He beat 4 or 5 Top 25 teams last year, at a Mormon school with a bunch of 2 star players.
Exactly
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He beat 4 or 5 Top 25 teams last year, at a Mormon school with a bunch of 2 star players.
Have you seen what a BYU roster looks like?I’ve never seen him coach a game or know a thing about how he does recruiting.
I'm sorry, nothing against Pope, but he, like anyone with his resume, doesn't deserve the biggest coaching job in college basketball. He has never even won a conference championship. And he coached in the Western Athletic and the West Coast conference. I'm sorry, but if you can't win a championship in those conferences, how do you expect him to win in the SEC? This is a colossal mistake. Mitch likes him because they can pray together, but this is a disaster hire.
Utah Valley State; not Utah State. He never took them to the tournament. They went to the CBI for four years.Not Kenny 2.0. Utah State to NCAA tourney under Pope and BYU to tourney, no they did not win but he is no Kenny Payne.
Can he handle the pressure. We will find out Quick / Fast and in a hurry. Not sure they can fill Rupp with the introduction of pope like you would have with Donovan, Hurley, Pearl or many others. I know I gave up on Cal the past 2.5 years. I will not stop watching this year. I will watch to see if he has a team that can play, has a team that can compete, has the x and o mind. I have not watched much Pope ball.
And his career is ruined.Pope's not ready to be given a chance in the first place. This is like starting your third string freshman QB against 2021 Georgia. It’s not fair to him. Plus, if and when it doesn’t work out, it’ll be harder to get rid of him because he’s "family"
Then go root for some other team.No.He didn't deserve this hire and I won't support him.
I’m disappointed. I wanted Billy Donovan to be our coach. I just can’t get mad at Mark Pope because Mitch decided to hire him. I’m going to support Mark till he gives me a reason not to. I refuse to talk shit about an ex player that wanted this job because of Mitch Barnhart.Have you seen what a BYU roster looks like?
I'm sorry, nothing against Pope, but he, like anyone with his resume, doesn't deserve the biggest coaching job in college basketball. He has never even won a conference championship. And he coached in the Western Athletic and the West Coast conference. I'm sorry, but if you can't win a championship in those conferences, how do you expect him to win in the SEC? This is a colossal mistake. Mitch likes him because they can pray together, but this is a disaster hire.
The new standard for Kentucky, beat a couple of top 25 team....do you hear yourselves?Exactly
The new standard for Kentucky, beat a couple of top 25 team....do you hear yourselves?
It isn't that, and it isn't anything against Pope, it is literally that he hasn't earned this job. Zero tourney wins and zero conference wins- and he has played in some crap conferences. This is a HORRIBLE hire. Period.All the negativity regarding Pope’s hire is very disturbing and embarrassing to think we have fans who won’t support the new coach because they didn’t get what they consider a home run hire.
It may take 2-3 years to get back to the top 10, but I’m OK with that as long as the new coach coaches for the University and not for the NBA. Let’s give him a fair chance.
If you followed my reply someone commented that he won 3 top 25 games last year....I mean...this is your new coach of the Kentucky Wildcats! He couldn't win the championship in the Western Athletic or the West Coast (or any other conference) or any NCAA tourney game, but lets give him the keys to BBN because he was able to win some top 25 games..... Are you guys nuts?You're the one freakin hearing people say "it's the new standard" when no one has even remotely stated that. You may want to look into a mental health check. Hearing voices and having manic episodes, that's no joke. Let your friends and family know that you may need a wellness check
I and Pope(if he heard about it) am crushed you are not supportive,the program might colapse.No fng way
Vaya con Dios gringoNo. I will not
It’s your right to do whatever you want. Same as it is for me to support our coach even though I don’t agree with the hireNo. I will not
If you followed my reply someone commented that he won 3 top 25 games last year....I mean...this is your new coach of the Kentucky Wildcats! He couldn't win the championship in the Western Athletic or the West Coast (or any other conference) or any NCAA tourney game, but lets give him the keys to BBN because he was able to win some top 25 games..... Are you guys nuts?
I am just repeating what others stated this evening.Utah Valley State; not Utah State. He never took them to the tournament. They went to the CBI for four years.
At BYU, he’s had two appearances in the ncaa tournament. Both times as six seeds, both times lost by 9-11 points.
Him being an ex Kentucky player nearly 30 years ago has zero to do with making him qualified to be here. I'm not saying he's a bad person. I'm saying he's not remotely qualified to justify getting this job. That's not an argument. It's straight truth.I’m disappointed. I wanted Billy Donovan to be our coach. I just can’t get mad at Mark Pope because Mitch decided to hire him. I’m going to support Mark till he gives me a reason not to. I refuse to talk shit about an ex player that wanted this job because of Mitch Barnhart.
I know what you mean. I don’t get how Mitch had him on the same tier as Hurley on his list. I don’t understand that at all.Him being an ex Kentucky player nearly 30 years ago has zero to do with making him qualified to be here. I'm not saying he's a bad person. I'm saying he's not remotely qualified to justify getting this job. That's not an argument. It's straight truth.
I love my son but I wouldn't suggest putting him in as the starting pitcher of the Yankees.
Are we Indiana? Are we idolizing regular season wins? He's been good enough to make the tournament as a six seed twice and both times lost to 11 seed UCLA and 11 seed Duquesne.I am just repeating what others stated this evening.
I know this year, BYU won At Kansas, Won Baylor, Won Iowa State, Won texas, Won Gonzaga. How did Cal do against the Zags at home? Give the guy a chance.
Him being an ex Kentucky player nearly 30 years ago has zero to do with making him qualified to be here. I'm not saying he's a bad person. I'm saying he's not remotely qualified to justify getting this job. That's not an argument. It's straight truth.
I love my son but I wouldn't suggest putting him in as the starting pitcher of the Yankees.
So you thought we were going to get a national championship coach. OK I get it.Are we Indiana? Are we idolizing regular season wins? He's been good enough to make the tournament as a six seed twice and both times lost to 11 seed UCLA and 11 seed Duquesne.
No way would anyone here say this is a good hire if this guy didn't play at Kentucky for two years.
You do know that Barnhart’s leadership has UK in the Top 15 in the annual Director’s Cup rankings every year for best overall athletic programsI can’t wait for Mitch to retire. He should have been fired a long time ago
No I didn’t. Thanks for the info. I just don’t see how Mitch had Pope so high on his list of coaches but I haven’t done enough research. I just don’t understand it. I hope he proves me wrongYou do know that Barnhart’s leadership has UK in the Top 15 in the annual Director’s Cup rankings every year for best overall athletic programs
When has Kentucky ever hired someone with this little success? Never. There is a giant middle between championship coaches and Mark Pope. Literally a lot of coaches who have at least made a Sweet 16, an Elite 8, actually won a postseason game.So you thought we were going to get a national championship coach. OK I get it.
I would have taken Nick Nolte coaching Shaq over Cal. I am just saying, I am willing to give Pope a chance. If you look at my posts, I will be harsh when we do not do what we should be doing.
If Pope comes out with all our backing, $$ and help from Admin, Pope maybe gets the right staff and so on and he does a great job. Then fine. If Pope gets here and folds under the pressure, i would rather have that than Pitino back here a 2nd time. I wanted Billy the Kid. Guessing Mitch did not. We are not the AD. We can yell at the AD.
I like Mark Popes energy, I like his personality, I like that he exudes confidence in himself. Will that be enough. Probably not. He is a Rhodes Scholar. So he has some smarts to himself. Time will tell.
It's asinine for you to argue that Barnhart is great because the swim team had a good season while we watch the basketball program crash and burn.You do know that Barnhart’s leadership has UK in the Top 15 in the annual Director’s Cup rankings every year for best overall athletic programs
Relax we don't know that yet give mark a chanceIt's asinine for you to argue that Barnhart is great because the swim team had a good season while we watch the basketball program crash and burn.
Purdy much. I'm embarrassed by some of the things I've read since this news broke. The ugliness is out in full. A lot of dogs are being kicked today. It's disgusting if you ask me.LOD -"He didn't beat anyone!"
Fan -"He beat Kansas at Kansas... so..."
LOD -"OH MY ATHEISM! He's a Mormon!"
Fan -"He has been for a long time and it wasn't a problem when he played here..."
LOD -"He can't recruit! Who's he recruited so far?"
Fan -"Well, he's won with mostly 2 star recruits against Kansas at Kansas, so I guess he can coach really well."
LOD -"Well, I'm not gonna back him because he's unproven."
Fan -"... and how is that gonna help. Doesn't it make more sense to give him EVERY BIT of support, THEN if he doesn't do well, we would know it's just not the job for him?"
LOD -"...but I want instant and guaranteed successsssss!!!"
Fan -"Nm. (Click handle. Click Ignore.)
Ah, that's better."
I'm on board with y'all. Go Cats!I said from the beginning that I would support whoever we hired and give them a chance. I’m surprised with this hire but considering he’s one of our own, I’m definitely going to support him. I hope you all do the same. If you’re mad at Mitch that’s understandable but don’t take it out on Mark it’s not his fault that the job was offered to him.
I think these are lost in the shock. That last one is especially true.Intelligent
Know and respects the tradition
Will put Kentucky first
I’m with you I’ll support Pope 💯 but Mitch screw that clown….I said from the beginning that I would support whoever we hired and give them a chance. I’m surprised with this hire but considering he’s one of our own, I’m definitely going to support him. I hope you all do the same. If you’re mad at Mitch that’s understandable but don’t take it out on Mark it’s not his fault that the job was offered to him.