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The Pope is one of us theory.

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Tim0808

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Apr 4, 2013
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Where were all the fans with the stance that we should not criticize Pope because he is one of us, when JOKER PHILLIPS was getting torched on here everyday? Joker Phillips really was one of us. He was born in Franklin Kentucky, he grew up in Kentucky playing High School football and won a state Championship, as a player he lead the University of Kentucky to the Hall of Fame Bowl Championship (know as the Outback/ ReliaQuest Bowl) and a Top 20 AP ranking and #17 in coaches Poll, he help coach Kentucky to upset the #1 team in the Country in 2007 and a Top 7 ranking. He took the program to a Bowl Game his first year. Now you can say Pope is one of us and yes he played here for 2 seasons. However, he rode the coat tails of some lottery picks. He wasn't born here and he only played here 2 years averaging 7.9 points a game. No one took it easy on Joker and rightful so and no one should take it easy on Pope. We are paying him millions! If being one of us is a requirement, then give it to John Pelphrey, Travis Ford, Derek Anderson, Rajon Rondo or someone that is really one of us. At least Pelphrey has won two regular season titles and one tournament title and a NCAA tournament game. More than Pope can say with out having the Kentucky Brand.

To just clarify, none of these guys are ready for the program either, but I would rather have them than Pope.
 
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C

Cats_2010

Heisman
Jan 8, 2010
11,830
20,172
103
Pope may love the university and bleed blue but it doesn’t make him qualified to be the head coach. If I had my way, I’d waltz through the front door and kick every single highly rated official of this administration out on their *** for allowing this **** show to happen and continue.
 
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Im The Village Idiot

Im The Village Idiot

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Sep 7, 2025
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To me, being "one of us" is enough to ensure we don't mistreat our coach. That said, being "one of us" won't keep him from being removed if he doesn't perform as expected.

I'll not get personal about "one of our own". However, it is becoming increasingly clear, his time is running out as the centerpiece of this program. He could've been from Yugoslavia, Youngstown OH or Middlesboro and if the results aren't enough to stay, we find someone else. Simple.
 
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Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
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The fact that we’re even having this discussion illustrates why it’s best NOT to hire from within the family.

The “one of us” thing should never be a factor when assessing a coach. All it does is cloud people’s judgment. Causes bad hires. And makes the situation extra difficult when things don’t go as planned.
 
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STL_Cat

Heisman
Dec 4, 2011
65,033
58,022
98
I think most of us were pretty supportive of Joker early on. Then he went 5-7, 2-10 in his 2nd and 3rd years. I’d say if Pope does anything like that in year 3 it will be much the same. Hell it ain’t far off that now.
 
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DudahUK

DudahUK

Heisman
Jul 23, 2020
6,995
11,099
113
Tim0808 said:
Where were all the fans with the stance that we should not criticize Pope because he is one of us, when JOKER PHILLIPS was getting torched on here everyday? Joker Phillips really was one of us. He was born in Franklin Kentucky, he grew up in Kentucky playing High School football and won a state Championship, as a player he lead the University of Kentucky to the Hall of Fame Bowl Championship (know as the Outback/ ReliaQuest Bowl) and a Top 20 AP ranking and #17 in coaches Poll, he help coach Kentucky to upset the #1 team in the Country in 2007 and a Top 7 ranking. He took the program to a Bowl Game his first year. Now you can say Pope is one of us and yes he played here for 2 seasons. However, he rode the coat tails of some lottery picks. He wasn't born here and he only played here 2 years averaging 7.9 points a game. No one took it easy on Joker and rightful so and no one should take it easy on Pope. We are paying him millions! If being one of us is a requirement, then give it to John Pelphrey, Travis Ford, Derek Anderson, Rajon Rondo or someone that is really one of us. At least Pelphrey has won two regular season titles and one tournament title and a NCAA tournament game. More than Pope can say with out having the Kentucky Brand.

To just clarify, none of these guys are ready for the program either, but I would rather have them than Pope.
Click to expand...
This is true. They both are/did rightfully getting what they are due. They suck as coaches. This isn’t a popularity contest.
 
TheApostleSaulSmith

TheApostleSaulSmith

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Mar 30, 2026
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It's not a theory. He is the very definition of "one of us". He won a championship as a player here.

And it definitely helped him get his foot in the door in the first place.
But it frankly shouldn't matter anymore. Judge him on his merits.
There's enough factual statistical evidence (most of it bad, some of it admittedly good) to make a judgment on Pope.
Whether or not he's "one of us" is immaterial.
Scott Padgett is also "one of us" and I don't see anyone pushing for him to come be head coach.
 
anot

anot

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Mar 27, 2026
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Well Pope is white and he's into the religion stuff with Mitch so there's that. Pope isn't one of us. He just happened to be on that 96 team. He's actually starting to seem to be completely opposite of us. Comparing his best two years as a coach to cals last four years. Dudes a joke. Therefore UK is a joke until he leaves.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
113
Tim0808 said:
Where were all the fans with the stance that we should not criticize Pope because he is one of us, when JOKER PHILLIPS was getting torched on here everyday? Joker Phillips really was one of us. He was born in Franklin Kentucky, he grew up in Kentucky playing High School football and won a state Championship, as a player he lead the University of Kentucky to the Hall of Fame Bowl Championship (know as the Outback/ ReliaQuest Bowl) and a Top 20 AP ranking and #17 in coaches Poll, he help coach Kentucky to upset the #1 team in the Country in 2007 and a Top 7 ranking. He took the program to a Bowl Game his first year. Now you can say Pope is one of us and yes he played here for 2 seasons. However, he rode the coat tails of some lottery picks. He wasn't born here and he only played here 2 years averaging 7.9 points a game. No one took it easy on Joker and rightful so and no one should take it easy on Pope. We are paying him millions! If being one of us is a requirement, then give it to John Pelphrey, Travis Ford, Derek Anderson, Rajon Rondo or someone that is really one of us. At least Pelphrey has won two regular season titles and one tournament title and a NCAA tournament game. More than Pope can say with out having the Kentucky Brand.

To just clarify, none of these guys are ready for the program either, but I would rather have them than Pope.
Click to expand...
Nobody is saying you shouldn't critisize Pope, I wish you guys would stop twisting this stuff.

What we are saying is, stop hurling insults, like "Mark Dope", "I hate Pope", or "Mark Poop". Can we at least show some class? Why would we hate, or crush the guy, when it's Mitch that should be feeling the heat.

Y'all hate him because he didn't quit. That's ridiculous. He's not going to trash his reputation and be known as a quitter, because "Timmy" on Rupp Rafters isn’t happy.

Also, 99% of us that aren't flipping out, aren’t Pope fans, we're just letting it play out and we're also calling you guys out on your ridiculous behavior and comments.

Heck, you guys are trashing Pope worse than you did Cal when he went 9-16 and lost at home to VMI and Richmond.
 
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U

Ukbrassowtipin

Heisman
Aug 12, 2011
82,259
90,192
113
Post really makes no sense, ppl supported Joker at first bc they thought they were going to get an extension of Brooks, then he was awful. And UK football returned where it was before in the cellar.

Pope's first yr wasnt bad, then last yr was terrible

Ppl have been pretty equally pissed at both

Ppl care more about basketball here, pope was the captain of a team that won a championship under a coach ppl obsess about.
 
T

Tim0808

All-Conference
Apr 4, 2013
893
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kyjeff1 said:
Nobody is saying you shouldn't critisize Pope, I wish you guys would stop twisting this stuff.

What we are saying is, stop hurling insults, like "Mark Dope", "I hate Pope", or "Mark Poop". Can we at least show some class? Why would we hate, or crush the guy, when it's Mitch that should be feeling the heat.

Y'all hate him because he didn't quit. That's ridiculous. He's not going to trash his reputation and be known as a quitter, because "Timmy" on Rupp Rafters isn’t happy.

Also, 99% of us that aren't flipping out, aren’t Pope fans, we're just letting it play out and we're also calling you guys out on your ridiculous behavior and comments.

Heck, you guys are trashing Pope worse than you did Cal when he went 9-16 and lost at home to VMI and Richmond.
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It is funny how you say you should not be calling people names and then in the same sentence you refer to someone as "Timmy" trying to be a smart a**.
It is funny how hypocrites call others out but they travel the same path.
Well, Mitch has not coached a game.
However. Pope told the fan base he knew the assignment. He played a big role in hyping up his ability. You talk the talk, then walk the walk.
He is not living up to the talk and now it is time for him to take a walk.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
113
Tim0808 said:
It is funny how you say you should not be calling people names and then in the same sentence you refer to someone as "Timmy" trying to be a smart a**.
It is funny how hypocrites call others out but they travel the same path.
Well, Mitch has not coached a game.
However. Pope told the fan base he knew the assignment. He played a big role in hyping up his ability. You talk the talk, then walk the walk.
He is not living up to the talk and now it is time for him to take a walk.
Click to expand...
So Pope said he understood the assignment and because he had 1 bad season, where he lost the team, in your mind, you're viewing it as a lie?

You understand the assignment, right? Does that mean you’re guaranteeing you would coach the program to a FF? Just because he understands the assignment, doesn't mean all his players magically stay healthy and hit every shot they fire up.

It wasn't a lie, but this crap isn’t easy either.

And me calling you "Timmy", isn't close to all the, so called, UK fans calling Mark Pope names like Mark Dope and Mark Poop. Not even close.

It looks to me like this is a much tougher job than Pooe realized, but he’s not failing from a lack of effort and there's no guarantee he will fail. He did well enough to get a 3 seed his first year, so lets not act like it's been an all systems failure.
 
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LineSkiCat14

LineSkiCat14

Heisman
Aug 5, 2015
39,079
61,369
113
Honestly, Cal is much more "one of us" than Pope is, and likely ever will be. He coached here for 15 years, won a title and final 4s, kept us from turning into a laughing stock after BCG and Tubby's decline, kept Kentucky's brand going strong and at the forefront of the sport.. he is essentially tied with Pitino for 2nd behind Rupp. He's on the outs now, but I suspect he will have the same sort of prodigal-son-returns moment just like Pitino did. Give it 5 years. If Midnight Madness is even still a thing, he might come back for an appearance.

Some won't agree, dont really care. Cal won a ton here, Pope was just a bench guy for 2 years. Kind of tired of this notion that Pope is "one of us" like hes really done anything. Neither was born here, Cal actually lived in KY 2x-3x as long. Paid more taxes here lol.
 
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Bluegrasskingreboot

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Smeegs said:
The fact that we’re even having this discussion illustrates why it’s best NOT to hire from within the family.

The “one of us” thing should never be a factor when assessing a coach. All it does is cloud people’s judgment. Causes bad hires. And makes the situation extra difficult when things don’t go as planned.
Click to expand...
We shouldn't be having the discussion regardless because we should always strive to behave decently and make some effort to be constructive but at least not lean into personal attacks.

People seem to conflate disappointment in performance with actual wickedness and garbage character real quick.
 
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G

gtown965

All-Conference
Feb 12, 2026
466
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Smeegs said:
The fact that we’re even having this discussion illustrates why it’s best NOT to hire from within the family.

The “one of us” thing should never be a factor when assessing a coach. All it does is cloud people’s judgment. Causes bad hires. And makes the situation extra difficult when things don’t go as planned.
Click to expand...
Working out pretty well for Duke with Jon Scheyer
 
S

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
798
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gtown965 said:
Working out pretty well for Duke with Jon Scheyer
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In terms of recruiting, that’s true. But I don’t know if that’s because of Scheyer as much as it is backers like Amazon. Duke has so damn much money to work with that it’s virtually impossible for any Duke coach not to succeed at recruiting today.

But all that talent hasn’t stopped Scheyer from choking away huge leads in the final minutes in both the Elite 8 this year and the Final Four last year. Let that happen one more time and you’ll be seeing Duke fans having their own “should we have hired one of us” debates.
 
R

Rainman3067

Freshman
May 3, 2026
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R

Rainman3067

Freshman
May 3, 2026
43
62
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Tim0808 said:
It is funny how you say you should not be calling people names and then in the same sentence you refer to someone as "Timmy" trying to be a smart a**.
It is funny how hypocrites call others out but they travel the same path.
Well, Mitch has not coached a game.
However. Pope told the fan base he knew the assignment. He played a big role in hyping up his ability. You talk the talk, then walk the walk.
He is not living up to the talk and now it is time for him to take a walk.
Click to expand...
timmy southparkencomedy GIF by Comedy Central LA
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
113
Resignmarkpope said:
F mark pope! He’s officially the laughingstock of college basketball coaches! cal won a championship that’s why. Pope’s won nothing at any level of coaching. Why in hell did Mitch hire this dork of an idiot coach! FU pope. When pope is fired is going to feel like winning a championship
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Oh yeah, I forgot, you hate Pope, because he's white. He got the job via "white privilege". He’s a terrible person, he should change his skin color so you'll like him. 🙄
 
kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
113
cornbreadnmilk said:
It's obvious that having played here is the only reason he was hired and the only reason several here keep defending him.
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I liked your post, but I disagree with the last sentence.
I'll give any coach a fair chance as long as he prioritizes UK and does everything he can to at least try to win. Pope is doing those things, he’s just not very good at certain aspects of the job.
 
RunninRichie

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
28,905
69,484
113
kyjeff1 said:
Nobody is saying you shouldn't critisize Pope, I wish you guys would stop twisting this stuff.

What we are saying is, stop hurling insults, like "Mark Dope", "I hate Pope", or "Mark Poop". Can we at least show some class? Why would we hate, or crush the guy, when it's Mitch that should be feeling the heat.

Y'all hate him because he didn't quit. That's ridiculous. He's not going to trash his reputation and be known as a quitter, because "Timmy" on Rupp Rafters isn’t happy.

Also, 99% of us that aren't flipping out, aren’t Pope fans, we're just letting it play out and we're also calling you guys out on your ridiculous behavior and comments.

Heck, you guys are trashing Pope worse than you did Cal when he went 9-16 and lost at home to VMI and Richmond.
Click to expand...
Did you have this same energy when guys on this board, called Calipari “cow” and “CCC”?
 
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Eagles_Ball_69

All-American
Dec 19, 2003
4,224
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JwUKFan11 said:
Pope was a role player on a great team that wasn't great because of Pope. It's amazing how people act like he's Anthony Davis or something.
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Whole lotta truth to this. The "captain" tag sure carried a lot of weight, for some reason. Take Mark Pope off that roster and don't replace him, that team still hangs the banner. Frosh Naz could've given enough to make Pope dispensable.
 
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Eagles_Ball_69

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Bluegrasskingreboot said:
We shouldn't be having the discussion regardless because we should always strive to behave decently and make some effort to be constructive but at least not lean into personal attacks.

People seem to conflate disappointment in performance with actual wickedness and garbage character real quick.
Click to expand...
I think you're correct. The "personal" attacks are too much. But honestly, I think he sucks as a coach. That's not personal. One of the reasons I think he sucks AS A COACH, is that he's a huge freaking dork. Again, that's not personal. It's why I think he has massive struggles, as a coach. I think a lot (not all, but a lot) of the stuff that gets labeled as a personal attack, isn't personal at all.
 
Cole World

Cole World

All-Conference
May 24, 2011
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The irony is not lost when you see the users that do nothing but incessantly whine and b!tch calling anyone else a dork

Some of you losers lack self awareness
 
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Eagles_Ball_69

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gtown965 said:
Working out pretty well for Duke with Jon Scheyer
Click to expand...
So, here's the thing with Scheyer that I think gets lost a bit. He played under K. He coached under K for eight years as an assistant, the last four of those he was essentially groomed to take over. K had a bunch of options on that staff over the years. Some really, REALLY good options. Some that played there, assisted there, and moved on to various levels of success as head coaches. Others that were there a while and he didn't hand pick. K picked Scheyer for a reason, and my guess is that reason is he knew he'd be really freaking good. Like him or not (I can't stand him because I think he's fake as hell), K knows what the hell he's doing. Scheyer was chosen because he had the qualities and then groomed by one of the best to ever do it. There's something to be said for that.

Mark Pope had a mid career before getting the UK job and was "trained" by freaking Mark Fox.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
113
RunninRichie said:
Did you have this same energy when guys on this board, called Calipari “cow” and “CCC”?
Click to expand...
You think those are the same as calling a guy a "dope" and "poop".
Sorry, I'm not taking up for a guy that **** on the bbn, made fun of us and put UK behind players like Shaedon Sharpe and also behind the NBA draft.
When you consistently lose to less talented teams and mid majors, when you have NBA talent on your roster, you pretty much earn the "CCC" nickname.
"Cow" is a nickname Louisville fans gave him, so I don't know why you're placing that at my feet to defend.
 
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TheApostleSaulSmith

TheApostleSaulSmith

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kyjeff1 said:
You think those are the same as calling a guy a "dope" and "poop".
Sorry, I'm not taking up for a guy that **** on the bbn, made fun of us and put UK behind players like Shaedon Sharpe and also behind the NBA draft.
When you consistently lose to less talented teams and mid majors, when you have NBA talent on your roster, you pretty much earn the "CCC" nickname.
"Cow" is a nickname Louisville fans gave him, so I don't know why you're placing that at my feet to defend.
Click to expand...
I mean...pretty much, yeah. Either way you're insulting the head coach.
 
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kyjeff1

kyjeff1

Heisman
Sep 8, 2012
51,210
71,974
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TheApostleSaulSmith said:
I mean...pretty much, yeah. Either way you're insulting the head coach.
Click to expand...
Opinions vary.
Either way, I don't recall ever calling Cal either of those nicknames and given the fact I hated Cal for mocking us and coaching for the draft instead of UK, he’s the last guy I would defend at that time.
But again, I don't recall ever calling him CCC and since I'm not a UofL fan, I know I didn't call him "Cow", that's kind of a stupid nickname that makes no sense.
 
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