Oats was interested in UK job

[sluggercatfan]

No 18 billion buyout not worth Oats rather have "THE POPE"

Take the 18 million, set it up in NIL money and as JVC would say Gooooooooooo!

 

[STL_Cat]

I really do. It’s the stupidity of certain fans that is evident

Nobody waned this job

Go be an Arkansas fan, clown

 

[Jakerz]

I’ve been under the assumption this entire time that the only actual offer he made was to pope.

That’s what your athletic director did for you

 

[gracetoyou]

I read multiple Bama fans say his wife is a cancer survivor and he’s happily married.

Nope. Going through a divorce & custody battle

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Name the college coaches in any sport you would pay over $10 million for a buyout? Nick Saban? That may be it for me.

 

[Catfanlou]

Move on

 

[BBUK]

Care to make a wager on who gets (back) to the FF first, Oats or Pope? Nothing crazy… maybe like $100? And also a big plate of crow of course.

Give me Pope...

 

[ftp000]

I myself love the Pope hire and think he was outside Hurley the best choice. If and when Pope retires it may be 5 -10 years from now there will be some good candidates to take the reins.

That's the trend among top teams anyway. Established coaches are getting old, and/or carrying baggage. Time to build up an up and comer. Oats recruits Crips and Bloods. Hard pass.

 

[kywildcat41086]

Give me Pope...

Exactly man I just don’t get why this was even dug up….. Who cares if Oates wanted the job he’s not our coach and we will get the pleasure of beating him next year also!

 

[Bhad Rhabies]

Oats would have been the next Pitino, he’d have been a mercenary coach here for the $ and he would have mad 1-2 final fours in a 3 year stint and immediately taken an NBA job for less money.

Pope isn’t a mercenary. He’s the person who wanted to be the coach of Kentucky.

 

[CatsnRoses]

Exactly man I just don’t get why this was even dug up….. Who cares if Oates wanted the job he’s not our coach and we will get the pleasure of beating him next year also!

Our chances of beating Alabama next year are very slim. Things are going to be rough for a while for UK basketball. Big reason so many were initially in an uproar over the Pope hiring.

 

[Elliott Tim]

Give me Pope...

Bless you, my son.

 

[Elliott Tim]

If Mitch lived 180 years ago, they'd likely have beaten him within an inch of his life for this. This is sheer abuse of power and negligence.

There was no basketball back then.
Naismith wasn't even born.

 

[chevyman 50]

I was thinking he was not interested in the job.

 

[BBUK]

Bless you, my son.

Almost said something vulgar but I will refrain....

 

[Elliott Tim]

Almost said something vulgar but I will refrain....

It's ok. Just go to confession.

 

[BBUK]

It's ok. Just go to confession.

Pope would slap me...

 

[badukfan]

Its beginning to look like Pope was the only coach Mitch really wanted. He only offed guys that wouldn't take the job. I'm ok with it for now

 

[billoliver40]

If you are interested in a job, you tell the prospective business you are interested. You don't beg, you don't make them beg....especially when your prospective new employer is facing deadlines...like getting players.

Nate Oats would more than likely have faced the Sam deal as Pope. As would Hirley....who if you remember is NOT a name on the back of the jersey guy, or Donovan, who ended up being at least 9 days or more behind

This thing about whining about who didn't take the job needs to stop. It's not condusive to anything, recruiting, donations, support...nothing.

I swear there are people praying for Pope to fail so he and Barnhart will be fired. I sure hope these are trolls or opposing fans trying to stir the pot. I would hate to think Kentucky fans wish bad things on their own team.

Pope will be able to be judged soon enough, and his results over the next three years or so will be enough to determine his and Barnharts future.

Give it a rest.

 

[Warf2012]

Nope. Going through a divorce & custody battle

People keep repeating this but Bama fans say the opposite. So I’d have to have proof/confirmation from someone in the know to believe the divorce stuff.