Demarcus Henry to UNC

[RunninRichie]

Florida - Todd Golden
Michigan - Dusty May
Indiana - Curt Cignetti

Oats plucking away - now has two kids ranked ahead of Hampton, both top 25.

Will Wade intrigues me.

 

[BookofMormon]

That’s what I’m saying. Stein doing this good is a blessing and a curse. He’s going to ask for more nil as well as probably going to get a raise sooner rather than later at least verbally. In years past pope being fired would be easy but with NIL now you have to weigh the pros and cons of blowing all the money on a coach and firing a coach or just keep throwing money at recruits and towards football. Comes down to what the boosters really care about with their money. We don’t have those ultra aggressive sports boosters it seems.

I'm just looking at the contract now. What in the hell was the one year extension for the S16 for? That is a low bar for an extension - worse case scenario that he hit that year one and now can coast.

So he has 4 years left, buyout is 75% of remainder. He's got a little under 24mm left, will be down to 18mm after this year. That means UK would owe the guy around 13mm after this year. That is a tough bite to swallow. Will drop down to about 9mm after Y4, 4.5mm after Y5.

Everyone lapping over Oats, he will have a 15mm buyout if someone takes him this year. So we are talking 28mm to fire Pope and hire Oats. Oats buyout drops down to 12mm the following year, then to 0. If it's Oats you want, you wait an extra year and it goes from 28 to 21, wait 2 years it goes from 28 to 4.5.

Oats ain't happening anytime soon, should all drop that. No way doing a two way buyout after this year for 28mm. That is a way over market buyout, which are usually in the 4-5mm range.

You move on Pope, hire Oats and along with Stoops, you are looking at 65mm in buyouts. Good lord.

I honestly think unless brass gets really confident they can get someone like McCasland or Otzelberger, you're seeing 2 more years of Pope.I like both of them, but not sure I'm doing jumping jacks. A guy like McCollum has only been at Iowa a year and isn't a UK fit. Give Lucas, Hodson and Murray 2 years to see if they are the goods.

 

[RunninRichie]

I'm just looking at the contract now. What in the hell was the one year extension for the S16 for? That is a low bar for an extension - worse case scenario that he hit that year one and now can coast.

So he has 4 years left, buyout is 75% of remainder. He's got a little under 24mm left, will be down to 18mm after this year. That means UK would owe the guy around 13mm after this year. That is a tough bite to swallow. Will drop down to about 9mm after Y4, 4.5mm after Y5.

Everyone lapping over Oats, he will have a 15mm buyout if someone takes him this year. So we are talking 28mm to fire Pope and hire Oats. Oats buyout drops down to 12mm the following year, then to 0.

Oats ain't happening anytime soon, should all drop that. No way doing a two way buyout after this year for 28mm. That is a way over market buyout, which are usually in the 4-5mm range.

I just hope big boosters come through and eat the buyout for us.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I'm just looking at the contract now. What in the hell was the one year extension for the S16 for? That is a low bar for an extension - worse case scenario that he hit that year one and now can coast.

So he has 4 years left, buyout is 75% of remainder. He's got a little under 24mm left, will be down to 18mm after this year. That means UK would owe the guy around 13mm after this year. That is a tough bite to swallow. Will drop down to about 9mm after Y4, 4.5mm after Y5.

Everyone lapping over Oats, he will have a 15mm buyout if someone takes him this year. So we are talking 28mm to fire Pope and hire Oats. Oats buyout drops down to 12mm the following year, then to 0.

Oats ain't happening anytime soon, should all drop that. No way doing a two way buyout after this year for 28mm. That is a way over market buyout, which are usually in the 4-5mm range.

Yea and that’s if he doesn’t make sweet 16 this year. If he does that’s another year of money you owe.

 

[Resignmarkpope]

I'm just looking at the contract now. What in the hell was the one year extension for the S16 for? That is a low bar for an extension - worse case scenario that he hit that year one and now can coast.

So he has 4 years left, buyout is 75% of remainder. He's got a little under 24mm left, will be down to 18mm after this year. That means UK would owe the guy around 13mm after this year. That is a tough bite to swallow. Will drop down to about 9mm after Y4, 4.5mm after Y5.

Everyone lapping over Oats, he will have a 15mm buyout if someone takes him this year. So we are talking 28mm to fire Pope and hire Oats. Oats buyout drops down to 12mm the following year, then to 0.

Oats ain't happening anytime soon, should all drop that. No way doing a two way buyout after this year for 28mm. That is a way over market buyout, which are usually in the 4-5mm range.

Rewarding coach for a Sweet 16! Welcome to Bloomington! Home of mark pope!

 

[BookofMormon]

Yea and that’s if he doesn’t make sweet 16 this year. If he does that’s another year of money you owe.

No way, an extra year for every S16? SWEET SIXTEEN? Jesus - that makes the play much more interesting. I guess it's all about who their targets are. You can't be hoping for the guy to fail every year for 2-3 years.

 

[ScWildcat3]

No way, an extra year for every S16? SWEET SIXTEEN? Jesus - that makes the play much more interesting. I guess it's all about who their targets are. You can't be hoping for the guy to fail every year for 2-3 years.

That’s why I’ve been saying it’s all on the boosters and what they are willing to spend. It’s more complicated than just fire him and move on.

 

[BookofMormon]

That’s why I’ve been saying it’s all on the boosters and what they are willing to spend. It’s more complicated than just fire him and move on.

Weird contract - rewarding him perpetually for S16s. I get it if he gets to it in his first year. A S16 isn't mediocrity, but it's not the UK bar. I just don't know why they would have drawn that in. This wasn't a coach with a ton of leverage. It's not like he had other top programs swooning over him. Really dumb. Would have maybe said Y1 S16 and then E8's after.

And then it's really about who they target - if it's another established coach, it'll be 4-6mm. If it's Oats in the next two years it's a ton. It's so important not to F up on the next hire, need to be pinpoint, not rush just to get Pope out. You also don't want to pass up on the next great thing to get the current good thing just to get Pope out.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Weird contract - rewarding him perpetually for S16s. I get it if he gets to it in his first year. A S16 isn't mediocrity, but it's not the UK bar. I just don't know why they would have drawn that in. This wasn't a coach with a ton of leverage. It's not like he had other top programs swooning over him. Really dumb. Would have maybe said Y1 S16 and then E8's after.

And then it's really about who they target - if it's another established coach, it'll be 4-6mm. If it's Oats in the next two years it's a ton. It's so important not to F up on the next hire, need to be pinpoint, not rush just to get Pope out. You also don't want to pass up on the next great thing to get the current good thing just to get Pope out.

That’s Mitch for ya. King of bad contracts favoring the coach. Oats won’t be an option for at least 2 years. Also they have his new wife on staff now to keep him happy.

it will have to be a situation where the new coach will make the boosters happy enough to say do what it takes we got you. Just like lsu did with kiffin and firing Kelly.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

I'm just looking at the contract now. What in the hell was the one year extension for the S16 for? That is a low bar for an extension - worse case scenario that he hit that year one and now can coast.

So he has 4 years left, buyout is 75% of remainder. He's got a little under 24mm left, will be down to 18mm after this year. That means UK would owe the guy around 13mm after this year. That is a tough bite to swallow. Will drop down to about 9mm after Y4, 4.5mm after Y5.

Everyone lapping over Oats, he will have a 15mm buyout if someone takes him this year. So we are talking 28mm to fire Pope and hire Oats. Oats buyout drops down to 12mm the following year, then to 0. If it's Oats you want, you wait an extra year and it goes from 28 to 21, wait 2 years it goes from 28 to 4.5.

Oats ain't happening anytime soon, should all drop that. No way doing a two way buyout after this year for 28mm. That is a way over market buyout, which are usually in the 4-5mm range.

You move on Pope, hire Oats and along with Stoops, you are looking at 65mm in buyouts. Good lord.

I honestly think unless brass gets really confident they can get someone like McCasland or Otzelberger, you're seeing 2 more years of Pope.I like both of them, but not sure I'm doing jumping jacks. A guy like McCollum has only been at Iowa a year and isn't a UK fit. Give Lucas, Hodson and Murray 2 years to see if they are the goods.

The extension for getting to the sweet 16 is because even the university understands that is what Kentucky's ceiling is now, a sweet 16 team. They are no longer relevant or a contender in college basketball in this era. Literally all of the evidence is there:

- Mark Pope being the best coach they could get
- No five star recruits for the entirity of Pope's tenure here
- 2019 the last time they got past the sweet 16
- The extension on the contract for making it to the sweet 16
- The best record Kentucky has had under pope is 12 losses.

I could go on but its obvious and all the evidence points to it that Kentucky is just not a relevant basketball program any longer. If you disagree please give me any evidence you have to the contrary that Kentucky is still relevant in today's college basketball and not just a historic team with an incredible legacy.

 

[BookofMormon]

The extension for getting to the sweet 16 is because even the university understands that is what Kentucky's ceiling is now, a sweet 16 team. They are no longer relevant or a contender in college basketball in this era. Literally all of the evidence is there:

- Mark Pope being the best coach they could get
- No five star recruits for the entirity of Pope's tenure here
- 2019 the last time they got past the sweet 16
- The extension on the contract for making it to the sweet 16

I could go on but its obvious and all the evidence points to it that Kentucky is just not a relevant basketball program any longer.

Bologna. The right coach could fix it all fast.

I see this more as:

Calipari left abruptly, poorly timed, not enough time to conduct a proper search given the portal. Brass felt rushed to fill seat, Pope right place, right time. It was a 3 day search! Drew up a really bad contract, should have been 4 years with overall options to extend in Y3, not an annual trigger.

When they hired Pope, the NIL era was very different than where it is now. Kids in that 2024 through 2025 season were still in the 100Ks, not the multi millions.The really big money had yet to start pouring in, disclosure limited and it was all a mystery & black box still. It started really picking up into 2025, skyrocketed into 2026 and keeps going up now.

Rushed, bad hire. Landscape has formed up, UK still a great brand.

I tend to think you want a really commercial coach in the role, someone that brings a ton of culture and synergizes with with Kentucky. This is why keep alluding to holding out for Hodgson. He checks every box. I think you give him two years.

 

[bbnkat02]

Bologna. The right coach could fix it all fast.

I see this more as:

Calipari left abruptly, poorly timed, not enough time to conduct a proper search given the portal. Brass felt rushed to fill seat, Pope right place, right time. It was a 3 day search! Drew up a really bad contract, should have been 4 years with overall options to extend in Y3, not an annual trigger.

When they hired Pope, the NIL era was very different than where it is now. Kids in that 2024 through 2025 season were still in the 100Ks, not the multi millions.The really big money had yet to start pouring in, disclosure limited and it was all a mystery & black box still. It started really picking up into 2025, skyrocketed into 2026 and keeps going up now.

Rushed, bad hire. Landscape has formed up, UK still a great brand.

I tend to think you want a really commercial coach in the role, someone that brings a ton of culture and synergizes with with Kentucky. This is why keep alluding to holding out for Hodgson. He checks every box. I think you give him two years.

Hodgson has yet to win an NCAAT game. Exactly like Pope was when hired here. His recruiting seems to be better but I’m not sure hats exactly a home run hire some are clamoring for.

 

[BookofMormon]

Hodgson has yet to win an NCAAT game. Exactly like Pope was when hired here. His recruiting seems to be better but I’m not sure hats exactly a home run hire some are clamoring for.

Pope had an invested High D1 program for 5 years in BYU. He lost in the round of 64 twice as a 6 seed. That is concerning. Prior to Utah Valley, he was an assistant at BYU for 4 years, team lost in the round of 64 twice, in the First 4 once. Never won an NCAA game as an assistant. Didn't win as an assistant in his one year at Wake. The guy never even saw a tournament win as an assistant of HC in his life as a coach before UK.

This guy has no idea how to win as a coach.

Bryan Hodgson plucked out of the Juco world by Nate Oats. Nate Oats was plucked out of the HS world by Dan Hurley, who saw him on a recruiting visit and was amazed how a math teacher was using analytics so effectively at the HS BB level. He sent him to go be an assistant for his brother at Buffalo. Bobby left Buff for AZSt, Oats took the HC job there and crushed it, brought Hodgson on as an assistant. Oats took the Bama job, Hodsgon followed him. He was an assistant for Oats through 23.

At Buffalo, Oats:

2018: 13 seed, crushed 4 seed AZ by 20
2019: 11 seed, crushed 6 seed AZ St by 17

So Hodgson was part of a staff at a mid major who was winning tournament games upsetting high seeded high majors

At Bama, Oats:

Y1 - rebuilt a losing program pre NIL, Avery Johnson 18-16
Y2 - SEC reg season champ, SEC tourney champ, S16
Y3 - tourney
Y4 - SEC reg season champ, SEC tourney champ, number 1 overall seed, S16 - Hodgson leaves after this year
Y5 - F4
Y6 - E8
Y7 - S16

I'd argue over the last 6 years, Nate Oats has had Bama only behind UConn, Duke, Purdue, Houston. They have more tourney wins in that time frame other than Duke, UConn, Houston and Gonzaga. I think everyone needs to stand back and understand exactly how good Oats has been, and with a fraction of the NIL.

Hodgson HC
Y1 - takes a 13-20 Arkansas State to 20-17
Y2 - wins Sun Belt, loses in CG to Troy, 25-11
Y3 - takes a 13-19 USF and wins the AAC reg season, tournament, loses to Louisville in first round, 25-9

So this guy has learned a system under a coach that won at Buffalo and took a football school to top 6-7 BB program today. He has flipped two bad programs immediately since. He's learned an analytics based system that is fast paced and kids want to play for. He's already getting 5 stars at PC. He's got moxy, is a culture builder and a leader.

Sometimes you really need to get under the hood before looking at only tourney wins. You wait too long thinking there is a Dan Hurley out there jumping at UK, you'll miss the boat on a star rising.

I think the guy is a no brainer if he shows two good years at PC. I'd wait it out. There are very few HD1 coaches I'd consider before him. Oats is one obviously, buyout prohibitive. Then I'd look at McCollum, Otzerlberger, Lucas, Schertz and McCasland. Still not sure I wouldn't take Hodgson over all of them.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

Bologna. The right coach could fix it all fast.

I see this more as:

Calipari left abruptly, poorly timed, not enough time to conduct a proper search given the portal. Brass felt rushed to fill seat, Pope right place, right time. It was a 3 day search! Drew up a really bad contract, should have been 4 years with overall options to extend in Y3, not an annual trigger.

When they hired Pope, the NIL era was very different than where it is now. Kids in that 2024 through 2025 season were still in the 100Ks, not the multi millions.The really big money had yet to start pouring in, disclosure limited and it was all a mystery & black box still. It started really picking up into 2025, skyrocketed into 2026 and keeps going up now.

Rushed, bad hire. Landscape has formed up, UK still a great brand.

I tend to think you want a really commercial coach in the role, someone that brings a ton of culture and synergizes with with Kentucky. This is why keep alluding to holding out for Hodgson. He checks every box. I think you give him two years.

I don't remember it that way at all. Calipari left abruptly but it was abruptly because we threw him out due to his lack of NCAA tourament success. We got rid of him. Do you really remember it as him leaving us? And no I don't care for Hodgson. 0r1c said we could get any coach we want and if thats true and Kentucky hasn't massively declined then I will take Hurley, Scheyer or Oats. Coaches that have proven they can recruit and make deep runs in March. If we can get one of them I'll gladly admit that I was wrong and that Kentucky still has relevancy.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Pope had an invested High D1 program for 5 years in BYU. He lost in the round of 64 twice as a 6 seed. That is concerning. Prior to Utah Valley, he was an assistant at BYU for 4 years, team lost in the round of 64 twice, in the First 4 once. Never won an NCAA game as an assistant. Didn't win as an assistant in his one year at Wake. The guy never even saw a tournament win as an assistant of HC in his life as a coach before UK.

This guy has no idea how to win as a coach.

Bryan Hodgson plucked out of the Juco world by Nate Oats. Nate Oats was plucked out of the HS world by Dan Hurley, who saw him on a recruiting visit and was amazed how a math teacher was using analytics so effectively at the HS BB level. He sent him to go be an assistant for his brother at Buffalo. Bobby left Buff for AZSt, Oats took the HC job there and crushed it, brought Hodgson on as an assistant. Oats took the Bama job, Hodsgon followed him. He was an assistant for Oats through 23.

At Buffalo, Oats:

2018: 13 seed, crushed 4 seed AZ by 20
2019: 11 seed, crushed 6 seed AZ St by 17

So Hodgson was part of a staff at a mid major who was winning tournament games upsetting high seeded high majors

At Bama, Oats:

Y1 - rebuilt a losing program pre NIL, Avery Johnson 18-16
Y2 - SEC reg season champ, SEC tourney champ, S16
Y3 - tourney
Y4 - SEC reg season champ, SEC tourney champ, number 1 overall seed, S16 - Hodgson leaves after this year
Y5 - F4
Y6 - E8
Y7 - S16

I'd argue over the last 6 years, Nate Oats has had Bama only behind UConn, Duke, Purdue, Houston. They have more tourney wins in that time frame other than Duke, UConn, Houston and Gonzaga. I think everyone needs to stand back and understand exactly how good Oats has been, and with a fraction of the NIL.

Hodgson HC
Y1 - takes a 13-20 Arkansas State to 20-17
Y2 - wins Sun Belt, loses in CG to Troy, 25-11
Y3 - takes a 13-19 USF and wins the AAC reg season, tournament, loses to Louisville in first round, 25-9

So this guy has learned a system under a coach that won at Buffalo and took a football school to top 6-7 BB program today. He has flipped two bad programs immediately since. He's learned an analytics based system that is fast paced and kids want to play for. He's already getting 5 stars at PC. He's got moxy, is a culture builder and a leader.

Sometimes you really need to get under the hood before looking at only tourney wins. You wait too long thinking there is a Dan Hurley out there jumping at UK, you'll miss the boat on a star rising.

I think the guy is a no brainer if he shows two good years at PC. I'd wait it out. There are very few HD1 coaches I'd consider before him. Oats is one obviously, buyout prohibitive. Then I'd look at McCollum, Otzerlberger, Lucas, Schertz and McCasland. Still not sure I wouldn't take Hodgson over all of them.

I agree with hodgson. He has the demeanor to be a high pressure coach. Also has that cutthroat ability recruiting it seems. I def don’t want any part of McCollum or Otzelberger. Both Midwest guys it seems that like being in their little quiet bubble. No thanks. After that I’d take McCasland but tech will match anything offered for him I’d think. Lucas could be good. I’d like to see what he does this year with a little better acc. Schertz would be the only other one after Lucas and Hodgson but idk if he could recruit the high level kids either Because he never has.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I don't remember it that way at all. Calipari left abruptly but it was abruptly because we threw him out due to his lack of NCAA tourament success. We got rid of him. Do you really remember it as him leaving us? And no I don't care for Hodgson. 0r1c said we could get any coach we want and if thats true and Kentucky hasn't massively declined then I will take Hurley, Scheyer or Oats. Coaches that have proven they can recruit and make deep runs in March. If we can get one of them I'll gladly admit that I was wrong and that Kentucky still has relevancy.

Cal left. He didn’t get his way so pitched a fit and ran to his Arkansas buddies. Hurley and scheyer will never come to uk. Wake up lol.

 

[RationalKentuckyFan]

Cal left. He didn’t get his way so pitched a fit and ran to his Arkansas buddies. Hurley and scheyer will never come to uk. Wake up lol.

Exactly! They will never come because Kentucky is no longer relevant or matters.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Exactly! They will never come because Kentucky is no longer relevant or matters.

That isn’t why. Scheyer is a dukie and Hurley is a northeast guy. That’s a dumb take to think they would leave.

 

[BookofMormon]

Cal left. He didn’t get his way so pitched a fit and ran to his Arkansas buddies. Hurley and scheyer will never come to uk. Wake up lol.

Yeah, he left in a pushed out kind of way. Brass needed to be more in tune and prepared.

Exactly! They will never come because Kentucky is no longer relevant or matters.

BS - a 100 year old brand doesn't become irrelevant with 2-3 years of bad coaching. Scheyer and Hurley can win titles where they're at, they don't need UK.

I agree with hodgson. He has the demeanor to be a high pressure coach. Also has that cutthroat ability recruiting it seems. I def don’t want any part of McCollum or Otzelberger. Both Midwest guys it seems that like being in their little quiet bubble. No thanks. After that I’d take McCasland but tech will match anything offered for him I’d think. Lucas could be good. I’d like to see what he does this year with a little better acc. Schertz would be the only other one after Lucas and Hodgson but idk if he could recruit the high level kids either Because he never has.

Tend to agree with Otz and McCollum, could see both holding out for jobs like Kansas or Michigan if they even do want to move. Both feel rather prohibitive of winning titles, so maybe one of them gets the itch.

Generally agree everything here - Schertz is a lifelong MM guy at this point, prefer a hungry guy who's used it as a stepping stone.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Yeah, he left in a pushed out kind of way. Brass needed to be more in tune and prepared.

BS - a 100 year old brand doesn't become irrelevant with 2-3 years of bad coaching. Scheyer and Hurley can win titles where they're at, they don't need UK.


Tend to agree with Otz and McCollum, could see both holding out for jobs like Kansas or Michigan if they even do want to move. Both feel rather prohibitive of winning titles, so maybe one of them gets the itch.

Generally agree everything here - Schertz is a lifelong MM guy at this point, prefer a hungry guy who's used it as a stepping stone.

I know cal was kind of pushed out but it was only way to void that dumb contract and buyout. We were never firing him. He also had gotten lazy. If he had the fire he has now then he would still be coach and pulling in top guys for a 2nd weekend finish.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

I agree completely, enough with the whining. Kentucky is just no longer relevant in college baseball any longer and people need to understand that. It's a historic and storied program that is just no longer relevant at all. People need to give up on the idea of five star recruits and championships and understand the best Kentucky is ever going to do again is a sweet 16 maybe an elite eight. That's what Kentucky is now and all those whining about it don't understand that they are doing a disservice to the school.

This sure sounds a lot like ridiculous sarcasm to me. I definitely do not agree that UK is in any way irrelevant or finished. The way Cal exited was bound to be problematic. Not only did he leave an empty roster at a late stage he was extremely popular on the HS recruiting circuit and you can bet some important recruiting connections and kids themselves sided with Cal. It has very likely affected their cooperation with UK. It may take some time to overcome this.

 

[ScWildcat3]

This sure sounds a lot like ridiculous sarcasm to me. I definitely do not agree that UK is in any way irrelevant or finished. The way Cal exited was bound to be problematic. Not only did he leave an empty roster at a late stage he was extremely popular on the HS recruiting circuit and you can bet some important recruiting connections and kids themselves sided with Cal. It has very likely affected their cooperation with UK. It may take some time to overcome this.

I remember all the Memphis media always saying be prepared when cal leaves he will try to leave it as bad off as he can. He’s a very spiteful person. So I’m sure he did everything he could to sour recruits and agents on UK soon as he got to Arkansas.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

That's not what I mean. There is a portion of the fanbase that has put their heels in the sand on Pope and want him here for the next 5+ years. They live in denial and give him constant excuses. We cannot let them be the voice of what the fans think or want.

This is just something you made up in your head and continue to push incessantly.

 

[Catastic5]

That’s Mitch for ya. King of bad contracts favoring the coach. Oats won’t be an option for at least 2 years. Also they have his new wife on staff now to keep him happy.

it will have to be a situation where the new coach will make the boosters happy enough to say do what it takes we got you. Just like lsu did with kiffin and firing Kelly.

I think what might get Oats at Kentucky is NIL. I’ve heard Alabama fans (the ones who care about basketball) complain about their lack of NIL compared to the football team. I think a big NIL budget at Kentucky might be what ultimately gets the job done of getting a new coach.

 

[BigBluefoot]

You guys are total whiners and if you think the non stop negativity surrounding the program has no effect you are naïve to the point of stupidity. I've never claimed everything is great but all of the complaining helps nothing and does in fact hurt the situation.

You do realize you whine and complain about our whining and complaining, correct?

We wouldnt have Will Stein right now if we didn't.

But you keep.eating a turd they keep serving you when you think that shows toughness. No, that shows stupidity. Real men demand change when change is needed.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I think what might get Oats at Kentucky is NIL. I’ve heard Alabama fans (the ones who care about basketball) complain about their lack of NIL compared to the football team. I think a big NIL budget at Kentucky might be what ultimately gets the job done of getting a new coach.

Yea it could. Have to give his new wife a job too. That’s what bama did lol

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Will Wade intrigues me.

Do you just like the fact that he is a low character individual or is it his 20-14 record from last season that you are enamored with?

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Do you just like the fact that he is a low character individual or is it his 20-14 record from last season that you are enamored with?

You seemed happy with a 7th place finish in the SEC last season so...

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

Bologna. The right coach could fix it all fast.

I see this more as:

Calipari left abruptly, poorly timed, not enough time to conduct a proper search given the portal. Brass felt rushed to fill seat, Pope right place, right time. It was a 3 day search! Drew up a really bad contract, should have been 4 years with overall options to extend in Y3, not an annual trigger.

When they hired Pope, the NIL era was very different than where it is now. Kids in that 2024 through 2025 season were still in the 100Ks, not the multi millions.The really big money had yet to start pouring in, disclosure limited and it was all a mystery & black box still. It started really picking up into 2025, skyrocketed into 2026 and keeps going up now.

Rushed, bad hire. Landscape has formed up, UK still a great brand.

I tend to think you want a really commercial coach in the role, someone that brings a ton of culture and synergizes with with Kentucky. This is why keep alluding to holding out for Hodgson. He checks every box. I think you give him two years.

Hodgson has been head coach three seasons at Arkansas St. and South Florida going against weak competition and won 65.4% of his games. He may turn out to be something but that is far from a homerun resume.

 

[BookofMormon]

Hodgson has been head coach three season at Arkansas St. and South Florida going against weak competition and won 65.4% of his games. He may turn out to be something but that is far from a homerun resume.

What's a home run resume to you that you think Kentucky should get? Please recognize this isn't 1995 when you formulate your response. And please spare me Billy Donovan. There is -0% chance he's coming.

Hodgson won against weak competition as a member of a weak conference - it's all relative. Do you expect him to be producing UConn-like teams out of the AAC in one year?

Your expectations seem a tad delusional to be frank.

 

[treyville]

Anyone arguing that Pope was the best we could get is insane. We struck out on Hurley, got turned by Scott Drew which is already way further down on the list of coaches we shouldve been talking to and went to Pope. Pope was about to get run off at BYU and we came to save the day and gave BYU 6 million for this nightmare. MITCH had an awful list and couldve easily gone with a young hungry coach instead of a career 'okay' coach. Hes done nothing with his top 5 NIL other than fail at recruiting and im still puzzled how Pope is a genius offensive coach yet he would nearly split Amari at like 22 to 24 minutes with Brandon 'im awful at basketball' Garrison. I literally dont see any other coach splitting time w a guy who can get a triple double vs one that might kick the ball in the stands. We talked to almost NOBODY for this horrible coaching hire and doubled down on an awful contract that we likely couldve landed Pope for half that money. Everyone hated the hire at first for good reason. Talked into it but its clearly just awful now.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

You do realize you whine and complain about our whining and complaining, correct?

We wouldnt have Will Stein right now if we didn't.

But you keep.eating a turd they keep serving you when you think that shows toughness. No, that shows stupidity. Real men demand change when change is needed.

I've seen this moronic claim several times on here. It's like accusing a parent of whining when they tell their 3 year old to stop whining.

The fact that you actually believe you are responsible for making the decision on Stoops is hilarious. Thinking that real men whine like little girls when their spoiled desires aren't immediately fulfilled is even funnier.

 

[BookofMormon]

I think what might get Oats at Kentucky is NIL. I’ve heard Alabama fans (the ones who care about basketball) complain about their lack of NIL compared to the football team. I think a big NIL budget at Kentucky might be what ultimately gets the job done of getting a new coach.

This would be the reason he comes - because he's getting to S16's, E8's and F4's with 3rd tier money (as shows by CBS Sports, and if he got the players he could, he'd immediately be right there with Hurley & Scheyer. You definitely make a play there, question is when.

Otzelberger in a similar situation, he simply hasn't shown the regular tourney success. He also recruits in a different space, his system is geared around ugly ball that top recruits won't want to play for.

What will be hysterical is if Hodgson goes to Tennessee and turns that program into a juggernaut, they have the NIL to support it.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

You seemed happy with a 7th place finish in the SEC last season so...

Just your imagination as usual. No matter how many times I have stated otherwise some of you cling to garbage like this.

 

[bbnkat02]

I know cal was kind of pushed out but it was only way to void that dumb contract and buyout. We were never firing him. He also had gotten lazy. If he had the fire he has now then he would still be coach and pulling in top guys for a 2nd weekend finish.

Yeah, outside of that sneak into the E8 this past season (and that was barely) he and Pope have had a similar couple of years numbers wise. Cal has that tourney experience like Izzo. They could suck all year and sneak into the NCAAT and cause damage.

He, Self, and Izzo are pretty much all that remains of those late 90s to mid-2000s dynamos.

 

[ScWildcat3]

This would be the reason he comes - because he's getting to S16's, E8's and F4's with 3rd tier money (as shows by CBS Sports, and if he got the players he could, he'd immediately be right there with Hurley & Scheyer. You definitely make a play there, question is when.

Otzelberger in a similar situation, he simply hasn't shown the regular tourney success. He also recruits in a different space, his system is geared around ugly ball that top recruits won't want to play for.

What will be hysterical is if Hodgson goes to Tennessee and turns that program into a juggernaut, they have the NIL to support it.

I could see Tennessee promote Gainey. I don’t want Otzelberger at all. Ur spot on with recruits not wanting his style.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

What's a home run resume to you that you think Kentucky should get? Please recognize this isn't 1995 when you formulate your response. And please spare me Billy Donovan. There is -0% chance he's coming.

Hodgson won against weak competition as a member of a weak conference - it's all relative. Do you expect him to be producing UConn-like teams out of the AAC in one year?

Your expectations seem a tad delusional to be frank.

I did not actually state any expectation. Hodgson's resume is actually weaker than Pope's was though.

Hodgson didn't really do much winning against that weak competition. His record is very similar to what Pope has done against the two most difficult schedules in UK history.

 

[bbnkat02]

Will Wade intrigues me.

Hell. No.

Dude is a sleaze and not in an endearing way like Rick was.

 

[BookofMormon]

I could see Tennessee promote Gainey. I don’t want Otzelberger at all. Ur spot on with recruits not wanting his style.

Why in the world would they promote Gainey in a top tier NIL school?

 

[BookofMormon]

I did not actually state any expectation. Hodgson's resume is actually weaker than Pope's was though.

Hodgson didn't really do much winning against that weak competition. His record is very similar to what Pope has done against the two most difficult schedules in UK history.

How? I listed off every one of Pope's accomplishments as an assistant and a HC prior to UK, which was nothing. You have to look at how a coach is raised, what he's coming in with. You're just looking at numbers without any sense of the meaning behind them.