After 18 games, would anyone still trade Pope for either Hurley or Drew?

[FtWorthCat]

It was a shock initially, because I didn't expect Pope to be that high on the list. Then I watched the youtube videos on Pope's offense, and I was sold. I have to admit, Pitino's gushing endorsement made me feel a lot better about it as well. Then, Pope just immediately won me over with his infectious positive energy and communication skills. I never wanted Hurley. I would have been happy with the Drew hire, but Pope is more exciting and a better fit by far.

 

[The_Answer1313]

I happy that Pope is here. He's done well. And he's definitely a lot easier to root for than say Hurley.

Tho I still believe any of the three would have done well here.

 

[UKSanders]

I like Hurley and this job you have have an arrogance about yourself. I love Tubby but he was too nice and the team takes on the coaches persona I believe and plays like it.
When UK loses three or four in a row at some point how will the fans react to the nice guy personality that Pope has. I’m just curious if the fans will feel like he’s talking down to them when he explains in detail what went wrong

Having an even-keeled approach w/ a meek demeanor doesn't mean soft. Tony Dungee won pretty well in the NFL with a similar demeanor, but he wasn't soft. I'm not saying it's a guarantee that Pope will win a championship or anything...just saying good coaches can win regardless of personality/demeanor.

 

[know1]

I wouldn't trade him for 2010 Cal. But I might consider trading him for early '90s Pitino.

 

[storm1507]

I wouldn't trade him. My hope is that he becomes the unquestioned 2nd best (at least) coach in UK's history.

 

[JimboBBN]

Knowing what I know now, not sure I would trade him for any coach in America. Hes an Xs and Os genius on offense and probably the most important thing, he gives a shit more than anyone else would.

 

[yabbadabbadoo]

No
And
Hell no

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I wonder how many of the people who freaked out when the Pope hire occurred would admit it now? We were very lucky.

Me. Thursday night was a bash mitch night to me. If Pope played at ucla and was on their 95 title team but had 0 ncaa tourney wins in 9 seasons...I dont think he would have been considered.

To Barney and Popes credit, it was a great hire. The UK connectionn helps because he cares more than a Pitino or Cal (who both won big at UK).

I think Hurley would have won big here. Idc if he's an ass as long as he wins big. He's won 2 titles last 2 years and UK hasn't had a head coach win more than 1 title n their tenure since rupp retired. Hoping Pope can buck that trend as he has the potential to do so.

 

[FtWorthCat]

We'll see how many Hurley wins without Clingan. I'm hoping Malachi Moreno is our Donovan Clingan, a dominant big man right in your backyard.

 

[UKSanders]

Tang isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire right now, he may be an assistant candidate again pretty soon.

That doesn't make sense... I mean, just 2 years ago in the 2023 NCAA tournament, he outcoached a Hall of Fame Coach to advance to the Sweet Sixteen even though the opposing coach said his team "fought like crazy".

I would think it's a pretty high bar to hit, and any coach who is that level of a tactician would have likely significant success would follow one able to achieve that...

 

[catfan220]

I wonder how many of the people who freaked out when the Pope hire occurred would admit it now? We were very lucky.

I hear and read people preface their comments all the time with some version of, "I wasn't happy with the Pope hire at the time but he's totally won me over now." And I'm one of them, without a doubt. In a way I think it's a point of pride for fans. The catharsis of those first few days culminating with the press conference was unreal.

 

[STL_Cat]

I wonder how many of the people who freaked out when the Pope hire occurred would admit it now? We were very lucky.

I think almost all of us have admitted it, multiple times.

 

[MachineHead1]

Wouldn’t have traded him for either after the press conference. Love the guy. Initial reaction was, “oh hell no!” By the next evening I was happy as could be .

I think this was pretty much all of us.

 

[CatFanInIlliniLand]

Initially, I was upset that we didn’t wait to go harder after Billy D. I liked that he had won 2 titles from the SEC.

In hindsight, Pope is the best fit and I haven’t been this excited about UK in a long time.

 

[Cowtown Cat]

Nope! I wanted Pope before Cal even left for Arkansas. Well before that, actually. He’s the perfect fit here IMHO. Couldn’t ask for a better fit.

 

[runt#69]

I was pretty excited from Day 1 when Pope got the job. I wouldn’t trade him for any coach in the country at this very second. Let the man build a program and I think we’ll all be thrilled with the results

THIS

I was pretty excited getting one of our own to come here and coach. Cap coming back was an entirely positive move, and I was optimistic from the get go. But that's just me. The world could be on fire and I'd be optimistic the great green arklesiezure would somehow showup and bless us with his divine sneeze, extinguishing the flames !

 

[runt#69]

I wouldn't trade him for 2010 Cal. But I might consider trading him for early '90s Pitino.

Really, Know ? You really do feel that way? Even in hindsight ? You'd trade the one title and runner up season for what Coach Pope has in his future with us? Usually, I'd say " a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush..." but I can maybe see why you would feel that way, too.

I don't want to jinx it, this place makes me superstitious (and that, Im definitely not) but I do think that ultimate success is going to come, and sooner, with Coach Pope, rather than later.

If I might share :
Immediately before Laettner hit that shot in 92, , during the timeout, as my entire family sat there watching, I said "laettner is going to hit the game winner, watch.I took it a step further ... saying - I'll explain afterwards." everyone scoffed, dad sat silently, rocking baCK AND FORTH SMOKING HIS PIPE, AS USUAL. (SRRY CAPS LOCK)

then he hit it.

DEAD SILENCE. everyone looked at me, I remember my sister Paula looked really puzzled. lol - of course, they stared me down... I said ...

Look at what it means to beat "little ole' Kentucky NOW. Look at this, the greatest dUKe team ever, running around, sheer joy, and all they did was beat Kentucky. (It had almost been that beating Kentucky was becoming routine during the probation years, it was seeming to me. )

Mark my words, Kentucky is going to win a national championship within the next 5 years. The future is bright.

... and so it was.

And as for your thoughts? Very interesting, friend. You may be on to something there .... thanks for sharing !

Go Big Blue !

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

There weren't a lot of people fretting over Drew staying in Baylor. He would have likely just been an extension of the last 5 years of Cal or barely a notch above. He is the right man for Baylor, got his national title. Drew will have some really good teams every few years and win enough to appease that fan base. Scott can stay there as long as Boheim did at Syracuse if he wants to coach that long. For Hurley, not going to diminish his success in the game just because he is an asshole, but I'm taking Mark Pope. He has the energy for the job in a positive way, unlike Hurley's arrogance.

Mark is one of us who gets this place more than anyone out there who could have taken the job, and you won't have to worry about him leaving as this is his destination job. What he has done in year one so far is absolutely amazing with a roster that did not start coming together until mid-April. Can't wait to see what a roster of his will be once he has players of his own in the system 2-3 years. Have to give Pope that long before giving any fair judgment on his tenure.