Pope still doesn’t want another assistant

[Beatle Bum]

Inside baseball? I think it’s just obvious if you are paying attention.

It’s not obvious and I pay attention. So, I asked for your sources.

He had two elite recruiters but tried to close all those recruiting deals. He resisted a gm because he wanted to handle it.

maybe there is inside info someplace that I don’t get that will say he did not let “elite recruiters” do their jobs. It’s not in the public forum. People give Mo Williams props for closing on Ryan Hampton. So, either that news is false or Pope is delegating.

I know for a fact that he spoke with people about the GM job. I don’t think he handled it well but he was not resistant to the point of actual negotiations. And, at this point it is just semantics. He has a GM.

 

[DonAndy]

An extra assistant could make the difference between tied for seventh and tied for ninth. Possibly even fourth if the refs didn't let a terrible Auburn team beat us. Ask Beatleboy bumb

 

[Beatle Bum]

Dandy back for the troll. Things must be slow at the IHop.

 

[DonAndy]

Dandy back for the troll. Things must be slow at the IHop.

It's really not even a troll. You just hate Andy.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Ehh.. Just win games. Don’t care if he has 567 assistants or zero. Just win.

He’s had a bit of trouble doing just that.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Why would he choose to not have more help? He’s refused to get a real GM and his recruiting has been terrible because of that. The guy seems like a total control freak who won’t listen to anybody and doesn’t recognize his own weaknesses.

Because he’s really “smart” and stubborn. People that actually believe they’re really smart tend to be the people that don’t listen to others. It’s wild.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Everything about Pope is just weird.

Facts

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

That could be possible, but I just don’t see how a guy who played here and supposedly loves UK would just give up like that. Maybe he’s at his wits end and knows he can’t do it. I haven’t seen that level of quit yet though.

When you come to the realization he’s fake and everything he does and says is a schtick, it’s an easy supposition to make.

 

[DonAndy]

Everything about Pope is just weird.

dude I have no clue how old you are but I'm gonna assume over 40 at least could be in your 60s or 70s.

Now if you feel like that imagine what the young fellers that we have to recruit feel like. It really isn't rocket science.

 

[JakeKx]

This is make or break year for Pope with me.
Either he gets us back to where we rightfully belong or he can move on.
I think he gets another year pretty much no matter unless it’s just an abysmal year with no tourney, but make no mistake it will just be blamed on injuries again and he will be right back here.

hopefully our mute athletic director has a backup plan but who knows if he’s ever alive

 

[DonAndy]

This is make or break year for Pope with me.
Either he gets us back to where we rightfully belong or he can move on.
I think he gets another year pretty much no matter unless it’s just an abysmal year with no tourney, but make no mistake it will just be blamed on injuries again and he will be right back here.

hopefully our mute athletic director has a backup plan but who knows if he’s ever alive

I can see Kentucky missing the tournament this year. Mom and Moreno doesn't cut it for me. Won't be happy if we are that bad but it will mean a new coach faster.

 

[Catastic5]

This is make or break year for Pope with me.
Either he gets us back to where we rightfully belong or he can move on.
I think he gets another year pretty much no matter unless it’s just an abysmal year with no tourney, but make no mistake it will just be blamed on injuries again and he will be right back here.

hopefully our mute athletic director has a backup plan but who knows if he’s ever alive

I don’t understand why some people keep making an argument for Pope to return for a 4th straight year if he has 3 straight 10-loss seasons.

More specifically why does Pope, the second worst coach UK has had in the modern era, get the benefit when Stoops, our best coach since Bear Bryant, did not? Stoops was only 2 years removed from a bowl game appearance.

In fact, Hubert Davis was 2 years removed from winning the ACC and going to the Sweet 16 but was fired after 2 straight mediocre years.

Kevin Keatts made the final four and was subsequently fired by NC State the next season after a mediocre year.

Do you believe that the UK admin nor boosters care about basketball anymore? And it’s a legitimate question to ask if despite another mediocre season that Mark Pope is allowed to return for a 4th year. It begs to question why he shouldn’t be allowed to return for a 5th, 6th or 7th year if making the tournament is good enough. Because allowing Pope to return for a 4th mediocre season tells me that yes, the UK admin and boosters no longer care about basketball. Kentucky is not only no longer relevant, we’re no longer a blue blood. We’re Indiana. And that’s scary.

 

[DonAndy]

I don’t understand why some people keep making an argument for Pope to return for a 4th straight year if he has 3 straight 10-loss seasons.

More specifically why does Pope, the second worst coach UK has had in the modern era, get the benefit when Stoops, our best coach since Bear Bryant, did not? Stoops was only 2 years removed from a bowl game appearance.

In fact, Hubert Davis was 2 years removed from winning the ACC and going to the Sweet 16 but was fired after 2 straight mediocre years.

Kevin Keatts made the final four and was subsequently fired by NC State the next season after a mediocre year.

Do you believe that the UK admin nor boosters care about basketball anymore? And it’s a legitimate question to ask if despite another mediocre season that Mark Pope is allowed to return for a 4th year. It begs to question why he shouldn’t be allowed to return for a 5th, 6th or 7th year if making the tournament is good enough. Because allowing Pope to return for a 4th mediocre season tells me that yes, the UK admin and boosters no longer care about basketball. Kentucky is not only no longer relevant, we’re no longer a blue blood. We’re Indiana. And that’s scary.

It's clear they don't care. Can't even camp out for madness anymore. What does UK do these days that separates them from the rest? They take away the little things like that and eventually we got a program that is so generic we just throw a Kansas state wildcat logo on everything and checkerboards for 15 years and we get to this point where we forget we ar3 UK and actually thought we were Kansas State.

Edit: thank you Stein for being cool.

 

[scratchycat3]

He doesn’t need an assistant the data says that he’s going to have a beautiful season and extend his contract even further. After his players put on that sacred piece of cloth nothing will stop them from having success

 

[scratchycat3]

Ehh.. Just win games. Don’t care if he has 567 assistants or zero. Just win.

He should’ve hired a assistant coach 4 months ago to help that but didn’t wasted 6 months and gonna have another show

 

[scratchycat3]

Yeah, I agree. But honestly, when he doesn’t win games, and if history tells us anything, he won’t win enough, it’s just more fuel he’s adding to the ultimate flame out that’s coming. He’s choosing to add this fuel. It’s weird.

 

[Beatle Bum]

another angry thread where fans are angry and predict more anger to come.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

When you come to the realization he’s fake and everything he does and says is a schtick, it’s an easy supposition to make.

I certainly hope that isn’t the case.

 

[ScWildcat3]

I certainly hope that isn’t the case.

That’s what you call a pure hater.

 

[JakeKx]

I don’t understand why some people keep making an argument for Pope to return for a 4th straight year if he has 3 straight 10-loss seasons.

More specifically why does Pope, the second worst coach UK has had in the modern era, get the benefit when Stoops, our best coach since Bear Bryant, did not? Stoops was only 2 years removed from a bowl game appearance.

In fact, Hubert Davis was 2 years removed from winning the ACC and going to the Sweet 16 but was fired after 2 straight mediocre years.

Kevin Keatts made the final four and was subsequently fired by NC State the next season after a mediocre year.

Do you believe that the UK admin nor boosters care about basketball anymore? And it’s a legitimate question to ask if despite another mediocre season that Mark Pope is allowed to return for a 4th year. It begs to question why he shouldn’t be allowed to return for a 5th, 6th or 7th year if making the tournament is good enough. Because allowing Pope to return for a 4th mediocre season tells me that yes, the UK admin and boosters no longer care about basketball. Kentucky is not only no longer relevant, we’re no longer a blue blood. We’re Indiana. And that’s scary.

To be clear, nobody would want him to return, but he will. He signed a five year contract and he will get those five years barring a complete disaster.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I wanted Pope to return and every sane person knew he would. Anyone who thought he did not deserve year 3 is truly an idiot.

 

[Anon1739778738]

Maybe Pope can jet over to Iran right now and find the Iranian hulk in the midst of war.Or he can bring back that point guard Matt Jones referred to years ago compliments of Trueblue Kentucky.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

It’s not obvious and I pay attention. So, I asked for your sources.


maybe there is inside info someplace that I don’t get that will say he did not let “elite recruiters” do their jobs. It’s not in the public forum. People give Mo Williams props for closing on Ryan Hampton. So, either that news is false or Pope is delegating.

I know for a fact that he spoke with people about the GM job. I don’t think he handled it well but he was not resistant to the point of actual negotiations. And, at this point it is just semantics. He has a GM.

I have no clue what you are talking about. I didn't claim to have sources. I thought it was pretty obvious but maybe not.

I guess this is just another weird example of you trying too hard to play gotcha.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I wanted Pope to return and every sane person knew he would. Anyone who thought he did not deserve year 3 is truly an idiot.

Relatively fair. I don't think Pope will be able to succeed enough to be coach here. I also think giving him year 3 was the obvious thing to do. Now if year 3 looks similar to years 1 and 2, then we've got a real problem on our hands.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I have no clue what you are talking about. I didn't claim to have sources. I thought it was pretty obvious but maybe not.

I guess this is just another weird example of you trying too hard to play gotcha.

Just an example of trying to actually figure out how you come to your conclusions that you state with dispositive confidence. Saying you thought it was obvious provides nothing. If your comment was true, I would like to know that. But if you have no basis for the conclusion except to claim it is “obvious” to you, I want to know that, as well. Thanks. You have now displayed it is the latter, as weird as that was for you. If it feels like a gotcha, that feeling is on you.

 

[BBNinSCar]

We need a Stein for our basketball program and Pope isn’t it.

I agree. But, we don’t find the next great coach by rehashing the same prospects. If we need a head basketball coach at the end of the season, that search should not include Billy Donovan, Bruce Pearl or any of those other tired names.
I hope our AD is smart enough to call SLU and bring Shertz to Lexington.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

So it’s Mark Fox as the defensive guru yet again.

Charmin soft physicality and defense yet another season.

I thought he was gone after last season but yet again he’s one of the assistants that he ended up keeping. The guy couldn’t get it done at Georgia or anywhere else what makes anybody think he will get anything done at UK.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

I agree. But, we don’t find the next great coach by rehashing the same prospects. If we need a head basketball coach at the end of the season, that search should not include Billy Donovan, Bruce Pearl or any of those other tired names.
I hope our AD is smart enough to call SLU and bring Shertz to Lexington.

I agree I wanted Billy D and Bruce Pearl but I honestly think those ships have sailed plus they are up there in age. I would really like Golden from Florida or that Shertz from St Louis is a young and good coach. I’m sure there are more young and good coaches out there it’s just like everything else with UK athletics department before Mitch was too lazy to do his job.

 

[Beatle Bum]

The world of sports is full of really good and great assistants who did not succeed as HCs. Even those who once succeeded did not at other places. The Nancy view that Fox cannot coach because he did not ultimately succeed at UGA is not a smart view.

 

[Wildcatmenace]

I don’t understand why some people keep making an argument for Pope to return for a 4th straight year if he has 3 straight 10-loss seasons.

More specifically why does Pope, the second worst coach UK has had in the modern era, get the benefit when Stoops, our best coach since Bear Bryant, did not? Stoops was only 2 years removed from a bowl game appearance.

In fact, Hubert Davis was 2 years removed from winning the ACC and going to the Sweet 16 but was fired after 2 straight mediocre years.

Kevin Keatts made the final four and was subsequently fired by NC State the next season after a mediocre year.

Do you believe that the UK admin nor boosters care about basketball anymore? And it’s a legitimate question to ask if despite another mediocre season that Mark Pope is allowed to return for a 4th year. It begs to question why he shouldn’t be allowed to return for a 5th, 6th or 7th year if making the tournament is good enough. Because allowing Pope to return for a 4th mediocre season tells me that yes, the UK admin and boosters no longer care about basketball. Kentucky is not only no longer relevant, we’re no longer a blue blood. We’re Indiana. And that’s scary.

He won’t be here if he doesn’t make an elite 8

 

[SteamboatStoops]

The measure of a good leader is surrounding yourself with those who compliment, but also challenge you. Pope wants to be the only one with any say in how things are done and I don't think you can succeed in today's CBB without a lot of support from staff there's just too many things to do for one man. Bummer because I thought he'd be the opposite of how he's ran things so far. For such a humble sounding speaker he is extremely arrogant.

 

[scratchycat3]

I think he wants to get fired and collect his buyout.

I don't think he's the JVC yet he talking to recruits about wearing the sacred piece of cloth so he still loves the program just no where near good enough

 

[TheResistance]

KSR - THE JOB POSTING FOR THE ASSISTANT IS NOW ONLINE

 

[TheResistance]

Somebody just told Pope to hire someone now.....IMO

 

[Maddmatt87]

I'd say that last spot is a combo deal somewhere. Someone's coach, or an former NBA player with a good son will will filling that role soon.

 

[DudahUK]

I'd say that last spot is a combo deal somewhere. Someone's coach, or a former NBA player with a good son will will filling that role soon.

I think they are just going to make Robinson role official and hire within. I’d bet on it.

 

[seccats04]

Post the job opening the day before BBM, lol. What are we even doing? Pope seems very unorganized for a guy that’s supposed to be so smart.

 

[TX Wildcat]

Have to think the job posting is just a formality and that Pope has his guy lined up.

All us "Basketball Bennies" should apply just to say we did.

 

[Beatle Bum]

The measure of a good leader is surrounding yourself with those who compliment, but also challenge you. Pope wants to be the only one with any say in how things are done and I don't think you can succeed in today's CBB without a lot of support from staff there's just too many things to do for one man. Bummer because I thought he'd be the opposite of how he's ran things so far. For such a humble sounding speaker he is extremely arrogant.

I think he said Fox was leading the defense this year. This board is filled with posters who just post stuff as fact with no foundation. People want to be miserable. So much so that they invent ways to be disappointed.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I think they are just going to make Robinson role official and hire within. I’d bet on it.

That makes sense.