My letter to Mark Pope (please read Coach)

[Drcats2025]

Dear Coach Pope,

First off, thank you. Thank you for being a Kentucky Wildcat. Your enthusiasm and leadership played a huge part in us winning our 6th national championship; on a team that any partial, basketball mind will NOT find 5 better teams in the history of college basketball. You were the captain to this amazing squad, and forever will be beloved for that reason.

Now, let’s get to the present. Coach, you were put in a terribly unfair position. You were offered the job of your dreams and no one in their right mind would have turned it down, but it was a big ask. It was a big ask by our administration to expect you to come here and replace the greatest recruiter in our programs history, when you had never even won a tournament game, or established yourself well enough to get the types of recruits we need here at Kentucky. You were just starting to get the ball rolling at BYU, and was not quite seasoned enough to take over such a prestigious program with lofty expectations. Again, this is of no fault of your own.

Coach, I truly believe you’re doing your best. You’re putting everything you’ve got into this job, but as much as it pains me to say, it just isn’t enough. For whatever reason, you and your staff have been unable to put together the type of roster that should be expected at this great university. I know it’s hard to accept, but deep down you know this is true, too.

I ask to you to please consider stepping down. Humbly accepting that this job and its demands are just too much for you. There is no shame in that, and you will be so respected in doing so. Please force the hand of our administration to have to take action; to at least give us a shot at retribution, though I’ll admit I have little faith they’ll make the right hire after you.

What I do know is that this isn’t working, and that there is no realistic reason to believe it’ll get better. We appreciate your efforts, and you’ll always be a legend here.
Just please consider this before things get too out of hand. It wasn’t your fault, and we love you, Coach.

Sincerely,
A Desperate Fan

 

[anot]

It hurts a little honestly because that's the truth. Want him to succeed. I might just cheer my *** off for him this season knowing it's his last. I think he's trying really hard to win at a program Cal sabotaged on the way out.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Dear desperate fan,

You just asked me to walk away from millions of dollars the University of Kentucky is contractually obligated to pay me.

No.

Sincerely,
Coach Pope

 

[Drcats2025]

Dear desperate fan,

You just asked me to walk away from millions of dollars the University of Kentucky is contractually obligated to pay me.

No.

Sincerely,
Coach Pope

Don’t come in here being all realistic, man. Jeez.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Surely a random letter from someone he never met and never will meet whose motives he has no way to assess will prove an irresistible factor in making a decision that will not only change the rest of his life but have a huge impact on his family and friends.

I think it is safe to say Pope will be gone by this time next week, assuming you sent it snail mail. If email, he may be gone already. I better refresh Rafters...

 

[Drcats2025]

Surely a random letter from someone he never met and never will meet whose motives he has no way to assess will prove an irresistible factor in making a decision that will not only change the rest of his life but have a huge impact on his family and friends.

I think it is safe to say Pope will be gone by this time next week, assuming you sent it snail mail. If email, he may be gone already. I better refresh Rafters...

My god… this isn’t going how I’d hoped. (Gulps)

 

[Drcats2025]

Coach, don’t pay any mind to these sarcastic nimrods! Know this letter was from the heart, and may it touch you, so.

 

[Pensacola_Cat_Fan]

You have way too much time in your hands

 

[Kantucke_rivals]

Pope doesn't strike me as the person that'll just step down and walk away especially with 17+ million dollars on the table.

 

[Farsight Clone]

I just hope the OP doesn't expect Pope to read it on this board

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Honestly as much as I'd love to hear that announcement, I think it's unfair to ask this of Pope.
The university hired him. He was offered a very generous salary/benefits, and he accepted it.
It's not his responsibility to decide that he isn't up to the task, and gracefully resign.
It's the AD's responsibility to fire him in that situation.

 

[Drcats2025]

You have way too much time in your hands

Why be so bothered man? It was worth a shot!

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

One more season and we move on. Hopefully we get a good hire.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

Pope doesn't strike me as the person that'll just step down and walk away especially with 17+ million dollars on the table.

well yeah...who is that type of person???!!!
17 mil to coach a kid's game?!?!?!
while the rest of us poor saps make a fraction of that while actually working real jobs
who the f would walk away from that? we have to be realistic here

 

[Beatle Bum]

Coach Cal quit. We love quitters. Please quit. LOL

 

[BBNSZN914]

Dear Mark Pope,

Please be advised, Rupp Arena is a pull-from-the-top toilet paper venue, NOT a pull-from-behind toilet paper venue.

Assuming it was you.

Thanks for reading,

Ruffs Rafters Pissed Poster

 

[SenseMaker_Cats]

This site is getting more pathetic by the day.

 

[Kantucke_rivals]

well yeah...who is that type of person???!!!
17 mil to coach a kid's game?!?!?!
while the rest of us poor saps make a fraction of that while actually working real jobs
who the f would walk away from that? we have to be realistic here

I'm just saying he doesn't seem like a guy that just walk away, even without the money owed. Add the money he's owed and it's definitely not happening.

Bottom line we're in a bad spot because of Barnhardt and I don't know a good way out

 

[PapawSwish]

One more season and we move on. Hopefully we get a good hire.

What is his buyout after this coming season? I'd say somewhere around 15 million since he was given a one-year extension to his original contract.

I'd retire today for a tenth of that if my boss wanted to get rid of me.

 

[Drcats2025]

This site is getting more pathetic by the day.

How does that apply here? I wrote a very sweet, and heartfelt letter. I’m trying to do my part to help the program.

 

[wkycatfan7]

MP will either succeed or he won't as UK coach, I'll be cheering for this year's team and its coach as I have for 50+ years.

As for OP's 'letter' to MP, I think I'd prefer OP be banned. The 'letter' accomplishes nothing positive.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

How does that apply here? I wrote a very sweet, and heartfelt letter. I’m trying to do my part to help the program.

if you really wanna impress Pope, write it in the form of a sonnet or a haiku

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

MP will either succeed or he won't as UK coach, I'll be cheering for this year's team and its coach as I have for 50+ years.

As for OP's 'letter' to MP, I think I'd prefer OP be banned. The 'letter' accomplishes nothing positive.

sheesh...well in that case, we're all glad you're not a moderator.

 

[Drcats2025]

MP will either succeed or he won't as UK coach, I'll be cheering for this year's team and its coach as I have for 50+ years.

As for OP's 'letter' to MP, I think I'd prefer OP be banned. The 'letter' accomplishes nothing positive.

Good god, man. Ban me? Ban me?! For a very kind, and well thought out letter? That’s a bit much.

 

[moses1uk]

Dear Coach Pope,

First off, thank you. Thank you for being a Kentucky Wildcat. Your enthusiasm and leadership played a huge part in us winning our 6th national championship; on a team that any partial, basketball mind will NOT find 5 better teams in the history of college basketball. You were the captain to this amazing squad, and forever will be beloved for that reason.

Now, let’s get to the present. Coach, you were put in a terribly unfair position. You were offered the job of your dreams and no one in their right mind would have turned it down, but it was a big ask. It was a big ask by our administration to expect you to come here and replace the greatest recruiter in our programs history, when you had never even won a tournament game, or established yourself well enough to get the types of recruits we need here at Kentucky. You were just starting to get the ball rolling at BYU, and was not quite seasoned enough to take over such a prestigious program with lofty expectations. Again, this is of no fault of your own.

Coach, I truly believe you’re doing your best. You’re putting everything you’ve got into this job, but as much as it pains me to say, it just isn’t enough. For whatever reason, you and your staff have been unable to put together the type of roster that should be expected at this great university. I know it’s hard to accept, but deep down you know this is true, too.

I ask to you to please consider stepping down. Humbly accepting that this job and its demands are just too much for you. There is no shame in that, and you will be so respected in doing so. Please force the hand of our administration to have to take action; to at least give us a shot at retribution, though I’ll admit I have little faith they’ll make the right hire after you.

What I do know is that this isn’t working, and that there is no realistic reason to believe it’ll get better. We appreciate your efforts, and you’ll always be a legend here.
Just please consider this before things get too out of hand. It wasn’t your fault, and we love you, Coach.

Sincerely,
A Desperate Fan

Sad how some fans just don’t have the ability to understand the business. If you want him to step down get 25 million that’s the cost and he would step down today . 15 million to him and 10 for the new coach

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

BREAKING NEWS!!!!!


Mark Pope won't read this or the other 19,639 other threads regarding him.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

if you really wanna impress Pope, write it in the form of a sonnet or a haiku

OP turns to Google for next step...

 

[wkycatfan7]

sheesh...well in that case, we're all glad you're not a moderator.

Tongue in cheek. Just saying, this 'letter' accomplishes nothing.

 

[UKCowboys]

Dear Coach Pope,

First off, thank you. Thank you for being a Kentucky Wildcat. Your enthusiasm and leadership played a huge part in us winning our 6th national championship; on a team that any partial, basketball mind will NOT find 5 better teams in the history of college basketball. You were the captain to this amazing squad, and forever will be beloved for that reason.

Now, let’s get to the present. Coach, you were put in a terribly unfair position. You were offered the job of your dreams and no one in their right mind would have turned it down, but it was a big ask. It was a big ask by our administration to expect you to come here and replace the greatest recruiter in our programs history, when you had never even won a tournament game, or established yourself well enough to get the types of recruits we need here at Kentucky. You were just starting to get the ball rolling at BYU, and was not quite seasoned enough to take over such a prestigious program with lofty expectations. Again, this is of no fault of your own.

Coach, I truly believe you’re doing your best. You’re putting everything you’ve got into this job, but as much as it pains me to say, it just isn’t enough. For whatever reason, you and your staff have been unable to put together the type of roster that should be expected at this great university. I know it’s hard to accept, but deep down you know this is true, too.

I ask to you to please consider stepping down. Humbly accepting that this job and its demands are just too much for you. There is no shame in that, and you will be so respected in doing so. Please force the hand of our administration to have to take action; to at least give us a shot at retribution, though I’ll admit I have little faith they’ll make the right hire after you.

What I do know is that this isn’t working, and that there is no realistic reason to believe it’ll get better. We appreciate your efforts, and you’ll always be a legend here.
Just please consider this before things get too out of hand. It wasn’t your fault, and we love you, Coach.

Sincerely,
A Desperate Fan

Pope's reply...
Thank You for paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. As to paragraph 4, not on your life. Thanks for the input and Go Big Blue!

 

[Drcats2025]

Tongue in cheek. Just saying, this 'letter' accomplishes nothing.

You don’t know that. You DO NOT know that.

Pope may be in tears as we speak.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

You don’t know that. You DO NOT know that.

Pope may be in tears as we speak.

yeah but that has nothing to do with your letter. he just does that most days.

 

[ChicagoCat90]

I read this in Eminem's voice with the music of Dear Stan.

 

[BlueVoodoux]

Coach, don’t pay any mind to these sarcastic nimrods! Know this letter was from the heart, and may it touch you, so.

But you included us in your letter..”we appreciate your efforts”, “we love you, coach”, so we get to post smartass replies. Fair?

 

[Drcats2025]

But you included us in your letter..”we appreciate your efforts”, “we love you, coach”, so we get to post smartass replies. Fair?

I don’t think it’s fair. It hurts my feelings.

 

[NociHTTP]

At least you removed the "--" and didn't source your HatePope.docx template. Well done!

 

[Smeegs]

Dear Coach Pope,

First off, thank you. Thank you for being a Kentucky Wildcat. Your enthusiasm and leadership played a huge part in us winning our 6th national championship; on a team that any partial, basketball mind will NOT find 5 better teams in the history of college basketball. You were the captain to this amazing squad, and forever will be beloved for that reason.

Now, let’s get to the present. Coach, you were put in a terribly unfair position. You were offered the job of your dreams and no one in their right mind would have turned it down, but it was a big ask. It was a big ask by our administration to expect you to come here and replace the greatest recruiter in our programs history, when you had never even won a tournament game, or established yourself well enough to get the types of recruits we need here at Kentucky. You were just starting to get the ball rolling at BYU, and was not quite seasoned enough to take over such a prestigious program with lofty expectations. Again, this is of no fault of your own.

Coach, I truly believe you’re doing your best. You’re putting everything you’ve got into this job, but as much as it pains me to say, it just isn’t enough. For whatever reason, you and your staff have been unable to put together the type of roster that should be expected at this great university. I know it’s hard to accept, but deep down you know this is true, too.

I ask to you to please consider stepping down. Humbly accepting that this job and its demands are just too much for you. There is no shame in that, and you will be so respected in doing so. Please force the hand of our administration to have to take action; to at least give us a shot at retribution, though I’ll admit I have little faith they’ll make the right hire after you.

What I do know is that this isn’t working, and that there is no realistic reason to believe it’ll get better. We appreciate your efforts, and you’ll always be a legend here.
Just please consider this before things get too out of hand. It wasn’t your fault, and we love you, Coach.

Sincerely,
A Desperate Fan

It’s funny that there are fans who think we still live in a world where sentiment might outweigh what’s still owed on a $28 million contract.

He ain’t walking away. If we want him gone, we’re gonna have to fire him and pay a big fat buyout. Period.

 

[TheApostleSaulSmith]

At least you removed the "--" and didn't source your HatePope.docx template. Well done!

so now you're back on Team Pope? your flip flopping is impressive

 

[Drcats2025]

It’s funny that there are fans who think we still live in a world where sentiment might outweigh what’s owed on a $28 million contract.

He ain’t walking away. If we want him gone, we’re gonna have to fire him and pay a big fat buyout. Period.

Laugh all you want, but I think this letter has a legit chance of touching Pope. He’s a good man. I just hope everyone appreciates my efforts here and are mainly joking around.

 

[RedwoodHigh]

Pope doesn't strike me as the person that'll just step down and walk away especially with 17+ million dollars on the table.

Actuality it’s 4 years at $6+ million average a year at 75% buyout with incentives and another year for each sweet 16. Pope is going no where but to work everyday.

 

[OfficialCoachMope]

Dear Coach Pope,

First off, thank you. Thank you for being a Kentucky Wildcat. Your enthusiasm and leadership played a huge part in us winning our 6th national championship; on a team that any partial, basketball mind will NOT find 5 better teams in the history of college basketball. You were the captain to this amazing squad, and forever will be beloved for that reason.

Now, let’s get to the present. Coach, you were put in a terribly unfair position. You were offered the job of your dreams and no one in their right mind would have turned it down, but it was a big ask. It was a big ask by our administration to expect you to come here and replace the greatest recruiter in our programs history, when you had never even won a tournament game, or established yourself well enough to get the types of recruits we need here at Kentucky. You were just starting to get the ball rolling at BYU, and was not quite seasoned enough to take over such a prestigious program with lofty expectations. Again, this is of no fault of your own.

Coach, I truly believe you’re doing your best. You’re putting everything you’ve got into this job, but as much as it pains me to say, it just isn’t enough. For whatever reason, you and your staff have been unable to put together the type of roster that should be expected at this great university. I know it’s hard to accept, but deep down you know this is true, too.

I ask to you to please consider stepping down. Humbly accepting that this job and its demands are just too much for you. There is no shame in that, and you will be so respected in doing so. Please force the hand of our administration to have to take action; to at least give us a shot at retribution, though I’ll admit I have little faith they’ll make the right hire after you.

What I do know is that this isn’t working, and that there is no realistic reason to believe it’ll get better. We appreciate your efforts, and you’ll always be a legend here.
Just please consider this before things get too out of hand. It wasn’t your fault, and we love you, Coach.

Sincerely,
A Desperate Fan

HeyDrcats2025, this is Coach Mope!

thank you for taking your time to expand on my short comings to this point in 2026, your write up is just beautiful!

Your thoughts on our title team is spot on, SPOT ON. Wearing this sacred jersey really just hits me deep, so deep I even wear my old jersey to bed sometimes, did you know that!

I am putting everything I have into this job, that I promise you Drcats2025! Did you know I recently went into an active war zone for a recruit! I sure hope that one goes our way, I know that Wade guy can legally give money now, not so beautiful am I right haha!

Your love for this team is what I keep doing what I’m doing young man! Please keep the spirit of Kentucky Basketball alive so we can get this sacred team back to relevancy in 2032 and beyond!

Remember this is Kentucky, we are here to hang banners!