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Is Mark Pope able to be great

kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
I think we can all agree that Mark Pope is a hard working, determined and intelligent guy. Is there anyone that thinks, given time, that he would get this right and be able to sustain it?

Personally, I do. I think he's a guy that will do anything to get it right. I just don't think it will be anytime soon. I get the feeling he's not willing to stop doing some of the things that are causing these losses.

My concern is, how long will he continue to fiddle with lineups throughout games, refuse to hire a GM and struggle with recruiting.
 
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F

FatCatMan

All-Conference
Feb 19, 2026
1,355
3,222
113
He makes too many excuses and continues to make too many of the same mistakes for me to believe he has any potential.

For me to believe he’s changed, reorganize the staff, get some elite recruiters and a GM with NBA experience. Maybe pull in a defensive coordinator so to speak. If he can’t do at least that, there’s no hope for him.
 
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T

theGspot_rivals175609

Junior
Feb 23, 2017
167
323
63
Yea, you can obviously look over is 10+ years coaching resume and see he destined to be great based off the sheer number of conference titles and conference tournaments he has won, as well as his impressive number of NCAA tournament wins. Not to mention his recruiting prowess and ability to rebuild programs. It's really just a matter of time until he reels off several titles. We just need to sit on our hands and be patient.
 
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I’m The Village Idiot

I’m The Village Idiot

Heisman
Jul 30, 2024
5,747
10,879
113
theGspot_rivals175609 said:
Yea, you can obviously look over is 10+ years coaching resume and see he destined to be great based off the sheer number of conference titles and conference tournaments he has won, as well as his impressive number of NCAA tournament wins. Not to mention his recruiting prowess and ability to rebuild programs. It's really just a matter of time until he reels off several titles. We just need to sit on our hands and be patient.
Click to expand...
I see what you did there. Well played
 
U

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,994
9,549
77
theGspot_rivals175609 said:
Yea, you can obviously look over is 10+ years coaching resume and see he destined to be great based off the sheer number of conference titles and conference tournaments he has won, as well as his impressive number of NCAA tournament wins. Not to mention his recruiting prowess and ability to rebuild programs. It's really just a matter of time until he reels off several titles. We just need to sit on our hands and be patient.
Click to expand...

And his ability to handle his emotions during hard questions from Tom L.
 
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SamePooter

SamePooter

All-Conference
Feb 21, 2026
946
1,232
93
Na not enough passion. He’s not the guy I thought we were getting.

I thought we were getting Rick Pitinos offspring. Not Mark Fox. The lack of fire is the biggest turn off followed by the way he talks. Everything isn’t beautiful. It’s pretty ugly tbh.

UK isn’t an experimental program. We are the best. Supposed to be. Why keep experimenting with some one that clearly isn’t up to standard. Move on get a real coach that is proven.

I can take the losses. I can take not being perfect. I can take losing ten games.. I cannot accept the weak mentality of the coach and players.
 
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T

theKybluedude

All-Conference
Jul 2, 2025
628
1,450
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I just want him to get a fair chance. Build a team with players that truly relate to him and vice versa and listen to his message. Not a bunch of money mercenaries. Those aren’t the players he wants or needs. Change his recruiting to get those types.

1.5 years with having his whole team for only 10 games during that time isn’t a fair
Evaluation. I was pleased with the Sweet 16 result last season.

This year not so much but it’s not over and I truly think he’s learning this is tough job and requires a tough guy. I liked his outburst yesterday. They did get cheated and he finally boiled over. Finally realized it’s UK and BBN vs everybody. Like Cal said screw with us and we’re gonna burn your village down. Toughen up Mark. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for you or UK. Watched a similar episode with Joe Hall that changed his trajectory.

I honestly think the last years of frustration with Cal is bleeding over to Pope. The impatience and hunger to get back in the national picture. If Cal had retired after a FF and Mark took an empty roster which then was crippled with injuries to the Sweet 16 I don’t think there is any fan distress.
 
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U

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,324
5,605
113
If he can get the talent here. Not a good start this years recruiting, but as I said...it ain't over till the roster is set
 
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U

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,994
9,549
77
kyjeff1 said:
Thing is, Pope has shown he has the ability to out coach good coaches that have more talent.
The issue is, he struggles to motivate his teams to sustain that energy against the teams that aren't highly ranked… .and… ..Alabama.
Click to expand...

He is inconsistent. That’s been the case his entire coaching career. I don’t believe he can successfully lead/develop players and I don’t think he is respected (refs/players).
 
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W

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
6,310
15,309
78
theGspot_rivals175609 said:
Yea, you can obviously look over is 10+ years coaching resume and see he destined to be great based off the sheer number of conference titles and conference tournaments he has won, as well as his impressive number of NCAA tournament wins. Not to mention his recruiting prowess and ability to rebuild programs. It's really just a matter of time until he reels off several titles. We just need to sit on our hands and be patient.
Click to expand...
Leadbelly where you been
 
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preacherfan

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2003
28,965
4,526
113
So far, this has been a good thread with good points on both sides!

I still have hope that he can be a great coach just because I know Hurley, D Smith, Coach K all had to grow, learn and adapt. With NIL, there can be a fast turnaround just by getting 2 or 3 players. I am hoping that he has success this year in the portal and we aren't even having this conversation next year. Yes, I tend to be an optimist!
 
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K

kyhankypanky

All-American
Mar 21, 2004
4,333
7,505
113
kyjeff1 said:
I think we can all agree that Mark Pope is a hard working, determined and intelligent guy. Is there anyone that thinks, given time, that he would get this right and be able to sustain it?

Personally, I do. I think he's a guy that will do anything to get it right. I just don't think it will be anytime soon. I get the feeling he's not willing to stop doing some of the things that are causing these losses.

My concern is, how long will he continue to fiddle with lineups throughout games, refuse to hire a GM and struggle with recruiting.
Click to expand...
You willing to become IU to find out? I sure as heck ain't! You don't wait for coaches to figure it on the job, especially at a blue blood like UK.
 
UKJenning

UKJenning

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2022
764
2,066
57
kyjeff1 said:
Thing is, Pope has shown he has the ability to out coach good coaches that have more talent.
The issue is, he struggles to motivate his teams to sustain that energy against the teams that aren't highly ranked… .and… ..Alabama.
Click to expand...
Steven Pearl defeated Arkansas by 22, St. John’s by 11, and won at Florida. I think some put too much weight into some of Pope’s wins. Every team and coach out there pulls off a couple of head scratching wins every season.

Pope loses a lot of games and many of them are beat downs.

People also talk about the injuries this season.

Yet we have the potential SEC POY in Oweh.

Best SEC shooter in Chandler.

One of the best freshmen in Moreno.

Guard that came from the defending champs in Aberdeen.

Jelavic a big Euro guy finding his shooting stroke.

If the SECT started today we would be the 9 seed.

Were as talented as anyone in the SEC besides Florida and we lose at home to Mizzou and Georgia and just lost to a bad Auburn team.
 
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JHR1932

Sophomore
Nov 27, 2025
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SamePooter said:
Na not enough passion. He’s not the guy I thought we were getting.

I thought we were getting Rick Pitinos offspring. Not Mark Fox. The lack of fire is the biggest turn off followed by the way he talks. Everything isn’t beautiful. It’s pretty ugly tbh.

UK isn’t an experimental program. We are the best. Supposed to be. Why keep experimenting with some one that clearly isn’t up to standard. Move on get a real coach that is proven.

I can take the losses. I can take not being perfect. I can take losing ten games.. I cannot accept the weak mentality of the coach and players.
Click to expand...
This!
 
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I’m The Village Idiot

I’m The Village Idiot

Heisman
Jul 30, 2024
5,747
10,879
113
UKJenning said:
Steven Pearl defeated Arkansas by 22, St. John’s by 11, and won at Florida. I think some put too much weight into some of Pope’s wins. Every team and coach out there pulls off a couple of head scratching wins every season.

Pope loses a lot of games and many of them are beat downs.

People also talk about the injuries this season.

Yet we have the potential SEC POY in Oweh.

Best SEC shooter in Chandler.

One of the best freshmen in Moreno.

Guard that came from the defending champs in Aberdeen.

Jelavic a big Euro guy finding his shooting stroke.

If the SECT started today we would be the 9 seed.

Were as talented as anyone in the SEC besides Florida and we lose at home to Mizzou and Georgia and just lost to a bad Auburn team.
Click to expand...
Yep. It’s been a bad year.

Do you remember when John Calipari had the returning NPOY, a returning all-conference guard, and added Cason Wallace to multiple returning 5 stars? And that team stunk. And that’s a HOF coach. For whatever reason, sometimes you just have a bad year. In 1967, Adolph Rupp returned Pat Riley, Louie Dampier and Thad Jaracz from a national runner up team and they went 13-13 (8-10) in a miles weaker conference. Sometimes you have a bad year even with the talent. And no I’m not saying Pope is as good as Cal or Rupp. It’s just to show even the best talent doesn’t always equal the best team.
 
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UKJenning

UKJenning

All-Conference
Mar 27, 2022
764
2,066
57
I’m The Village Idiot said:
Yep. It’s been a bad year.

Do you remember when John Calipari had the returning NPOY, a returning all-conference guard, and added Cason Wallace to multiple returning 5 stars? And that team stunk. And that’s a HOF coach. For whatever reason, sometimes you just have a bad year. In 1967, Adolph Rupp returned Pat Riley, Louie Dampier and Thad Jaracz from a national runner up team and they went 13-13 (8-10) in a miles weaker conference. Sometimes you have a bad year even with the talent. And no I’m not saying Pope is as good as Cal or Rupp. It’s just to show even the best talent doesn’t always equal the best team.
Click to expand...
Pope went 19-15 in his 4th season at BYU.
Sometimes You get exactly what you hired.
 
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I’m The Village Idiot

I’m The Village Idiot

Heisman
Jul 30, 2024
5,747
10,879
113
UKJenning said:
Pope went 19-15 in his 4th season at BYU.
Sometimes You get exactly what you hired.
Click to expand...
Apples and oranges, man.

And btw Pope is already hired. I’m just going to make the best of it, I’m not deluded into thinking he’s been Adolph Rupp, so you’re preaching to the choir on that aspect. But he is the coach, if you’re a fan of the same team as me, Pope doing better is in both of our favor.
 
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Drogon

Drogon

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2017
1,663
2,167
113
I have my doubts, That said,

As for his season, the fact of the matter is Lowe's injury has been devastating. Cats never got a chance to develop as a team with their PG. Aberdeen is not a PG. He's performed admirably in the role, but he's not a consistent creator for others. Jasper Johnson is a talented player, but he's not a creator for others. We don't have that on this team. This hurts a player like Mo D. This hurts Moreno and Jelavic. Aberdeen, Oweh, and Chandler, when they get to the basket they are shooting the ball. Seldomly do they drive and dish. So much more comes with having a high caliber PG. We never got the chance to find out if Lowe could be that for this team.
 
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gbl97

gbl97

All-American
Mar 12, 2002
3,526
5,182
113
Pope has a lot of problems, but if he could get a couple studs, and then clean up his substitution patterns, he would be halfway there.
 
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C

Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
11,700
19,828
103
No. I don’t trust a man that doesn’t cuss. My teammates and I got called every name in the book during 7th and 8th grade and we lost a total of 2 games in 2 years and won the majority of our games by over 20 points.
 
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Mike-D

Mike-D

Heisman
Jul 14, 2001
49,975
73,995
113
I think Pope would have worked, if not for the implosion this season. Next year looks bleak unless he absolutely rips the transfer portal. We needed a GM yesterday.
 
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Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
11,700
19,828
103
Drogon said:
I have my doubts, That said,

As for his season, the fact of the matter is Lowe's injury has been devastating. Cats never got a chance to develop as a team with their PG. Aberdeen is not a PG. He's performed admirably in the role, but he's not a consistent creator for others. Jasper Johnson is a talented player, but he's not a creator for others. We don't have that on this team. This hurts a player like Mo D. This hurts Moreno and Jelavic. Aberdeen, Oweh, and Chandler, when they get to the basket they are shooting the ball. Seldomly do they drive and dish. So much more comes with having a high caliber PG. We never got the chance to find out if Lowe could be that for this team.
Click to expand...
Sure we did. Lowe played in 8 games if I recall and averaged 2 assist/game. Not a huge sample size but enough.
 
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SamePooter

SamePooter

All-Conference
Feb 21, 2026
946
1,232
93
Cats_2010 said:
Sure we did. Lowe played in 8 games if I recall and averaged 2 assist/game. Not a huge sample size but enough.
Click to expand...
I don’t want Lowe back unless he’s a third option at pg. I could understand Butler having issues. He was a maniac on defense and got abused by every team. Georgia and Tennessee killed him. His body. I could understand why he had injuries.

Lowe on the other hand got injured by a no contact play during the blue white game before the season started. I don’t want a pg that fragile anywhere near the team. Especially running it. I’m not impressed with him in any aspect of the game. Let him go back to Pitt and chunk up some more bull honkey as Pope would say. Let the mother effer leave.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
theKybluedude said:
I just want him to get a fair chance. Build a team with players that truly relate to him and vice versa and listen to his message. Not a bunch of money mercenaries. Those aren’t the players he wants or needs. Change his recruiting to get those types.

1.5 years with having his whole team for only 10 games during that time isn’t a fair
Evaluation. I was pleased with the Sweet 16 result last season.

This year not so much but it’s not over and I truly think he’s learning this is tough job and requires a tough guy. I liked his outburst yesterday. They did get cheated and he finally boiled over. Finally realized it’s UK and BBN vs everybody. Like Cal said screw with us and we’re gonna burn your village down. Toughen up Mark. Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for you or UK. Watched a similar episode with Joe Hall that changed his trajectory.

I honestly think the last years of frustration with Cal is bleeding over to Pope. The impatience and hunger to get back in the national picture. If Cal had retired after a FF and Mark took an empty roster which then was crippled with injuries to the Sweet 16 I don’t think there is any fan distress.
Click to expand...
Very well put. I agree with all of it.
 
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LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
38,815
60,838
113
kyjeff1 said:
I think we can all agree that Mark Pope is a hard working, determined and intelligent guy. Is there anyone that thinks, given time, that he would get this right and be able to sustain it?

Personally, I do. I think he's a guy that will do anything to get it right. I just don't think it will be anytime soon. I get the feeling he's not willing to stop doing some of the things that are causing these losses.

My concern is, how long will he continue to fiddle with lineups throughout games, refuse to hire a GM and struggle with recruiting.
Click to expand...

I think he needs the right AD, I think he needs some better staff around him (to do the things hes not good at), and I think JMI needs to address the NIL stuff. We also probably need a GM.

That sounds like a laundry list, but half of that list should be something we already have (proper AD and a NIL company not screwing things up). So I think if we put the right pieces around him, this can work.

.. all that said, if Cal didnt have Mitch, had a GM, had Robic back.. sorry, couldn't resist lol.
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
kyhankypanky said:
You willing to become IU to find out? I sure as heck ain't! You don't wait for coaches to figure it on the job, especially at a blue blood like UK.
Click to expand...
The fanbase would never allow UK to become dead.
Coaches progress and they learn. We have a guy that is willing to do whatever it takes to get UK back to the top and he's figuring out what works and what doesn't. It's going to take time.
The next coach is going to learn some hard lessons and it will take time for him to start winning at a high level too.
I guess, where I am is, if he can salvage what’s left of this season, then next year, get to the E8 with less than 10 losses, I would be willing to play the long game with Pope. That's good progression.
But if the best he can do, is 10 or more losses and a sweet 16 after this debacle, I would lean towards moving on.
My fear is our AD (whoever that will be) will be satisfied with a sweet 16 and 10 losses. Hopefully not, I'm so sick of these 10 loss seasons. It’s not a good look to get rid of a coach that has two sweet 16's in 3 years though.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
50,470
70,655
113
UKJenning said:
Steven Pearl defeated Arkansas by 22, St. John’s by 11, and won at Florida. I think some put too much weight into some of Pope’s wins. Every team and coach out there pulls off a couple of head scratching wins every season.

Pope loses a lot of games and many of them are beat downs.

People also talk about the injuries this season.

Yet we have the potential SEC POY in Oweh.

Best SEC shooter in Chandler.

One of the best freshmen in Moreno.

Guard that came from the defending champs in Aberdeen.

Jelavic a big Euro guy finding his shooting stroke.

If the SECT started today we would be the 9 seed.

Were as talented as anyone in the SEC besides Florida and we lose at home to Mizzou and Georgia and just lost to a bad Auburn team.
Click to expand...
Good points and I agree, the blowout losses have to stop and so do the crazy inconsistencies.
The injuries don't help, but he beat good teams with the lineup we have now, so you can't blame injuries.
But also, Florida isn't the only team with more talent. Arkansas is probably the most talented team in the SEC, but Tennessee and UGA are also more talented.
If we didn't have 3 guys out, I would say we are the most talented, but without those three, there are several teams ahead of us.
 
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Loucatfan30

Senior
Apr 11, 2024
796
906
87
I think he can get better because it would be hard to be a lot worse but I think his ceiling is Tubby Smith type records and I don't want to go back to that era. It will be miserable for a lot of us to go back to that type of teams.
 
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