard for coaches to say no but Barney had no clue or his ego kept him from putting a legit committee together sans the committee with Pratt on it to hire cal.

 

[Broker]

Where does this job stack up in today's world? Let's hypothetically presume these jobs may open up alongside it, how is the UK job perceived across top coaches (pros/cons)? Pitino recently came out and said that Blue Blood's no longer exist, so in today's world it's less about the the esteem and more about support & logistics.

Kansas - Self retires
Michigan - May goes to the NBA
Florida - Golden goes to the NBA
Michigan St - Izzo retires

Where does the Kentucky job stack up?

Where does this job stack up in today's world? Let's hypothetically presume these jobs may open up alongside it, how is the UK job perceived across top coaches (pros/cons)? Pitino recently came out and said that Blue Blood's no longer exist, so in today's world it's less about the the esteem and more about support & logistics.

Kansas - Self retires
Michigan - May goes to the NBA
Florida - Golden goes to the NBA
Michigan St - Izzo retires

Where does the Kentucky job stack up?

KY like every school stacks up based on salary & NIL. If we are behind 18 schools in salary & NIL we would stack up #19. If we were #1 In salary & NIL we would rank #1. Simple math now that NIL has leveled the field in recruitment.

 

[Goingfor9]

Thank you, I was just curious if the JMI deal could potentially effect who we can get.

No that’s the answer.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

I think what was a prestigious "blue blood" job has kind of been knocked doen a bit, to being closer to the rest of the pack. You could argue that places like Michigan and Miami have just as much money, if not more so, to throw around to players.

And let's remember, part of what made UK a top destination was because it was/is a top paying job. That doesnt neccesarily mean the job and situation itself is great, just that youre going get more pay. Apple and Microsoft are seen as the top tech places to work, but in large part because they just pay more, not because the "job" is inherently better. But money aside, is being the head coach at UK better than Miami or Michigan? That question was an immediate "yes" 5 years ago, that's much more murky now.

The good news is we DO pay a lot, and we are gonna get a new AD and possibly fix some crap thats been hindering us. If we lean into that, than we should be good. But no, things like "BBN", "Lexington" and titles from the 40s arent moving the needle today.

 

[BookofMormon]

Donovan will be off the board by then. If we want Donovan now is the time. Schertz isnt uk material by any stretch. We can’t afford another bad hire. We need a slam dunk. That means big time name recognition. We need someone who knows how to innovate and adapt. If we get a bb friendly AD who can sell who knows how to piece together a hiring committee with gravitas. We have a lot of former greats who make it hard for coaches to say no but Barney had no clue or his ego kept him from putting a legit committee together sans the committee with Pratt on it to hire cal.

Does it mean big time name recognition, or is that what you want?

Was Golden a big time name 4 years ago? May 3 years ago? They are arguably top 3 in the sport right now.

This name chasing is the not the solution. I don't think the UK name has nearly as much clout is it once did in today's world. Underselling Schertz. That guy may have played UM second toughest in the tourney last year next to Hurley.

 

[megablue]

I think what was a prestigious "blue blood" job has kind of been knocked doen a bit, to being closer to the rest of the pack. You could argue that places like Michigan and Miami have just as much money, if not more so, to throw around to players.

And let's remember, part of what made UK a top destination was because it was/is a top paying job. That doesnt neccesarily mean the job and situation itself is great, just that youre going get more pay. Apple and Microsoft are seen as the top tech places to work, but in large part because they just pay more, not because the "job" is inherently better. But money aside, is being the head coach at UK better than Miami or Michigan? That question was an immediate "yes" 5 years ago, that's much more murky now.

The good news is we DO pay a lot, and we are gonna get a new AD and possibly fix some crap thats been hindering us. If we lean into that, than we should be good. But no, things like "BBN", "Lexington" and titles from the 40s arent moving the needle today.

I think your thoughts are well-stated and I kinda see the situation the same way. College basketball appears to be going through revolutionary, versus evolutionary, changes. We're looking at one-year rosters ... it is simply the Wild, Wild West, if not a ZOO, of sorts.

 

[TFCat11]

Highly attractive, but it takes a competent AD to lead the charge. UK's leadership at the top is lacking mightily.

This is the answer, and has always been the answer

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Thank you....this whole JMI narrative from Matt JOnes is baloney. Stein aint' having a problem in the world with it. And Jones can't explain that away

Nor the women’s team. Nor baseball.

Volleyball is thriving under JMI.

Only one coach at UK is having JMI problems.

Is it a coincidence that that same coach is having problems in every aspect of the job?

 

[JAC71]

Just need someone at the top to help sell the university instead of just picking a player and not doing their homework. There are mid major coaches that have that dawg in them and could coach circles around a lot of p5 coaches

 

[RedDore]

Coaches ranked it tied with UNC after the Duke job, like a month or two ago. So pretty damn attractive.

This is correct, but also college athletics has been flattened significantly in the NIL era. A decade ago, the top jobs were no-brainers for coaches a tier below, but now second and even (former) third tier institutions are better able to compete both on salary and on talent. You're seeing it women's basketball as well. The top programs are still the top programs, but the gap between the blue bloods and "great" programs has shrunken considerably.

Coaching at Kentucky comes with one of the best salaries in college sports, but it might just be 20%-30% greater than what you would get at a great program--and with the expectation of a very high level of performance that people will expect to pay off almost immediately in this era. There will always be some coaches that believe the risk of being on the hotseat your second year will be worth the reward, but the calculus is a lot different than it was a decade ago.

 

[Shidler8684]

As compared to other jobs that pay similarly, it has gotten less attractive. There is too much pressure compared to other jobs. The better question is, of the best coaches, who is tough enough to embrace it and persevere? Rupp, Pitino and Cal mainly and others got eaten alive. The pool of who wants it, can succeed at it and do that over years is shrinking. Social media amplified, society has gotten softer and skin is thinner. I bet most coaches would rather make 50-60% than rather deal with Kentucky Basketball and Alabama Football.

 

[Captain Coy]

With the JMI deal, and nobody else playing by the rules it's possibly one of the worst jobs out there. How many coaches want both hands tied behind their back?

 

[Bluegrasskingreboot]

Two HOF coaches is a high bar, that's being idealistic. Why would a coach coming from a program where he's getting to finals just about every year want to come? Drew I'm not even sure we'd want.

We definitely don't want Drew. Leave him in Waco or wherever.

 

[Black Sheep ITVI]

I think Kentucky would still be the most attractive of those jobs to certain coaches. Each of those schools have their own unique competitive advantages but so do we.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Gonna get crushed for this, but not as attractive as UK fans think.

It takes a certain personality to be able to do this job, and that’s pretty much an arrogant prick with thick skin.

We all know why the job would be attractive so I will summarize here: historic pedigree, great pay, treated like a king (if winning, see reasons for not being attractive for the other side), opportunity to become a UK legend and most popular figure in the state.

Reasons the job could be unattractive:

Position requires more than just coaching basketball. There’s a political aspect (not partisan politics) where the coach has to schmooze and kiss babies and speak to groups. Not everyone is cut out to do that.

There’s a massive, rabid fanbase that is your best pal in good times but will turn on you brutally when adversity strikes, especially if somewhat prolonged. It gets worse with every passing year of a final four or title drought. Oftentimes, it gets personal and downright nasty.

Fan pressure/legacy is another issue. If you’re someone like a Dusty May or Todd Golden and you have won a title at a school that focuses more on football, do you want to leave a low pressure job with nearly equal pay where you have a chance to build your legacy as that school’s Rupp, are you throwing that away for a marginal raise, a fanbase that scrutinizes your every move and your legacy will be as just another UK coach.

I see this job as being more attractive to the hungry coach on the rise wanting the biggest challenge, but probably a turnoff to someone who has already won at the highest levels of college basketball.

Flame away.

 

[Corporal Upham_rivals48810]

Y’all are the top program of all time… But yall ran off a coach who won’t a natty, went to
four final 4’s, and won 6 SEC championships… Not only did yall run him off, yall treated him like pure scum in the process… With the NIL era, the playing field is leveled… The history and support doesn’t mean near as much as it once did. Y’all obviously have all the resources in the world, but no HOF coach wants to come work at a place where the pitch forks come out after a tourney upset. Y’all will have to hire your third choice and hope he’s not complete whiff like Pope. If he’s decent, yall will be back fairly quick.

 

[Cats192]

Gonna get crushed for this, but not as attractive as UK fans think.

It takes a certain personality to be able to do this job, and that’s pretty much an arrogant prick with thick skin.

We all know why the job would be attractive so I will summarize here: historic pedigree, great pay, treated like a king (if winning, see reasons for not being attractive for the other side), opportunity to become a UK legend and most popular figure in the state.

Reasons the job could be unattractive:

Position requires more than just coaching basketball. There’s a political aspect (not partisan politics) where the coach has to schmooze and kiss babies and speak to groups. Not everyone is cut out to do that.

There’s a massive, rabid fanbase that is your best pal in good times but will turn on you brutally when adversity strikes, especially if somewhat prolonged. It gets worse with every passing year of a final four or title drought. Oftentimes, it gets personal and downright nasty.

Fan pressure/legacy is another issue. If you’re someone like a Dusty May or Todd Golden and you have won a title at a school that focuses more on football, do you want to leave a low pressure job with nearly equal pay where you have a chance to build your legacy as that school’s Rupp, are you throwing that away for a marginal raise, a fanbase that scrutinizes your every move and your legacy will be as just another UK coach.

I see this job as being more attractive to the hungry coach on the rise wanting the biggest challenge, but probably a turnoff to someone who has already won at the highest levels of college basketball.

Flame away.

I actually think people overstate the personality and all of the other stuff. There's really only one requirement.

Win. Win games. Win SEC regular season championships. Win SEC Tournament championships. Win NCAA tournament games and go to Final 4's.

No one is going to care about any of the other stuff if you're routinely winning on the court.

 

[Madhuvan]

This was a year ago, 2nd after UNC. But UNC just went through their search and ended up with a backup to the backup. What are everyone's expectations for a next coach? We couldn't pull Elmer Fudd out of Waco last year, nor Hurley.

https://247sports.com/longformarticle/ranking-college-basketballs-10-best-jobs-duke-still-high-byu-joins-after-aj-dybantsa-signing-248243444/#2630059

There seems to be an expectation now that we should be able to pluck a national championship coach from another school anytime we want but actually it never worked that way. 30 years ago we hired Georgia’s coach who looked promising but had never been past the Sweet 16. Prior to that we hired an NBA coach as our third choice after the coaches at Arizona and Seton Hall turned us down. Prior to that we hired the Arkansas coach who had failed to get past the Sweet 16 for six consecutive seasons before being hired by UK. Prior to that we promoted an assistant who didn’t have a single game of D-1 head coach experience. Prior to that we hired a high school coach from Illinois. The point is there are plenty of good options that can win big here and will come here. It doesn’t have to be Golden, May, or Hurley , etc. We never hired guys like that in the past.

 

[WeWant9]

I'd re-ask this question when the dust settles on the new AD.