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How To Determine Who Should Coach Kentucky

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Farsight Clone

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One thing I see on this board and all over social media are people only looking at "What have you done for me lately." Why it's valid to a degree, it's missing the mark. One must consider the bigger picture.

Kentucky is not a job you learn at. You are proven before you get the job. What does that mean?

Constant NCAA tourney success, constant sweet 16s, elite 8s over 10 year span. And/or at least 1 final four. Someone who can recruit high end players and develop tier 2 players who are just below the high end. Is competitive, and has a winning mindset. Unfortunately, for UK and a few other blue bloods you need to have a specific personality and temperament to handle the job. Also has to have a decent winning %.

There are many layers of variables one must consider for the coach.

Right now here are the Candidates that most want to replace Pope with, winning % wise.

Mark Pope | Overall: 227-132 | Winning: 63.2%
S16: 1
E8: 0
F4:

---

Bruce Pearl | Overall: 706-268 | Winning: 72.5%
S16: 4
E8: 2
F4: 2

Todd Golden | Overall: 185-75 | Winning: 67.8%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 1
Title: 1

Dusty May | Overall: 181-81 | Winning: 69.1%
S16: 2
E8: 1
F4: 1

Nate Oats | Overall: 264-114 | Winning: 68.8%
S16: 3
E8: 2
F4: 1

Grant McCasland | Overall: 262-109 | Winning: 70.6%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 0

T.J. Otzelberger | Overall: 218-114 | Winning: 65.7%
S16: 2
E8: 0
F4: 0

Mark Byington | Overall: 264-157 | Winning: 62.7%
S16: 0
E8: 0
F4: 0
 
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F

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
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Based on the Data Above:
Here are the top 4 coaches who should be coaching if Pope doesn't pull something out his rear end.

1. Todd Golden
  • Ultimate Hardware: He is the only coach on this list with a National Championship (2025), proving he can navigate the pressure of a six-game tournament run to win it all.
  • SEC Mastery: He became the fastest coach in Florida history to reach 100 wins, demonstrating he understands how to dominate the specific conference Kentucky plays in.
  • Portal & High School Balance: He has mastered the "modern era," successfully blending elite freshmen with veteran transfers to maintain a #1 seed trajectory in 2026.
  • Golden is the "safest" bet for a title-hungry fan base. Kentucky expects championships as the standard, and Golden has already delivered one in the same conference.
  • Calculated demeanor fits a program that needs to be a "professional" winning machine.

2. Bruce Pearl
  • The Resume: With a .725 winning percentage, he is the most successful winner on your list. He is one of the few coaches in history to take two different "non-blue blood" programs (Milwaukee and Auburn) to the Sweet 16 or further.
  • Big Game Hunter: Pearl has 10 career wins against AP No. 1 teams, proving he doesn't fear the spotlight, thrives in it.
  • Proven Turnaround: He took an Auburn program with zero basketball tradition and turned it into a consistent Top-10 mainstay with two Final Fours.
  • The Personality: Kentucky fans crave a coach who embraces the "us against the world" siege mentality. Pearl is a master promoter and an elite motivator who would have Rupp Arena vibrating from the moment he walked in.
  • Recruiting Fire: Pearl’s recruiting style is high-energy and relational. He has a proven track record of beating blue bloods for elite talent (like Jabari Smith) and could easily pivot that energy to maintain Kentucky’s status as a recruiting juggernaut.
  • Tactical Pressure: His "Jungle" style of play—heavy pressure, high-speed transitions, and aggressive defense is the exact brand of "fun" basketball that Kentucky fans have missed during slower offensive eras.
3. Nate Oats
  • Elite Postseason Consistency: He has led Alabama to back-to-back Elite Eights (2024, 2025) and the program’s first-ever Final Four, proving his system works when the stakes are highest.
  • Recruiting Juggernaut: Oats consistently signs top-10 classes, proving he can go toe-to-toe with blue bloods for the 5-star "one-and-done" talent that Kentucky historically covets.
  • The "Giant Killer": He holds a winning record over established legends like Bruce Pearl and has a history of blowout wins against high-ranked opponents using his "math-based" offense.
  • Oats fits the "high-octane" identity Kentucky fans love. His system leads the nation in scoring and would turn Rupp Arena into a track meet.
  • He brings the swagger and the mathematical edge needed to keep Kentucky at the cutting edge of the NBA-style game.

4. Dusty May
  • Instant High-Major Success: After his FAU Final Four, he transitioned seamlessly to the Big Ten, recording a staggering .824 win percentage at Michigan over two seasons.
  • Elite Offensive Efficiency: His teams consistently rank near the top of the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, utilizing spacing and high-IQ playmaking.
  • Development Specialist: He has a reputation for taking 3-star recruits and turning them into NBA prospects, while also successfully integrating elite international talent.
  • May is the "basketball purist’s" choice. He is a tactical genius who avoids drama and focuses entirely on the "X’s and O’s."
  • For a Kentucky fan base that appreciates disciplined, smart, and unselfish basketball, May offers a sophisticated winning brand.
 
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Farsight Clone

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KyWideWes said:
Good work. In my mind May, McCasland, and Pearl are so unlikely you take them off. The first two are schools with a lot of money and Pearl is just too old.
Click to expand...
I think Pearl is a Bridge coach. But he has to come here after this season or after next. I think he would do well for 5 years. He would keep us from becoming Indiana I think.
 
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rick64

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
24,622
33,775
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I think all fans in BBN wanted it to work with Pope. He's one of us. He loves UK and BBN and what it stands for.

I wasn't over the moon with the hire but I was willing to let Pope have a chance. He's had some wins that I didn't expect, but he's also had some losses that were just horrible.

Unless something drastic changes this post season, off-season and next season I think he's going to be done. Especially if the new AD doesn't have prior ties to UK.
 
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Farsight Clone

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rick64 said:
I think all fans in BBN wanted it to work with Pope. He's one of us. He loves UK and BBN and what it stands for.

I wasn't over the moon with the hire but I was willing to let Pope have a chance. He's had some wins that I didn't expect, but he's also had some losses that were just horrible.

Unless something drastic changes this post season, off-season and next season I think he's going to be done. Especially if the new AD doesn't have prior ties to UK.
Click to expand...
I went with, "bad hire, hated it". When to his rally, changed my mind. Wanted to give him the benefit of a doubt. But he's just not the guy. If we were competitive all year, didn't give up, and had blow outs, I think more people would be more willing to give him a 3rd or 4th year. Unfortunately, its the consistent inconsistency and lack of temperament and recruiting why he needs to go.
 
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Tri-Countycat

Tri-Countycat

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It really doesn’t matter. It just can’t be a 7foot robot that quotes Shakespeare and speaks in riddles. Any of those coaches would automatically make UK cooler than we are now to good players. Of all Popes warts, apparently recruiting is gonna be the one that cost him his job if not careful.
 
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U

Ukbrassowtipin

Heisman
Aug 12, 2011
82,218
90,141
113
You're also leaving out the huge fact, a lot of people dont want this job. Why deal with the insane ppl that want 40-0 every year.

Also, if Golden wins again this year, what's the appeal of UK? Thats the problem with fans and this board, they think coaches view UK the same way they do.

Also, you guys would want pearl fired...could hardly ever beat Calipari, outside those 2 final fours he never went past the 2nd rd at auburn...youre telling me youre all of a sudden gonna be okay doing that 4 or 5 years in a row before making another ff? I dont think so. Not like he didnt get blue chip players at auburn

Nate oats has already been on record hes not interested in a UK type job
 
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MegaBlue05

MegaBlue05

Heisman
Mar 8, 2014
10,741
21,049
66
Ukbrassowtipin said:
You're also leaving out the huge fact, a lot of people dont want this job. Why deal with the insane ppl that want 40-0 every year.
Click to expand...

Some of us are in for a rude awakening because we don’t understand this job isn’t as attractive to candidates as it is to fans, largely because of … fans.

No, I’m not blaming the fanbase for anything, but we certainly have a reputation and not all of it is good.

I would even be willing to bet any coach who has won a title where they are won’t do anything but use us for a huge raise. Up and comer until we get it right might be in our future. Either that or someone like Cal who really wants the gig but is stuck outside the P4. We got really lucky with him being the right guy at the right time.
 
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A

Anon1679859502

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
4,852
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Farsight Clone said:
Based on the Data Above:
Here are the top 4 coaches who should be coaching if Pope doesn't pull something out his rear end.

1. Todd Golden
  • Ultimate Hardware: He is the only coach on this list with a National Championship (2025), proving he can navigate the pressure of a six-game tournament run to win it all.
  • SEC Mastery: He became the fastest coach in Florida history to reach 100 wins, demonstrating he understands how to dominate the specific conference Kentucky plays in.
  • Portal & High School Balance: He has mastered the "modern era," successfully blending elite freshmen with veteran transfers to maintain a #1 seed trajectory in 2026.
  • Golden is the "safest" bet for a title-hungry fan base. Kentucky expects championships as the standard, and Golden has already delivered one in the same conference.
  • Calculated demeanor fits a program that needs to be a "professional" winning machine.

2. Bruce Pearl
  • The Resume: With a .725 winning percentage, he is the most successful winner on your list. He is one of the few coaches in history to take two different "non-blue blood" programs (Milwaukee and Auburn) to the Sweet 16 or further.
  • Big Game Hunter: Pearl has 10 career wins against AP No. 1 teams, proving he doesn't fear the spotlight, thrives in it.
  • Proven Turnaround: He took an Auburn program with zero basketball tradition and turned it into a consistent Top-10 mainstay with two Final Fours.
  • The Personality: Kentucky fans crave a coach who embraces the "us against the world" siege mentality. Pearl is a master promoter and an elite motivator who would have Rupp Arena vibrating from the moment he walked in.
  • Recruiting Fire: Pearl’s recruiting style is high-energy and relational. He has a proven track record of beating blue bloods for elite talent (like Jabari Smith) and could easily pivot that energy to maintain Kentucky’s status as a recruiting juggernaut.
  • Tactical Pressure: His "Jungle" style of play—heavy pressure, high-speed transitions, and aggressive defense is the exact brand of "fun" basketball that Kentucky fans have missed during slower offensive eras.
3. Nate Oats
  • Elite Postseason Consistency: He has led Alabama to back-to-back Elite Eights (2024, 2025) and the program’s first-ever Final Four, proving his system works when the stakes are highest.
  • Recruiting Juggernaut: Oats consistently signs top-10 classes, proving he can go toe-to-toe with blue bloods for the 5-star "one-and-done" talent that Kentucky historically covets.
  • The "Giant Killer": He holds a winning record over established legends like Bruce Pearl and has a history of blowout wins against high-ranked opponents using his "math-based" offense.
  • Oats fits the "high-octane" identity Kentucky fans love. His system leads the nation in scoring and would turn Rupp Arena into a track meet.
  • He brings the swagger and the mathematical edge needed to keep Kentucky at the cutting edge of the NBA-style game.

4. Dusty May
  • Instant High-Major Success: After his FAU Final Four, he transitioned seamlessly to the Big Ten, recording a staggering .824 win percentage at Michigan over two seasons.
  • Elite Offensive Efficiency: His teams consistently rank near the top of the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, utilizing spacing and high-IQ playmaking.
  • Development Specialist: He has a reputation for taking 3-star recruits and turning them into NBA prospects, while also successfully integrating elite international talent.
  • May is the "basketball purist’s" choice. He is a tactical genius who avoids drama and focuses entirely on the "X’s and O’s."
  • For a Kentucky fan base that appreciates disciplined, smart, and unselfish basketball, May offers a sophisticated winning brand.
Click to expand...
You just did more homework than Mitch Barnhart did during the actual coaching search
 
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A

Anon1679859502

All-American
Jun 28, 2015
4,852
9,141
113
Ukbrassowtipin said:
You're also leaving out the huge fact, a lot of people dont want this job. Why deal with the insane ppl that want 40-0 every year.

Also, if Golden wins again this year, what's the appeal of UK? Thats the problem with fans and this board, they think coaches view UK the same way they do.

Also, you guys would want pearl fired...could hardly ever beat Calipari, outside those 2 final fours he never went past the 2nd rd at auburn...youre telling me youre all of a sudden gonna be okay doing that 4 or 5 years in a row before making another ff? I dont think so. Not like he didnt get blue chip players at auburn

Nate oats has already been on record hes not interested in a UK type job
Click to expand...
Where is this Nate Oats quote?
 
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M

megablue

Heisman
Oct 2, 2012
15,516
15,554
113
Farsight Clone said:
One thing I see on this board and all over social media are people only looking at "What have you done for me lately." Why it's valid to a degree, it's missing the mark. One must consider the bigger picture.

Kentucky is not a job you learn at. You are proven before you get the job. What does that mean?

Constant NCAA tourney success, constant sweet 16s, elite 8s over 10 year span. And/or at least 1 final four. Someone who can recruit high end players and develop tier 2 players who are just below the high end. Is competitive, and has a winning mindset. Unfortunately, for UK and a few other blue bloods you need to have a specific personality and temperament to handle the job. Also has to have a decent winning %.

There are many layers of variables one must consider for the coach.

Right now here are the Candidates that most want to replace Pope with, winning % wise.

Mark Pope | Overall: 227-132 | Winning: 63.2%
S16: 1
E8: 0
F4:

---

Bruce Pearl | Overall: 706-268 | Winning: 72.5%
S16: 4
E8: 2
F4: 2

Todd Golden | Overall: 185-75 | Winning: 67.8%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 1
Title: 1

Dusty May | Overall: 181-81 | Winning: 69.1%
S16: 2
E8: 1
F4: 1

Nate Oats | Overall: 264-114 | Winning: 68.8%
S16: 3
E8: 2
F4: 1

Grant McCasland | Overall: 262-109 | Winning: 70.6%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 0

T.J. Otzelberger | Overall: 218-114 | Winning: 65.7%
S16: 2
E8: 0
F4: 0

Mark Byington | Overall: 264-157 | Winning: 72.5%
S16: 4
E8: 2
F4: 2
Click to expand...
Is the Byington information correct ??
 
Son_Of_Saul

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,127
97,968
113
MegaBlue05 said:
Some of us are in for a rude awakening because we don’t understand this job isn’t as attractive to candidates as it is to fans, largely because of … fans.

No, I’m not blaming the fanbase for anything, but we certainly have a reputation and not all of it is good.

I would even be willing to bet any coach who has won a title where they are won’t do anything but use us for a huge raise. Up and comer until we get it right might be in our future. Either that or someone like Cal who really wants the gig but is stuck outside the P4. We got really lucky with him being the right guy at the right time.
Click to expand...
Not buying it.

Every fan base with expectations has fans like we do. You guys do this every year to try to mitigate expectations for what UK can actually accomplish. You really think fans of Alabama football, Kansas basketball, UNC basketball, Ohio State football have lesser expecations than UK basketball fans?

And guess what, tons of people want those jobs, too.

We have the best fans.
We have the most consistent resources.
We have the ability to outspend 99% of college basketball.

You might as well say that no program or franchise with expectations will ever land an elite coach. That's just objectively false and always will be.
 
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C

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,840
17,647
93
Ukbrassowtipin said:
You're also leaving out the huge fact, a lot of people dont want this job. Why deal with the insane ppl that want 40-0 every year.

Also, if Golden wins again this year, what's the appeal of UK? Thats the problem with fans and this board, they think coaches view UK the same way they do.

Also, you guys would want pearl fired...could hardly ever beat Calipari, outside those 2 final fours he never went past the 2nd rd at auburn...youre telling me youre all of a sudden gonna be okay doing that 4 or 5 years in a row before making another ff? I dont think so. Not like he didnt get blue chip players at auburn

Nate oats has already been on record hes not interested in a UK type job
Click to expand...
The unreasonable UK fan narrative isn't THAT strong if we can't tell it without such hyperbole.

I don't think a single fan expects 40-0 every year.

I expect to be competitive in nearly every game. I expect NOT to be down double digits in most games vs Power school opponents.
I expect to be in the top 25 pretty much every year.

I expect to win the SEC regular season championship more often than every 6 years (last win in 2020.)
I expect to make the SEC Tournament championship game more often than every 7 years (8 if we don't make it this year).

We should be in the 1 seed conversation most years, similar to schools like Duke and Kansas and Houston.
Shoot, we'd be a lot happier if we were in contention for a top 4 seed every year like Iowa State or Alabama.

I think most people have reasonable expectations. But the "Some coaches are scared of these crazy Kentucky fans" narrative is too much fun to let facts get in the way.

The reality is: Drew didn't leave because of family reasons. Hurley didn't leave because we didn't really have anything to offer him other than more money--and he still got a lot of money from UCONN. Then we panicked and went for the safe hire in Pope.
 
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Son_Of_Saul

Son_Of_Saul

Heisman
Dec 7, 2007
45,127
97,968
113
Ukbrassowtipin said:
You're also leaving out the huge fact, a lot of people dont want this job. Why deal with the insane ppl that want 40-0 every year.

Also, if Golden wins again this year, what's the appeal of UK? Thats the problem with fans and this board, they think coaches view UK the same way they do.

Also, you guys would want pearl fired...could hardly ever beat Calipari, outside those 2 final fours he never went past the 2nd rd at auburn...youre telling me youre all of a sudden gonna be okay doing that 4 or 5 years in a row before making another ff? I dont think so. Not like he didnt get blue chip players at auburn

Nate oats has already been on record hes not interested in a UK type job
Click to expand...
I actually think it's the opposite. I think a lot of our fans project themselves into the coaching picture and ask whether or not they would embrace the pressure. A lot of our fans would not, so they project that onto other coaches.

And yet we see elite programs in football and basketball constantly upgrade with newer elite coaches. The best coaches want the pressure. They want to win at the highest levels.

It's like the author who could retire after his fifth best seller, but he continues to write books because he loves the pressure of continuing to be great. We see this in politics, or with military leaders, or with CEOs, or with incredible musical artists. They're different than us because they don't think like we do. Most of us would take our first $3 million and go retire on a beach somewhere and live off the interest. Elite competitors don't think like that. It's part of the reason they've made it to where they have and we have not.

Kentucky is still to basketball what Alabama or Ohio State are to football. If you think that most elite coaches would shy away from that, why do you think the best programs consistently get the best coaches?
 
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BBNinSCar

BBNinSCar

All-Conference
Apr 23, 2013
1,365
2,158
81
Farsight Clone said:
Based on the Data Above:
Here are the top 4 coaches who should be coaching if Pope doesn't pull something out his rear end.

1. Todd Golden
  • Ultimate Hardware: He is the only coach on this list with a National Championship (2025), proving he can navigate the pressure of a six-game tournament run to win it all.
  • SEC Mastery: He became the fastest coach in Florida history to reach 100 wins, demonstrating he understands how to dominate the specific conference Kentucky plays in.
  • Portal & High School Balance: He has mastered the "modern era," successfully blending elite freshmen with veteran transfers to maintain a #1 seed trajectory in 2026.
  • Golden is the "safest" bet for a title-hungry fan base. Kentucky expects championships as the standard, and Golden has already delivered one in the same conference.
  • Calculated demeanor fits a program that needs to be a "professional" winning machine.

2. Bruce Pearl
  • The Resume: With a .725 winning percentage, he is the most successful winner on your list. He is one of the few coaches in history to take two different "non-blue blood" programs (Milwaukee and Auburn) to the Sweet 16 or further.
  • Big Game Hunter: Pearl has 10 career wins against AP No. 1 teams, proving he doesn't fear the spotlight, thrives in it.
  • Proven Turnaround: He took an Auburn program with zero basketball tradition and turned it into a consistent Top-10 mainstay with two Final Fours.
  • The Personality: Kentucky fans crave a coach who embraces the "us against the world" siege mentality. Pearl is a master promoter and an elite motivator who would have Rupp Arena vibrating from the moment he walked in.
  • Recruiting Fire: Pearl’s recruiting style is high-energy and relational. He has a proven track record of beating blue bloods for elite talent (like Jabari Smith) and could easily pivot that energy to maintain Kentucky’s status as a recruiting juggernaut.
  • Tactical Pressure: His "Jungle" style of play—heavy pressure, high-speed transitions, and aggressive defense is the exact brand of "fun" basketball that Kentucky fans have missed during slower offensive eras.
3. Nate Oats
  • Elite Postseason Consistency: He has led Alabama to back-to-back Elite Eights (2024, 2025) and the program’s first-ever Final Four, proving his system works when the stakes are highest.
  • Recruiting Juggernaut: Oats consistently signs top-10 classes, proving he can go toe-to-toe with blue bloods for the 5-star "one-and-done" talent that Kentucky historically covets.
  • The "Giant Killer": He holds a winning record over established legends like Bruce Pearl and has a history of blowout wins against high-ranked opponents using his "math-based" offense.
  • Oats fits the "high-octane" identity Kentucky fans love. His system leads the nation in scoring and would turn Rupp Arena into a track meet.
  • He brings the swagger and the mathematical edge needed to keep Kentucky at the cutting edge of the NBA-style game.

4. Dusty May
  • Instant High-Major Success: After his FAU Final Four, he transitioned seamlessly to the Big Ten, recording a staggering .824 win percentage at Michigan over two seasons.
  • Elite Offensive Efficiency: His teams consistently rank near the top of the country in adjusted offensive efficiency, utilizing spacing and high-IQ playmaking.
  • Development Specialist: He has a reputation for taking 3-star recruits and turning them into NBA prospects, while also successfully integrating elite international talent.
  • May is the "basketball purist’s" choice. He is a tactical genius who avoids drama and focuses entirely on the "X’s and O’s."
  • For a Kentucky fan base that appreciates disciplined, smart, and unselfish basketball, May offers a sophisticated winning brand.
Click to expand...
Dusty May lost more than 15 games a year in half of his coaching career. He has the FAU run, but nothing before that season and this year. Michigan won the portal and made smart choices, but May is unproven, IMO.
Nate Oats may be the most likely to come here of your group of candidates. He does not coach defense and he has future NBA coach written all over him.
Todd Golden will never leave Florida for Kentucky. They would match whatever we offered and they stuck with him while he was creeping on coeds. No Way
Bruce Pearl, please stay retired.
 
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Bugs092056

Bugs092056

All-Conference
Sep 20, 2022
893
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Son_Of_Saul said:
Not buying it.

Every fan base with expectations has fans like we do. You guys do this every year to try to mitigate expectations for what UK can actually accomplish. You really think fans of Alabama football, Kansas basketball, UNC basketball, Ohio State football have lesser expecations than UK?

And guess what, tons of people want those jobs, too.

We have the best fans.
We have the most consistern resources.
We have the ability to outspend 99% of college basketball.

You might as well say that no program or franchise with expectations will ever land an elite coach. That's just objectively false and always will be.
Click to expand...

The particular kind of posts you're replying to are buffoons that miss the point. The excellence that the program demands has been established. It's not about perfection, it's about meeting the program standards over its history. And currently its lacking
 
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T

TTTblue24

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2004
3,833
2,655
113
Pearl should be the coach right now and then after his 6-7 yrs or longer depending on his success, then Pope may have been seasoned enough to take this job. But for the situation we are in, Golden has to get the first call and then the 2nd as well. He is in a better position at Fla right now but football will always be #1 at Fla so maybe you could pry him away. If uk drops the ball on this and he ends up at KU like dykes mentioned during the game, then maybe you go after Oats or the Iowa st guy.

Idc if golden is a jerk or whatever, heck Pitino was a dbag here but he won and now wishes he was back here. I think golden sees potential career implication to do it somewhere like a Ky and I just hope that ship hasn’t sailed. You can’t blame him if he stays at Fla or jumps to the nba but the man is on top and the hot name at the moment.
 
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R

RationalFan

Redshirt
Mar 9, 2026
14
14
3
Everyone seems to love Golden. Say he was hired here and after his first 2 years he didn't get past the Sweet Sixteen? How many would want to fire him?
 
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wildcatmac9999

Redshirt
Jan 28, 2020
13
13
3
Ukbrassowtipin said:
So you wouldve passed on dan hurley, then passed on him again after his first 4 years at uconn?
Click to expand...
Longtime reader of the forums. Just registered today. Any coach that has won the champinship should not be considered for 2 reasons. Reason 1. the price tag (which not really a reason) 2. the main reason is because in the history of college basketball only 1 coach has won it all at 2 schools. And he got that school put on probation and the title stripped from them. So with that said. I was glad that Hurley and Drew did not take the job.
 
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C

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,840
17,647
93
RationalFan said:
Everyone seems to love Golden. Say he was hired here and after his first 2 years he didn't get past the Sweet Sixteen? How many would want to fire him?
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But he wasn't hired here. And he won a championship.

I'm not sure he'll come here. But the whole "What if he hadn't won in his 1st 2 years at UK" is out the window.

"Won big elsewhere">>>>>hasn't won big anywhere.
 
BlueSince92

BlueSince92

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Pitino ain’t getting any younger but he’s got a **** nothing team that he only kind of cares about in the top 15 right now. He would put his soul into a final three-year lap here, and is one of the most successful coaches of all time.

Why should we leave a guy off that list who would top it so easily and would kill to be here?
 
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UKAlum84

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Aug 4, 2022
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We've had better than Coach Pope, We've had worse than Coach Pope.

Just be happy that we aren't in the talks strictly for the Not Invited Tourney.

When this team can focus on winning, they can. Often though this is not the case.
 
B

Broker

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Farsight Clone said:
One thing I see on this board and all over social media are people only looking at "What have you done for me lately." Why it's valid to a degree, it's missing the mark. One must consider the bigger picture.

Kentucky is not a job you learn at. You are proven before you get the job. What does that mean?

Constant NCAA tourney success, constant sweet 16s, elite 8s over 10 year span. And/or at least 1 final four. Someone who can recruit high end players and develop tier 2 players who are just below the high end. Is competitive, and has a winning mindset. Unfortunately, for UK and a few other blue bloods you need to have a specific personality and temperament to handle the job. Also has to have a decent winning %.

There are many layers of variables one must consider for the coach.

Right now here are the Candidates that most want to replace Pope with, winning % wise.

Mark Pope | Overall: 227-132 | Winning: 63.2%
S16: 1
E8: 0
F4:

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Bruce Pearl | Overall: 706-268 | Winning: 72.5%
S16: 4
E8: 2
F4: 2

Todd Golden | Overall: 185-75 | Winning: 67.8%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 1
Title: 1

Dusty May | Overall: 181-81 | Winning: 69.1%
S16: 2
E8: 1
F4: 1

Nate Oats | Overall: 264-114 | Winning: 68.8%
S16: 3
E8: 2
F4: 1

Grant McCasland | Overall: 262-109 | Winning: 70.6%
S16: 1
E8: 1
F4: 0

T.J. Otzelberger | Overall: 218-114 | Winning: 65.7%
S16: 2
E8: 0
F4: 0

Mark Byington | Overall: 264-157 | Winning: 62.7%
S16: 0
E8: 0
F4: 0
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The coaches you have listed are NOT candidates, they are your wish list. Not a single coach on your list would take a phone call from us. We are delusional to think we are a top job in toay's basketball world. We will struggle to gt anyone that has a top 25 team. Why would any established coach want the crap our fanbase puts on a coach? Every coach that we would like to have are already making more money than they can spend. Would you leave a job making $5 million and very little pressure for $8 million with KY pressure? There is your answer. No one wants more for our Cats than I do but no way in hell would I want to put up with our unrealistic fans. The first two game losing streak our fans want the coach fired.
 
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ComebackCats98

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Some of you amaze me. Fans not being okay with finishing 9th in the SEC and losing 12 games in the regular season means we have 40-0 expectations I guess 🙄

Newsflash Pope hasn’t done a good job. Not by our fan’s standards and not by the media’s standards. Even Vitale was speaking facts on it. Yes BBN has expectations, but not 40-0 every year. That’s just insane. It’s going to be Pope supporters next defense I guess. “Sure we lost 14 games this year, but he is nice and doing a good job and we can’t get anyone else because our fans expect 40-0!!!”
 
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ComebackCats98

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Broker said:
The coaches you have listed are NOT candidates, they are your wish list. Not a single coach on your list would take a phone call from us. We are delusional to think we are a top job in toay's basketball world. We will struggle to gt anyone that has a top 25 team. Why would any established coach want the crap our fanbase puts on a coach? Every coach that we would like to have are already making more money than they can spend. Would you leave a job making $5 million and very little pressure for $8 million with KY pressure? There is your answer. No one wants more for our Cats than I do but no way in hell would I want to put up with our unrealistic fans. The first two game losing streak our fans want the coach fired.
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Yes definitely the coach at Vanderbilt and Texas Tech would not even bother to hear from UK’s administration as a candidate 😂

Pope’s a whopping 3 games better than Billy G so far and has Kentucky a 9 seed in the SEC tournament. It’s definitely just fans being unreasonable though. Very great year by the coaches. He is doing a great job and killing it. Player development, recruiting and winning games at a high level!
 
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wildcatdon

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Oct 17, 2012
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95% of UK fans don’t post on this board or any others. If you think potential coaches don’t come to uk because of fans posting, you are giving yourselves way too much credit. Geez. Offer the job to Pitino or Pearl and see who bites. If neither then offer Tommy Lloyd the moon.
 
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