Question for those who are against Pope

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
1,365
2,012
113
If he doesn’t make it past the sweet 16 can you stop advocating for him being the coach? What exactly will it take for you to see he’s not the guy?
I’ve been on board since end of last year that this is his last year if he doesn’t do well in March. I never said sweet 16. I said elite 8. He gets there we definitely keep him and he would deserve it. The injury excuse can’t be used again no matter what imo.
 

CRZ4UK

Heisman
Jun 6, 2008
5,425
10,723
103
Right. So we don't get Oats we don't get Donovan then what? What if we whiff on Jai Lucas too?
IMO this is why we have CMP. Barnhart and his reluctance to accept NIL made it impossible to attract an established coach. Come to UK where their HOF coach has to attempt to start his own collective and raise his own NIL money.
Those who cry about Pope being unqualified need to understand no one wanted to come work for Mitch. His own best friend turned him down and blamed it on his wife. Hurley too. Oats didn’t even want to be interviewed.
J Batt has a lot of fence mending to do before we can succeed.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Do you want to see him succeed elsewhere if not here? It seems like some of the hate as a coach has transitioned to a personal hate for a dude that loves BBN, is a member of BBN. Can the haters at least say hey he ain't it but he was in 96? Hate him as a coach. Hate mitch for hiring him.
I don’t hate him. I just think he’s in over his head and is just a mediocre coach. Honestly couldn’t care any less what he does if this year doesn’t work out and he’s fired. I never really followed his games or seasons prior to him being hired. Won’t give him much thought if/when he flames out. If he so happens to figure it out and actually build consistent winners, then sure. He will have built equity and I will follow him more closely.

You know the funny thing? Him being here and getting to see what he’s truly like has made me like him less, not more. Just think he’s completely disingenuous and a bit of a fraud. He’s completely the opposite of what I thought he’d be in that regard.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Alls i'm saying is maybe the haters redirect a little bit of the bitterness towards mitch
Mitch isn’t the coach. Pope has been given all the resources any competent coach would need to be successful. And he’s lost 26 games in two seasons. Thats on him, 100%. But you’re correct, it was a bad hire too.
 

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
1,365
2,012
113
I don’t hate him. I just think he’s in over his head and is just a mediocre coach. Honestly couldn’t care any less what he does if this year doesn’t work out and he’s fired. I never really followed his games or seasons prior to him being hired. Won’t give him much thought if/when he flames out. If he so happens to figure it out and actually build consistent winners, then sure. He will have built equity and I will follow him more closely.

You know the funny thing? Him being here and getting to see what he’s truly like has made me like him less, not more. Just think he’s completely disingenuous and a bit of a fraud. He’s completely the opposite of what I thought he’d be in that regard.
Just curious how is he disingenuous and fake? Have you met him at all or just going off what media says about him? I’ve met him a few teams at aau events and everyone talks great about him and he’s a super nice. Also a very personable guy to talk to when he didn’t have to speak with me at all. But that’s my opinion after meeting him on few different occasions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rivercatinfl

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Unfortunately at this point a lot of people on here at least want him to fail. Even if that means Kentucky having horrible seasons until he’s fired. Makes zero sense to me.
That’s total BS. I’d say I dislike his coaching about as much as anyone on here. And I hope he absolutely kills it. I just happen to know enough to understand that’s a completely unlikely scenario. My fear has always been that he will be just barely good enough to survive. I’d much rather him win something of significance than be like that.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Would you rather he was a faster player and put up stats like say Kahlil Whitney, or Devon Askew, or Skal Labissière.
Put any one of those dudes on the 96 team in place of Pope and that team still hangs a banner. And all three of those guys weren’t very good. Pope was along for the ride. But because he was captain he’s revered.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TFCat11

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Of course I want him to succeed. But Pope’s success isn’t ever going to be based on national championships. He’s a perfect coach to take a lower level program and get a couple upsets in the tournament. That’s who he is and that’s his ceiling. He just doesn’t have the personality for the big time.
To be fair, he’s never done that.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Then Shertz it is!
Now that’s a real ball coach. Dude would be a serious get. You wanna win and do it quick, he’s your first call. He’s the next in the line of May or McCollum. I’d love to see him in Lexington. Best part, he’s just a damned ball coach. Not cut from Cal and Rick’s cloth. Just a real dude that knows how to win.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BMR1987

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Pope will win 100 games over his first 4 years at Ky. - meaning he will be the coach for at least 3 more years after that - giving him 5 more years from now. Time to support him and wish him success because it is what it is.
The new coaches on staff will have a lot more influence on the future recruiting process which will help him be successful.
Jesus. Pass me what you’re smoking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Anon1739778738

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
1,365
2,012
113
Nope. But it certainly buys him equity. But if you watched that squad last night and think that somehow Pope coaches them to an E8, just lolz.
I don’t buy stock into exhibitions. Just like Purdue last year. Doesn’t mean anything. There is a reason we are still 0-0 and even Milan after the game said it’s just a scrimmage.
 

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
1,365
2,012
113
Well, you sure didn't mind taking the time to make a rant about a Mormon being a dangerous influence on college kids. I just thought I'd give you an opportunity to explain that take to those of us that don't understand. Exactly what leg are you standing on to back up that claim? I'm yet to hear about an LDS terrorist, or a Mormon school shooter, or a mormon serial killer or serial rapists. Maybe there are examples, just not ones that have come across my headlines. I'm just giving you the chance to explain your perspective. Exactly what makes Pope's religious background a horrible thing for college kids to be near?
But he wants Collin Chandler back on the team. Make it make sense.
 

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
48,194
88,556
113
So you just don’t want pope no matter what. Got it.
I don’t think Pope is the guy, but one fluke run won’t change my mind either. I need to see consistent results. If he makes the Elite 8 or has a great regular season he deserves another year. He can’t even do that during the regular season. It’s fine that you keep defending everything he does, but I’m not sure why.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
Just curious how is he disingenuous and fake? Have you met him at all or just going off what media says about him? I’ve met him a few teams at aau events and everyone talks great about him and he’s a super nice. Also a very personable guy to talk to when he didn’t have to speak with me at all. But that’s my opinion after meeting him on few different occasions.
His interactions in the media since being hired here. His comments in pressers. The posturing and excuse making. That’s what I mean.

Yes, I’ve met him. To say he doesn’t have the personality that a ton of successful coaches have would be an understatement. He’s nice, sure. But he’s also an odd dude. There’s zero debate about that.
 

BellyBall

Senior
Jul 18, 2020
230
525
63
Do you want to see him succeed elsewhere if not here? It seems like some of the hate as a coach has transitioned to a personal hate for a dude that loves BBN, is a member of BBN. Can the haters at least say hey he ain't it but he was in 96? Hate him as a coach. Hate mitch for hiring him.
Will certainly cheer for him elsewhere. Never thought he should have been considered for the job. That's not his fault, that is 100% on Mitch. Have zero problem with him personally, just a terrible fit from day 1.
 

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,806
73,082
113
Everyone wants him to succeed here because we all care about UK winning big.

If he fails here I doubt he has much success elsewhere of any significance but wish him well. Honestly once hes gone here ill probably never think about where's he coaching unless we play his team.
This isn’t correct. There are quite a few on here that want him to fail. They refuse to say a nice word about him, they refuse to admit he has done anything good at all and we even have a guy that has a handle that says "Resign Mark Pope". That's hate and these people want to see Pope fail, even if it means UK has a terrible season. I don't get it.

He had a terrible season last year. He tried to get tougher and he brought on players that didn't fit his style, then he had lockeroom issues and injuries. It was a struggle, but he still got to the tournament and won a game. If that's the worst he does, that's not bad.

Keep in mind, the schedules we played the last two years, are the toughest in our history by the numbers. Every other coach that has played top 10 SOS in our history, has lost 10+ games.

All these negative "UK fans" only want to talk about last year and act like Pope went to the NIT both years. That 24/25 season was awesome, we all enjoyed it, but now, because he had 1 bad year, he’s the worst coach in our history.

I get the thought that he isn't the right guy for this job, but the hate and criticisms seen on here daily, are ridiculous.
 

ScWildcat3

All-Conference
Sep 27, 2005
1,365
2,012
113
His interactions in the media since being hired here. His comments in pressers. The posturing and excuse making. That’s what I mean.

Yes, I’ve met him. To say he doesn’t have the personality that a ton of successful coaches have would be an understatement. He’s nice, sure. But he’s also an odd dude. There’s zero debate about that.
He’s different but that’s what makes the world great. I’m sure whatever profession you are in you are considered weird to some people.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,977
6,705
82
I don’t buy stock into exhibitions. Just like Purdue last year. Doesn’t mean anything. There is a reason we are still 0-0 and even Milan after the game said it’s just a scrimmage.
I’m not talking about the result. Talking about the process. The result of an exhibition means nothing. But watching the players can tell a story. This team has serious issues, especially in the backcourt.
He’s different but that’s what makes the world great. I’m sure whatever profession you are in you are considered weird to some people.
For sure. But he’s an odd dude in regards to the kids he’s trying to coach. And has essentially a bunch of odd dudes around him. Maybe Mo helps that. Maybe it doesn’t. At the end of the day, fit matters. Don’t see a lot of elite talents signing up for Pipe and his chess games.
 

Snarks

All-American
Jan 31, 2005
8,715
7,465
93
I’m not bitter, I just don’t think he can handle this job. Of course I’d like to see him succeed here or elsewhere. It’s not his fault Mitch hired an unqualified guy, of course he’s gonna take his dream job..
 
KSR

Latest

  1. 01 KSR Football Kentucky enjoys road kill—maybe even a little more than winning at home
  2. 02 KSR Cats in the NBA Cason Wallace signs lucrative extension with OKC Thunder
  3. 03 KSR Football Lane Kiffin is still complaining about losing to Kentucky
  4. 04 KSR Football Kentucky keeps rising in the rankings, but the Wildcats aren't paying attention: 'We don't care.'
  5. 05 KSR Football Mi'Quise Humphrey-Grace was a game-wrecker against Oklahoma