Why does the media not respect Pope?

[Catastic5]

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For a lot of our fans, there is this idea that Pope is on the cusp of greatness. But why does it appear none of the media, or neutral fans for that matter, respect our so-called “great” coach? One season shouldn’t necessarily cause Pope to drop off the list altogether if he were considered a good coach.

Guys like Kelsey are on this list, yet no Pope. From a neutral perspective, you have to wonder why people seem to respect Kelsey at Louisville more than Pope.

And don’t push some nonsense like “the media hates Kentucky” BS. I want legitimate answers as to why Pope doesn’t garner respect from his peers. This isn’t the only “top coaches” list where Pope is missing, either.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Im assuming because they have seen what the majority have seen on here.

 

[HolySmokes]

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For a lot of our fans, there is this idea that Pope is on the cusp of greatness. But why does it appear none of the media, or neutral fans for that matter, respect our so-called “great” coach? Guys like Kelsey are on this list, yet no Pope. From a neutral perspective, you have to wonder why people seem to respect Kelsey at Louisville more than Pope.

And don’t push some nonsense like “the media hates Kentucky” BS. I want legitimate answers as to why Pope doesn’t garner respect from his peers. This isn’t the only “top coaches” list where Pope is missing, either.

This is a really surprising thread coming from you. What part of BBN thinks hes on the cusp of greatness?

Id say a large portion wish he wasnt here and the ones wanting to give him one more chance for underperforming are even....well saying this should be his last chance.

 

[Snarks]

I mean he has a 60% career (and at UK) winning percentage and made the sweet 16 one time with nearly unlimited resources. Not sure what you expect.

 

[BBNinSCar]

I can’t agree with many on this list.

 

[PooPooPeePeePoo]

What has he done to deserve media respect?

 

[UKGrad24]

Pope is a slightly below average coach on his best day all considered. He’s not good, a 10 year no tournament no conference championships no tournament wins etc this isn’t calculus. This was a guy hired because of his history here and Barnhart thought it would get past the fanbase after the Calipari issues and for some, boy did it. The guy wouldn’t have been hired at Western Kentucky. Read that again.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

winning matters. whether its blue tinted glasses, the love of the cloth, or just tired of listening to the "haters" folks here have forgot the most important thing. winning. and so they see a list like this and are shocked for some reason. the most stubborn will just ignore it away. he gets to prove everyone wrong. but sadly, likely wont.

 

[UKortho]

Pope is a slightly below average coach on his best day all considered. He’s not good, a 10 year no tournament no conference championships no tournament wins etc this isn’t calculus. This was a guy hired because of his history here and Barnhart thought it would get past the fanbase after the Calipari issues and for some, boy did it. The guy wouldn’t have been hired at Western Kentucky. Read that again.

He is a Utah Valley State level coach- if that. He retained Fox and hired Pelphrey lol. Won’t hire a dedicated GM- which might be good. I could see him hiring Winston Bennett or some other unqualified former player for that role.

 

[Catastic5]

This is a really surprising thread coming from you. What part of BBN thinks hes on the cusp of greatness?

Id say a large portion wish he wasnt here and the ones wanting to give him one more chance for underperforming are even....well saying this should be his last chance.

The number of idiots on here, Twitter, Facebook and even Reddit who I’ve seen compare Mark Pope to Dan Hurley or Golden or some other great coach is legitimately infuriating. It’s driving me mad how much undue cope I’m seeing from my fellow fans for a below average coach who is probably only 30% likely to even get a fourth season.

It’s like asking why a supermodel is dating some fat slub who hasn’t a penny to his name. You genuinely have to ask, “Him? Really?”

 

[UKortho]

The number of idiots on here, Twitter, Facebook and even Reddit who I’ve seen compare Mark Pope to Dan Hurley or Golden or some other great coach is legitimately infuriating. It’s driving me mad how much undue cope I’m seeing from my fellow fans for a below average coach who is probably only like 30% likely to even get a fourth season.

It’s like asking why a supermodel is dating some fat slub who hasn’t a penny to his name. You genuinely have to ask, “Him? Really?”

I agree. You have to consider the source here- Paul, Beetle, Cowgirl, and a few more.

 

[Skyguyb27]

3 pages minimum.

 

[Catastic5]

I agree. You have to consider the source here- Paul, Beetle, Cowgirl, and a few more.

If it were just this forum, you could shrug it off as some boomers nostalgic for the Pitino era. But the amount of idiots I’ve seen on other social media platforms and in real life seeking desperately for some magic mulligan that’ll somehow turn the soft, ineffectual coach that is Mark Pope into some harda** Pitino figure that’ll drag Kentucky back to greatness is honestly baffling.

I want facts. I want straight answers, not excuses why I should change my mind about Pope and so far, all I’ve gotten is stupidity and insults. Pope seems like a good dude. It sucks he got thrown into a meat grinder. But we don’t have to go to war for the man. He’s been more than paid enough for his “suffering” and he’ll get a ridiculously large buyout (thanks Mitch) to never have to worry about working again.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

The fake corny hot-mic moment after the Auburn loss last year is an example of why he gets clowned on

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

His first year was extremely promising. But we saw then what is definitely confirmed...he can't coach defense.

Also, with last year he got exposed that he cant adjust. He had a team that couldnt run his offense and he completely fell apart and didn't know what to do.

Three, small things matter, and clearly hes had some issue in the strength and conditioning department with as many injuries we've had over 2 years.

Lastly, pretty clear a lot of players dont respect him as how many kids have used UK as leverage to get paid elsewhere?

 

[HowardDaDuckDoe]

he hasn't accomplished anything and has a low key personality. I hope he figures it out, but I also hope that we don't stick with him too long. With Will "Big Balls" Stein BBN has been reminded what having a great coach looks like. I want to see Pope out coach people. I remember him doing it a couple times in season 1. I'm just not sure his disposition fits KY.

 

[Bugs092056]

Pope being on the cusp of greatness? Lets go ahead and call that action nonsensical.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

Pope gets every bit of the respect he deserves. Probably even more?

He is simply not a good coach. Just middlin. He’s not awful at anything but also not good at anything.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

I’m currently very thankful for the football team. I’m pretty much completely checked out of basketball until Pope is out. It’s obvious he’s not the man for the job.

 

[HowardDaDuckDoe]

I’m currently very thankful for the football team. I’m pretty much completely checked out of basketball until Pope is out. It’s obvious he’s not the man for the job.

Not going to lie, I'm not sure I ever turned off games aside from Cal's last few seasons, I turned off the exhibition game after seeing 7 turnovers in like the first few minutes.

 

[Catastic5]

I know I sound like a big-a** hater and you wouldn’t be necessarily wrong. But I did want Pope to work out. When he was hired, I was just as baffled as everyone else, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. “Maybe Kentucky fans’ intuition about Pope was wrong,” I thought. I must admit I had fun watching him build the 2024-25 team. I was growing hopeful.

But as many highs for Pope as there have been, there's been twice as many lows. I tried to cope about the in-game scoring droughts, the questionable substitution patterns and the frequency of falling behind by double digits his first season. But they continued into the second season.

Are we really expecting an extreme change in his coaching philosophy going into the third season? I guess we’ll find out by the end of the season whether or not he’s had some come to Jesus moment.

 

[HolySmokes]

The number of idiots on here, Twitter, Facebook and even Reddit who I’ve seen compare Mark Pope to Dan Hurley or Golden or some other great coach is legitimately infuriating. It’s driving me mad how much undue cope I’m seeing from my fellow fans for a below average coach who is probably only 30% likely to even get a fourth season.

It’s like asking why a supermodel is dating some fat slub who hasn’t a penny to his name. You genuinely have to ask, “Him? Really?”

The surprising part to me was you asking why the media doesn't respect Pope. I dont get why you are asking that when you as a UK fan don't even respect him or think hes a good coach.

 

[Anon1739778738]

Popes had over 10yrs to gain the respect of the media and others while coaching.Winning matters and showing the ability to build a successful culture regardless of school or conference weighs heavily in the world of sports.

 

[Catastic5]

The surprising part to me was you asking why the media doesn't respect Pope. I dont get why you are asking that when you as a UK fan don't even respect him or think hes a good coach.

I’m asking the fans who are delusional enough to think Pope is more than what he is. What exactly do some fans see in Pope that the rest of the country, including many Uk fans clearly does not.

 

[Bluesbrother]

I’m currently very thankful for the football team. I’m pretty much completely checked out of basketball until Pope is out. It’s obvious he’s not the man for the job.

"It’s obvious he’s not the man for the job" ... Hoping the J Batt agrees.

 

[HolySmokes]

I’m currently very thankful for the football team. I’m pretty much completely checked out of basketball until Pope is out. It’s obvious he’s not the man for the job.

Same. I cant fake excitement. Pope just don't have it. Didn't turn on big blue madness. Started watching the replay of the walkouts and even turned that off. Watched like three minutes of the tech game and that was when we started winning. Turned that off. The brand just isnt exciting currently. Thats 1000% because of Pope. Call me a hater but even the games we win he disgust me.

Can't stand anything about him as a coach. Hes hard to listen to. Hard to support. I support them Wildcats no matter what but I'll be happy when they are a real threat again.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

This thread is just catastic applauding himself for how brilliant he is questioning Pope's coaching. A big ole, "Look how edgy and smart I am," self-love fest.

 

[NociHTTP]

Weren't you trashing Pope not too long ago?

 

[NociHTTP]

Same. I cant fake excitement. Pope just don't have it. Didn't turn on big blue madness. Started watching the replay of the walkouts and even turned that off. Watched like three minutes of the tech game and that was when we started winning. Turned that off. The brand just isnt exciting currently. Thats 1000% because of Pope. Call me a hater but even the games we win he disgust me.

Can't stand anything about him as a coach. Hes hard to listen to. Hard to support. I support them Wildcats no matter what but I'll be happy when they are a real threat again.

#1 ranked recruiting classes or I'm just not excited! No clapping allowed!

 

[HolySmokes]

#1 ranked recruiting classes or I'm just not excited! No clapping allowed!

Anything is allowed. Ill never be offended by how someone chooses to fan. Literally could care less. I enjoy the different opinions. I dont feel attacked when someone disagrees or thinks completely opposite.

 

[Catastic5]

This thread is just catastic applauding himself for how brilliant he is questioning Pope's coaching. A big ole, "Look how edgy and smart I am," self-love fest.

I don’t pretend to be smart. I’m typing away comments on a sports forum. It’s not exactly an intelligent hobby for brainiacs.

But that doesn’t change my opinion on fans who refuse to see that things are not going well with the basketball program. And it’s not magically going to make a turn for the better until serious personnel changes are made. Problem is that Pope didn’t make serious changes beyond hiring a former Mormon buddy for the GM position and a former UK player for “player development”. And a former NBA guy with questionable coaching ability and a coach with African connections to bring in African players doesn’t exactly spark confidence.

The fact that Mark Fox is still on the team pisses me off. We’re not a serious program right now. If you’re that blinded by nostalgia or homerism to see we’re in trouble, you might be too far gone. The whole damned country knows we’re not in a good position right now.

 

[Hush4872]

lol is this a troll thread?

 

[Wildcatmenace]

Pope gets every bit of the respect he deserves. Probably even more?

He is simply not a good coach. Just middlin. He’s not awful at anything but also not good at anything.

He’s pretty awful at PR

 

[UKBB4Ever]

He’s pretty awful at PR

Ok, you’re right. He is awful at messaging.

But maybe he’s trying to get fired? I’ve thought that for some time now. I don’t think he can be this bad without trying to be this bad.

Many tell me different. That he really is this bad. Intentional or not, he’s bad.

 

[TFCat11]

Some fans talk about, had Pope never been on that 1996 team, he would never have been looked at for the job (Mitch’s middle finger to the fans), and I would add, had Pope not been a card carrying LDS member, he would have never gotten those head coaching positions in Utah!

Dude has literally made millions by simply being the wrong person, in the right places, at the right time! But now, he’s probably going to ride Zoom Diallo right out of the head coaching position, that he was never qualified for in the first place…

And that’s the fundamental problem with every single Pope supporter’s argument, before any other point that they try to make!

 

[Bill_the_cat]

Why would the media respect Pope when a majority of the fan base doesn’t..

 

[Snarks]

Some fans talk about, had Pope never been on that 1996 team, he would never have been looked at for the job (Mitch’s middle finger to the fans), and I would add, had Pope not been a card carrying LDS member, he would have never gotten those head coaching positions in Utah!

Dude has literally made millions by simply being the wrong person, in the right places, at the right time! But now, he’s probably going to ride Zoom Diallo right out of the head coaching position, that he was never qualified for in the first place…

And that’s the fundamental problem with every single Pope supporter’s argument, before any other point that they try to make!

Not sure about the Utah job. But zero percent chance Pope gets the job here if he didn’t play here.

 

[JHBr]

I think the performance the first two years, social media including this board have both contributed to the no respect perception that exists. I was thinking the Kentucky position could elevate a coach given the resources. To this point it hasn't been the case with Pope although injuries have been a factor. I believe this year is pivotal for him, he must show progress. I'm hoping he can get the job done but I'm skeptical.
I'm not going to trash him in every post like some do here.

 

[mash_24]

No comment other than OP should do some research into what the word peers means. A poll of his actual peers may look a lot different. Pope may not be in it either but I’d bet it looks different.