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Even UNC is missing out on Good Coaches

F

Farsight Clone

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
2,464
4,660
103
So apparently, May, Lloyd and even McCollum said no to UNC.

That makes me a bit worried if Pope doesn't work out, who we would land.

I think Pearl would do it depending on AD/if Pope is gone after year 3.

However, it's interesting that UNC is striking out on big name coaching as well.

It makes me wonder if the NIL era has a lot of blame for that since kids can now get paid. You have more options. It seems like if you someone to coach at a blue blood now, it has to be about the optics.



 
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MdWIldcat55

MdWIldcat55

Heisman
Dec 9, 2007
21,268
84,821
113
UNC fans will be calling Malone "Bill Belichick Light" by December - another pro coach with no college experience who looked good on paper but quickly proved he knew nothing about running a college program. Insanity, as Einstein noted, is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.

UNC homers on Fan Boards are trying to put a good face on it by noting he was a college ASSISTANT at one time, but the more savvy folks note that winning an NBA championship with the best player on the planet and Jamal Murray to go with him is not the same as running a college program, especially in the NIL era and with no previous experience. And after winning, he got fired within two years basically because he was seen as part of the team underachieving and toxic culture.

As someone who loathes UNC-Cheats as the most corrupt program in college basketball history, I've been scared that they'd get May or Lloyd or at least Donovan or McCollum or Otzelberger. Any of those would have been a home run.

This is a called third strike looking.
 
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TFCat11

TFCat11

Heisman
Mar 25, 2019
5,774
10,146
108
It’s more about yearly NIL $$$ commitments and job expectations now, than historical status from the past era, and a lot of these schools have leveled the playing field, and in many cases, surpassed it, now that pay for play is here to stay.

All it takes is a few deep pockets, and just like that, the Arizona’s and Michigan’s of the world have more to offer these coaches than the traditional Blue Bloods can under the current system.

The one program that is the exception is Duke, because they have billionaire alumni lined up to treat the current recruiting landscape like their own personal side hobby.
 
W

WeWant9_rivals

Heisman
Dec 18, 2013
6,868
18,242
113
I use to think you could look at guys who made a FF and sell them on a blue blood being able to take them to the top. Now, every school has the money and resources to keep a decent coach happy.

None of the blue blood programs have taken away a top level coach in awhile. UK went with a former player with mostly mid-major coaching experience. UNC kept it in house at first with Davis and now replaced him with a fired NBA coach with hardly any college experience. Duke kept it in house with Scheyer. I imagine KU goes through the same stuff here in a year.
 
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P

Praetorian Cat

Sophomore
Mar 22, 2026
100
195
33
This is the perfect storm for a college team to get Donovan next year. I really don't think he stays with the Bulls and I doubt a lot of other NBA teams are interested in him as HC right now.

My guess is he takes a year off and has his pick of college jobs next year. Hopefully the stars finally align for him and UK.
 
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TigerMoving

TigerMoving

Heisman
Jul 13, 2014
7,901
21,865
113
Farsight Clone said:
He needs more time to prove him self. Its a non from me until then.
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That issue is once these guys "prove" themselves at a P4 university then those schools lock them up with massive deals and resource guarantees. If Jai leads Miami to a Final Four then they won't let him leave. I would take Jai right now, I think he could easily be the next big time winner.
 
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J

Jeff Hoyt

Sophomore
Apr 11, 2024
58
111
33
Farsight Clone said:
So apparently, May, Lloyd and even McCollum said no to UNC.

That makes me a bit worried if Pope doesn't work out, who we would land.

I think Pearl would do it depending on AD/if Pope is gone after year 3.

However, it's interesting that UNC is striking out on big name coaching as well.

It makes me wonder if the NIL era has a lot of blame for that since kids can now get paid. You have more options. It seems like if you someone to coach at a blue blood now, it has to be about the optics.



Click to expand...

No, that cannot be. We know from reading this board that UK could have gotten anyone they wanted.
 
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Black Sheep ITVI

Black Sheep ITVI

Junior
Sep 7, 2025
144
265
63
I actually think seeing all this play out now COULD be a BLESSING in disguise. Hopefully, our fans see this and understand the landscape going forward. If Pope doesn’t do enough to remain the head man, fans should be more willing to take a gamble on an up and comer in the next coaching cycle. Also, no change should be made until we have our man.
 
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Drogon

Drogon

All-Conference
Mar 14, 2017
1,693
2,235
113
I hope you guys are right and UNC is looking for another coach in 3 years, but I think this is a great hire for them.
 
C

ChocoChicken

Freshman
Apr 6, 2026
39
98
18
Farsight Clone said:
Jai has potential, but yet super unproven just like Pope.
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Jai Lucas should be one of the first we call. Has history with Kentucky and is considered a phenomenal recruiter. Did pretty well his first season at Miami and will get an opportunity to show if he can keep it up next year, presuming CMP doesn’t live up to expectations next season.
 
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Ash Williams

Ash Williams

Heisman
Aug 3, 2022
8,056
26,073
113
Black Sheep ITVI said:
I actually think seeing all this play out now COULD be a BLESSING in disguise. Hopefully, our fans see this and understand the landscape going forward. If Pope doesn’t do enough to remain the head man, fans should be more willing to take a gamble on an up and comer in the next coaching cycle. Also, no change should be made until we have our man.
Click to expand...
Why do you keep talking like the fans have even the most infinitesimal say in the decision making process?

Are you gaslighting yourself?

It DOES. NOT. MATTER. what BBN wants.
 
C

ChocoChicken

Freshman
Apr 6, 2026
39
98
18
Artlaibesghost said:
And exactly what has he won Doc. I've been reading on here that bigtime success is necessary to coach here so what truly notable coaching feat has he performed?
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He was 3rd in conference and made the second round his first year at Miami. All things considered, he’s been identified as one of the best up-and-coming coaches in college basketball and is a great recruiter to boot. If UK can’t pull off a big-time hire, Lucas would be a creative one at least.
 
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*Fox2Monk*

*Fox2Monk*

Heisman
Jun 10, 2009
44,810
80,712
113
MdWIldcat55 said:
UNC fans will be calling Malone "Bill Belichick Light" by December - another pro coach with no college experience who looked good on paper but quickly proved he knew nothing about running a college program. Insanity, as Einstein noted, is doing the same thing over again and expecting different results.

UNC homers on Fan Boards are trying to put a good face on it by noting he was a college ASSISTANT at one time, but the more savvy folks note that winning an NBA championship with the best player on the planet and Jamal Murray to go with him is not the same as running a college program, especially in the NIL era and with no previous experience. And after winning, he got fired within two years basically because he was seen as part of the team underachieving and toxic culture.

As someone who loathes UNC-Cheats as the most corrupt program in college basketball history, I've been scared that they'd get May or Lloyd or at least Donovan or McCollum or Otzelberger. Any of those would have been a home run.

This is a called third strike looking.
Click to expand...
We know dude can coach, it’s a matter of if his staff can navigate the college game for him at this point.
 
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LadyCaytIL

LadyCaytIL

Heisman
Oct 28, 2012
32,651
33,940
113
UNC ended up with a guy who's won a title in the NBA so he knows basketball. We have a former UK team manager who won an NBA title with Davis and Lebron we could have tried to go after but didnt. Would have been better than career mid Pope.

what this should teach us is that the normal blue bloods cant just expect the best coaches will give up their comfortable successful jobs they already have. You have to have a long list of good coaches and know what you are doing as an AD. They had to fall back on someone that has had success at the level he was at, our AD pissed down his leg showing that Cal leaving caught him off guard to the point he had no real plan outside of Coach Drew LOL
 
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U

UK BasketballFan

Junior
Mar 16, 2022
143
254
62
Farsight Clone said:
So apparently, May, Lloyd and even McCollum said no to UNC.

That makes me a bit worried if Pope doesn't work out, who we would land.

I think Pearl would do it depending on AD/if Pope is gone after year 3.

However, it's interesting that UNC is striking out on big name coaching as well.

It makes me wonder if the NIL era has a lot of blame for that since kids can now get paid. You have more options. It seems like if you someone to coach at a blue blood now, it has to be about the optics.



Click to expand...

UNC pain
Farsight Clone said:
So apparently, May, Lloyd and even McCollum said no to UNC.

That makes me a bit worried if Pope doesn't work out, who we would land.

I think Pearl would do it depending on AD/if Pope is gone after year 3.

However, it's interesting that UNC is striking out on big name coaching as well.

It makes me wonder if the NIL era has a lot of blame for that since kids can now get paid. You have more options. It seems like if you someone to coach at a blue blood now, it has to be about the optics.



Click to expand...

UNC panicked and got a NBA champion coach. Mitch panicked and we got Mark Pope. Big difference!!
 
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U

UK BasketballFan

Junior
Mar 16, 2022
143
254
62
Farsight Clone said:
I understand. It does "seem" like a way better hire. It more than likely is. But the big question is will it translate well from NBA to college.
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I understand your point but the portal is similar to free agency. You need a GM and together you use the money you have to piece together a team. Although not the same CBB is more similar to the NBA than ever before.
 
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Cowtown Cat

Cowtown Cat

Heisman
Aug 23, 2015
23,972
54,352
100
Lmao reality setting in yet?! Looks like it is. Been saying on here for YEARS that we can’t just go grab any coach we want. Doesn’t work that way.
 
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G

Gobigblue812812

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2025
1,132
1,526
113
UK BasketballFan said:
I understand your point but the portal is similar to free agency. You need a GM and together you use the money you have to piece together a team. Although not the same CBB is more similar to the NBA than ever before.
Click to expand...

It may be more similar than ever but it's nowhere near the NBA.

NBA teams dont have to possibly completely overhaul their entire team every year. College kids are all basically on 1 year contracts and can enter the portal yearly. This is nothing like free agency.

There is no salary cap in college.

Kids can quit on their team mid-season with no real penalty.

Kids dont get fined for disciplinary reason like the NBA.

Kids get recruited. Not drafted.

College coaches have to deal with parents, family, etc and can hold a coach hostage.

Other than paying players, it's not really like the NBA.

Hiring an NBA coach may work, but it won't be easy.
 
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