Thanks OP. I really enjoy seeing this same post every month or so. It never gets old.
We Should Have Hired Pitino
- Thread starter movershaker74
- Start date
This. Whatever we do in the coaching department going forward I think it is abundantly clear we need to hire a defensive coach specialist with a hell of a conditioning program. If you notice we played good D in the first few minutes against Auburn but just didn't have the conditioning to keep it up. Got to think guys wouldn't get hurt as fast either. Being stronger helps absorb bumps and what not/helps keep from getting knocked to the floor where injuries happen.
People really think this St John’s team would be doing what they are now in the SEC?
In my pretend world that isn’t reality, I would love to have seen us bring Pitino in for 2/3 years with Pope as the associate head coach in waiting and let them basically co-coach for a few years. Then I wake up and know that is based in pure fictional fantasy. 😁
I will never understand why people try to argue like that but let me inform you of something you must not know: most of this board knows it's impossible to prove a negative like that. For example I could say "There's an invisible man sitting next to you." Now let's here you prove to me there's not an invisible man sitting next to you.
I went on record immediately and said "hire Pitino, have Pope be his lead assistant and named coach-in-waiting, I bet they do it" ...
Pitino is the goat. He coaches circles around Pearl or any other coach out there. Anyone say differently is delusional.
He has made St. Johns relevant again on the national scene. When was the last time St. Johns was relevant? Who cares what they would do in the SEC. That's not the point. The man wins where ever he goes, including with the NBA New York Knicks. If he decided to go the Norman Dale route and go coach at some backwater rural high school in Kentucky, there is no doubt he would win there as well.
I am not a fan of Rick Pitino the man. I was to young to really experience his glory days at UK but it's undeniable the man can flat out motivate and coach. I wouldn't mind Pitino becoming an advisor to our staff after he hangs it up from coaching full time. Our defense would definitely improve.
Yet, he could barely keep up with Cal when Cal was here. Which is the exact argument of why I don't think he'd succeed coming back here now- the pressure would be INSANE.
Now THAT is the correct answer. He would fit well as an advisor or part time assistant.
Pearl has an agreement for his son to become the head coach at Auburn when he retires. Zero chance Pearl leaves for any other job at this point.
that’s the exact point of the this post. The OP thinks we would be 26-4 right now with Pitino. That’s asinine. We would be about the same even if we had hired Pitino. You’re talking about him having around the same time frame to build a team as Pope did. It isn’t like Pitino is being in top talent at SJ. While it’s impressive what they've done, they beat a 7-22 yesterday and they didn't run away with it. Like other have said, the Big East isn’t exactly world beaters.
Pitino didn't make the tournament last season it is all about how many horses we get for next season.
Which is probably the main reason he wasn't considered; I doubt it was lying about a barbecue or whatever his big NCAA violation was. I recall it seeming less evil than the things that are legal for North Carolina or Duke.
Hell no. Once Rick went to the turds down the road, I was done with him.
That is the point when the entire thread was “we should have hired Pitino”. One of the best to ever coach, no doubt but his years are numbered due to age. He didn’t turn St John’s into winners overnight. They missed the tourney last year. By the time he built UK into a power it would be time to retire. Pope literally built a team in a couple months that has better wins in a conference during a historically great year. Not to mention despite the injuries to our best players. And we have people still crying about the hire.
We should have re-hired Pitino when Tubby left and I'll never understand why we didn't. He would have left louisville for kentucky in a heart beat in 2007.
Mitch barhart is a bum athletic director and knows nothing about making big great hires honestly.
Pitino is the type of coach that can come into a weakened league, especially with UCONN down, and win the conference. He is an excellent motivator, preparation coach and a decent bench coach.
I like Mark Pope. He has had to put up with several things this year that Pitino didn't - namely,
1. Being a first year coach in the toughest conference EVER.
2. Having a completely depleted roster and having to build from day one.
3. Losing starters and a back up to injuries early in the season, which upset the chemistry that had been established over the summer and early fall months.
4. Not having a deep bench because of injuries.
5. Adjustment to being in the constant spotlight AND scrutiny and staying positive amidst all the wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I believe that some of this angst has to do with Calipari and his decline over the last few years, so I totally get it. Let's give him a couple of years to get his teams in place and then, fire away. I plan to cheer this team on and believe that once they get into the NCAA, they could make some noise. GBB!
I like Mark Pope. He has had to put up with several things this year that Pitino didn't - namely,
1. Being a first year coach in the toughest conference EVER.
2. Having a completely depleted roster and having to build from day one.
3. Losing starters and a back up to injuries early in the season, which upset the chemistry that had been established over the summer and early fall months.
4. Not having a deep bench because of injuries.
5. Adjustment to being in the constant spotlight AND scrutiny and staying positive amidst all the wailing and gnashing of teeth.
I believe that some of this angst has to do with Calipari and his decline over the last few years, so I totally get it. Let's give him a couple of years to get his teams in place and then, fire away. I plan to cheer this team on and believe that once they get into the NCAA, they could make some noise. GBB!
The choice from Mitch was Drew then Pope. So if you want to discuss hypotheticals then it would be Pope vs Drew vs Calipari. Pitino was not in the picture.
I am man enough to admit you are an idiot. Ratino really, the idea of that bastard on our sidelines again makes me ill
RP is an extremely flawed man and that was recognized by many during his time in Lexington. I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that many UL fans remain loyal to this guy.
The idea of a drunken 60 something year old man banging a woman on a restaurant table and later arranging a sham marriage with said woman and a member of his staff is beyond disgusting. Not to mention the abortion Pitino paid for.
Jurich should have pulled the trigger at that point, but he didn't. I know of many UL fans that walked away at that point but not nearly enough.
The idea of a drunken 60 something year old man banging a woman on a restaurant table and later arranging a sham marriage with said woman and a member of his staff is beyond disgusting. Not to mention the abortion Pitino paid for.
Jurich should have pulled the trigger at that point, but he didn't. I know of many UL fans that walked away at that point but not nearly enough.
yea, I like the new version of Rick Pitino, he's been humbled and he knows there is a shelf life to his coaching so he wants to make the most of it. That said talking about him being coach is just a knee jerk reaction after a loss. He'd have maybe 4 years and while St. Johns is doing well this year, St. Johns didn't make the tournament last year in the era of the transfer portal.
Think that would fly here? All the people dogging Pope right now would be the same people talking about how mediocrity isn't acceptable, Pitino is washed and Barnhart should have hired an up and coming young guy. I guess the argument would be that with all UK's resources he could have fielded a better team, but its a flawed argument - because if he's god's gift to coaching and capable of meeting expectations, St. Johns wouldn't have been on the bubble last year. So you're holding Pope to a higher standard than you are Pitino.
its ridiculous.
How often do basketball coaches at the collegiate level really bring in a specialist coach, and then actually use them? Calipari brought in that guy last year, it was great for awhile, and then it was as if the team were told to forget all about what the guy taught them. Pope brought in his guy this season. Early on there was cutting everywhere, and then (maybe as a result of injuries) all the ball movement just went away.
You wanted a guy who has to be only a couple years from retirement?
WTH!
Has everyone forgotten about the strippers and prostitutes for recruits (some underage). Pitino disgraced himself beyond the point of no return as far as I am concerned. I think some of them would want Satan if they thought he was their best chance to win.
Only because Ky could get the best talent here because Cal only cared about getting guys to the nba. So the best kids came here and Pitino could not overcome the talent levels. Pay attention.
I think Pitino is the king of coaches and I would have loved to had him back.. but Pope is the right guy and will lead us back to the mountain top.
UT has been using the same strength and conditioning coach they brought in for a decade now. Houston's strength and conditioning coach has been there for close to the same. Seems to be working out for them as far as their strength and conditioning.
We need to find a really good one and level up in that department.
I have been for years. Pitino is not the same guy that was at Kentucky. He’s having a good year in the BE. How would that team do in the hardest league in America?
He’s a good coach.ill always be grateful for what he did here. But his time at UofL and Iona shows that he doesn’t walk on water like some of you all think he does.
Pitino is a great coach been a winner where ever he has been, he would have been a great hire I think the AD went after 3 coaches and ended up with Pope and he may turn out to be a great coach the jury is still out, I guess after Sat. loss really it hard to know why Ky was not more competitive this has got to fall on the coaches.
Don’t forget how Popes first year has gone compared to Pitinos at St John’s. Everything you listed is true. Pope had way more of a hole to dig out of.
Pitinos first season was a disaster. He publicly called out his own players, called them soft and it was a media nightmare. He ditched those players and went Portal shopping.
Pope has energized the Brand. Beat 4 top 10 teams. Has the media talking positively about us.
Would OP trade first seasons.
No probably not.
He just wants now in year one what Pitino has in year 4.
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