THERE MUST BE A CHANGE!

[UKGrad24]

Let's not forget, folks, that Mark Pope is the same coach that told BYU fans to take off anti Texas shirts that said "horns down."

"He was lame before you, he was lame during you, and he will be lame after you're gone."

Not gonna lie, Mark is really lame. I like Mark but it is what it is.

I remember when he was here in 96 and we just won the title. He was walking off the plane and a media person was there. He looked at them and said “ We can’t talk to media right now”, in a “I’m the hall monitor way”. It was just cringy. Probably doesn’t make sense here when I’m repeating but it was just cringy.

He’s so damn cringy. On the sideline as soon as we got down 4 I could see the team wasn’t coming out right. I said call a GD timeout mark and chew them out. They aren’t in it.

I look down and his head is up, arms behind his back. He then takes a step and claps.

Get the guy out of that seat.

 

[TuesdayBoost]

yes, we have a great basketball booster base actually. I know a few. And they wanted Pearl. The problem is the BOT and AD’s office and President. They hold a lot of power with the new contracts. They don’t have to rely on”as much” on the boosters but the boosters still yield power.

This is all coming to a head hold on. Kentucky administrators won’t be allowed to continue the sht show much longer.

I’d like for you to be right

 

[UKGrad24]

His teammates don’t have much talent and it is so frustrating for talented players to play with a team this poorly constructed. He is required to do so much on the offensive end and Pope had to put him on Vandy’s PG.

I mean I don’t see Oweh as a really good player. I think that’s the issue. He thinks he’s a stud and he’s not.

He’s got a guard body, can’t shoot. He’s the worst finisher I’ve ever seen at UK, he literally never finishes plays in contact. He struggles dribbling and can’t catch. He’s also a black hole half the time, the other half he just passes back with fury and throws his hands. The guy isn’t clutch unless it’s against Oklahoma and takes away from the team.

I don’t care about his PPG either. Most of that is just scoring against lesser guys.

 

[UKGrad24]

I’d like for you to be right

From the word of it, they pushed hard for Pearl and almost got it done. Matt was even told this, said he thought they did get it done the night before.

Barnhart and Cap pulled it and got the brass onboard. I can assure you they’re regretting the he’ll out of it. No way they’re not.

Now imagine Mitch going to the boosters requesting money for Mark Pope now? It’s not happening.

 

[Chadrock]

Cmon folks. Pope’s a winner and knows what it takes to succeed at this level. Let’s pump the brakes on the anger. This is a streaky team so sometimes you got to be patient.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Then we deserve what we get.

Correct

 

[TuesdayBoost]

Let's not forget, folks, that Mark Pope is the same coach that told BYU fans to take off anti Texas shirts that said "horns down."

"He was lame before you, he was lame during you, and he will be lame after you're gone."

I hope people realize that being lame is a major problem when you are trying to get young people to respect you. You don’t have to be cool. But you can’t be lame.

For the older folks. Lame may seem like an immature word. I guess it kind of is. But Mark Pope is the lamest of lame. Great person? Idk I’ve never met him. Lame coach hell yes. You can’t recruit top talent being lame it just don’t happen. Dorky and lame is ok if you are just raising kids and providing for your family. You can’t be lame and head coach at UK. Billy G wasn’t lame. Just weak and lame. Soft and lame. LAME.

 

[hypocrithatr]

FIRE MITCH BARNHART HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MESS. I REPEAT, WE CAN NOT LET HIM HIRE OUR NEXT MBB COACH !!!

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I’m beginning to think he might. I think he might realize he just can’t relate to the current college player. These guys just go thru the motions and don’t care win or lose.

You’re delusional if you think he’s just walking away from that paycheck. Ain’t happening.

 

[Anon1739778738]

You think it's bad now just wait till next year when our walk on / highschool team takes the floor.

 

[ifer1116]

Does this “touch money” bit piss me off more than it should? Why are the coaches okay with that as a chant? If that’s what these kids care about most and NOT winning, I have a problem with that. Especially since this is the ONLY level that most of these players will see money for their basketball skills (or lack thereof).

 

[Damage_inc]

How could he be a good general manager?
When the guy can’t even evaluate talent and know the value of each player!

I think you need to re-read my post

 

[Zannman]

BYU is better without Pope and are ranked. Amazes me we hire their coach and they are better than us. Time for a change at AD and coach. I like Pope but he can’t get it done.

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

He's not gonna give up that money. Also he tides a percentage of that back to the LDS church which in turn uses it for BYU athletics. We're getting scammed lol.

 

[TFCat11]

I'm afraid anyone thinking he will step down or get fired are going to be really disappointed.

I’d take up for my dad as well, even if it made me look like a complete fool

 

[akaukswoosh]

FIRE MITCH BARNHART HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MESS. I REPEAT, WE CAN NOT LET HIM HIRE OUR NEXT MBB COACH !!!

Barnhart has to be on very thin ice. He’s sitting there responsible for the huge buyout for Stoops and UK has not been to a Final Four since 2015.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

He's not gonna give up that money. Also he tides a percentage of that back to the LDS church which in turn uses it for BYU athletics. We're getting scammed lol.

“Tithe”

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

“Tithe”

That too!

 

[BlueVoodoux]

 

[fisherscatfan]

Let's not forget, folks, that Mark Pope is the same coach that told BYU fans to take off anti Texas shirts that said "horns down."

"He was lame before you, he was lame during you, and he will be lame after you're gone."

UK hired a coach that is way too into feelings and as a client of mine used to describe soft people—is too much touchy feely grab ***.

Pope wants to win but who doesn’t? “Wanting“ to win is not a character trait unique to any single human. Pope isn’t capable of getting elite level players to buy in and commit to do the things it takes to win and win convincingly at this level. Blame the players all we want but they are not as bad as they currently look. They are suffering from poor leadership.

Someone asked last night about the Pitino early years. Pope is the polar opposite of Pitino. Pitino wanted to strip the opponent of any desire to be on the same court as his team. When the Pitino Cats came to town it was a show. Pitino when recruiting Ron Mercer famously told Mercer if he went to Vanderbilt, Pitino would ensure they locked Mercer down and make him look bad. Can you see Pope saying or doing that? I can’t. Cal was that way at the start. Cal said something like “you’re gonna hate me because we are coming to your town and we are going to beat you.”

Nobody is going to want to run through a wall for Pope. He is too soft, too into emotions and cannot get young men to consistently elevate their play/intensity. Pope may be a good man but he is not a leader of men.

 

[JonathanW2]

First of all, resigning or firing mid-season is pointless, maybe even count counterproductive to our long-term goals. I think a firing after a year and a half would not be a good look to potential coaches, especially when made the S16 in first year after inheriting 0 players and having several injuries (including to the expected best player). So at the minimum, I think you have to let this season play out.

But I agree with the one, if he stays, all of the assistants need to be re-evaluated. Maybe Fox is a big contributor, I don't see it, but I'm not at the practices.

 

[Cbbcrazy2]

Pope is only guilty of one thing, Recruiting this bunch. NO coach alive could coach this hot mess bunch. Low basketball IQ and not nearly as talented as they think they are. If Pope can't get a talented class next year he is done imo.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

Kept Fox but got rid of Antigua! Let that sink in.

Yep one of the head scratchers I thought from the beginning when Orlando was begging to stay in Lexington!

 

[TheResistance]

 

[MegaBlue05]

I know I am going to have to read this same thread 5000 times between now and April, but I have a better chance at dropping 50 in the NBA tonight than there is a chance of Pope resigning or being fired after this season.

He’s gonna be here next season in what is likely a “win something or get out” season. Last year bought him next year. This year used up most remaining slack for a year 4 barring a massive turnaround in terms of results in year 3.

I’ve come to grips with this and won’t be setting myself up for disappointment like a lot of you are.

Carry on.

 

[DraftCat]

Those two come back wins (miracles really) are going to bite us in the *** potentially. May not matter thought this stretch of games to end the year you can't see any sure fire wins.

 

[TTTblue24]

Matt has hinted the “money” for players may not be there or atleast be the same after this debacle, can’t blame them cause what has their investment returned??? A 18-13 type team??? If I was giving that kind of money, you can bet I wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
Thanks Mitch, you’ve really out done yourself once again. Maybe some former players can take the next hire from him again or even better if he just leaves.

 

[BigBluefoot]

Then Rupp needs to empty.

Stoops got nudged out when season ticket holders started saying “No”.

Yup and Calipari, and Joker, and BCG.
Mitch hires and gives contacts without expectations as if it's a BFF club instead of a business where certain expectations must be met.

 

[WallCousins]

Yep one of the head scratchers I thought from the beginning when Orlando was begging to stay in Lexington!

Was building a house, ready for the long haul.

 

[jwildcattrester]

No reason to run this back next year. Make a change now. Mitch and Pope both need to go. It's disgraceful.

Mitch Barnhart has served as the director of athletics at the University of Kentucky since 2002. As of early 2026, he has led the department for 23–24 years, making him one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in Division I. His contract, extended in 2023, keeps him with the university through June 2028.

 

[Feral Manatee]

My only hope sadly (because Pope is clearly way out of his depth) is that the situation becomes so untenable that Barnhart & the administration are forced to go after the guy that they were too pure for (Bruce Pearl) who would have walked here on his hands and knees over broken glass similar to how they were forced to go after Calipari after f---ing things up with Gillespie. Pearl would DESTROY it here from day one. Insane that in this world of entire rosters cashing 7 figure checks we'd blackball Pearl for having an unauthorized bbq. JFC this entire escapade was unnecessary.

 

[NociHTTP]

I’d give him one more

 

[UKGrad24]

Pope is only guilty of one thing, Recruiting this bunch. NO coach alive could coach this hot mess bunch. Low basketball IQ and not nearly as talented as they think they are. If Pope can't get a talented class next year he is done imo.

Umm….

Am I just…are we on the same page?

HE HAS BEEN TURNED DOWN BY 27 - 5 STAR PLAYERS. HE HAS YET TO SIGN 1 PLAYER FROM NEXT YEARS CLASS.

He CANNOT STAY here.

 

[UKGrad24]

Glad to see you finally coming to grips with this. Was wondering when the few of you were waiting on.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Glad to see you finally coming to grips with this. Was wondering when the few of you were waiting on.

we all have to face the reality of Pope sooner or later. it's practically a rite of passage at this point

 

[kfwa]

I can't see a world where UK drops $25m on Pope to leave his second year. UK doesn't have north of $60m on coaching salaries for two sports in a 16 month span

Now Pope may decide with a series of unprecedented beat downs that for the good of the program he steps down but any man with pride isn't going to declare it over for him in year 2.

 

[UK BasketballFan]

I mean I don’t see Oweh as a really good player. I think that’s the issue. He thinks he’s a stud and he’s not.

He’s got a guard body, can’t shoot. He’s the worst finisher I’ve ever seen at UK, he literally never finishes plays in contact. He struggles dribbling and can’t catch. He’s also a black hole half the time, the other half he just passes back with fury and throws his hands. The guy isn’t clutch unless it’s against Oklahoma and takes away from the team.

I don’t care about his PPG either. Most of that is just scoring against lesser guys.

OO is the best perimeter player we have and that is Pope’s fault you are trying to make OO the scapegoat for this team’s performance. This team was put together by Pope not OO. OO. Is trying to do things that he isn’t capable of doing at a high rate because he is the best option. Again this is on Pope.

 

[UKGrad24]

OO is the best perimeter player we have and that is Pope’s fault you are trying to make OO the scapegoat for this team’s performance. This team was put together by Pope not OO. OO. Is trying to do things that he isn’t capable of doing at a high rate because he is the best option. Again this is on Pope.

I was given a decent amount of information about Oweh and it’s by someone who’s very much connected. If I explained how close it wouldn’t be questioned. Opinion is he’s a team cancer and did not like some off season moves. He’s also caused a tremendous amount of trouble behind the scenes in the locker room. Again, not going to get into it, the gentlemen reads the forum time to time and doesn’t want to make things harder on the staff not that I think it would, but I’m going to be respectful. I’ll just say it’s my own opinion he’s a distraction and hurts this team way more than he helps. I also think other things are at play with it. Simply to say I would have removed him from the team week 2. So we don’t even come close to agreeing here.

You can’t misuse Oweh. He’s not that good, he can’t finish he can’t hit free throws he’s not clutch. He gets abused by good players and abuses bad players. And he’s turned into a black hole, if he’s not the focal point he flat out doesn’t care. Just watch the guy. Having said that Mark has misused them all probably him to a degree like you say but I don’t think it matters. Oweh thinks he’s good enough to be given the keys and obviously he’s not and we didn’t do that.

 

[theKybluedude]

you ever been told you’re stubborn?

HE CANT RECRUIT THERE IS NO NEXT YEAR.

It’ll be worse than this one. Why one more? Do you enjoy this?

I hate it but he deserves a chance to coach a healthy team. One not riddled with crippling injuries like his first 2. Bring in a group of mature better fitting players. Ones that blend together. Portal guys. Players that have produced.
He needs to take a hard look at himself and learn from this season. Maybe get a couple new assistants.
I look at Danny Hurley who went 65-45 in his first 3 at UConn. He found his footing. Pope can do that. He’s smart. Fix it. Get tougher. More demanding.

 

[Anon1759768907]

I hate it but he deserves a chance to coach a healthy team. One not riddled with crippling injuries like his first 2. Bring in a group of mature better fitting players. Ones that blend together. Portal guys. Players that have produced.
He needs to take a hard look at himself and learn from this season. Maybe get a couple new assistants.
I look at Danny Hurley who went 65-45 in his first 3 at UConn. He found his footing. Pope can do that. He’s smart. Fix it. Get tougher. More demanding.

hey unc, pope is NOT dan hurley