I think for me, his connection and history matter but they don’t:Totally -- if there's someone like me, there's another out there who is a mirror.
I think you're right for the vast majority of situations where public opinions don't matter. However, given Pope's history and connection to the program, there may be the perception that it matters, even if it's not the case in reality.
Regarding how I treat him, it matters. I don’t mind joking about him in a good hearted way, but I don’t like completely burying the guy on a personal or degrading level because of his history and connection to the program.
As far as his job performance, I’m not the kind of person who cares what kind of person he is. I don’t care about moral victories or standing for the “right values.” Part of that is that I try to be honest about things. We are not the good guys in CBB history. And yet, I still proudly point to all eight of those titles. If I really didn’t think Pope has it in him to live up to the expectations, I wouldn’t want him here. I still expect a hell of a year three. If there isn’t one, I’ll want him gone. Mind you, I have no control over it so it’s just my preferences and I recognize it as such. But I want to win…badly.
Also, for a point of clarity, the parts I care about when it comes to “doing the right things” is only so far is it helps get the right players and right coaches here for winning. Straightforward.