I’ve yet to see anyone defend him long term. If you mean defend him having a prove it or lose it third year? Yeah, I’m in that camp.
We should feel embarrassed right now
- Thread starter FatCatMan
- Start date
I’m not sure I’d consider my view optimistic or pessimistic, more pragmatic.
Fine. I just laugh at the whole project. Mark Pope? Not a serious big time coach. Please tell why you think he'll make it happen
One of the assistants should delete the scouting report when they make it for the tournament and tell Pope to just coach and quit subbing after we go on a run.
Pope doesn't need one more year if it were up to me we would've made a change mid season even on an interim basis to shake things up and try to motivate the players some cuz clearly they've quit on him
14 years ago. 14 FOURTEEN YEARS AGO
@ukfootball first of all I wouldn’t take a position I can’t do and I’m not qualified for. I was asked to be a clinical educator in another state and said no because I didn’t have that kind of experience and was comfortable in the role I was in. It was a pay increase and better position. So, there ya go.
Mark dosnt need more time number 1 he’s already shown himself incompetent. Giving more time just makes the situation worse. He’s also about to be the first guy to lose a NIKE kid to adidas, at KENTUCKY. He’s no far in over his head it’s insane. I understand what you’re saying but this is a unique case. He wasn’t qualified for the job, he needs to go lower where he’s comfortable and do what’s best for UK and himself and his family. He’s obviously not looking good either. Why do you want him to stay and lose his legacy and get killed here?
Mark dosnt need more time number 1 he’s already shown himself incompetent. Giving more time just makes the situation worse. He’s also about to be the first guy to lose a NIKE kid to adidas, at KENTUCKY. He’s no far in over his head it’s insane. I understand what you’re saying but this is a unique case. He wasn’t qualified for the job, he needs to go lower where he’s comfortable and do what’s best for UK and himself and his family. He’s obviously not looking good either. Why do you want him to stay and lose his legacy and get killed here?
I used to spend a lot of time on this topic but you learn over time that you can’t override what people WANT to be true. We are all prone to cognitive bias. I can lay out very clearly a detailed outline and demonstrate why Pope is getting a third year. However, if you don’t want a third year, what you are going to do is not accept what doesn’t conform to your premise. That’s how this works. It’s why I just agree to disagree with people on it. I can be cool with people who want Pope to jump off a cliff but I just have a different view on what his career at Kentucky has been — it isn’t a trainwreck yet, but year three will decide it.
I dont blame pope for this, I blame the powers that be. He shouldn't have gotten the job and its a disaster for all. Who's enjoying this, honestly
so? In 14 years does Florida’s championship not matter anymore? Ever heard of cognitive bias? It’s called recency bias and it’s a real bias which means it’s you making up rules that have nothing to do with reality based on your perception of importance. And it’ll paint a picture that doesn’t exist if it’s not checked.
For Calipari he’s not winning anything big so I agree if that’s what you’re saying, but the cherry picking logical fallacies “since 2,000” and cognitive bias statements are just rampant here.
. /thread
I actually agree that Pope didn’t have the resume to get the job. I’ll hope for the best until he’s gone
Me too, but reality has shown hes kinda mid. Can't dispute itI actually agree that Pope didn’t have the resume to get the job. I’ll hope for the best until he’s gone
Yeah it's so weird for fans saying they're "embarrassed." Like why is Billy Joe Wildcat embarrassed?
You're so weird. And I'm calling ******** on all these these fans you've "spoke" [sic] to. Such a ppompous long winded blowhard
Depends on what you mean. Year one was slightly better than Kentucky average and he did it under unique circumstances. Year two has been a failure. We could debate all day about why. Part of that leads to why there will be a third year in the first place.
We will all be in more agreement a year from today if year 3 isn’t what it needs to be.
If Cal can win a final4 in a year or two with Arkansas, its definitely not going to be a great look for BBN and UK. How many times in sports history did an elite program basically boot the elite and proven coach, and he goes to a lesser school and continues to win at a pretty high level, while the replacement we get is nowhere near as successful as who we had? Not often.
Cal winning the SECT while we still look like we're not ready to compete for anything more than maybe a trip to to the second weekend, is definitely a new low for UK basketball. Happy for Cal though. And im glad hes been vindicated for some (not all) of the blame we gave him. If we were a little more patient and forgiving in the late 2010s, we might not have had the problems in the 2020s. Not to mention maybe getting rid of that sad sack Mitch first should have been the move. Things could be a lot different now. Flame away.
Cal winning the SECT while we still look like we're not ready to compete for anything more than maybe a trip to to the second weekend, is definitely a new low for UK basketball. Happy for Cal though. And im glad hes been vindicated for some (not all) of the blame we gave him. If we were a little more patient and forgiving in the late 2010s, we might not have had the problems in the 2020s. Not to mention maybe getting rid of that sad sack Mitch first should have been the move. Things could be a lot different now. Flame away.
I guess we just dont agree on his ultimate capabilities as head coach here. Injuries notwithstanding, I don't think he has the goods. No hard feelings toward him
Elephant in the room is, you had better believe Mitchie Poo will have a pretty hefty say in who the next AD is. We could be looking at a "new boss, same as the old boss" situation.
Somehow, Kentucky needs to get beyond the stuffy, old money, traditional way of doing things. Yes, we've won a LOT here but, that was in the past. Our last FF was 11 years ago, we last played on Sunday at the SEC-T 7 years ago and our last Elite Eight game was 8 years ago. To me it's like the program needs to be gutted. Everything from top to bottom. Nothing epitomizes how bland and utterly lame we are than that "BLUE!...WHITE!" cheer. This program is in serious danger of becoming the next IU because we don't demand excellence anymore. It's like the fans have been ostricized by the athletic department. We have to regain a connection to the program our passion helped create. And soon!
Somehow, Kentucky needs to get beyond the stuffy, old money, traditional way of doing things. Yes, we've won a LOT here but, that was in the past. Our last FF was 11 years ago, we last played on Sunday at the SEC-T 7 years ago and our last Elite Eight game was 8 years ago. To me it's like the program needs to be gutted. Everything from top to bottom. Nothing epitomizes how bland and utterly lame we are than that "BLUE!...WHITE!" cheer. This program is in serious danger of becoming the next IU because we don't demand excellence anymore. It's like the fans have been ostricized by the athletic department. We have to regain a connection to the program our passion helped create. And soon!
I don’t think Arkansas is any better or worse than they were a week ago. Winning the SEC tourney doesn’t change my opinion at all.
Cal doing good at Arkansas could be a net positive for our program. Kind of thing couldn’t matter any less to me, but it matters to a lot of fans. This will cause the athletic department to feel more pressured to prioritize winning now in basketball. That will motivate boosters as well. Ultimately, Arkansas winning SECT, going to a Final Four or even getting a natty really won’t matter that much in the grand scheme of things. If anything, someone putting a gun to my head right now — if I had the choice to press a button and Arkansas is guaranteed to be national champs this year, I’d press the button. Hell of a lot better than Duke, UConn, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA or anyone relevant doing it. Also, Cal is old and he won’t be coaching that much longer anyway.
Those rich people don’t care. Rupp is just a social matter to them. Go out to dinner and have something to do in the winter.
Why in the hell should I, or anyone else feel embarrassed?
It's a freaking GAME!
I'm just a spectator who sits back and observes with hopes that the team I root for wins.
Anyone with a job, a family, religious beliefs, friends ect that lives and dies with a game that involves kids throwing a leather ball through an iron hoop, needs to re-assess their priorities.
It's a freaking GAME!
I'm just a spectator who sits back and observes with hopes that the team I root for wins.
Anyone with a job, a family, religious beliefs, friends ect that lives and dies with a game that involves kids throwing a leather ball through an iron hoop, needs to re-assess their priorities.
Theyre kinda one of the worst things about this place. Sorry not sorry
Cal did everything possible against the fan base. He was lazy and did nothing. No idea about rift with Mitch but was glad when he left. Pope is truly a disgrace. His product is grade school level. The st johns uconn game displayed coaches with passion. Both played hard and both had schemes. Pitino still proving he is still a master even without "name" players and his advanced age.
None of this happened. Why do you continue to fabricate stories? Boosters did not advocate for Bruce Pearl. You are one strange dude Morg.
You’re more than welcome to not believe it. You would do well to know in private more has been said shown on this topic lol? And you’re not involved in that for a reason. Keep sounding like a moron I don’t know who you are and your opinion is irrelevant anyway.
Y’all, the tantruming and crashing out and pining for Cal because his team won the conference tournament with wins over the 11 seed, 15 seed and 4 seed is embarrassing. Congrats to Cal.
This entire board spent years, going back to 2018 or earlier, screaming for Cal’s head. (I was an ardent supporter until 9-16. St. Peter’s turned me apathetic to Cal and Oakland turned me against him. I appreciate what he did here and was ready for him to leave. Mark Pope was not on my short list. )
After COVID, Cal’s results really dropped. He followed a losing season by getting upset by a 15 and 14 seed twice in three tournaments. Also, his team last year that was an 11 seed would’ve basically been our team.
He started feuding publicly with fans, media and even other UK coaches. The fanbase that once adored him couldn’t stand the sound of his voice. The toxicity would’ve only gotten worse if he would’ve stayed, especially if the results for 2024-25 were similar to Arkansas last year. Cal had a poor relationship with the administration and boosters, and flat out got complacent. He didn’t care about winning here anymore. It turned to a loveless marriage, and the more we complained the more stubborn he became.
We all know motivated Cal is the best Cal, and I am sure he’s motivated right now to shove our noses in it as much as he can. That version of Cal was never coming back to Kentucky. That version ceased to exist somewhere around 2019.
I’m not embarrassed at all. History suggests Cal’s replacement won’t be as good as he was, just like Hall wasn’t as good as Rupp and Tubby wasn’t as good as Pitino.
Careful what you wish for, but also sleep in the bed we make.
This entire board spent years, going back to 2018 or earlier, screaming for Cal’s head. (I was an ardent supporter until 9-16. St. Peter’s turned me apathetic to Cal and Oakland turned me against him. I appreciate what he did here and was ready for him to leave. Mark Pope was not on my short list. )
After COVID, Cal’s results really dropped. He followed a losing season by getting upset by a 15 and 14 seed twice in three tournaments. Also, his team last year that was an 11 seed would’ve basically been our team.
He started feuding publicly with fans, media and even other UK coaches. The fanbase that once adored him couldn’t stand the sound of his voice. The toxicity would’ve only gotten worse if he would’ve stayed, especially if the results for 2024-25 were similar to Arkansas last year. Cal had a poor relationship with the administration and boosters, and flat out got complacent. He didn’t care about winning here anymore. It turned to a loveless marriage, and the more we complained the more stubborn he became.
We all know motivated Cal is the best Cal, and I am sure he’s motivated right now to shove our noses in it as much as he can. That version of Cal was never coming back to Kentucky. That version ceased to exist somewhere around 2019.
I’m not embarrassed at all. History suggests Cal’s replacement won’t be as good as he was, just like Hall wasn’t as good as Rupp and Tubby wasn’t as good as Pitino.
Careful what you wish for, but also sleep in the bed we make.
Was only replying to the guy implying cal was a better coach cause he won a national championship in 2012. His last 4 years at UK doesn't get a pass because of 2012.
You completely tried to skate around answering the question. Completely different situations
Pope.was already a head coach ,so he can clearly do the job. So assuming it's a job you can do and you get key important pieces taken away after you are hired with little to no way to replace due to things complex out of your control and you got fired, would you feel your firing was justified? Stop a avoiding the actual question and lie to me by saying you felt you deserved to be fired.
I mean if thats true, than im all for it. But it remains to be seen if this basketball program will truly pull its head out of its own ***. Hurdle #1 is hiring the right AD/GM and not just hiring friends of the program.
Fans, donors, businesses, and benefactors should absolutely be livid with the state of the program right now, and just how far behind the ball we've let this become. Cal taking his proven model to a lesser program, with a real shot at a Fianl4, should be a kick in the nuts to us fans and the people who spend time and money to keep Kentucky at the top.
^ This right here is exactly my point. We are on the same page. We get so wrapped up in “winning the breakup” as if it f****** matters that we don’t see this might be the kick in the tail we need around here.
I’ll call the hogs myself if Golden, Hurley and Scheyer have to watch the presentation. Cal will be retired before long and it’ll be “that thing that happened.”
I clearly said “first of all” meaning at the beginning I wouldn’t have taken the job anyway. First implying go back to the start. Pope had no business advocating himself for this position, he wasn’t qualified and he knew that. So anything that happens after it, like being fired in year 2, is absolutely justified. Worst recruiting in history, first coach to likely lose a Nike kid to an adidas school in history, first UK coach to take Kentucky to Wednesday of the tournament. First time I’ve ever seen a Kentucky player who we advocated to stay leave for a program like Ole Miss. Mark is not fit for Kentucky or any elite program and the evidence is overwhelming. Given that fact yes firing him at the end of the year is warranted. He’s doing this during the NIL era where he’s got more money at his disposal than any coach in history before him.
13 years, 2 tournament wins (0 until until year 12), 63% winning%, zero conference titles, zero outright titles.
Yes an elite program is well within its right to make a move on that in year 2. Absolutely 100%. Does that answer your question? If I missed it again I tried.
And it is. Calipari couldn’t stay here for a lot of reasons, but the boosters advocated for Pearl and that’s where the frustration is really going to set it. Mitch killed the Peal offer and got this president to sign off. Lee Todd wouldn’t have ever let Barnhart do this. That’s where the problem will be major, and it’s why Barnhart had to go on out and take the made up job now. After next season he might not be able to sell it, or would be tough to do so.
I’m not embarrassed at all. I wasn’t involved in the hiring process.
We had/have 3 starters injured for almost the entire season. Pope has dealt with statistically improbable amounts of injuries in his first two seasons here.
You fans acting like Pope just started his coaching career he is going into his twelveth season next year look at his record he is who we think he is. 10 to 12 losses a year subpar recruiting history and no championships of any kind . You Pope slurppers better get with reality and get out of lala land he will keep us has a bottom feeder in the SEC.
Do you think it has any correlation to the strength and conditioning staff or just unfortunate?