Mark Pope stayed at Rupp Arena

[MissingWCC]

He sent the team back out after the game and joined them after the post game presser. The man stayed until every last person got an autograph.
I think he would have signed someone's dog in a stroller. It's so great to see someone do what a lot of us that love UK would do in the same position. Such a humble person which is rare in coaching.

 

[KYCAT78]

Cal could not do that because his dinner reservations were booked 15 minutes after the end of each game.

 

[rick64]

It would've been past CCCs bedtime especially if it was a 9pm or later tip.

 

[CatsDomain]

Cal signed a book for me one time and was very nice, took time to chat for a minute. It was early in his stint at UK, probably 2010 or so.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Cal signed a book for me one time and was very nice, took time to chat for a minute. It was early in his stint at UK, probably 2010 or so.

I had the same experience. Took a photo with my wife and chatted with us for 5-10 minutes. Was around 2016.

 

[drew_ukfan]

Lot to hate on Cal for but he always seemed to happily sign for those that wanted an ottergraph

 

[specialkd24]

Cal was great, especially early on. The last 5 years (after COVID) is where he didn't care anymore.

I'm not saying Pope will turn out like that ... this is his alma mater, so it is different ... but there will come a point where he won't stick around for hours after the game.

But I LOVE it now. He gets it.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Looking back on it, a lot of bad stuff happened around Kentucky Basketball that had nothing to do with W/L’s.

This is just my personal opinion but I honestly think losing Joe B and Mike Pratt was probably the real death knell for Cal at Kentucky. From everything I know those were his two real connections to Kentucky and what Kentucky Basketball is.

I met Cal twice and he was generous with his time and very pleasant and engaging. Tubby was the same way when I had the opportunity I met him but it was a different kind of energy. Tubby had more of a humble, country demeanor that made you feel at ease and like an old friend or family member. I haven’t met Coach Pope yet but I think he has more of that humble, treat you like family aura around him.

 

[MissingWCC]

It's just human nature to enjoy a new experience, especially one that you've dreamed of having. I think it was that way for the former coach but the last five years were married by frustration and lack of interest. He said himself that it's a ten year job and he was right. It's time to go when the headaches aren't worth the reward.

 

[KY Long Rifle]

It's just human nature to enjoy a new experience, especially one that you've dreamed of having. I think it was that way for the former coach but the last five years were married by frustration and lack of interest. He said himself that it's a ten year job and he was right. It's time to go when the headaches aren't worth the reward.

This is a really good point, and true for all walks of life. When something becomes a chore and is no longer enjoyable, it’s probably time to move on. I can’t think of anyone that was successful at something they didn’t like.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

It's just human nature to enjoy a new experience, especially one that you've dreamed of having. I think it was that way for the former coach but the last five years were married by frustration and lack of interest. He said himself that it's a ten year job and he was right. It's time to go when the headaches aren't worth the reward.

Joe B told him that and I think their may be truth in it. I think it would have happened with Pitino eventually.

But I agree time is the only thing with a perfect record. Getting older it becomes a little harder to deal with a changing world. Little more lagging behind so I get it how something like a college basketball coach now can get. Especially at Kentucky. No excuse for the drop off the last five years though. That’s on him. It’s a results oriented business and you are well compensated to do your job. If you can’t do it anymore leave.

 

[Rockfly78]

Cal signed a book for me one time and was very nice, took time to chat for a minute. It was early in his stint at UK, probably 2010 or so.

Yeah we all love pope and for good reason. Cal isn’t near the coach pope is and he did run his course here. But there’s no need to demonize him. He did a lot of good stuff here from a humanitarian standpoint. We don’t have to hate cal to love pope. I’ve talked to a lot of people who had similar experiences with him as you.

 

[Fox2monk]

Cal was great, especially early on. The last 5 years (after COVID) is where he didn't care anymore.

I'm not saying Pope will turn out like that ... this is his alma mater, so it is different ... but there will come a point where he won't stick around for hours after the game.

But I LOVE it now. He gets it.

That was a huge issue, if he acted like he cared and legitimately made changes to try and win everybody would have understood more. He had to be forced to hire even basic assistant help instead of yes men late in his career. Then go get some upperclassmen but no depth, and he would never change his play style. Add in his lack of care, media obligations he ditched, and the way he treated fans the last 5 years and it was all bad.

 

[bnewt]

Watched some of the after game when the players walked around throwing out shirts to the crowd. Then they walked around giving high fives to the fans. How long has been going on?

 

[ukcatz12]

Cal could not do that because his dinner reservations were booked 15 minutes after the end of each game.

That was Chin. I went to two games last year and had reservations for Tony's shortly after each game. When I arrived Chin was already in the bar area with a group of people each time.

 

[kywildcatsfannumber1]

As an autograph collector, that was one of things I liked about Cal was signing basketball after the games. I got him one from him in 2011 and years ago from Pope before he became the coach here. Glad to see Pope continuing to sign after games too.

 

[Nuke99m]

As an autograph collector, that was one of things I liked about Cal was signing basketball after the games. I got him one from him in 2011 and years ago from Pope before he became the coach here. Glad to see Pope continuing to sign after games too.

I hope it wasn't a dimpled ball. Cal would gut you if you brought one of those.

 

[uk78]

Although Pitino over time now has been forgiven it is mainly because his former player is now our coach and was endorsed by him. It still was an objectional thing for Pitino to go to UL. I find it similarly true with Cal going to a SEC rival. He could have apparently gone to Ohio State or I am sure programs back in New York or probably many major programs. But, really the great city Fayetteville???? was the big attraction? Yes getting paid millions but again at this point was that really the deciding factor. Seems like he hoped to stick it to us too.

I was a huge fan of his for a number of years until his stubborn behavior showed a huge character flaw. He also became antagonistic toward BBN and retrospectively we have learned with many of the elite boosters. His ego makes him unlikeable to me now.

 

[MathUK]

Cal could not do that because his dinner reservations were booked 15 minutes after the end of each game.

And Pitino used to book his dinner reservations to only last 15 minutes.

 

[MissingWCC]

And Pitino used to book his dinner reservations to only last 15 minutes.

 

[kennyskywalker34]

He sent the team back out after the game and joined them after the post game presser. The man stayed until every last person got an autograph.
I think he would have signed someone's dog in a stroller. It's so great to see someone do what a lot of us that love UK would do in the same position. Such a humble person which is rare in coaching.

I've told this story a few times. But I went to my one and only NBA game Pope's rookie year. Knicks @ Pacers.
Sunday game and back then I guess it was tradition for the Pacers to have a player sit around the concourse and sign autographs for a hour prior to the game.
Well I got lucky the Sunday I went it was Pope signing.
I was last in line. I wore my UK 96 national champions shirt.
When he saw me he immediately pointed to my shirt and the biggest smile came across his face. He said "That is a great shirt" I'll never forget how his eyes lit up at the sight of that shirt.
I got to talk to him for 5 minutes or so. He asked all about me and my family.
Two friendliest people I've ever met are Mark Pope and Steve Earle.
Steve Earle even bought my meal once.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

I've told this story a few times. But I went to my one and only NBA game Pope's rookie year. Knicks @ Pacers.
Sunday game and back then I guess it was tradition for the Pacers to have a player sit around the concourse and sign autographs for a hour prior to the game.
Well I got lucky the Sunday I went it was Pope signing.
I was last in line. I wore my UK 96 national champions shirt.
When he saw me he immediately pointed to my shirt and the biggest smile came across his face. He said "That is a great shirt" I'll never forget how his eyes lit up at the sight of that shirt.
I got to talk to him for 5 minutes or so. He asked all about me and my family.
Two friendliest people I've ever met are Mark Pope and Steve Earle.
Steve Earle even bought my meal once.

I don’t agree with the man’s politics but Earle is very talented and a humble and sweet man from what my wife tells me. Her firm did some work for him a few years ago and she met him and had nothing but good things to say.