This is the best comparison.
Joker was an alum and was thought to be a damn good OC. But, he was in over his head and it was obvious fairly quickly. Payne is the basketball equivalent.
Lots of parallels. Both great right-hand guys, lead assistants, recruiters, developers.
Both thrown to the wolves I think a bit too early which isn't totally their fault. Neither one had ever been an HC before. I've said for years there is a lot of fault to be put on the UK brass. The plan should not have been HCIW for Joker, it should have been behind doors "hey Joker go be an OC and learn at a bigger winning program for a few years or go be a HC at G5 win a bowl or two and we'll holler at ya."
Joker has always been able to get a job essentially wherever he wants as an assistant. Currently the AHC at a 9-3 NC ST who could very easily be the surprise UL type of team next year playing in the ACC title game. Lost to cards by 3 points this year or we would have seen him on the sidelines v FSU.
Same goes for KP. Has never been an HC. He's coached at like 2 places. Most of his career has been at UK under Cal where a lot of things can be masked. Shame on UL for thinking he was going to be able to save that mess any sooner than 4-5 years. It's a total rebuild.
KP will have offers the second UL cans him, probably already has some people reaching out. Wouldn't surprise me if he ends up back in Lexington.