Gun to head. Decision must be made today (10/24)

@BigBlueFanGA · Saturday at 4:48 PM

RunninRichie said:
This guy eats crayons. 5 SEC titles, #1 overall seed, final four, 2 elite 8s. At a football school. He was solid at Buffalo, but he had to build that place up because this was pre NIL/TP era. But you already knew that; just another prop job.

You say that like eating crayons is a bad thing.

Runt#1969 · Saturday at 4:51 PM

MY GOD

for a split second there, I was seriously thinking this thread was a cry for help.

On a very serious note, I have seen some horrific suicide situations in my life. I swear, I thought this was a Rafters first. whew

here I come, 'lizabeth!

Ednunn · Saturday at 4:56 PM

Didnt take long for Les Miserables to show.

ComebackCats98 · Saturday at 5:01 PM

Let’s allow the season to play out before a decision is made.

I will say I’m big on Nate Oats because of what he has accomplished at Buffalo and Alabama. Now, give him Kentucky’s resources and passion for basketball. He’s also hungry and hasn’t won a championship yet. Reminds me of Cal when he came from Memphis. Anybody downplaying his resume is being biased with an agenda push.

UKWildcats1987 · Saturday at 5:12 PM

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 said:
The tourney's should have been listed separately. I'll not say it was intentional but it is deceptive and suggests he won the SEC four different seasons to me. Combining them still equals four not five as you claimed in any event.

Character does matter to me as well and I think his is a bit poor. I'd give him a chance, hope he succeeded hugely here and try to trust that the support system at UK would control a lot of that but he is not a guy I'm really wishing for.

We have employed pitino and cal. Neither high character guys. Tubby was i suppose. Dodnt do nearly as well as cal and certainly not pitino.

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 · Saturday at 5:18 PM

UKWildcats1987 said:
We have employed pitino and cal. Neither high character guys. Tubby was i suppose. Dodnt do nearly as well as cal and certainly not pitino.

I disagree about Pitino and Cal being low character when hired by UK. Even if that were true that doesn't mean another low character individual would be my first choice.

Anon722800 · Saturday at 5:23 PM

ComebackCats98 said:
Let’s allow the season to play out before a decision is made.

I will say I’m big on Nate Oats because of what he has accomplished at Buffalo and Alabama. Now, give him Kentucky’s resources and passion for basketball. He’s also hungry and hasn’t won a championship yet. Reminds me of Cal when he came from Memphis. Anybody downplaying his resume is being biased with an agenda push.

What part of "gun to head. Decision must be made today" is unclear?

Anon722800 · Saturday at 5:24 PM

Runt#1969 said:
MY GOD

for a split second there, I was seriously thinking this thread was a cry for help.

On a very serious note, I have seen some horrific suicide situations in my life. I swear, I thought this was a Rafters first. whew

here I come, 'lizabeth!

Then you're dumb.

Pygmy Sasquatch · Saturday at 5:31 PM

BlueSince92 said:
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Here at the beginning of the season where he has one more chance to fix everything and finally get it right including how he built his own year-three roster with all Kentucky’s resources behind him, it’s clear as day we’re a football school.

I don’t dislike the guy. But what am I supposed to do? In the words of Dr. Leonard McCoy: I’m a fan, not a miracle worker.

Get_over_it · Saturday at 5:57 PM

SenseMaker_Cats said:
You don’t enjoy going to the SEC tourney?

No, I mean I am sure other SEC teams get some kind of feeling of accomplishment, but UK has dominated the SEC for so long the SEC tourney to me is just meaningless.

RunninRichie · Saturday at 8:43 PM

paulcalhoun_rivals397471 said:
The tourney's should have been listed separately. I'll not say it was intentional but it is deceptive and suggests he won the SEC four different seasons to me. Combining them still equals four not five as you claimed in any event.

Character does matter to me as well and I think his is a bit poor. I'd give him a chance, hope he succeeded hugely here and try to trust that the support system at UK would control a lot of that but he is not a guy I'm really wishing for.

Not really deceptive man, those are “SEC titles”, I guess it was too vague.

BookofMormon · Saturday at 9:42 PM

Omega_X said:
Oats is my #1-5 option assuming Hurley doesn’t call and ask for it.

Pope ***** down both legs again this year and we don’t fire him then UK will probably lose out on close to $15m in tickets, concessions and merch for next year anyway. It sucks to be a year off from zero but you have to bite the bullet and pay the $15 for Nate.

Batt should call Mitch and make him pay atleast 30% of it.

Dude, Hurley isn't leaving. Sure you make the call again I guess, but the chances there are 0. The guy turned down the Lakers and can have any job he wants at the college level other than Duke if he decided to leave.

Given the financial construct of the buyouts, I think there is a good chance it's two more years of Pope.

Unless they really want Schertz and he wants UK, most of the other top prospects outside of Oats are going to be a year/two off. Maybe Lucas leaves after two years. The other guys are Hodgson or Hurley 2.0 - Luke Murray. Murray will probably need 2 years minimum at BC to show he can Head Coach, but if he turns that dumpster fire around, everyone will want him. He comes off really well, very smart and without the douchery. And you'd get Bill Murray at all the games. He did some time in Louisville so knows the area. He's basically stated he is going to run what they're doing at UConn, and would be 10+ years younger than Hurley. Really impressive dude, but as we know being a HC is a lot different than being an AC. Hurley is already helping the guy out by funneling recruits to him - sure that wouldn't carry over to UK, lol.

UKBB4Ever · Saturday at 9:45 PM

Get rid of Pope then worry about his replacement.

Don’t let paralysis analysis enter into what needs to be done.

BookofMormon · Saturday at 9:45 PM

RunninRichie said:
This guy eats crayons. 5 SEC titles, #1 overall seed, final four, 2 elite 8s. At a football school. He was solid at Buffalo, but he had to build that place up because this was pre NIL/TP era. But you already knew that; just another prop job.

Who does this clown expect that is going to be walking in with multiple F4s?

It's a really tough call - I do think you have to weigh who will be availabile and interested this next cycle, against all the other programs that may also be out to market. There are a lot of old guys ready to retire out there.

UKCowboys · Saturday at 9:55 PM

jeffky said:
Nobody is beating down the doors to come here .

This is the truth of it

jrpross_rivals · Saturday at 10:03 PM

HolySmokes said:
Im not saying he wouldn't be. Even tho I dont think he would be the answer. But what gets you excited about Donovan in a completely new college game? Seriously asking. Not being a smart asss. I just dont see it with him man.

Players aren't staying multiple years like when he coached at Florida. Its a new roster every year which is why you need a great recruiter to go along with the coaching.

If Donovan can tear it up recruiting then sign him up. He just doesn't have the personality for the job imo same as Pope. Hes not a weird as Pope tho.

UK needs a young over the top coach. A coach that says we will be good because of him. A cocky sumbitch like Stein. Just my opinion tho.

I know there were heavy whispers that Donovan wanted the job when we hired Pope, but with NIL and transfers being what they are, I just can’t imagine a 61 year-old with an NBA assistant job would want to deal with the college scene as it is. I mean, money talks but he must be sitting pretty right now financially. Unless he just really wants to be a head honcho somewhere, I don’t see it happening.

Cleatortoises · Sunday at 6:43 AM

MidseasonTweak said:
Donovan would be a much better hire

Donovan is 61 yrs old.
He's turned us down twice.
Pass.

Cleatortoises · Sunday at 6:46 AM

MidseasonTweak said:
By that logic so is the obsession with Oats

Agreed.
Oats is a creep.
Donovan is old.
It seems young works well.

wildcatdon · Sunday at 12:48 PM

Dont want Oats anywhere near our program.

CB3UK · Sunday at 6:30 PM

We haven't even finished the exhibition part of the schedule. This thread is ridiculous. We'll see where we're at when the seasons over

Battle_Cat · Sunday at 8:14 PM

There have been a LOT of stupid Pope threads on this board. Some of you need to get out and touch grass before you die to unmitigated stupidity and too much talking to yourself.

CATALCOHOLIC · Sunday at 8:39 PM

@BigBlueFanGA said:
You say that like eating crayons is a bad thing.

I am into the white paste!! It is good on a cracker!!

AustinTXCat · 2026-10-26T02:12:29-0500

Anon722800 said:
Based upon the entire body of work, including the two games this year to date. For 27-28 do you retain Pope (HARRR Pope) or do you send him packing (FARRR Pope)?

NociHTTP · 2026-10-26T10:56:46-0500

If that's the best you can do with creating thread titles, then you seriously need to seek help. Guns to head are no laughing matter, nor amusing or clever.

meteordealer · 2026-10-26T11:05:00-0500

MidseasonTweak said:
By that logic so is the obsession with Oats

Oats sucks though. I don't get the obsession with him.

MaysviileKY · 2026-10-26T11:16:58-0500

I’m not taking the poll, but if Pope is let go, I would hope UK contacts Josh Schertz! The guy can coach! Plays an exciting style, utilizes player talent well, and is an overall great person that would handle the media and boosters wonderfully. Just give him a budget to recruit with and he would have UK back on top.

Only thing is, I think he might be in line to take over UT.

Omega_X · 2026-10-26T11:51:00-0500

BookofMormon said:
Dude, Hurley isn't leaving. Sure you make the call again I guess, but the chances there are 0. The guy turned down the Lakers and can have any job he wants at the college level other than Duke if he decided to leave.

Given the financial construct of the buyouts, I think there is a good chance it's two more years of Pope.

Unless they really want Schertz and he wants UK, most of the other top prospects outside of Oats are going to be a year/two off. Maybe Lucas leaves after two years. The other guys are Hodgson or Hurley 2.0 - Luke Murray. Murray will probably need 2 years minimum at BC to show he can Head Coach, but if he turns that dumpster fire around, everyone will want him. He comes off really well, very smart and without the douchery. And you'd get Bill Murray at all the games. He did some time in Louisville so knows the area. He's basically stated he is going to run what they're doing at UConn, and would be 10+ years younger than Hurley. Really impressive dude, but as we know being a HC is a lot different than being an AC. Hurley is already helping the guy out by funneling recruits to him - sure that wouldn't carry over to UK, lol.

I know the chance of Hurley is 1%. That’s why I said it how I did.

I agree unless we hire Oats that most of these young guys would need a couple years. Problem is BBN’s patience is shot. Over a decade since a final four and nearly 15 years since a title. We are likely in the worst/biggest drought in program history. It’s one thing for a guy like Oats to need a year or two. He’s more than proven he can win and fans would be more lenient but if some young coach who hasn’t won anything comes here and needs a couple years then he will be eaten alive.

Thats why I think this next hire absolutely has to be a grand slam. A 2 run homer at worst. If they make another bad hire then we are looking at another 5+/- years of mediocre basketball. At that point you’re seriously risking losing a chunk of the fanbase permanently. Especially if Stein keeps doing what he’s doing. Covid showed people they can live without a lot of things they really didn’t think they could, especially entertainment wise. Movies are a perfect example.

CutNets · 2026-10-26T12:17:09-0500

Don't care, just for the love of God knock it off with the "HARR" and "FARRR" joke. Its the second most overplayed, beaten-into-the-ground joke on this board behind "Rick Barnes has removed his name from consideration". God it's gay.

Anon696759 · 2026-10-26T13:01:33-0500

Looks like the FARRRRREDs have prevailed. Mark Pope you're FARRRRRRRED

CutNets · 2026-10-26T13:04:39-0500

Anon1739778738 · 2026-10-26T13:07:23-0500

Oats would win a title at ky he is passionate and hungry. Like him or not anyone that can make a football school like Alabama competitive on a national scale is worthy for consideration.

Gun to head. Decision must be made today (10/24)

HARRRR or FARRRR?

HARRRR

FARRR

Junior

All-American

Junior

All-Conference

Heisman

All-American

Sophomore

Sophomore

Heisman

Junior

Heisman

All-Conference

All-Conference

All-Conference

Heisman

Heisman

Heisman

Heisman

Heisman

Hall of Famer

All-Conference

Senior

Hall of Famer

Heisman

All-Conference

Senior

Junior

Junior

Redshirt

Junior

Senior