He probably won't be Kenny Payne bad, but

[deplion]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

 

[ala_kat2]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

I could see him having success here after year 2 if the fans will guve him a chance. All you who want instant gratification need to relax ( and I’m not particularly referencing you Deplion).

 

[SemperFiCat]

We just don't know yet. I'm ok with a three year leash. We whiffed on some good coaches, and I doubt Pope will be much worse than a few more years of Cal. At least it'll be more interesting than more Cal. I'm ok with a three year experiment. Next one won't be on Mitch.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

Yes, I think the job and expectations of the fanbase are too big for where Mark Pope is in his career right now. Offering the job to someone who is clearly not ready for it is tantamount to negligence IMO. Barnhart should have to publicly explain this hire BEFORE the BOT vote on it.
UK fans are expecting a hire that will elevate the program above where Calipari had brought us to. Not potentially cripple it further. This decision is inexplicable.

 

[JFCats22]

I could see him having success here after year 2 if the fans will guve him a chance. All you who want instant gratification need to relax ( and I’m not particularly referencing you Deplion).

No one in their right mind will give him two years to figure it out. That’s the dumbest damn thing I have ever heard. “Could have success after two years”

WTF?!?!

 

[KY_BBN]

We just don't know yet. I'm ok with a three year leash. We whiffed on some good coaches, and I doubt Pope will be much worse than a few more years of Cal. At least it'll be more interesting than more Cal. I'm ok with a three year experiment. Next one won't be on Mitch.

If we’re giving Pope a three year leash then why in the world wouldn’t we just wait a week and try to hire Donovan? That was literally the main knock on him was that this upcoming season would likely suck due to the logistics of the whole thing. This is one of the most idiotic decisions you’ll ever hear about in sports.

 

[Smashcat]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

I want to see the roster we have going into the 24-25 season first but right now KP bad isn’t out of the question.

 

[BStockfan01]

I could see him having success here after year 2 if the fans will guve him a chance. All you who want instant gratification need to relax ( and I’m not particularly referencing you Deplion).

With this hire he better not lose more than 9 games. His standard is higher than any other hire bc nobody likes it

 

[kb22stang]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

 

[SemperFiCat]

If we’re giving Pope a three year leash then why in the world wouldn’t we just wait a week and try to hire Donovan? That was literally the main knock on him was that this upcoming season would likely suck due to the logistics of the whole thing. This is one of, if not the most, idiotic decisions you’ll ever hear about in college sports.

IDK. I'm just gonna be excited and take a wait and see approach. I'll support him til I have reason not to, I suppose. Still glad Cal is gone. That's more important to me, TBH.

 

[TheBlueMist]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

Possible. If so, a new AD will be pressured to make a change as his first signature decision in three years.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

Since he played at UK we aren't allowed to say anything negative about him.Interesting.

 

[CatOfDaVille]

We just don't know yet. I'm ok with a three year leash. We whiffed on some good coaches, and I doubt Pope will be much worse than a few more years of Cal. At least it'll be more interesting than more Cal. I'm ok with a three year experiment. Next one won't be on Mitch.

This is not the time for a 3 year experiment though. If we had just come off of a title in the last few years and Cal retired, then sure.

Three more subpar years will make 8 in a row. We're well on our way to IU and UofL status at that point while we watch UConn, KU, UNC, and Duke widen the gap further.

No thanks.

 

[specialkd24]

Kenny Payne was NEVER a head coach. That is why he failed.

Pope has proven he can win, albeit at Utah Valley and BYU. There is something to be said about that.

I'm going to support him, because he is one of us and he LOVES this place.

If you can win at BYU ... you for sure win at Kentucky (the NCAA wins will come).

 

[SemperFiCat]

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

It's pretty sad. I can't imagine being in his position. Coming 'home' to this kind of reception. BBN def showing our assess on this.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Oh he's getting a leash. It's like the joker hire. Mitch will want to give him 3 years no matter what.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

It's pretty sad. I can't imagine being in his position. Coming 'home' to this kind of reception. BBN def showing our assess on this.

So you never say anything negative about our own players?

 

[Stevo1951]

Kenny Payne was NEVER a head coach. That is why he failed.

Pope has proven he can win, albeit at Utah Valley and BYU. There is something to be said about that.

I'm going to support him, because he is one of us and he LOVES this place.

If you can win at BYU ... you for sure win at Kentucky (the NCAA wins will come).

I hope you’re right

 

[CatOfDaVille]

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

I don't see too many people trashing Pope. They're mostly saying that he's not ready, unproven, and underqualified. In short it's a totally unnecessary risk for a program like UK and a bad hire. Nothing against Mark, it's just the truth. I'll bet he's shocked he's getting hired too.

The person people are trashing is Mitch.

 

[rolaid]

Kenny Payne is not a good example. Kenny Payne never was a head coach, nor can he complete a full sentence. Mark Pope has been a head coach for at least seven years and was a rhodes scholar finalist much smarter individual than Kenny. Pope plays similar offense to Alabama, and did it with a roster made up of YMCA looking players

 

[KyCatFan]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

He made the tournament this year with mediocre recruits in a tough Big 12. He also had a bunch of good wins. Guarantee the recruits will be a lot better than the BYU ones. I hope he makes a lot of you eat big helpings of crow.

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

No one in their right mind will give him two years to figure it out. That’s the dumbest damn thing I have ever heard. “Could have success after two years”

WTF?!?!

With his record in recruiting and use of the portal, I can't see us making an NCAA-T his first couple of years here. How will the fanbase react to something like that? Even being a former Cat won't be enough to shield him from incredible severe criticism.
That's why I think this is a terrible hire. Pope isn't ready.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Kenny Payne is not a good example. Kenny Payne never was a head coach, nor can he complete a full sentence. Mark Pope has been a head coach for at least seven years and was a rhodes scholar finalist much smarter individual than Kenny. Pope plays similar offense to Alabama, and did it with a roster made up of YMCA looking players

Wow.What does that have to do with basketball?

 

[SemperFiCat]

So you never say anything negative about our own players?

Oh, I def do. But I try not to sound like a pissed off teenager about it. Some folks need a couple days to chill out. I'm not the happiest person here, but I can keep my head about it.

 

[michaeluk26]

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

More like Barney being trashed while realizing this is a desperation hire.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I don't see too many people trashing Pope. They're mostly saying that he's not ready, unproven, and underqualified. In short it's a totally unnecessary risk for a program like UK and a bad hire. Nothing against Mark, it's just the truth. I'll bet he's shocked he's getting hired too.

The person people are trashing is Mitch.

This. It isn't his fault Mitch fumbled his first solo hire. The anger is almost exclusively focused on Mitch for fumbling this process as bad as he did.

 

[deplion]

I don't see too many people trashing Pope. They're mostly saying that he's not ready, unproven, and underqualified. In short it's a totally unnecessary risk for a program like UK and a bad hire. Nothing against Mark, it's just the truth. I'll bet he's shocked he's getting hired too.

The person people are trashing is Mitch.

Agreed.

There have been a couple of over-the-top posts trashing Pope, but the vast majority of us want him to do well.

It just feels like Mitch has set him up for failure by giving him a job he isn't prepared for at a time where we can't afford to fall even further behind our fellow blue bloods.

I mean the guy just lost to Duquesne in the Big Dance a couple of weeks ago, and we want him to come here and go to the Final Four and win championships -- and sooner rather than later?

Seems unfair to expect that from him. Mitch is to blame for that. Not Pope.

 

[yes_takeaside]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

So you wanted a coach who players will come to play for instead of UK. Does the UK name and the SEC mean nothing? That what you’re saying?

How many P5 schools would you say are less attractive to recruits than BYU?

Any?

 

[wldktz8]

Yes, I think the job and expectations of the fanbase are too big for where Mark Pope is in his career right now. Offering the job to someone who is clearly not ready for it is tantamount to negligence IMO. Barnhart should have to publicly explain this hire BEFORE the BOT vote on it.
UK fans are expecting a hire that will elevate the program above where Calipari had brought us to. Not potentially cripple it further. This decision is inexplicable.

Would you say that UConn was negligent in hiring Hurley? What had he proven prior to the last two seasons? Absolutely NOTHING! His first four seasons at UConn were horrible. He had only won two tournament games prior at Rhode Island.

 

[cathouse]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

BYU is NOT UK!!
Big difference.

 

[Ace Tiger G]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

We already are an afterthought on the national stage. That's why we had to go so far down the list before we found somebody that would take the job. FFS Alabama and Auburn have both been to a Final Four since we have. Virginia has won a national championship since we have. Houston has a better program than we do. I could keep going but it's depressing me.

 

[ellowelzees]

Kenny Payne is not a good example. Kenny Payne never was a head coach, nor can he complete a full sentence. Mark Pope has been a head coach for at least seven years and was a rhodes scholar finalist much smarter individual than Kenny. Pope plays similar offense to Alabama, and did it with a roster made up of YMCA looking players

If only there was another coach we could’ve hired that runs a Bama-style offense. Like maybe the coach from Alabama?

 

[Phil_The_Music]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

Deplion you've always been one of my favorite posters here and I respect you a great deal. It saddens and honestly surprises me that you are making these kind of predictions before you've even seen his first game here. Respectfully, I hope to see you eating crow in couple of years.

 

[deplion]

BYU is NOT UK!!
Big difference.

Agree.

But BCG proved that alone isn't enough.

I'm not saying Pope will be BCG bad either, but coming to UK doesn't automatically guarantee you will start recruiting at an elite level.

 

[Hopmix]

Kenny Payne was NEVER a head coach. That is why he failed.

Pope has proven he can win, albeit at Utah Valley and BYU. There is something to be said about that.

I'm going to support him, because he is one of us and he LOVES this place.

If you can win at BYU ... you for sure win at Kentucky (the NCAA wins will come).

he's gotten worse every year tho.

 

[deplion]

Deplion you've always been one of my favorite posters here and I respect you a great deal. It saddens and honestly surprises me that you are making these kind of predictions before you've even seen his first game here. Respectfully, I hope to see you eating crow in couple of years.

Me too!!

If Pope is confirmed as the guy, I'll definitely be pulling for him 100% and will be giving him a fair shot.

My initial gut reaction tonight, however, is that this was a panic hire that is very unlikely to end well.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

i could definitely see him being Mike Woodson bad.

Struggling to make the tourney most years.

Middle of the pack conference finishes.

Lackluster recruiting classes.

Basically, a continuation of what his career has been so far.

And UK becomes an afterthought on the national stage.

I am willing to give him a chance. He won at a place under the strictest regulations for players. They ran fantastic offense and players will love it. I am betting a certain booster is going to bankroll some great portal players. He may bring a couple with him and I am hoping Reed and Z will stay. At this point we have to hope he is an up and comer like Golden at Florida and Oats at Bama. We will know soon.

 

[Phil_The_Music]

Is it really hard to see why a coach would stay away from this cesspool? Pope is one our own and he's being trashed. uK fans are toxic AF

Yup. We gave Cal (and rightfully so) shit about not having self awareness and being unable to self reflect. Seems like a good portion of our fans need to look in a mirror.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I could see him having success here after year 2 if the fans will guve him a chance. All you who want instant gratification need to relax ( and I’m not particularly referencing you Deplion).

How long has he coached? So he can’t figure it out before coming to UK? He can only Figure it out here ?

 

[Phil_The_Music]

Me too!!

If Pope is confirmed as the guy, I'll definitely be pulling for him 100% and will be giving him a fair shot.

My initial gut reaction tonight, however, is that this was a panic hire that is very unlikely to end well.

Fair enough my friend.