Give Pope a chance
- Thread starter Woodrow24
- Start date
Utah Valley State; not Utah State. He never took them to the tournament. They went to the CBI for four years.
At BYU, he’s had two appearances in the ncaa tournament. Both times as six seeds, both times lost by 9-11 points.
I’m disappointed. I wanted Billy Donovan to be our coach. I just can’t get mad at Mark Pope because Mitch decided to hire him. I’m going to support Mark till he gives me a reason not to. I refuse to talk **** about an ex player that wanted this job because of Mitch Barnhart.
You should know there is a HUGE DIFFERENCE between Mormonism and mainstream Catholicism, Protestantism, and other forms of Christianity. Had some friends and coworkers over the years that are Mormon. Never saw them pray with or proselytize anyone. Seemed that outside of their required missions they were pretty private about most of it.
I think you're safe from having to hear about it much
The new standard for Kentucky, beat a couple of top 25 team....do you hear yourselves?
Damm. The sky will ALWAYS BE FALLING with this fanbase. It's always the apocalypse (until it isnt) and then still worse when it turns out not to be.
All the negativity regarding Pope’s hire is very disturbing and embarrassing to think we have fans who won’t support the new coach because they didn’t get what they consider a home run hire.
It may take 2-3 years to get back to the top 10, but I’m OK with that as long as the new coach coaches for the University and not for the NBA. Let’s give him a fair chance.
It may take 2-3 years to get back to the top 10, but I’m OK with that as long as the new coach coaches for the University and not for the NBA. Let’s give him a fair chance.
You're the one freakin hearing people say "it's the new standard" when no one has even remotely stated that. You may want to look into a mental health check. Hearing voices and having manic episodes, that's no joke. Let your friends and family know that you may need a wellness check
It isn't that, and it isn't anything against Pope, it is literally that he hasn't earned this job. Zero tourney wins and zero conference wins- and he has played in some crap conferences. This is a HORRIBLE hire. Period.
If you followed my reply someone commented that he won 3 top 25 games last year....I mean...this is your new coach of the Kentucky Wildcats! He couldn't win the championship in the Western Athletic or the West Coast (or any other conference) or any NCAA tourney game, but lets give him the keys to BBN because he was able to win some top 25 games..... Are you guys nuts?
I and Pope(if he heard about it) am crushed you are not supportive,the program might colapse.
It’s your right to do whatever you want. Same as it is for me to support our coach even though I don’t agree with the hire
LOD -"He didn't beat anyone!"
Fan -"He beat Kansas at Kansas... so..."
LOD -"OH MY ATHEISM! He's a Mormon!"
Fan -"He has been for a long time and it wasn't a problem when he played here..."
LOD -"He can't recruit! Who's he recruited so far?"
Fan -"Well, he's won with mostly 2 star recruits against Kansas at Kansas, so I guess he can coach really well."
LOD -"Well, I'm not gonna back him because he's unproven."
Fan -"... and how is that gonna help. Doesn't it make more sense to give him EVERY BIT of support, THEN if he doesn't do well, we would know it's just not the job for him?"
LOD -"...but I want instant and guaranteed successsssss!!!"
Fan -"Nm. (Click handle. Click Ignore.)
Ah, that's better."
Fan -"He beat Kansas at Kansas... so..."
LOD -"OH MY ATHEISM! He's a Mormon!"
Fan -"He has been for a long time and it wasn't a problem when he played here..."
LOD -"He can't recruit! Who's he recruited so far?"
Fan -"Well, he's won with mostly 2 star recruits against Kansas at Kansas, so I guess he can coach really well."
LOD -"Well, I'm not gonna back him because he's unproven."
Fan -"... and how is that gonna help. Doesn't it make more sense to give him EVERY BIT of support, THEN if he doesn't do well, we would know it's just not the job for him?"
LOD -"...but I want instant and guaranteed successsssss!!!"
Fan -"Nm. (Click handle. Click Ignore.)
Ah, that's better."
That is NOT the same as it being "the new standard." YOUR WORDS, nutter. Move the goalposts all you want Lucy. I'm calling you on YOUR BS.
I am just repeating what others stated this evening.
I know this year, BYU won At Kansas, Won Baylor, Won Iowa State, Won texas, Won Gonzaga. How did Cal do against the Zags at home? Give the guy a chance.
Him being an ex Kentucky player nearly 30 years ago has zero to do with making him qualified to be here. I'm not saying he's a bad person. I'm saying he's not remotely qualified to justify getting this job. That's not an argument. It's straight truth.
I love my son but I wouldn't suggest putting him in as the starting pitcher of the Yankees.
I know what you mean. I don’t get how Mitch had him on the same tier as Hurley on his list. I don’t understand that at all.
Are we Indiana? Are we idolizing regular season wins? He's been good enough to make the tournament as a six seed twice and both times lost to 11 seed UCLA and 11 seed Duquesne.
No way would anyone here say this is a good hire if this guy didn't play at Kentucky for two years.
If your son's team beat the Astros in Houston with him pitching, when the Yankees couldn't in NY, so the Yankees came calling offering 1M$ per year, would you refuse to let your son take the contract, or get out of your own way and buy a fkn Yankees jersey with your son's name on it?
So you thought we were going to get a national championship coach. OK I get it.
I would have taken Nick Nolte coaching Shaq over Cal. I am just saying, I am willing to give Pope a chance. If you look at my posts, I will be harsh when we do not do what we should be doing.
If Pope comes out with all our backing, $$ and help from Admin, Pope maybe gets the right staff and so on and he does a great job. Then fine. If Pope gets here and folds under the pressure, i would rather have that than Pitino back here a 2nd time. I wanted Billy the Kid. Guessing Mitch did not. We are not the AD. We can yell at the AD.
I like Mark Popes energy, I like his personality, I like that he exudes confidence in himself. Will that be enough. Probably not. He is a Rhodes Scholar. So he has some smarts to himself. Time will tell.
You do know that Barnhart’s leadership has UK in the Top 15 in the annual Director’s Cup rankings every year for best overall athletic programs
No I didn’t. Thanks for the info. I just don’t see how Mitch had Pope so high on his list of coaches but I haven’t done enough research. I just don’t understand it. I hope he proves me wrong
When has Kentucky ever hired someone with this little success? Never. There is a giant middle between championship coaches and Mark Pope. Literally a lot of coaches who have at least made a Sweet 16, an Elite 8, actually won a postseason game.
Pope is 100% the result of a bad and biased AD who completely dismissed merit to put Pope this high on the list. How does an AD ignore guys who have had actual succes? Even a little bit of success like Iowa State's coach. So we're just so impressed with a guy who took Utah Valley to four CBIs and has two NCAA Tourneys with BYU and zero postseason wins?
There's no way this guy is going to recruit well at this level.
It's asinine for you to argue that Barnhart is great because the swim team had a good season while we watch the basketball program crash and burn.
Purdy much. I'm embarrassed by some of the things I've read since this news broke. The ugliness is out in full. A lot of dogs are being kicked today. It's disgusting if you ask me.
I’m with you I’ll support Pope
but Mitch screw that clown….