He's an ace recruiter and he's turned Miami from a 7 win team to a team that won a tournament game his first year and will be pre-season top 15-20 his 2nd season. He also was an assistant here so he knows what it's like. In this era, where blue bloods can't just pick who they want, I don't know what else you could ask for..
Hypothetical Jai Lucas Question for Those Opposed
- Thread starter Im The Village Idiot
- Start date
Sure it does. Heck there's 76 teams now lol. Even Pope should accomplish that.
Miami will be fringe top 25-30. Lucas added Acaden Lewis, Somto Cyril, Desean Goode, Brett Bland, and McDonald's freshman Caleb Gaskins.
Lucas will never be the coach at the University of Kentucky, and it has nothing to do with his resume.
People said "anyone but Calipari!" Now they say "anyone but Pope!" You would think they would learn.
I notice you went prior as Pope went to the S16 year one here and Jai won one game. Nice spin
Chill! He’s been a head coach all of one season. He hasn’t accomplished anything yet. This season will shake out who is a good coach possible to run UK. Maybe it’s Lucas but the man needs an elite eight run to be considered. He doesn’t stay in one place for any meaningful period of time. That matters. Cals assistants usually blow it big time. Someone at a mid major will make a run this season and BBN will pine for that guy. Sean millers gonna get some run as a name too if Texas is above expectations this season. I don’t like it but he’s coaching on a reset and a f he gets to a ff there will be a big push for him.
Lucas, Schertz, Odom, Miller, McCollum. If things go south here I think it might come down to which of those guys has the best year next year.
He’d have to make the final four. On the fence regarding an Elite 8. Anything less than that and no thank you. Hes just too much of a gamble for the situation we are in. Next guy has to be a top guy, period. They took their chance on Pope and it failed. They can’t afford to do that a second straight time. Especially coming over 6+ bad years of Cal even before that.
If he makes the FF and signs long term with Miami then oh well.
If he makes the FF and signs long term with Miami then oh well.
Indiana was also the biggest loser football program in D1. You make those type moves with IU or UK football. You don’t do that with UK or KU basketball.
Quit reading after the 2nd sentence, sort of?!
The next coach should be contacted and arranged as soon as as AD is in place. Waiting until season is over to interview folks is too late. Prevent the folly. So I reject the premise of your question. Instead, lock up Billy D asap
I remember when Shaka Smart was the guy, lots of Jai Lucas vibes from people wanting him to be a coach. He went to a final four with VCU and hasn't been talked about since.
Because pope was HIRED at Kentucky BEFORE he won a game. The conversation was about credentials for getting hired at Kentucky.i compared jai Lucas 1 season as head Coach vs popes 9 BEFORE Kentucky. But nice spin dip ****. Do you think Mitch hired him because Mitch can see the future abd knew he would make the sweet 16 year 1?
It’s all on the hiring person to identify talent and just as importantly, the toughness needed to be a successful Kentucky coach. We have to get the right AD.
What did todd golden do before he was at florida? Did he move their needle?
Also, his work as an assistant isnt bad:
Coaching
2016–2020
Texas (assistant)
2020–2022
Kentucky (assistant)
2022–2023
Duke (assistant)
2023–2025
Duke (associate HC)
2025–present
Miami (FL)
so the logic is, he looks like he is the guy but he hasn't proven yet, and because of that he has earned the right to be the coach at Kentucky.
Pope inherited nothing, built a coherent system, and now finally has continuity. The data says the real jump happens in Years 2–3, and Year 4 is when you see the full payoff of stability.
This isn’t blind faith…it’s how modern college basketball actually works. With the yearly chaotic changes in the NCAA…you can’t have the same chaos in your program. You need to build stability!
This isn’t blind faith…it’s how modern college basketball actually works. With the yearly chaotic changes in the NCAA…you can’t have the same chaos in your program. You need to build stability!
Absolutely not.
UK needs an absolute home run hire after Pope.
Lucas is closer to Pope than a home run.
Right the Pearl wrong, and lets get this thing back on track.
UK needs an absolute home run hire after Pope.
Lucas is closer to Pope than a home run.
Right the Pearl wrong, and lets get this thing back on track.