BCG was a DRUNK, big difference, add to that he never understood the weight of the history of the program, nor did he embrace it. I believe Mark is 1) not a drunk 2) speaks for itself as far as MP is concerned
He probably won't be Kenny Payne bad, but
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I think he might very well be KP bad. KP at least had big time recruiting chops and actually got some decent players.
Mark Pope has zero, I repeat zero, recruiting chops. At BYU, at least he had the connection to the Mormon kids. The next 5 star recruit Pope lands will be his first 5 star recruit he lands and that is in 9 years as a head coach.
Do you honestly think Pope is going to win head to head recruiting battles with Self, Shyer, Izzo, Hurley, Hubert Davis or Cal? And that is just the A list. What about Oates and Sampson. If he doesn’t have the gravitas to go head to head, why would he be hired?!
Nobody is waiting 3 years. Another reason why Mitch is a GD idiot. We've already waited 4.
You had to make a splash hire, someone that could win and recruit, so we could quickly build a roster.
Do you honestly think any of those guys would be getting 5 star players if they were at BYU in their early head coaching careers? Why don't you wait until he gets here and is on an even level before criticizing how his recruiting will go against them.
Simple response. Why do we bank on him potentially growing into the job at some future point rather than hire someone that can do the job right now. Several coaches we didn’t even contact or seriously pursue fight, or have fought, each year those head to head battles and won their fair share. There is a reason Derby horses are not first time starters.
He loves this place? He was here for two years and we hadn't seen him in 30 years. He's not winning at BYU. Hehas no NCAA Tournament wins to speak of. Not a one. He's coached for nine years.
This place had fans who didnt' want to get rid of Gillispie after his second year. I have no doubts there will be a legion of people who will still be all for Pope as he takes us down this road of diaster we're on.
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Big difference in where UConn was before Hurley and where UK was/is before Pope. I'm cautiously optimistic and always support the Cats but, Pope will have to convince me that he is ready for the stage UK plays on.
I created a thread for you fellowship of the Miserables right here.
https://kentucky.forums.rivals.com/threads/all-those-against-the-mark-pope-hire-convene-here.413408/
This whole post stinks of not knowing a damn thing about Pope as a coach. If he was going to be Kenny Payne bad, he would have already shown to be that sometime during the last 9 years he's been in the role of Head Coach.
If Payne had big time recruiting chops, how come he didn't prove that at UofL? What was Paynes offensive system? Did he even have one? Did his teams look like they actually ran a set offensive scheme? did his teams defend? Pope beat Kansas, NC State, Gonzaga, Baylor and Iowa St. last year. all teams that would have or did beat us despite our roster being superior.
Comparing Pope to Payne is about as ridiculous as it gets.
Until you got to that last statement, I thought you were talking about Cal.
He wasn’t coming here or leaving Bama due to his kids. Please keep up.
He can coach, he already has more NIL money than Arky promised Cal, and if he could recruit at BYU I know he can recruit at UK. Now I don't think you are going to see 4, 5 or 6 one and done's one the roster like Cal did. I think you are going to see teams more like Uconn and these other teams that are going to the final 4 over the last 3 years. Cal only cared about the NBA, he would most likely jump at the chance to fail in the NBA a second time.
Pope will be great at UK. Glad he is here and not the used car salesmen some wanted.
Times have changed, NIL controls recruiting and the UK brand recruits itself too. A lot of talent in the portal looking for a bigger stage and UK is the biggest stage. Recruits shouldn't be a problem. Pope needs to hire some quality assistants and show some solid Xs and Os and he should do well.
UK fans are gonna have to let go of the Cal OAD formula and the idea that a successful coach elsewhere will be a successful coach at UK. I think Pope will do fine.
UK fans are gonna have to let go of the Cal OAD formula and the idea that a successful coach elsewhere will be a successful coach at UK. I think Pope will do fine.
It is a wonderful asset to see with clarity into the future. Would you be willing to help me build a stock portfolio?
I was annoyed about it last night. Or at least disappointed. But after taking it all in. All the stats. The difficulty of getting players to BYU....the fresher playing style. etc.
The people who say coaches have to be given a chance to prove their talent is right.
It's not ideal but BYU is not a good example of what he is capable of. If anything it was a tether holding him back from what he could possibly do.
I look at next year as a year like the 89 team. Bad....but fun. And the year after that. Respectable. The year after that... make some real noise.
My hope anyway.
I saw somewhere where it took Jay Wright.... 11 years to win an ncaa game? I may be wrong.
May have missed the part where I said "could".
I posted this last night before he was officially "the guy". It's just my gut take. I could be wrong, and I REALLY hope I am.
I think Mitch handled this whole thing about as stupidly as possible, but it is over now. Pope's the guy.
I'll support him and hope for the best!
When will he be prepared? He is 51 and been a head coach for 11 years. When do you naysayers think he will be ready, when he is 70? Geez
Allowed? Sure.
But incessant moaning and screaming? Toxic AF. That's just how life works. People can see what you do, too. It's called "Sh**ing where you eat."
He’s already got bigger balls than the ones that turned it down.
Time will tell.
I'd love nothing more than to see this thread resurrected in a couple of years after we've won #9. 🙂
If Pope can put a team together and build a roster to run his system, I wouldn't put it past us to overachieve. If the roster doesn't come together, it's gonna be tough.
in other words, like our program has been the last 6 years?
All of you naysayers on this board please go to the link that trueblujr created for you and post there forever. The ignorance shown on this thread is frightening and appalling. Do not post on this board with adults. It’s obvious you nothing about basketball and you definitely had no idea what went on during this hiring process. Get out. Total embarrassment to all UK fans and the program.
Jim Nantz " Pope with the reach in steal, and a foul on Wallace."
What’s toxic about it? He’s not saying anything about him as a person. It’s completely fair to be skeptical, and question why we were in a rush to make the decision.
Wow. You seem to have changed a lot. Keep on truckin' with Cal if you want. Just head west young man
I'm sure you can woo pig sooie yourself to Arkansas
I was done with Cal.
Keep in mind I started this thread when I first found out Pope was a candidate last night. It was my initial gut reaction to the news.
Since he has officially been named coach, I've not had anything negative to say, and will support him 100% and hope for the best.
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