Candid Coaches: Who was college basketball's best high-major coaching hire of 2024?

[nssdigitalchumps]

The type of recruiting he’s doing. He isn’t relying heavily on freshmen look at his roster. Compare the roster he has At Arkansas to what he had coming in to UK.

Haha wait for it.

 

[Ron Mehico]

The type of recruiting he’s doing. He isn’t relying heavily on freshmen look at his roster. Compare the roster he has At Arkansas to what he had coming in to UK.

The 2 years before last year we had primarily returning players and transfers.

 

[Creed Bratton]

I have his Razorbacks ranked 13th in the Top 25 And 1, which suggests no coach at a new school is better-positioned than Calipari to compete for a Final Four in Year 1. And I can't tell you how many people in the profession, even close friends of Calipari's, have told me over the past four months that more or less being pushed out of Kentucky, a place he'd long planned to stay until he retired, should motivate and reenergize Calipari, whom some believe just got too comfortable and stubborn after 15 years at UK.

So winning another title, earning 9+ Million per year and coaching at UK isn't motivation enough but going to Arkansas is? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[FatestCat]

The 2 years before last year we had primarily returning players and transfers.

Sure but that wasn’t the norm. What he had coming next year was abysmal. He has even talked about a change in philosophy since he’s been there.

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

lol pushed out of Kentucky. Egotistical bastard thought he could hoodwink Mitch into hiring minical and Mitch ate his lunch and took his sunglasses. Don't play poker with Mitch cal. oink oink

 

[Ron Mehico]

Sure but that wasn’t the norm.

You said he’s never done at Kentucky what he’s now doing at Arkansas. I pointed out that he’s done that 2 of the last 3 years at Kentucky (and failed miserably BTW). I’m glad you can say “sure” and then just carry on but what you said was incorrect.

 

[Dead Cat Bounce]

Motivation won't matter if Cal won't coach in and to the game.

 

[Skyguyb27]

What has he done at Arkansas that he hasn’t done at UK? Lol

Got fired ? Oh wait that was Kentucky…… 😂😂😂

 

[Myth Buster51]

If ‘best hire’ means biggest positive impact on their respective non-UK teams, I would vote for the Pat Kelsey hire at UofL and the Dusty May hire at Michigan. Both programs were dumpster fires last season, and I’d wager a car payment that both programs finish with winning records come April. The UK-UofL game on December 14 will be competitive.

 

[chevyman 50]

I think Pope is the most underrated new coach I think he will be a good coach, Cal has proved what he can do the last few years great recruiter but does not know how to coach with the best talent he cannot win.

 

[Cat in ga]

I had not heard this. At what point in the process did he try to get the Kentucky job bach.
Thanks

It was said on here he tried to save his job here at the last moment.

 

[Cat in ga]

You haven’t heard it because it didn’t happen, respectfully.

There was a thread on here saying different. I’m not saying that it’s true or not, but it appeared that way

 

[yes_takeaside]

Holy shit!! I can hear his voice in my head when I read it. That is exactly how that guy talks. I know I've heard him say "I'll be shocked if xyz doesn't happen" many times before.

You nailed it.

He said it on air when Cal left

 

[true blue1]

I was extremely hesitant of Pope getting hired but I’m not going to lie I really think he’s the best hire at this time. I think he has the knowledge, understanding and energy to succeed here.

 

[Fox2monk]

This is silly BS.

• "Cal stayed too long at Kentucky. He knows that now. But I talked to him on the road, and you can just tell that a weight has been lifted off of him. I'll be shocked if he doesn't go to another Final Four. He's going to win big again. He has everything he needs to win big again."

He didn’t have great facilities, brand, nba results, or money here. No wonder he didn’t win! Those red jerseys change everything.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I have his Razorbacks ranked 13th in the Top 25 And 1, which suggests no coach at a new school is better-positioned than Calipari to compete for a Final Four in Year 1. And I can't tell you how many people in the profession, even close friends of Calipari's, have told me over the past four months that more or less being pushed out of Kentucky, a place he'd long planned to stay until he retired, should motivate and reenergize Calipari, whom some believe just got too comfortable and stubborn after 15 years at UK.

So winning another title, earning 9+ Million per year and coaching at UK isn't motivation enough but going to Arkansas is? 🤣🤣🤣

Lol that "should" is very subtle but heavy word in that quote.