Will Pope remain loyal to his staff in the offseason?

FatCatMan · Feb 19, 2026

I’m not convinced Pope will make changes in the offseason to rectify the problems he’s had. Frankly nothing seems to suggest, at least so far, that he’ll make major changes to the coaching staff once this season ends.

The reality Kentucky fans are most likely facing is that neither Pope nor his staff will face any consequences for the mediocrity of this season (and last year’s). And if Fox is the GM, he certainly won’t fire his buddy.

We used to criticize Cal for hiring his friends but Pope is doing no differently right now.

UKGrad24 · Feb 19, 2026

We’ll see. I almost assume he’ll have to fire staff. Fox needs to go, he hasn’t done anything but collect a check without contributing to making Kentucky better. I like Fox, he’s a good guy. But he doesn’t belong here.

I don’t know much about the other two, I thought Hart was a good pickup at first, not sure he is now. Cody Folger seems to be a waste of time but he’s been with Mark a long time.

I don’t personally see him changing his staff. I see Mark doing things that will end him at Kentucky. I don’t think he has much of an idea how to run a program like this. Hiring Fox as his first order of business was exactly what the greats say don’t do. Hire the best for the job not the guy to return a favor to.

FatCatMan · Feb 19, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
We’ll see. I almost assume he’ll have to fire staff. Fox needs to go, he hasn’t done anything but collect a check without contributing to making Kentucky better. I like Fox, he’s a good guy. But he doesn’t belong here.

I don’t know much about the other two, I thought Hart was a good pickup at first, not sure he is now. Cody Folger seems to be a waste of time but he’s been with Mark a long time.

I don’t personally see him changing his staff. I see Mark doing things that will end him at Kentucky. I don’t think he has much of an idea how to run a program like this. Hiring Fox as his first order of business was exactly what they greats say don’t do.

The Fox hire was understandably the first red flag for many Kentucky faithful. Telling Antigua, one of the best recruiters in college basketball who wanted to stay, to kick rocks was his second.

UKGrad24 · Feb 19, 2026

FatCatMan said:
The Fox hire was understandably the first red flag for many Kentucky faithful. Telling Antigua, one of the best recruiters in college basketball who wanted to stay, to kick rocks was his second.

Looking back I agree. I thought at the time he was clearing out all Calipari guys, and maybe he was, but a small bridge with Antigua wouldn’t have been bad. And looks like Antigua knew he could be useful. Also Antigua wanted to just be a Kentucky guy, he wanted to be a lifer here. It’s a miss for sure.

I’m not surprised it’s gone south when the first think you so is break a Saban rule and hire Fox. And look around, Garrison? Why. Probably because he’s being loyal to him with a kid. Just doing things based on stuff other than winning. Coaches have to have a thick skin and do hard things. Firing coaches and eliminating players that don’t help are those things. Mark just isn’t ready.

Hush4872 · Feb 19, 2026

It's a shame, because I originally thought this would be a pretty good staff with the exception of Fox.

I didn't like letting Antigua go, but I thought Hart and AB3 would be good enough recruiters that we wouldn't miss him too much. Maybe they are and Pope is just that bad of a closer though. Maybe Antigua wouldn't have made much of a difference.

I thought Fueger was an offensive guru, but he seems like more of a system coach who struggles greatly when the players don't fit the system now.

Don't know much about McLean.

I think there needs to be some shake up now. I assume Fueger won't be let go considering he's been with Pope for a while now. If AB3 and Hart were brought in to recruit and we aren't getting recruits, then they have to go. Those spots would be better served getting a defensive coordinator and a development guy if we're going to be getting second tier players. Fox needs to be replaced with a proper GM. Again, don't know much about McLean. Pope seems too stubborn to do any of this tho, so I doubt it happens.

UKGrad24 · Feb 19, 2026

Hush4872 said:
It's a shame, because I originally thought this would be a pretty good staff with the exception of Fox.

I didn't like letting Antigua go, but I thought Hart and AB3 would be good enough recruiters that we wouldn't miss him too much. Maybe they are and Pope is just that bad of a closer though. Maybe Antigua wouldn't have made much of a difference.

I thought Fueger was an offensive guru, but he seems like more of a system coach who struggles greatly when the players don't fit the system now.

Don't know much about McLean.

I think there needs to be some shake up now. I assume Fueger won't be let go considering he's been with Pope for a while now. If AB3 and Hart were brought in to recruit and we aren't getting recruits, then they have to go. Those spots would be better served getting a defensive coordinator and a development guy if we're going to be getting second tier players. Fox needs to be replaced with a proper GM. Again, don't know much about McLean. Pope seems too stubborn to do any of this tho, so I doubt it happens.

Thing is Pope is who he is. I think we sometimes think on some subconscious level that because he’s new and only coached less than 10 years before that Pope is a young guy who’s just getting going. But he’s not. Pope isn’t young, he’s who he is. In his mind he probably thinks he’s sticking with what got him to Kentucky. When in fact, a bad AD got him to Kentucky, not his work. Mark needs serious changes, nearly across the board.

UKCowboys · Feb 19, 2026

FatCatMan said:
I’m not convinced Pope will make changes in the offseason to rectify the problems he’s had. Frankly nothing seems to suggest, at least so far, that he’ll make major changes to the coaching staff once this season ends.

The reality Kentucky fans are most likely facing is that neither Pope nor his staff will face any consequences for the mediocrity of this season (and last year’s). And if Fox is the GM, he certainly won’t fire his buddy.

We used to criticize Cal for hiring his friends but Pope is doing no differently right now.

You make assumptions and pretend they have already happened lol

FatCatMan · Feb 20, 2026

UKCowboys said:
You make assumptions and pretend they have already happened lol

Go away, troublemaker.

UKGrad24 · Feb 20, 2026

FatCatMan said:
Go away, troublemaker.

Cowboy just trolls. I wonder who his team is for real sometimes. I’m guessing UL, but could be an Arkansas hang around from last season.

UKCowboys · Feb 20, 2026

FatCatMan said:
Go away, troublemaker.

LMAO

JSquad0070 · Feb 20, 2026

I truly don’t believe it’s the assistants fault. AB3 was a great recruiter at Baylor, Hart has NBA ties and players seem to love him. Fueger is young and is an excellent mind. I think Pope is the problem. As nice and good of a guy he is, you have to admit he’s odd. I don’t think top tier players relate to him or buys into what he’s selling. The head coach has to be the closer and I don’t think Pope is able to do that based on his personality.

NociHTTP · Feb 20, 2026

UKCowboys said:
You make assumptions and pretend they have already happened lol

It's the same Calipari fans making new accounts, trying to get off on trashing the coach, but they keep getting blocked.

ZaytovenCat · Feb 20, 2026

Doesn’t really matter at this point. He might as well let them ride out the last year with him. Although one of them in particular will be largely responsible for Pope losing his job just because he is so bad at his job (Hart/recruiting).

UK4Life#9 · Feb 20, 2026

TFCat11 · Feb 20, 2026

“Staff changes” is one of the oldest cop-outs in the book. The only staff changes that needs to be made are Barnhart and Pope.

Pope is who his pre-UK resume suggests, a double digit loss, nothing in the post season blah of a coach. Now, add in the wretched recruiting, and it’s a complete disaster per UK standards.

preacherfan · Feb 20, 2026

TFCat11 said:
“Staff changes” is one of the oldest cop-outs in the book. The only staff changes that needs to be made are Barnhart and Pope.

Pope is who his pre-UK resume suggests, a double digit loss, nothing in the post season blah of a coach. Now, add in the wretched recruiting, and it’s a complete disaster per UK standards.

You would be amazed at how much of a difference the assistants can make. I am NOT saying that you are wrong about Pope, I am not on the inside and have no inside knowledge whatsoever. But, over the years, because of my contacts, I have had inside info on several coaching staffs, most recently at Pitt. Many times a staff change can make a big difference. I've always suspected that Cal's complete collapse in his final years at UK was more due to staff than just Cal mailing it in. How do you go from FF's to losing first round games?

UKGrad24 · Feb 20, 2026

preacherfan said:
You would be amazed at how much of a difference the assistants can make. I am NOT saying that you are wrong about Pope, I am not on the inside and have no inside knowledge whatsoever. But, over the years, because of my contacts, I have had inside info on several coaching staffs, most recently at Pitt. Many times a staff change can make a big difference. I've always suspected that Cal's complete collapse in his final years at UK was more due to staff than just Cal mailing it in. How do you go from FF's to losing first round games?

Yea he’s right in that sometimes it is a cop out. For sure, and I personally think he’s right about Pope. This is just who he is. At the same time sometimes a change of staff can make a crazy difference. I would change them out, Pope doesn’t have a choice or anything to lose. Having said that I don’t think quality assistants are going to line up anyway. Mark isn’t very well known in the sport. Small stint at BYU, fairly isolated religious institution at the time. going on 2 at Kentucky. The only time he’s been highlighted is a staggering bad second year at UK and a mediocre year 1 (could say decent). He’s not super connected, and he played for Pitino for a few years, he didn’t coach for Pitino.

So not sure how good he can do there anyway. The Kentucky brand would draw for sure, but how many great assistants want to coach for a guy majority of UK fans want replaced and nobody knows much about?

bigblueinsanity (the real) · Feb 20, 2026

Fox is worthless. Hart might be a good recruiter if Pope would give him some room. Ab3 is a great recruiter, but again pope is too involved.

None of the rest seem like difference makers, so theyre expendable.

He needs an actual GM. Back up and let ab3 work. Those two changes would make a lot of difference.

UKBB4Ever · Feb 20, 2026

The buck always stops with the head coach. Good and bad. It's been that way with every coach. People used to talk about Tubby's assistants keeping him down. No, it was Tubby. All the things wrong with UK basketball rest squarely on Mark Pope. If you feel there's good going on with UK basketball then that's on him too.

If no changes are made at the head coaching position then this is what you will get going forward. Only with less players.

Someone said here that Pope is learning on the job. And maybe he is? Maybe he is learning what everyone else is learning? That this job is too big for him.

Broker · Feb 20, 2026

FatCatMan said:
The Fox hire was understandably the first red flag for many Kentucky faithful. Telling Antigua, one of the best recruiters in college basketball who wanted to stay, to kick rocks was his second.

The issue of firing the assistants is it will be horribly difficult to hire good assistants when you, the head coach, is on a blazing hot seat. What good assistant wants to come to a one year job?

jof2 · Feb 20, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
Looking back I agree. I thought at the time he was clearing out all Calipari guys, and maybe he was, but a small bridge with Antigua wouldn’t have been bad. And looks like Antigua knew he could be useful. Also Antigua wanted to just be a Kentucky guy, he wanted to be a lifer here. It’s a miss for sure.

I’m not surprised it’s gone south when the first think you so is break a Saban rule and hire Fox. And look around, Garrison? Why. Probably because he’s being loyal to him with a kid. Just doing things based on stuff other than winning. Coaches have to have a thick skin and do hard things. Firing coaches and eliminating players that don’t help are those things. Mark just isn’t ready.

And never will be.

Tri-Countycat · Feb 20, 2026

Pope should take a step down if he can’t assemble a top 10 team from the portal. It’s what best for the program and if he really loves it like he says he does. He needs to step aside. This is assuming we don’t make some kind of crazy run which isn’t likely. If we got hot and make an E8, then that’s a different story.

jof2 · Feb 20, 2026

TFCat11 said:
“Staff changes” is one of the oldest cop-outs in the book. The only staff changes that needs to be made are Barnhart and Pope.

Pope is who his pre-UK resume suggests, a double digit loss, nothing in the post season blah of a coach. Now, add in the wretched recruiting, and it’s a complete disaster per UK standards.

Preach it.

preacherfan · Feb 20, 2026

Tri-Countycat said:
Pope should take a step down if he can’t assemble a top 10 team from the portal. It’s what best for the program and if he really loves it like he says he does. He needs to step aside. This is assuming we don’t make some kind of crazy run which isn’t likely. If we got hot and make an E8, then that’s a different story.

If Pope chooses to leave Kentucky for another position, he would owe the university 33% of his remaining compensation, though this figure drops to 20% if Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart is no longer in his role.

preacherfan · Feb 20, 2026

UKBB4Ever said:
The buck always stops with the head coach. Good and bad. It's been that way with every coach. People used to talk about Tubby's assistants keeping him down. No, it was Tubby. All the things wrong with UK basketball rest squarely on Mark Pope. If you feel there's good going on with UK basketball then that's on him too.

If no changes are made at the head coaching position then this is what you will get going forward. Only with less players.

Someone said here that Pope is learning on the job. And maybe he is? Maybe he is learning what everyone else is learning? That this job is too big for him.

I agree that the assistants weren't the problem with Tubby. Tubby was fairly consistent for most of his coaching tenure. He was a Sweet 16 coach for the most part. Cal still leaves me wondering about how much the assistants impacted the results on the court. His recent comments about Ullis seem to confirm that Cal was very dependent on his assistants.

Skyguyb27 · Feb 20, 2026

FatCatMan said:
The Fox hire was understandably the first red flag for many Kentucky faithful. Telling Antigua, one of the best recruiters in college basketball who wanted to stay, to kick rocks was his second.

Eh….. I wasn’t excited about Fox coming on board either but I understand Pope wanting to get rid of all of Cal’s boys. And from what I have read it’s actually Pope not knowing when to shut up and being micromanager in contract stuff that’s made a few misses recruiting wise.

Pope couldn’t and shouldn’t blame his staff. He hired these guys and they work for him. It’s Pope’s program to manage or mismanage. He can delegate assignments to his staff but he can’t delegate the responsibilities.

JonathanW2 · Feb 20, 2026

I actually think Fox (& Pope's loyalty to him) may be the eventual downfall of Pope. As a head coach at Nevada they got worse each year, then at Georgia they did improve slightly but was just mediocre, then at Cal they also got worse each year. I'm not really sure what he (Fox) brings to the table. when we clearly need 1) a NIL managing & Portal connections GM, and 2) a Defensive specialist coach.

BlueWorldOrder74 · Feb 20, 2026

JonathanW2 said:
I actually think Fox (& Pope's loyalty to him) may be the eventual downfall of Pope. As a head coach at Nevada they got worse each year, then at Georgia they did improve slightly but was just mediocre, then at Cal they also got worse each year. I'm not really sure what he brings to the table. when we clearly need 1) a NIL managing & Portal connections GM, and 2) a Defensive specialist coach.

Yeah, Fox is just not good. The fact that Mark hired him is shocking really. I don’t get it. That Thursday night we knew Mark was the guy, I lost my **** and couldn’t have been more angry. I got suckered in like most with the presser and the hoopla - but my brain knew it was a bad hire. Immediately. Mitch’s best job as UK AD was that sorcery he pulled off with that press conference. Now that was real work.

UKBB4Ever · Feb 20, 2026

preacherfan said:
I agree that the assistants weren't the problem with Tubby. Tubby was fairly consistent for most of his coaching tenure. He was a Sweet 16 coach for the most part. Cal still leaves me wondering about how much the assistants impacted the results on the court. His recent comments about Ullis seem to confirm that Cal was very dependent on his assistants.

Of course they are. They all are. But the buck still stops with the head coach.

TTTblue24 · Feb 20, 2026

He still subs for no reason and hasn’t learned to not do that in 2 yrs so I’m sure we’ll “run it back” with the same crew next year.

MidseasonTweak · Feb 20, 2026

He shouldn't. They have failed. If the assignment is understood, Pope needs to clean house since he won't resign willingly and see if that can help get us back on track.

NociHTTP · Feb 20, 2026

MidseasonTweak said:
He shouldn't. They have failed. If the assignment is understood, Pope needs to clean house since he won't resign willingly and see if that can help get us back on track.

If he was really blaming the staff the other night after the loss, then he likely is working on changes to the staff.

Dr.LutherSan · Feb 20, 2026

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Pope bring his daughters to recruiting events? That should be a red flag for any optimism in recruiting.

gbl97 · Feb 20, 2026

I don't see Pope firing Mark Fox when he credits him with starting his coaching career. Unless he takes the angle that he needs to replace Fox (X's and O's guy) with a recruiter so it doesn't feel personal.

Catlogic1552 · Feb 20, 2026

I don’t think he makes significant changes to his team either. He’ll just plug departure holes with 4* transfers.

Bill_the_cat · Feb 20, 2026

If Pope changes his staff to meet some fans ideology of what the team should do, he is not the person to lead this team. Pope needs to make the choices based on what he wants/needs.

cat tat2 · Feb 20, 2026

Find/make room for a GM and Antigua. Hart, Brooks, Antigua and a top GM will bring in talent. More talent will make everyone’s job easier.

Anon1679859502 · Feb 20, 2026

Bill_the_cat said:
If Pope changes his staff to meet some fans ideology of what the team should do, he is not the person to lead this team. Pope needs to make the choices based on what he wants/needs.

This I agree but let him do it at a school out west somewhere. No coach should bend to the fans will. Pope is who he is and won’t change

GBB1992 · Feb 20, 2026

Yeah he can hire them to work with him at whatever mid major he coaches next

Farsight Clone · Feb 20, 2026

UKGrad24 said:
We’ll see. I almost assume he’ll have to fire staff. Fox needs to go, he hasn’t done anything but collect a check without contributing to making Kentucky better. I like Fox, he’s a good guy. But he doesn’t belong here.

I don’t know much about the other two, I thought Hart was a good pickup at first, not sure he is now. Cody Folger seems to be a waste of time but he’s been with Mark a long time.

I don’t personally see him changing his staff. I see Mark doing things that will end him at Kentucky. I don’t think he has much of an idea how to run a program like this. Hiring Fox as his first order of business was exactly what the greats say don’t do. Hire the best for the job not the guy to return a favor to.

To add to this, Brooks was Baylor's top recruiter. He stole recruits from CAL. So why isn't he getting top talent? What happened? Is it like, Brookes can get them interested and then the meet Pope and are like, "nahh"?

Also, Hart seems the most consistent passionate on the bench. He's always yelling and trying to motivate and get players into the right mind set. Other than that, not sure what any of the staff brings.

Cody Fruger is supposed to be some offensive savant, but that hasn't happened.

Will Pope remain loyal to his staff in the offseason?

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