Fire Pope right now! Why wait?

[Beatle Bum]

Which part?

He will be here after he UL game. And, will likely still be fired. The idea that if he is not fired after UL, he will get the rest of the yea is false. . And you know it.

When UK is not likely to make the NCAA, that is when the AD makes the fire.

 

[The Ganner]

Y’all. Just bide time. This is over in 5 months. An in-season firing isn’t happening unless it gets really bad in SEC play.

Kicking and screaming for a firing after the third game of the season is grumpy toddler energy. It’s not a serious option.

Put on your big boy pants, get ready to deal with another dozen losses, and we try again to get the right coach this offseason.

Nothing has changed since the end of last year. People were demanding he be fired then but there was NO chance they were going to fire a guy after 2 seasons when one of them, like you said, was a sweet 16 with potential for more if not for major injury problems. Last year sucked bad and we all knew if this year wasn't good, Pope won't get a 4th year. Firing him now vs at the end of the year doesn't make anything better. If things are continuing to look dire, Batt will be making back door inquiries about potential replacements.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Why postpone the inevitable? Let's get something positive going for this team. If the AD has the guts to do it now, he will show that losing at UK is unacceptable. I like Mark Pope, but it's time for the dark cloud of Pope's tenure to be removed from the program.

If we have anymore games like last night I completely agree. I would also fire for cause and not just give free money away. There is plenty of reasons to fire Pope from a performance perspective. Be hard nosed with termination compensation.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I disagree. There is no reason to suffer any longer. Rip the bandage off and start over.

Let Mo coach the rest of the season.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Im alright. Theres always one. You're the one.

In other words you are more likely not the nice guy. Your inclination to make a good guy look bad to somehow justify firing him is a reflection on you, not me. You may not understand, but most ADs try to hire good people. That means they fire good people. There need not be a false conclusion in order to make the right business decision.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

You would need to make a better case than that. If last night is an indication, Pope will be fired, but firing him now is not smart. Sending a message? To whom?

There is no doubt your message will resonate with a lot of Rafter posters. But, firing a coach after game three is unwise and frankly not smart. People who let emotions drive the big decisions are unwise.

I would disagree if we get embarrassed again. You will be literally letting someone ruin your brand. Its a business decision and my mentors were big believers in getting rid of a constant performance issues immediately. Then take your time and do a real coaching search.

 

[HolySmokes]

In other words you are more likely not the nice guy. Your inclination to make a good guy look bad to somehow justify firing him is a reflection on you, not me. You may not understand, but most ADs try to hire good people. That means they fire good people. There need not be a false conclusion in order to make the right business decision.

Im not the AD. Just a fan.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

.

 

[Artlaibesghost]

For a host of reasons Mark Pope will not be fired before season ends.
Just isn't going to happen. I DO think we will have a new coach next season.

 

[Ecthelion of the Fountain]

It’s a $17.6M buyout now. $13.5M after the season.

Plus we have buyouts already going to Stoops and Barnhart.

Why did we have to "buy out" Barnhart?

 

[BMR1987]

Vs. UNC in NYC might be his last stand if we lose to IU and UofL before that. You can't go 0-4 against historical rivals before SEC play starts when you're already on the hot seat. If he wins at least one and beats all the cupcakes I think he finishes out the season. Looks like it will be rough either way.

 

[SECualHealing]

I'd pitch in one of my kidneys on the black market to help cover the buyout. I'm at the point where just seeing his face pisses me off now. It's time for him to go.

 

[Coach Ken Reeves]

You would need to make a better case than that. If last night is an indication, Pope will be fired, but firing him now is not smart. Sending a message? To whom?

There is no doubt your message will resonate with a lot of Rafter posters. But, firing a coach after game three is unwise and frankly not smart. People who let emotions drive the big decisions are unwise.

I'm sorry, but I can't help you if can't see why making a change now would be benefiical.

 

[gbl97]

I imagine Jay Batt is busy this morning putting out feelers through the back channels to start gauging interest and narrowing the list. The official coaching search won't start for a while. But the unofficial one probably started early this morning.

I bet you're right and I expect the list begins and ends with someone Batt knows well in Nate Oats. He will hire a Will Stein-like coach, whether it's Oats, Golden, etc.

 

[Padsfs07]

Why did we have to "buy out" Barnhart?

Just mean his bs $3M severance package or whatever. We also paid Michigan St $4M to buyout J Batt.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

I disagree. There is no reason to suffer any longer. Rip the bandage off and start over.

And have you coach?

Who are you putting in his place? Do you think that would be appealing to the next hire? That you can be fired 3 games in?

He needs to go but its not happening until it shakes out what the post season is going to look like, etc.

You can't hire anyone right now and then you look dumb being uk having a vacant job for 5 months.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I would disagree if we get embarrassed again. You will be literally letting someone ruin your brand. Its a business decision and my mentors were big believers in getting rid of a constant performance issues immediately. Then take your time and do a real coaching search.

It’s a fallacy to say Pope could ruin the UK brand. Simply not possible. “Shame!” did not ruin the brand. Billy G did not ruin the brand. Losing in the first round has not ruined the brand.

You want to handle this well. You want to have people saying “we get it.” Because in your “real coaching search” you want your candidates to see how Pope was treated and not question whether the environment at the top of the Athletic Department is impulsive or chaotic. There is no value to firing him early, unless there are off court issues. The only reason you would fire a coach early is if you thought his replacement was already on the bench. Then, you get a trial run to see how that person does without a long term commitment. Otherwise, you patiently watch and make your list. Only fans want blood. Catering to the fans’ negative emotions is not good business.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Im not the AD. Just a fan.

Geez, no one thought or wished otherwise.

 

[Beatle Bum]

.

Self gave me the appearance that he likes Pope. Stokes gave me the impression he does not.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I'm sorry, but I can't help you if can't see why making a change now would be benefiical.

It’s good to know your limitations. Congrats.

 

[bnewt]

Why postpone the inevitable? Let's get something positive going for this team. If the AD has the guts to do it now, he will show that losing at UK is unacceptable. I like Mark Pope, but it's time for the dark cloud of Pope's tenure to be removed from the program.

Will never happen during season
If it did bring pearl in to finish it out

Tell us what you see when you “see through the nice guy mask.” I don’t have that super power. Explain what is REALLY going on.

No mask, just dirt om chin that needs cleaned off

 

[bnewt]

He needs to resign for the good of the program.

That would take courage

 

[Tim0808]

Hes a fraud. Hes shown his true colors plenty of times. Its not a super power at all to use common sense. The guy has been as snobby to fans as Cal ever was.

I have super powers... because I see it too!!!

 

[CrossPlainsCat]

I agree that Mark is not long for this job but firing him now sends a really bad message to a future coach. You will run off really good candidates that want to feel like they have the rest of the season to try and right the ship. If they feel like their job is on the line after *every* game they will not be interested. (nor should they be)

 

[Tim0808]

Pope is in over his head and shouldn't be the coach at Kentucky...

HOWEVER, that 17 million dollar buyout if they fire him right now gives pause. Most on here don't care because they don't have to pay it. Finding a Coach worth his salt to replace Pope AFTER firing a guy 3 games into his third season who has been above average (not great by any means) with back to back tournament appearances and a sweet 16 sets a dangerous precedent. Try telling the new guy, you have 2 years to hang a banner or you're out, good luck and gods speed.

And if Pope messes around and gets this squad to the sweet 16 he triggers another year added to his contract and the buyout stays the same. It's still going to be 13 million after this season if he doesn't make the sweet 16. Mitch handcuffed the athletic department. 37 million to buyout Stoops, Stein is on the low end of pay for SEC coaches, 17 million to buyout Pope, figure at least 10-12 million to buyout a decent coach to replace Pope, plus another 30 million minimum 5 year contract for the new coach. Rome is burning. Unless you get some boosters who REALLY want Pope gone and are willing to write some large checks to make it happen, he isn't getting fired anytime soon. And we are just going to have to endure whatever this crap show is.

It is not two years and hang a banner or you are gone. It is two years of being competitive and not getting blown out repeatedly on the big stage. Worst NCAA loss since the 1970's? First Time Kansas beats someone by 20 in the champions classic? and lets face it, this is not a good Kansas team either.

 

[Tim0808]

Those are all conclusions. Give me the evidence. If there are “plenty of times,” just give me some actual examples so I may see.

He lied to me repeatedly last year. He said that team was comparable to the 1996 team. He said, they would not fail. He said that team would make Big Blue proud.

 

[Ukwazoo3]

I don’t think Kentucky will ever fire a basketball coach in the middle of the year, especially one of our own. Not saying Pope won’t resign mid season. One thing though, you can’t get beat by 20 on national TV the third year of your coaching tenure at Kentucky in the third game of the season to a rival or you won’t get a fourth year. I don’t know if we have the players or coach to turn it around to be honest, we will see.

It's not just the beatdowns. It's also that after the beatdowns he says things like, "this was an amazing teaching lesson". (I'm paraphrasing)

 

[BookofMormon]

Vs. UNC in NYC might be his last stand if we lose to IU and UofL before that. You can't go 0-4 against historical rivals before SEC play starts when you're already on the hot seat. If he wins at least one and beats all the cupcakes I think he finishes out the season. Looks like it will be rough either way.

Should probably calibrate appropriately. Kansas is a a very good basketball team. Not ready to call them F4 caliber, but with TKR and Stokes, they'll be up there.

UK should beat UNC and IU. If Pope does lose those two, I think he'll be rubber stamped as done by end of year unless he performs a miracle through rest of year.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Mark Pope Buyout Summary (with Sweet 16 extension)


Contract basics

• Runs through March 31, 2030, after the automatic 1-year extension earned from the 2025 Sweet 16
• Salary: $5.5M (2026-27), $5.75M (2027-28), $6M (2028-29), $6.25M (2029-30)
• Contract years run April 1 to March 31
• If fired without cause, UK owes 75% of the remaining salary
• Can be paid in monthly installments
• Mitigation clause: if Pope takes another coaching job, his new pay reduces what UK owes

2026-27 season (buyout drops about $344K per month)

• Nov. 11, 2026 (now): ~$15.1M
• Dec. 1, 2026: ~$14.9M
• Jan. 1, 2027: ~$14.5M (SEC opener at Oklahoma is Jan. 2)
• Mar. 1, 2027: ~$13.8M (regular season ends at Florida, Mar. 6)
• Apr. 1, 2027: ~$13.5M (after the 2026-27 season)

2027-28 season (buyout drops about $359K per month)

• Nov. 1, 2027: ~$11.0M
• Jan. 1, 2028: ~$10.3M
• Mar. 1, 2028: ~$9.6M
• Apr. 1, 2028: ~$9.2M (after the 2027-28 season)

Key takeaways

• Waiting from now until April 1, 2027 saves UK only about $1.6M.
• Each full season UK waits cuts the buyout by about $4.3M to $4.5M.
• Another Sweet 16 run would likely trigger another extension and raise the buyout again.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

It is not two years and hang a banner or you are gone. It is two years of being competitive and not getting blown out repeatedly on the big stage. Worst NCAA loss since the 1970's? First Time Kansas beats someone by 20 in the champions classic? and lets face it, this is not a good Kansas team either.

So what's the actual bar you pitch to the next guy? Realistically. I'm not defending Pope at all. But a lot of people think running him out of town automatically means the next guy will be a hall of famer and immediately turn the program around.

Let's say Nate Oats takes the phone call from Batt and asks what are my bare minimum requirements at Kentucky? How long do I have to accomplish them? What does Batt say that makes him comfortable enough to accept that pressure?

 

[Padsfs07]

Mark Pope Buyout Summary (with Sweet 16 extension)


Contract basics

• Runs through March 31, 2030, after the automatic 1-year extension earned from the 2025 Sweet 16
• Salary: $5.5M (2026-27), $5.75M (2027-28), $6M (2028-29), $6.25M (2029-30)
• Contract years run April 1 to March 31
• If fired without cause, UK owes 75% of the remaining salary
• Can be paid in monthly installments
• Mitigation clause: if Pope takes another coaching job, his new pay reduces what UK owes

2026-27 season (buyout drops about $344K per month)

• Nov. 11, 2026 (now): ~$15.1M
• Dec. 1, 2026: ~$14.9M
• Jan. 1, 2027: ~$14.5M (SEC opener at Oklahoma is Jan. 2)
• Mar. 1, 2027: ~$13.8M (regular season ends at Florida, Mar. 6)
• Apr. 1, 2027: ~$13.5M (after the 2026-27 season)

2027-28 season (buyout drops about $359K per month)

• Nov. 1, 2027: ~$11.0M
• Jan. 1, 2028: ~$10.3M
• Mar. 1, 2028: ~$9.6M
• Apr. 1, 2028: ~$9.2M (after the 2027-28 season)

Key takeaways

• Waiting from now until April 1, 2027 saves UK only about $1.6M.
• Each full season UK waits cuts the buyout by about $4.3M to $4.5M.
• Another Sweet 16 run would likely trigger another extension and raise the buyout again.

I didn't know there was a pre-season buyout difference and a monthly drop. Interesting. I still don't think it's worth cutting him now. We are just going to have to push through to at last Jan/Feb.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan_rivals377587]

I agree that Mark is not long for this job but firing him now sends a really bad message to a future coach. You will run off really good candidates that want to feel like they have the rest of the season to try and right the ship. If they feel like their job is on the line after *every* game they will not be interested. (nor should they be)

A really good candidate wouldn’t be having these results. A really good candidate would have enough confidence and swagger to grab the bull by the horns. Pope doesn’t possess any of that.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

I didn't know there was a pre-season buyout difference and a monthly drop. Interesting. I still don't think it's worth cutting him now. We are just going to have to push through to at last Jan/Feb.

If its just a money thing waiting until the end of this season really doesnt provide alot of value. Real savings would come after 27-28 if you wanted to wait it out and give him his 4 years. But do you want to wait it out 2 more seasons with this guy?

 

[FLBBNFAN]

It’s a fallacy to say Pope could ruin the UK brand. Simply not possible. “Shame!” did not ruin the brand. Billy G did not ruin the brand. Losing in the first round has not ruined the brand.

You want to handle this well. You want to have people saying “we get it.” Because in your “real coaching search” you want your candidates to see how Pope was treated and not question whether the environment at the top of the Athletic Department is impulsive or chaotic. There is no value to firing him early, unless there are off court issues. The only reason you would fire a coach early is if you thought his replacement was already on the bench. Then, you get a trial run to see how that person does without a long term commitment. Otherwise, you patiently watch and make your list. Only fans want blood. Catering to the fans’ negative emotions is not good business.

We simply agree to disagree which is fine. The brand in my opinion is being tarnished and it has been in a downward trajectory even before Pope was hired. He's being paid 5m a year and is delivering a subpar performance. FSU canned their football coach mid season without a heir apparent because their program was being embarrassed. Last night was embarrassing and looked exactly like last year imo.

 

[BigRedMachineBigBlueNation]

he is an assistant with the Spurs.

But will he actually take the job?

 

[kfwa]

only one coach in recent history has been fired before the season ended due to performance.

it would take an extraordinary set of circumstances for that to happen.

 

[MachineHead]

Y’all. Just bide time. This is over in 5 months. An in-season firing isn’t happening unless it gets really bad in SEC play.

Kicking and screaming for a firing after the third game of the season is grumpy toddler energy. It’s not a serious option.

Put on your big boy pants, get ready to deal with another dozen losses, and we try again to get the right coach this offseason.

Or alternatively, just do what I’m going to do and completely check out. GTA VI comes out in 8 days. I’ve already got it pre-loaded on my PS5 Pro. After the year I’ve had, I’ve learned that life is too ******* short to pay attention to things that will just piss you off.

 

[MegaBlue05]

Nothing has changed since the end of last year. People were demanding he be fired then but there was NO chance they were going to fire a guy after 2 seasons when one of them, like you said, was a sweet 16 with potential for more if not for major injury problems. Last year sucked bad and we all knew if this year wasn't good, Pope won't get a 4th year. Firing him now vs at the end of the year doesn't make anything better. If things are continuing to look dire, Batt will be making back door inquiries about potential replacements.

Exactly.

Backchannels could very well be worked starting today to gauge interest from other coaches, but an in-season firing isn’t happening o considering our new AD was previously worked at ACC and Big Ten schools and never fired a coach in-season.

I got called a Pope Pumper last year for telling everyone a year 3 was guaranteed so what they were doing was unrealistic whining. I am no Pope Pumper. I just live in the real world and know how this university operates.

Closest I have ever seen to a midseason firing in my 46 years as a UK fan was when we announced Bill Curry wasn’t coming back for the 1997 season but still let him coach the rest of the 96 season. We also fired Joker with one game left and let him coach the finale.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I recommend a Go Fund Me. I am all about people putting their money where their mouths are. Build a big fund and take it to Batt. That is probably better than all the whining threads here. This looks like it is going to be another tough year. Buckle up and put on some big girl panties. In the meanwhile, start a Go Fund Me and raise money for the buyout. That would be impressive.

 

[L.O.D.]

That dude has burned UK so many times. Don't get your hopes up

He played the game like most other coaches does to a pay increase. He loves Lexington but built his own legacy in Florida an wanted to stay I can't blame him.

We need a splash hire - hes the best because gettibg that .

Oats is fall back him and Batt are good friends and he wanted to be here before Batt.