Why I want(ed) Pope to succeed.

[UKreturntogreatness]

The obvious is because I want the program to be successful. But the second reason is the positivity Pope exudes in character. He is a guy who sees the glass half full or more and loves our program. I wanted to see that personality be rewarded.

Unfortunately, we live in a negative world. The very top right or wrong has made it acceptable to call people losers, suckers, crazy, etc. If you go on any website like Yahoo or here or many more that allow internet comments in response to a post it is at least 80% and likely higher that those comments will be negative. Recruits now (again probably 80%) could care less about the specific program as much as the money to be offered. But, the elite talent with the money offer also seek the negative coaching, the yelling, the strong personality that fits with todays' and their world. Cleary Pope's style is not making that connection with the younger people who have been part of this negative environment for the past decade. Of course he will get some recruits and maybe the team will be better than anticipated. I just wish he would have the success that hasn't been demonstrated so far.

 

[20MRoster]

It's not a good positivity, though (re Pope's personality). It's a toxic positivity that is forced and makes him double down on mistakes rather than acknowledging and learning from them.

I don't consider Pope a high character guy. Recruits pick up on SOMETHING when they meet him. Former players said he is not personable. He says maddeningly stupid things to put a bullseye on himself. The positive act is all fake.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Pope is a success in life. :
High School star
NCAA champ
8 years NBA career
Married David Letterman Assistant
4 great daughters
Head Coach at BYU
HEAD Coach at Ky making $5.5 mil a year
Flying all over in Private Jet & driving expensive cars
Life is good for Mark Pope.

 

[20MRoster]

Yep, such an amazing life he openly mentioned contemplating suicide. He's a classic "fail upward" example, and the chickens are going to come home to roost soon. Unfortunately not soon enough, as he's doing a great job of destroying the UK brand.

 

[Tri-Countycat]

It’s been proven that Pope can’t recruit well enough to have a long tenure here. The was the major question most of us had when hired and apparently we were right to question it. Pope could get lucky like in year 1 and put together an island of misfit toys that work, but he will never put out a consistent prospect of excellence. Pull the bandaid off, look for a new coach with the number one attribute and biggest strength of recruiting and roster development. I don’t care how good you can coach if you can’t get players.

 

[kyjeff1]

Most of the ones on here spewing negativity, are professionals. They are going to find a negative angle no matter what. The only way Pope escapes the critisism, is to win a title and even then, he better have less than 10 losses that season.

If they can't satisfy their hunger for negativity here, they will find it elsewhere. It's just much easier to complain and tell everyone how upset you are than to focus on the positive.

 

[Farsight Clone]

90% of the Pope Deniers wanted Pope to succeed because he's one of ours. A lot of us, including my self did not like the hire and changed our minds to give him a chance after his press conference.

It's clear as day, he is NOT the right guy for the job. He can't recruit. If you can't recruit you better be a dang good coach to develop into talent. It's clear that Pope is NOT that guy either.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

When one has no facts to back up their position they almost always go to character assassination.

 

[howitis_rivals115807]

he told the media he thought about killing himself after a loss. He isn't positive he is strange.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

Every true UK fan wanted Mark to succeed. I hope this coming season is a miracle but right now the *****’s are not aligning. We now have to be positive and cheer for the team. If it is a flop then we must move on.

 

[MondayNightRaw]

Love the guy, he's high character and a great family man.

He just doesn't have the killer instinct nor the personality to thrive here. And I knew this from the get-go.

 

[NineBannersSoon]

Most of the ones on here spewing negativity, are professionals. They are going to find a negative angle no matter what. The only way Pope escapes the critisism, is to win a title and even then, he better have less than 10 losses that season.

If they can't satisfy their hunger for negativity here, they will find it elsewhere. It's just much easier to complain and tell everyone how upset you are than to focus on the positive.

This post is hilarious coming from you considering the tantrums you had when Cal was coaching here. You were a real beacon of positivity.

 

[JimboBBN]

Everyone wanted Pope to succeed here. He said all the right things in his press conference and he’s one of our own.

It takes a very special coach to be successful here. But the rewards of being successful at Kentucky are higher than any other program in the country.

 

[kyjeff1]

This post is hilarious coming from you considering the tantrums you had when Cal was coaching here. You were a real beacon of positivity.

Sooo you didn't understand I see.
How am I behaving with regards to Mark Pope? Am I being positive, or no?
Reread what I said.
I was all in on John Calipari until he decided the NBA draft was more important than UK, so yeah, I wanted him out.
You would have a point if I was sitting here trashing Pope, like 90% of the board is, but that's not the case. True, or false?

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

As soon as he was hired I thought it was a mistake and we should have stuck with Calipari until we had a great replacement lined up. I thought it was an absolutely terrible hire from the beginning and even I wanted Pope to succeed and I want to be proven wrong about not being a contender with him as our coach too. There may be some that want him to fail but I don't even truly believe that. For most of us we see him as a mediocre coach and awful recruiter that won't make us a contender but would love to be proven wrong.

 

[TotheMoon88]

Sooo you didn't understand I see.
How am I behaving with regards to Mark Pope? Am I being positive, or no?
Reread what I said.
I was all in on John Calipari until he decided the NBA draft was more important than UK, so yeah, I wanted him out.
You would have a point if I was sitting here trashing Pope, like 90% of the board is, but that's not the case. True, or false?

I think you’re the one not understanding what he’s saying

 

[kyjeff1]

I think you’re the one not understanding what he’s saying

I fully understood what he said.

Answer the question, what's my stance been with Pope? Have I been negative, or positive?

 

[TotheMoon88]

I fully understood what he said.

Answer the question, what's my stance been with Pope? Have I been negative, or positive?

I really don’t think you understand. The answer to your question has nothing to do with his statement

 

[kyjeff1]

I really don’t think you understand. The answer to your question has nothing to do with his statement

Answer the question.

 

[HogCoyote]

I'm sure my reaction to the hire of Mark Pope went similar to many on this Board. Going from huh? Why? At the announcement to watching the video of his offense and getting a little optimistic, to being all in from the nostalgia at the press conference (I was 12 and idolized that 96 team) to loving watch that 1st year team play team basketball, to being disappointed when Butler got injured, to being HYPED when we beat Purdue in the pre-season, to scratching my head at the Georgetown loss, to despair at the many other puzzling losses, to now being extremely frustrated with the WHIFF season.

 

[TotheMoon88]

Answer the question.

You’ve been positive. What does that have to do with his statement? Answer that question

 

[BookofMormon]

As soon as he was hired I thought it was a mistake and we should have stuck with Calipari until we had a great replacement lined up. I thought it was an absolutely terrible hire from the beginning and even I wanted Pope to succeed and I want to be proven wrong about not being a contender with him as our coach too. There may be some that want him to fail but I don't even truly believe that. For most of us we see him as a mediocre coach and awful recruiter that won't make us a contender but would love to be proven wrong.

This sounds like hindsight 20/20.

Most had hope in Pope - alum, endorsed by Pitino, had coaching track record and brand behind him. It's hard to predict he's too goofy to attract recruits.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

This sounds like hindsight 20/20.

Most had hope in Pope - alum, endorsed by Pitino, had coaching track record and brand behind him. It's hard to predict he's too goofy to attract recruits.

I thought he hadn't proven anything. I don't believe before he was hired that he was anyone's first choice. If you thought he was going to succeed or even if most did I assure you that I did not. This is not a matter of hindsight for me but I do believe that's true for a lot of fans.

 

[kyjeff1]

You’ve been positive. What does that have to do with his statement? Answer that question

You do realize he responded to my post, which was about the guys that can't be positive, no matter what, right?
He said it was strange coming from a guy that was totally negative about Calipari and he's right, but the point missed. It would have hit, if I was crushing Pope, but I'm not.
Go back and start from the beginning, you'll get it, I have faith in you.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Who gives a crap about being positive? We just want to win. Also, Pope is a mega douche after gettinghis *** kicked a tone. Not positive at all.

 

[kyjeff1]

This sounds like hindsight 20/20.

Most had hope in Pope - alum, endorsed by Pitino, had coaching track record and brand behind him. It's hard to predict he's too goofy to attract recruits.

I think we all had the same reaction when we found out Pope was hired:
"Wait, what? Mark Pope, no way, that's crazy"

Then, we had high hopes after his introductory press conference.

Then, he beat duke, Gonzaga, Florida, Tennessee twice and got to the sweet 16. There were red flags, but we were good with the start.

Then, the 25/26 season started with a stomp job of Purdue. Everyone was feeling good.

Now look at this place. 1 bad season where he lost the team and lost key players to injury… still made the tournament and won a game, but we have a large group on here that wants him fired. He hasn't done anything as bad as the losses Cal sustained.

Yeah, Pope lost by 35 to Gonzaga, but I'll take that over losses at home to GW, VCU, Richmond and UNCW and the Robert Morris, SP and Oakland losses.

Pope deserves a chance to right the ship. Cal had a million chances.

 

[TotheMoon88]

You do realize he responded to my post, which was about the guys that can't be positive, no matter what, right?
He said it was strange coming from a guy that was totally negative about Calipari and he's right, but the point missed. It would have hit, if I was crushing Pope, but I'm not.
Go back and start from the beginning, you'll get it, I have faith in you.

You clearly still don’t get it. He’s calling you a hypocrite because you were so negative on cal. And now you’re trying to put down those that are negative on pope. Maybe you should start from the beginning smart guy

 

[NineBannersSoon]

Sooo you didn't understand I see.
How am I behaving with regards to Mark Pope? Am I being positive, or no?
Reread what I said.
I was all in on John Calipari until he decided the NBA draft was more important than UK, so yeah, I wanted him out.
You would have a point if I was sitting here trashing Pope, like 90% of the board is, but that's not the case. True, or false?

You’re lecturing people who aren’t 100% sunshine pumping Pope. There was a time when you were one of the most negative people on this board. It’s just funny you becoming the message board police when it comes to people having negative opinions. That’s all. Hopefully this coming season is one that brings us all together (hopefully due to good results).

 

[BookofMormon]

I thought he hadn't proven anything. I don't believe before he was hired that he was anyone's first choice. If you thought he was going to succeed or even if most did I assure you that I did not. This is not a matter of hindsight for me but I do believe that's true for a lot of fans.

He probably hadn't - but many are clamoring for Jai Lucas.

You'd think he would know the culture and expectation, and would convey the program with pride to recruits to get them to want to come.

 

[BookofMormon]

I think we all had the same reaction when we found out Pope was hired:
"Wait, what? Mark Pope, no way, that's crazy"

Then, we had high hopes after his introductory press conference.

Then, he beat duke, Gonzaga, Florida, Tennessee twice and got to the sweet 16. There were red flags, but we were good with the start.

Then, the 25/26 season started with a stomp job of Purdue. Everyone was feeling good.

Now look at this place. 1 bad season where he lost the team and lost key players to injury… still made the tournament and won a game, but we have a large group on here that wants him fired. He hasn't done anything as bad as the losses Cal sustained.

Yeah, Pope lost by 35 to Gonzaga, but I'll take that over losses at home to GW, VCU, Richmond and UNCW and the Robert Morris, SP and Oakland losses.

Pope deserves a chance to right the ship. Cal had a million chances.

He should definitely have this year - issue is he's trending poorly with recruiting, which is just not something you can trend poorly in.

 

[BlueCane]

Pope is a success in life. :
High School star
NCAA champ
8 years NBA career
Married David Letterman Assistant
4 great daughters
Head Coach at BYU
HEAD Coach at Ky making $5.5 mil a year
Flying all over in Private Jet & driving expensive cars
Life is good for Mark Pope.

But not good for fans

 

[kyjeff1]

You clearly still don’t get it. He’s calling you a hypocrite because you were so negative on cal. And now you’re trying to put down those that are negative on pope. Maybe you should start from the beginning smart guy

My Gawd, did your mom have any kids that lived?

Yes, we all understand he tried to call me a hypocrite, but it went over like a fart in church the second I asked him how I'm treating the Pope situation. Derp derp.

My original post was about people that can't be positive no matter what. Do you understand what being a hypocrite means, or no?

 

[kyjeff1]

You’re lecturing people who aren’t 100% sunshine pumping Pope. There was a time when you were one of the most negative people on this board. It’s just funny you becoming the message board police when it comes to people having negative opinions. That’s all. Hopefully this coming season is one that brings us all together (hopefully due to good results).

Cal deserved it, Pope doesn't deserve the hate. He deserves critisism, but not hate.

The people throwing hate, refuse to say a positive word about him.

I'm being very positive and patient with Pope, but I have critisized him.

Also, I was a huge Cal fan, very positive for most of his career, then it became obvious he didn't give a crap about UK, that's when I became negative towards him.

There's a difference between people that call it like it is and people that just go to the negative every chance they get.

 

[kyjeff1]

He should definitely have this year - issue is he's trending poorly with recruiting, which is just not something you can trend poorly in.

I agree, I'm just hoping for the best.
If he can just get one more big fish, preferably at the 3, I'll feel better about next year.

 

[NineBannersSoon]

My Gawd, did your mom have any kids that lived?

Yes, we all understand he tried to call me a hypocrite, but it went over like a fart in church the second I asked him how I'm treating the Pope situation. Derp derp.

My original post was about people that can't be positive no matter what. Do you understand what being a hypocrite means, or no?

I’m not trying to do anything. You’re a hypocrite. Congrats on glazing Pope though, I guess.

 

[kyjeff1]

I’m not trying to do anything. You’re a hypocrite. Congrats on glazing Pope though, I guess.

You called me a hypocrite, then accused me of "glazing" Mark Pope. Make it make sense.

 

[TFCat11]

It's just much easier to complain and tell everyone how upset you are than to focus on the positive.

I consider you a mostly level headed poster on here, and I’m not calling you out by any means, but I don’t claim to know everything, so could you tell me/ us what these “positive(s)” are we should be focused on, that pertains to the men’s basketball program?

Thanks in advance

 

[TotheMoon88]

My Gawd, did your mom have any kids that lived?

Yes, we all understand he tried to call me a hypocrite, but it went over like a fart in church the second I asked him how I'm treating the Pope situation. Derp derp.

My original post was about people that can't be positive no matter what. Do you understand what being a hypocrite means, or no?

Yes I understand but clearly you don’t. Bringing up how you treat the pope situation has absolutely nothing to do with what he said, what can’t you get about that?

 

[NineBannersSoon]

Cal deserved it, Pope doesn't deserve the hate. He deserves critisism, but not hate.

The people throwing hate, refuse to say a positive word about him.

I'm being very positive and patient with Pope, but I have critisized him.

Also, I was a huge Cal fan, very positive for most of his career, then it became obvious he didn't give a crap about UK, that's when I became negative towards him.

There's a difference between people that call it like it is and people that just go to the negative every chance

You called me a hypocrite, then accused me of "glazing" Mark Pope. Make it make sense.

Yeah. The behavior you’ve demonstrated in the past you are now condemning. Take your meds, I’m off to the track. Enjoy your day!

 

[NineBannersSoon]

Yes I understand but clearly you don’t. Bringing up how you treat the pope situation has absolutely nothing to do with what he said, what can’t you get about that?

He goes on rants like this every so often. The possibility of him being wrong isn’t an option. He’s kind of the Jay Bilas of the board.