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Who would you pick as the next HC?

Who would be your choice?

  • Pearl

  • Oats

  • Hoiberg

  • May

  • Lloyd

  • Golden

  • Otzelberger

  • McCasland

  • Byington

  • Donovan

Results are only viewable after voting.
LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,913
61,030
113
UKGrad24 said:
I’m a win at all cost guy. This is the SEC, it’s the dirtiest league in all of sports and college basketball is the dirtiest sport in all of sports. While I don’t want my Alma mater and lifelong program to be tainted, losing taints more than anything Oats would do. Not saying he’s my first choice, but if it gets there you take him.

Also again, Calipari had major issues at Memphis. Many unknown. When I was in college there the mid 2,000’s team was full of absolute criminals. Players arrested for assault, inciting riots, soliciting prostitution, and many things from the clubs a downtown that were covered up.

Calipari came here and kept it fairly clean and turned that image around. Hell he’s known as a guy who “gives charity” lol.

Lots of coaches are having to do things at other program to keep up. When you get to the big table sometimes that doesn’t have to be done and most won’t risk what they have anymore. That’s stuff they do during the times they’re climbing. So I wouldn’t let it deter me.
Click to expand...

I'd probably be OK with it.. although the Brandon Miller thing really wasn't a good look. But my fear here is that the NCAA and media would just be a constant road block for Oats. If that fear turned out to be unfounded on my part, then I'd be fine with Oats.

Also, are you Morg?
 
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PastorofMuppets82

PastorofMuppets82

Senior
Mar 4, 2025
414
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Couple questions.

Is Mitch still our AD and doing the hire? If yes, then ride out Mark Pope until Mitch is not involved.
Have we hired a basketball GM? If no, is the new hire contractually obligated to hire one? If also no, then set the program on fire.
Will the JMI contract be amended first? If no, then ride out Mark Pope until it is.

I wanted Pearl instead of Pope. Between Mitch and the Board Pearl would never get offered so I don't see this ever happening.
Oats would be a great hire. But between the murderer and playing an NBA player Mitch and the Board won't offer him either.
TJ from Iowa State would be a great hire, but he would be EXTREMELY difficult to pull away from there due to his and his families deep roots.
Golden would be a good hire too, and I'm not sure if Mitch and the Board would look past the allegations (even if they were proven false)
I don't think May leaves Michigan for UK. You could certainly try and make him tell us no though. But I doubt Mitch would even call him.
Donovan is interesting. I'm just not convinced he wants to come back to college. Mitch didn't want to wait to offer him either so...
The others on the list I don't really see "crushing" it here. All good coaches, but not elite of elite. They certainly could be, but the transition, especially after dumping a new coach this early in his tenure, would be a lot of pressure unless you were already elite and had a solid recruiting reputation (Cal after BCG). Some coaches are great in their region and can soak up all the talent around them and build solid programs that way, some guys are better at getting national talent. I think the guys at the level we need to be elite again are guys Mitch won't touch (Oats), or are aging out (Pearl), or have no interest in coming to UK (Hurley).

Darned if we do, darned if we don't currently.
 
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BGCATFAN2012

All-American
Aug 19, 2020
3,767
5,300
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If we have to watch another middle school team dribble off thier foot in crunch time Im gonna have to burn my gameday shirts and hoodies. This is the absolute worst product for money ever purchased in the history of purchases. Im sure Im being a bad fan but I live in the Bluegrass last 42 years.
I don't watch bad basketball hoping to win by 2. 50 hr work week and health is more important then gamedays last few seasons and I like having UK to get us through the winter. At this point I'm about to go play in the dirt and plant onions and yard work. Someone has to get our program back on track and it didn't start with Mark it started with St Pete and Oakland and Richmond and .....
 
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BBNinSCar

BBNinSCar

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2013
1,386
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Dusty May is just the current coach of the month. He’s having a good season, but he’s the same guy who lost 15 or more games in 3 of his 6 seasons at FAU. He’s 179-80 in his coaching career.
IF Kentucky needs to hire a basketball coach, we could take a lesson from Indiana football and hire someone who has won every place they’ve been.
Who has had the highest winning percentage among all basketball coaches at any level over the past 10 seasons? Josh Schertz. Some P4 program will hire him in the off season, he’s the next Cignetti, IMO.
 
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K

Katscratch

Sophomore
Oct 9, 2022
102
120
33
Tri-Countycat said:
Sadly most of those guys aren’t coming. Best we could hope for would be like Josh Shertz level coach, Jai Lucas is trending, Will Wade would come but Mitch wouldn’t hire him.
Click to expand...

Message boards revel in names that they've heard of, that are much older and established, and that are primo successful but happy where they are.
Getting one of those guys is not reality.

Reality is getting a guy like:
  • Michigan when they hired Dusty May from a small but successful program with a gym that held 3,500
  • Duke when they hired Scheyer from their own staff as a 33 year old who had never been a head coach
  • Houston when they hired a severely damaged Sampson, who was bouncing around for five years as an NBA assistant
  • Arizona when they hired Tommy Lloyd for his first D1 head coaching job
  • UConn when they hired Danny Hurley as a moderately successful mid-major coach
  • Iowa State when hey hired TJ Otz, who had gone 29-30 in his previous HC job at UNLV
  • Purdue when the hired Matt Painter, who at the time had one D1 season as a coach at Southern Illinois
Guess why I listed those guys as examples?
BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE COACHES FOR THE CURRENT TOP SEVEN RANKED TEAMS IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL

So if Pope isn't the right guy it's not because of his resume, it's because the AD and search committee didn't identify the next superstar coach.
 
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W

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,364
13,119
113
UKGrad24 said:
I’m a win at all cost guy. This is the SEC, it’s the dirtiest league in all of sports and college basketball is the dirtiest sport in all of sports. While I don’t want my Alma mater and lifelong program to be tainted, losing taints more than anything Oats would do. Not saying he’s my first choice, but if it gets there you take him.

Also again, Calipari had major issues at Memphis. Many unknown. When I was in college there the mid 2,000’s team was full of absolute criminals. Players arrested for assault, inciting riots, soliciting prostitution, and many things from the clubs a downtown that were covered up.

Calipari came here and kept it fairly clean and turned that image around. Hell he’s known as a guy who “gives charity” lol.

Lots of coaches are having to do things at other program to keep up. When you get to the big table sometimes that doesn’t have to be done and most won’t risk what they have anymore. That’s stuff they do during the times they’re climbing. So I wouldn’t let it deter me.
Click to expand...
You are so full of it, it’s frightening. Stop posting.
 
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P

P. Fanning

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2021
1,143
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Robert Jones-Norfolk State. If he can win with the limited resources at a MEAC school, he would do wonders at UK.
 
K

KyKevin

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2021
1,672
2,533
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I would hire UKgrad24, he has to be the smartest SOB I have seen post.. likes to tell everyone what fkn opinion to have and how to think on a message board. What do you think grad man, my opinion is you would just be so damn good at coaching at Kentucky. What college did you coach at before coming to RR. You had to of been undefeated, I'm sure. I have probably heard of you. Go ahead and tell us your coaching story man. I can't wait to hear it.
Actually my opinion of you is lower then whale s.hit, and that your just an arrogant fkn prick, know it all like your friends with the gay jokes, that they think are so funny to a true blue Kentucky fan.
 
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darkshadesofblue

darkshadesofblue

All-Conference
Aug 18, 2015
3,546
3,989
103
OliverSimmonsTwinBrother said:
Im not sure he would take it after retiring from Auburn. Also his politics wouldn't fly in Lex, although I'd personally love the hire.
Click to expand...
Who knows, maybe he saw the writing on the wall and knew Pope wouldn’t work out here. He can come here and coach for a few years before he decides to hang it up for good. At least he would leave it in a more desirable position for the next guy. We can only dream…
 
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OliverSimmonsTwinBrother

OliverSimmonsTwinBrother

All-Conference
Feb 3, 2025
1,451
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darkshadesofblue said:
Who knows, maybe he saw the writing on the wall and knew Pope wouldn’t work out here. He can come here and coach for a few years before he decides to hang it up for good. At least he would leave it in a more desirable position for the next guy. We can only dream…
Click to expand...
I'd love to see him have a good 3-5 year run here. Especially now that his son has a job and won't be taking over for him lol.
 
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UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,435
5,915
113
If Pope were let go, it would be Oats or Pearl. Wouldn't need a third option, Pearl would walk here
 
R

RobBase

Redshirt
Jul 5, 2025
18
23
3
I dont think most of the names fit timing (May / Donovan / Lloyd etc) or current leadership options (Barnhart - Pearl / Oates / etc.)

That leaves 2 left in my eyes

1) Otzleberger

1a) Fred Hoiberg

I would be thrilled with either but my favorite might be Hoiberg. Dude is brilliant and has NCAA and NBA credibility. I could see him being successful here for a decade!!

He has deep roots in both Nebraksa and Iowa but "The Mayor" might be my #1 pick on the list of truly possible candidates (if we are just taking a shot and if all the names were truly an option - I take Bruce Pearl every day of the week)

RB
 
Uncle ByeBye

Uncle ByeBye

Senior
Nov 17, 2018
311
429
63
I still have to say Donovan, he seems made for this job. I like Pearl also, but He's getting up there. I think that's maybe why he wasn't really considered last time.
 
UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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LineSkiCat14 said:
I'd probably be OK with it.. although the Brandon Miller thing really wasn't a good look. But my fear here is that the NCAA and media would just be a constant road block for Oats. If that fear turned out to be unfounded on my part, then I'd be fine with Oats.

Also, are you Morg?
Click to expand...

I am but I’m a newer version. Consider it 3.2. I’ve already been 2.0.

I am here this time trying to be more agreeable in general.
 
UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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PastorofMuppets82 said:
Couple questions.

Is Mitch still our AD and doing the hire? If yes, then ride out Mark Pope until Mitch is not involved.
Have we hired a basketball GM? If no, is the new hire contractually obligated to hire one? If also no, then set the program on fire.
Will the JMI contract be amended first? If no, then ride out Mark Pope until it is.

I wanted Pearl instead of Pope. Between Mitch and the Board Pearl would never get offered so I don't see this ever happening.
Oats would be a great hire. But between the murderer and playing an NBA player Mitch and the Board won't offer him either.
TJ from Iowa State would be a great hire, but he would be EXTREMELY difficult to pull away from there due to his and his families deep roots.
Golden would be a good hire too, and I'm not sure if Mitch and the Board would look past the allegations (even if they were proven false)
I don't think May leaves Michigan for UK. You could certainly try and make him tell us no though. But I doubt Mitch would even call him.
Donovan is interesting. I'm just not convinced he wants to come back to college. Mitch didn't want to wait to offer him either so...
The others on the list I don't really see "crushing" it here. All good coaches, but not elite of elite. They certainly could be, but the transition, especially after dumping a new coach this early in his tenure, would be a lot of pressure unless you were already elite and had a solid recruiting reputation (Cal after BCG). Some coaches are great in their region and can soak up all the talent around them and build solid programs that way, some guys are better at getting national talent. I think the guys at the level we need to be elite again are guys Mitch won't touch (Oats), or are aging out (Pearl), or have no interest in coming to UK (Hurley).

Darned if we do, darned if we don't currently.
Click to expand...
Mitch whether he’s here or not will not be making the next basketball hire. This is it for him. It’s what scares me, if they let him have 2 more years then he will do everything in his power to stop a change until the next AD. He will literally try and protect Mark even if he’s 0-40 to be spiteful and will tell the BOT and boosters “I’m almost gone wait until the next AD gets his choice”. Problem is the next AD will absolutely probably be Mark Hill, which might end up being just another financial administrator just like Mitch. I’d just force Mark out, but I realize it’s tough to do. But Mitch almost didn’t get this hire this time, boosters pushed hard for Pearl. Just didn’t get it done.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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BBNinSCar said:
Dusty May is just the current coach of the month. He’s having a good season, but he’s the same guy who lost 15 or more games in 3 of his 6 seasons at FAU. He’s 179-80 in his coaching career.
IF Kentucky needs to hire a basketball coach, we could take a lesson from Indiana football and hire someone who has won every place they’ve been.
Who has had the highest winning percentage among all basketball coaches at any level over the past 10 seasons? Josh Schertz. Some P4 program will hire him in the off season, he’s the next Cignetti, IMO.
Click to expand...
He was at FAU and went to a final four and is killing it at Michigan. What he did as an average at a doormat small college that he built and got to the final four is irrelevant.
 
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UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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DeadlyMedley said:
There is ZERO chance we get May, Lloyd or Golden. Zero.
Click to expand...
There is zero chance Pitino would leave the Knicks for UK. He just took the New York franchise to a division title and looks to be becoming “the man to get it done in New York”. Even Newton never saw that happening and didn’t know he had interests. Pitino ended up calling and wanting the UK job even on probation and crumbling.

There is zero chance Calipari will leave Memphis. He has no stress, they’ll build him a statue, he built it. He’s recruiting to elite levels, he has the top class coming in, John Wall is likely to be signed, he just made the championship game, he’s pre season picked again, he just got a brand new NBA arena and has Fed Ex backing. Fred Smith will pay whatever he wants. Also, Memphis a black city and black kids love playing there with the NBA team they share with. Kentucky is the Notre Dame of college basketball. No chance.

Calipari makes a statement that he’s crawling on broken glass to get to Kentucky and has his wife waiting by the phone.

Billy Donovan just won two titles. He wouldn’t
leave Florida. Except, he was literally talking with Kentucky and nearly took it, but instead opted for the NBA lol.

This is 100% how this happens every time. And now people are just repeating history. The pull of being bigger than the governor and part of a unique history is bigger than some of you seem to understand. It is a top 5 fanbase of any team in any sport. Coaches love attention and immortality.
 
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W

wildcatdon

Heisman
Oct 17, 2012
10,364
13,119
113
KyKevin said:
I would hire UKgrad24, he has to be the smartest SOB I have seen post.. likes to tell everyone what fkn opinion to have and how to think on a message board. What do you think grad man, my opinion is you would just be so damn good at coaching at Kentucky. What college did you coach at before coming to RR. You had to of been undefeated, I'm sure. I have probably heard of you. Go ahead and tell us your coaching story man. I can't wait to hear it.
Actually my opinion of you is lower then whale s.hit, and that your just an arrogant fkn prick, know it all like your friends with the gay jokes, that they think are so funny to a true blue Kentucky fan.
Click to expand...
Bingo.
 
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UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,435
5,915
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KyKevin said:
I would hire UKgrad24, he has to be the smartest SOB I have seen post.. likes to tell everyone what fkn opinion to have and how to think on a message board. What do you think grad man, my opinion is you would just be so damn good at coaching at Kentucky. What college did you coach at before coming to RR. You had to of been undefeated, I'm sure. I have probably heard of you. Go ahead and tell us your coaching story man. I can't wait to hear it.
Actually my opinion of you is lower then whale s.hit, and that your just an arrogant fkn prick, know it all like your friends with the gay jokes, that they think are so funny to a true blue Kentucky fan.
Click to expand...
Greatest post of the new year
 
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KyCPA2000

All-Conference
Nov 24, 2007
1,024
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A Rick Pitino type hire.
Anony Moose said:
Lmao, you don't want a proven coach?
Click to expand...
I truly don't believe we can hire one unless they already want to be here. Calpari always wanted this job. Otherwise we would not have gotten him in 2009. I really think we are looking at a Pitino type hire from the NBA.
 
M

mcwildcats04

Heisman
Jul 19, 2003
9,166
12,683
93
bluedom44 said:
McCasland at Texas Tech is the answer.
Click to expand...
I tend to think so as well. He's done great there. Gave Florida one of their toughest games in the tourney last year (should have won if we're being honest). Horrible luck with the Toppin injury to de-rail what has otherwise been another fantastic year this year.
 
A

Anony Moose

Senior
Dec 2, 2025
668
834
93
KyCPA2000 said:
A Rick Pitino type hire.
I truly don't believe we can hire one unless they already want to be here. Calpari always wanted this job. Otherwise we would not have gotten him in 2009. I really think we are looking at a Pitino type hire from the NBA.
Click to expand...
Pitino had already been to a F4 at Providence. Lulz.
 
G

GoneFishin916

Junior
Oct 30, 2025
144
234
43
Ukwazoo3 said:
I would swing for the fences with the coaches listed there. (Except Oats, he gives me the willies). And not Donovan - waste of time. If they say no, which I can't imagine they all would, go for an up and comer.

As for the up and comers, I like:


Schertz (St. Louis)
Skinn (George Mason)
Calhoun (Utah St)
Siddle (UNCW)
Hodgson (USF)
Steele (Miami of Ohio)
Click to expand...
Steele was awful at Xavier
 
UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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KyKevin said:
I would hire UKgrad24, he has to be the smartest SOB I have seen post.. likes to tell everyone what fkn opinion to have and how to think on a message board. What do you think grad man, my opinion is you would just be so damn good at coaching at Kentucky. What college did you coach at before coming to RR. You had to of been undefeated, I'm sure. I have probably heard of you. Go ahead and tell us your coaching story man. I can't wait to hear it.
Actually my opinion of you is lower then whale s.hit, and that your just an arrogant fkn prick, know it all like your friends with the gay jokes, that they think are so funny to a true blue Kentucky fan.
Click to expand...
I haven’t got a clue where this inner rage is coming from, you’d have to cite the post where I came at you in some way. I don’t remember, I believe we spoke a few times recently, didn’t seem to be hostile to me.

You’ve got a troll who’s not a UK fan and a really stalky Wierd boomer guy liking your post (only guy I’ve ever put on ignore that I remember). Not a good company from what I can see.
*edit, just reading back through our correspondence, this might be one of the weirdest responses I’ve ever seen. You were literally just normal. You okay guy?
 
UKGrad24

UKGrad24

All-American
Apr 2, 2024
2,894
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Anony Moose said:
Pitino had already been to a F4 at Providence. Lulz.
Click to expand...
Some of these guys are going postal I think because the excuses don’t go anywhere when context and logic is halfway applied. I’ve seen a few of those just get irate when their excuse is put to bed “he’s the next Hurley!” Makes no sense to even bring the guy up. Stuff like that. It’s just making them super mad.

At any moment Pope can earn the job and perform, and it all goes away. Being an angry fan at fans is not going to make the excuses any more valid.
 
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