Pope is still young and has great energy

[BigBlueTrue75]

I remember Pope on the 96 squad always having that abundance of energy as the captain. I was excited yesterday talking at work about how he still young energetic and big and strong enough to get in there with those kids and teach with his body as well like he did as a player and captain.
He knows the reps of those MONSTER defensive sets reflexively and has taught a team before with clear successful results. I can't help but think he's looking back on those defensive victories fondly with these multiple, and multi year rabid defensive poys and fifth year senior weapons he got.
He specifically targeted tough minded proven strong players whose burning desire to win is greater than the pain of their burning legs from so much work on defense. He KNOWS the value of the mental and physical game, not just the stars beside the name.

 

[L.O.D.]

Pope is my age. As much as I want to think I'm young I know I'm not. He is young in terms if he is sort of new to head coaching (only 5 or 6 years I think).

 

[ukfan1622]

Pope is my age. As much as I want to think I'm young I know I'm not. He is young in terms if he is sort of new to head coaching (only 5 or 6 years I think).

If you're still around at my age your present age will be the good ole days before you got old.

 

[L.O.D.]

If you're still around at my age your present age will be the good ole days before you got old.

I already think of how I was in my early 30s or even late 20s. Compared to that I am old... in my 70s I just hope I can still play golf

 

[ukfan1622]

I already think of how I was in my early 30s or even late 20s. Compared to that I am old... in my 70s I just hope I can still play golf

I can probably play just as well as I used to. Just imagine Charles Barkley's swing without the athleticism...

 

[L.O.D.]

I can probably play just as well as I used to. Just imagine Charles Barkley's swing without the athleticism...

My Dad's 78 and plays 18 about every day. But he was in crazy shape his whole life . He might be in better than me at 78 to my 51. Lol.

 

[BigBlueTrue75]

Pope is my age. As much as I want to think I'm young I know I'm not. He is young in terms if he is sort of new to head coaching (only 5 or 6 years I think).

I'm just a lil behind you at 49 and definitely aware I'm not 21 but still plenty young to do what I want and get around well!

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Pope is my age. As much as I want to think I'm young I know I'm not. He is young in terms if he is sort of new to head coaching (only 5 or 6 years I think).

I'd go a step further in that he's just young in general to be a HC in CBB.. or maybe I'll say, "youngish".

 

[UKWildcats1987]

He's older than any coach that has been hired to coach here post Rupp.

I agree with other posters it's more young in terms of head coaching experience.

 

[L.O.D.]

I'd go a step further in that he's just young in general to be a HC in CBB.. or maybe I'll say, "youngish".

Honestly he got started as a head coach maybe 10 years later thsn many do. He was mid 40s before he was a head coach.

 

[Snarks0]

He’s 51, that ain’t young.

 

[mycues]

He’s 51, that ain’t young.

That ain’t old either. He should have at least another 20 years left in him. According to Joe B, he only needs 10.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

He’s 51, that ain’t young.

It's not old, either

 

[CB3UK]

Gonna be refreshing to see some filthy D after last years debacle.

 

[BBNinSC]

Everyone knows that Pope is the oldest coach Kentucky has ever hired. He does seem to be youthful and still in good shape

 

[Elliott Tim]

Pope is my age. As much as I want to think I'm young I know I'm not. He is young in terms if he is sort of new to head coaching (only 5 or 6 years I think).

We don't feel any older in our minds.
We have to trust our bodies to be our reality check.

 

[ladyboy]

Gonna be refreshing to see some filthy D after last years debacle.

Right, if there’s one thing BYU was known for it was filthy D. 🙃

 

[TOMCATS1990]

If things go well I’d guess Pope will end his HC career at KY maybe around 64-65.

 

[Smashcat]

This stud loves that Pope energy.

 

[Bluegrassking]

It's not old, either

It ain't the years, it is the mileage.

Pope's are low (until he got here anyway and he compressed a whole year plus jnto a month), mine are fairly high but I had a ball logging them.

 

[mycues]

It ain't the years, it is the mileage.

Pope's are low (until he got here anyway and he compressed a whole year plus jnto a month), mine are fairly high but I had a ball logging them.

So, you’re saying you are doing pretty good for your mileage! 🙂

 

[westerncat]

He’s 51, that ain’t young.

Cracks me up reading this. To me 51 is young ! I will be 79 next month and I bet half of you could not stay up with me. Put in a full days work in the garden today and a lot of young people can even keep up with me.

 

[StubbornPenny]

Just gonna say it doesn’t hurt that he’s likely abstained from alcohol his entire life, which keeps the mileage off quite a bit.

 

[BigBlueTrue75]

That ain’t old either. He should have at least another 20 years left in him. According to Joe B, he only needs 10.

My point exactly, I was raised by some old school guys that enjoyed out working groups of teenagers by themselves in their 80s, no kidding. Silent generation is a different breed, and gave me faith in myself to be strong in my old age like their example. So to me yes 51 is young!

 

[BigBlueTrue75]

This stud loves that Pope energy.

View embedded media

That's what I'm talking about I remember my freshmen year in 96 like it was y'day

 

[BigBlueTrue75]

Cracks me up reading this. To me 51 is young ! I will be 79 next month and I bet half of you could not stay up with me. Put in a full days work in the garden today and a lot of young people can even keep up with me.

See, this is the attitude of people raised by the silent generation. Mostly silent, because they didn't complain and they were way more about actions than words, I admire them greatly.
Leading by example sir, the best way to do it!

 

[BlueSince92]

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

It ain't the years, it is the mileage.

Pope's are low (until he got here anyway and he compressed a whole year plus jnto a month), mine are fairly high but I had a ball logging them.

My odometer rolled over a few times, but I've had a decent time for most of the drive too.

 

[Cleatortoises]

In a ten year job, he'll be younger than🐄 when he's done here. Go get em youngster.

 

[lakercat]

Pope is 51; Calipari was 51 when he was hired by UK. Pope is actually a few months OLDER than Cal was at the date of hire. Hurley is 51, and Oats will be 50 in October. This is a 10 year job; it was around year 10 when things took a turn for the worse with Cal (year 10 was the 2019 season when we lost to Auburn in the Elite Eight). I know Pope is kinda the "Anti-Cal" right now, but let's see what he does on the hardwood. It looks like we will not get into a midseason tournament, because the spots have been filled, but thank God that this is (hopefully) the last time we have the "Bluegrass Showcase" where we play N.Michigan, Kennesaw St, Lamar, and Towson (maybe we should invite Oakland and St Peters). We will not go to Maui until at least 2026, as the field for 2025 has been set. Maybe we'll play in the Nike tournament in 2027. Who knows, but I like what Pope is saying.

 

[susan2361]

He’s 51, that ain’t young.

That ain’t old either. He should have at least another 20 years left in him. According to Joe B, he only needs 10.

He may not be that young, but his energy and enthusiasm is off the charts!!! Heck I get exhausted just reading about what he has done everyday, so far!!🤪🥴🤣

 

[Elliott Tim]

Cracks me up reading this. To me 51 is young ! I will be 79 next month and I bet half of you could not stay up with me. Put in a full days work in the garden today and a lot of young people can even keep up with me.

Everyday is a gift from God!

 

[BigBlueTrue75]

He may not be that young, but his energy and enthusiasm is off the charts!!! Heck I get exhausted just reading about what he has done everyday, so far!!🤪🥴🤣

This is what excites me!!!