Rick Pitino with a message for BBN

[RoyKent]

 

[RoyKent]

I'm actually kind of impressed with Rick's message...wait, do I like him again? (Nope, but good try Rick!)

 

[MWes11]

If u watch this and you’re not on board, that’s on u.

 

[Wildcats4ever2007]

Surprisingly a very heart felt message from RP. You can tell Kentucky is where is heart will always be

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

When one of the best minds and coaches to ever walk the sideline is on board....that is enough to sell me. LETS GO

 

[qwesley]

Nice message and perspective. He did push for Ford and Pelphrey for previous openings though.

 

[Wildcats4ever2007]

If u watch this and you’re not on board, that’s on u.

I agree, but I have to see what kind of talent he can bring in. If our NIL is great, he should because what young talented players don’t want to play in a wide open offense shooting a ton of 3s?

 

[WeWant9]

We are truly living in an alternate reality, and I am here for it.

 

[RalphDaltonFan]

Nice message and perspective. He did push for Ford and Pelphrey for previous openings though.

True, but this one is different in sense that Rick's not trying to sell the national media-they are already on board. Think it's the cool thing--they are all telling UK fans "Give this guy a chance he can coach" and it's not the other way around-where Pitino is trying to tell the media why this is a good hire.

 

[true-blue1]

Well I'm over My Rant! Let's Go Pope!!!!!

 

[65pacecar]

Great and heartfelt message from the greatest coach since Rupp (including all program’s). Thanks Rick!

 

[Cowtown Cat]

If u watch this and you’re not on board, that’s on u.

I was on board six months ago! LFG!

 

[jmw23712]

Ok, I just got fired up! Damn you Rick!

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

It's been a LONG time since I liked something that Rick Pitino had to say.

REALLY A STRONG MESSAGE. Thanks Rick. that was classy.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Surprisingly a very heart felt message from RP. You can tell Kentucky is where is heart will always be

Man, what could’ve been. Unbelievable to think about.

 

[bnewt]

that was an excellent message.
I truly admired Pitino and what he did at UK, but his issues at UL tossed all that aside.
Hopefully, he has corrected his issues as well.

 

[wildcat62]

He's a better messenger than Barnhart.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

He's right. I keep saying it, but you have to really love what Pope did in the Big12 this year.

 

[RunninRichie]

Great video by rick

 

[ukdesi]

LOL Cal is out and Rick is back in. His comment about NIL could even be taken as a reverse shot on Cal. LETS GO

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Mark will have Ricks ear for any help he needs. I’ll admit, I like Rick again. Have for couple of years.

 

[kb22stang]

I can't help it, I still like Rick

 

[bleedingblue2767]

great video- I am now pumped. Everyone needs to get on board.

 

[ukcatz12]

I don't think Rick has voluntarily said many positive things publicly about UK in recent years. I think him feeling the need to make a public statement like this affirming the decision and showing support for a guy he cares about speak volumes about how awful the fan response was last night toward Pope. A lot of people should be embarrassed with how they've been acting.

That said, I think Rick is 100% right here and I'm excited for Pope next year. I don't think this is just a normal "program guy" type of hire like what happened at Michigan or Indiana. Pope really gets it, and he's intelligent enough to figure out whatever he's gotta figure out to be successful here.

Like Rick said, a Rhodes scholar candidate and Columbia med school student. He's got a good head on his shoulders.

 

[sosoblue]

We should pin this video pack Rupp on Sunday!!!

 

[AustinTXCat]

Awesome. Love the enthusiasm and rec from RickyP.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

Nicely done Mr Pitino. Pope might be able to heal some old wounds in a lot of ways. You can tell Pitino is truly glad for Mark Pope to get this opportunity.

I do think the players from Pitino and Tubby will be around a lot more and more supportive.

 

[Wildcats4ever2007]

Nice message and perspective. He did push for Ford and Pelphrey for previous openings though.

That was also while RP was at Louisville. He had skin in that game. Not so much here

 

[CatFanOverseas]

His message hit different.

 

[Woodrow24]

If Mark can get the recruiting aspect right, he will do fine here. I’m not talking about actual stars by the kids names, I mean finding the kids that fit his style of play skill wise. For his system to work with that kind of spacing, he needs elite shooters and skill guys for it to work. Big men that can shoot will flourish in this system. Big Z would be crazy to leave. This offensive system, he would be a star.

 

[Short-Dawg-69]

WOW….. all I can say….
Thanks Rick for this endorsement, encouragement, and support for Pope and Kentucky…..

 

[UKfan2151]

That is quite possibly the happiest and proudest I've seen Rick Pitino since he left Kentucky back in 1997. And what an inspiring message!

Hell, I guess I am now fully onboard too. Let's do this! Succeed or fail, we now have a coach that represents what we hold dear, not some sleazy, snake oil salesman promoting his "brand" over the things that actually matter.

Mark Pope has a system that will allow him to take a group of unheralded players like "The Unforgettables" and kick John Calipari's *** and his roster full of "draft picks".

 

[BillionthUKFan_rivals209596]

That was actually fantastic.

 

[Dr. H Lecter]

I never thought that I would love Coach P again and loathe Calipari like I do now.

 

[Hopmix]

I spent about 2 hours last night in a deep comparison between Danny Hurley, Who every Kentucky fan was about write a personal check to get, And mark pope. I realized it took Danny Hurley 12 years before he found any success. Year 13 and 14 were back to back titles which is impressive but before that it was NIT and first weekend exits. His first 4 years at UConn were abysmal. In fact pope is on a faster trajectory and imo is a better offensive mind than Hurley although I think Hurley has a better defensive acumen. I don’t see any reason why pope won’t have the same type of success at Kentucky given the time. So I started looking at this more as an investment. It could be a rough couple of seasons but he’s gonna have the tools and the passion to get the program there. The more exited we are as fans to support this dude the more players are gonna wanna play for him. That’s coming from someone who’s been super negative about this entire process.

 

[HagginHall1999]

Damn, Rick about to bring me to tears

 

[DSSCat_rivals380319]

What a nice and inspiring message from Coach Pitino... I attended UK during the Unforgettables, graduating in 94. We loved those Pitino teams and Pitino. Many of us were heartbroken when he left and then he goes to Louisville... Traitor Rick... But that was a great message and it will resonate with many like it did with me.

 

[CrazyCat74]

He had me at, "What a special day!"

 

[Catfan2226]

Classy move by Pitino. Supporting one of his players and calming BBN fears.
He knows he blowed it by leaving here but he still understands the passion and tradition.

 

[meow_cat]