The boosters are evidently giving Pope one more chance.

rivercatinfl

All-Conference
Nov 21, 2012
2,121
2,040
97
I think what this tells us is that Pope has learned a lesson about being the head coach at Kentucky. Last season I read an article on KSR that talked about one recruit specifically (think it was Caleb Wilson) and Pope said he would not get into a bidding war over him and so he went somewhere else. Pope's mindset was this is Kentucky...we don't get into bidding wars. But now it seems he is willing to change his mind on that.

I think we were absolutely in a bidding war over the weekend with UofL and Pope finally paid whatever it took to land Momcilovic.
All teams are learning this lesson if they want to succeed. All the more reason to hire a sharp GM that can weave through all the Agents and contract stuff.
The money will be there!
 
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Im The Village Idiot

All-Conference
Sep 7, 2025
829
2,506
93
I think he has to be top 3 in sec and/or win the sec tournament and at least an elite 8 to keep his job. And no blowouts lol
I think the only way to be sure he's back, like 100%, is an Elite Eight. I don't think blowouts matter that much if you make it to Elite Eight. No chance he's getting let go with E8 IMO
 

Runt#1969

All-American
Dec 13, 2010
21,263
8,823
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“I came here to chew bubblegum and to eat crow, and I’m all out of bubblegum!”

And eat crow, I happily will! Great great add for Pope and the team, and I hope these guys all compliment each other, and just leave it all on the court every game…

We all had sufficient reasons to believe Pope couldn’t get it done, but after 3 years, he finally did, and I was particularly hard on him since midway through last season for a multitude of reasons!

Now, let’s let Pope mold the team into his vision, and see what he puts together on the court next season, and get behind him in the meantime.

Go Cats📢
“I came here to chew bubblegum and to eat crow, and I’m all out of bubblegum!”

And eat crow, I happily will! Great great add for Pope and the team, and I hope these guys all compliment each other, and just leave it all on the court every game…

We all had sufficient reasons to believe Pope couldn’t get it done, but after 3 years, he finally did, and I was particularly hard on him since midway through last season for a multitude of reasons!

Now, let’s let Pope mold the team into his vision, and see what he puts together on the court next season, and get behind him in the meantime.

Go Cats📢
 

jrpross_rivals

Heisman
Feb 21, 2008
17,564
36,115
113
But say he gets a 5-seed and wins a s16. Is he gone then? Theres definitely a midle ground where he doesnt exactly suceed but still gets to keep his job.
This is my biggest worry as well. That we get an OK season & he gets ONE MORE chance. I never want UK to fail, but I don’t want mediocrity. Because honestly, I think sweet 16 is kinda Pope’s ceiling from what I’ve seen.

I just don’t want 8 years of 5-8 seeds and “hopefully” seasons. I had enough of that with Tubby’s and Cal’s last few years.
 

crxohio

All-Conference
May 6, 2009
1,570
1,855
113
This roster will once again exceed $20 million.

Pope's apologists can officially remove the "he isn't getting the money he needs" excuse.

It's put up or shut up time.


The best part is that BBN will also give him one last shot. With the roster, the fan support, and support from the boosters, Pope should be unleashed this season.


No excuses for Coach Pope at this point.

It's time to win big.
Its do or die. Pope better earn his coaching at his Alma mater!!! No ifs.
 

theKybluedude

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
696
1,561
93
Excited with this team. More so than the first 2. Think Williams and Brown already have really helped put this together. Williams can help our guard play like Rod Strickland did early with Cal. So important and he has size, experience, depth and talent to work with there.

Like the positional recruiting approach better than just grab the highest rated guys. Chemistry so important.
 

UKortho

Heisman
Oct 13, 2015
5,160
10,053
77
If you’re pumped for next season, then good for you. I was pumped a year ago, too.

personally, I think wait and see makes the most sense. I don’t look at this roster and coach and think this is somehow a top 15 team. A year ago I thought there was no way there were 5 teams more talented. I was wrong. Hope I’m wrong about this upcoming squad too, but in a good way.

for the posters that tie their personal worth to Pope’s tenure and are so anxious to rub people’s face in it, just remember it cuts both ways.

Very well said.
 

83Cat_rivals79182

All-Conference
Mar 31, 2009
6,283
1,787
65
you have to be kidding
Nope, not kidding. Some of these guys are my age (65) and older. Not everyone is a Brett Setzer. Writing checks to support the program without making unreasonable demands is the norm believe it or not. Now, if he completely falls on his face and the season becomes an embarrassment, that's a different story. Hubert Davis was at UNC for 5 years, right? But he also had a run to the national championship in year one...
 
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KyKevin

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2021
1,877
2,840
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He got his roster, I think he can win with it. A little pricey for my liking. But winning cures all. And if we can do something this year, that will really fix a lot of his recruiting woes.



If your roster is not pricey, your not winning jack s.hit, there is a reason BYU got Dybatsa and the players Young is getting 💲💲💲💲
 

TheApostleSaulSmith

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2026
1,156
2,574
103
Nope, not kidding. Some of these guys are my age (65) and older. Not everyone is a Brett Setzer. Writing checks to support the program without making unreasonable demands is the norm believe it or not. Now, if he completely falls on his face and the season becomes an embarrassment, that's a different story. Hubert Davis was at UNC for 5 years, right? But he also had a run to the national championship in year one...
Yeah that’s my point though. Isn’t that what he did last season?
 

bnewt5

Senior
Feb 17, 2026
460
581
93
I think what this tells us is that Pope has learned a lesson about being the head coach at Kentucky. Last season I read an article on KSR that talked about one recruit specifically (think it was Caleb Wilson) and Pope said he would not get into a bidding war over him and so he went somewhere else. Pope's mindset was this is Kentucky...we don't get into bidding wars. But now it seems he is willing to change his mind on that.

I think we were absolutely in a bidding war over the weekend with UofL and Pope finally paid whatever it took to land Momcilovic.
Yes it is still UK, but the product has been inferior for several years and coach Rupp isn't on the sidelines
 
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83Cat_rivals79182

All-Conference
Mar 31, 2009
6,283
1,787
65
Yeah that’s my point though. Isn’t that what he did last season?
I think the fact that we beat ST. John's/Pitino, beat UT at UT and at home, beat Calipari at Arkansas, beat Indiana, beat a good Vandy team and made it through the first weekend of the tournament was decent enough in year two to not cause a big uproar from the handful of boosters that I know.
 
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