If you're wondering why Pope doesn't land recruits

catfanlou · Wednesday at 2:51 PM

Agree . Very counterproductive. Not real fans . Trolls.

Catastic5 · Wednesday at 3:06 PM

Yardeth said:
Tom Creanish……..

We used to meme about Tom Crean when he was at Indiana. You look in Twitter and Facebook and that’s what opposing fans are doing to Mark Pope. Even the BYU fans are doing it.

Ukbrassowtipin · Wednesday at 4:06 PM

There's a lot of reasons but this ain't it...a kid showing a picture with his family that lives on another continent isnt causing anytging

CatsDomain · Wednesday at 5:39 PM

BigBlue1992 said:
Preach it brother!

I think the swim or tennis scandal (whatever sport it was) played a big role in it too. I don’t think Barnhart knew what would come of it and of course wound up being nothing. He knew Pope wouldn’t care if we had to play our games outside, he’d take the job regardless.

But yeah it was totally all about himself (Barnhart) getting control back. That’s why he allowed Stoops to hang around so long. He was a puppet for him. It’s never been about wins and losses to him and it shows.

Hopefully here in about 6-7 months someone new will be leading us.

And how much would his contract payoff amount to? As it stands, with his 1 year extension, he's here through March 31st, 2030.

Wildcatmenace · Wednesday at 7:44 PM

Razor said:
I don't know, nothing looks that odd. Looks like maybe a picture of his family on the ipad? There are much worse things to complain about.

He’s hugging him like he’s his boyfriend at the mall

gbl97 · Wednesday at 8:06 PM

UKGrad24 · 2026-09-17T01:40:37-0500

NociHTTP said:
Keep attacking him, you've found your calling.

Don't care either way. I care about Kentucky winning. And Mark Pope is not a winner and you won't do a damn thing to dispute that.

if you're interested in him for things other than basketball, which you must be, he ain't gonna hit it. Move along.

@BigBlueFanGA · 2026-09-17T01:57:06-0500

Google lens says that watch is a standard stainless steel Cartier, worth 7-8K. It also said it was modified post purchase with diamonds and could be worth 20K plus.

Maybe he's that Nigerian prince who keeps bugging me.

gollumcat · 2026-09-17T11:10:50-0500

Yardeth said:
Tom Creanish……..

When he tongue kisses one of his children, let me know.

FLBBNFAN · 2026-09-17T16:24:17-0500

My question for all the dads out there. Would you be comfortable with seeing a grown man putting their hands on your kid like that? I absolutely would not.

I dont think Pope has a inkling on how weird that photo is because of his personality. Not the end of the world but if it was another coach we would be having a field day.

BigBluefoot · 2026-09-17T18:28:54-0500

BookofMormon said:
I present you evidence per picture number 2. What is he doing? This is all about as anti-cool as it gets. Is he holding up an Ipad in pic 3?? A Nigeria basketball?

He appears to be copping a nipple feel.

Johnny_Jeepers · 2026-09-17T19:17:33-0500

FLBBNFAN said:
My question for all the dads out there. Would you be comfortable with seeing a grown man putting their hands on your kid like that? I absolutely would not.

I dont think Pope has a inkling on how weird that photo is because of his personality. Not the end of the world but if it was another coach we would be having a field day.

Pope is a phony, weirdo creep.

I heard the visit with Rob Wright went south with a quickness when Pope picked him up in a limo at the airport, sat
directly beside him on the back row, and started giving Rob a deep shoulder rub while he whispered into Rob's ear:

"Esta es la tierra donde los caballos pueden correr libres..."

Which I believe roughly translates to "This is the land where the horses can run free."

UKortho · 2026-09-17T19:30:49-0500

UKGrad24 said:
Don't care either way. I care about Kentucky winning. And Mark Pope is not a winner and you won't do a damn thing to dispute that.

if you're interested in him for things other than basketball, which you must be, he ain't gonna hit it. Move along.

Pope is not a winner. Truer words are rarely spoken.

BookofMormon · 2026-09-17T21:08:31-0500

Johnny_Jeepers said:
Pope is a phony, weirdo creep.

I heard the visit with Rob Wright went south with a quickness when Pope picked him up in a limo at the airport, sat
directly beside him on the back row, and started giving Rob a deep shoulder rub while he whispered into Rob's ear:

"Esta es la tierra donde los caballos pueden correr libres..."

Which I believe roughly translates to "This is the land where the horses can run free."

Not phony applies, his weirdness seems authentic.

Pygmy Sasquatch · 2026-09-17T21:18:53-0500

SenseMaker_Cats said:
for believing that BS.

Mark Pope is actually an alien. He forced Mitch to hire him. It was never anything else but that.

If I speak in absolutes will you believe me too?

I hope probing was not involved. You're welcome everyone, unsee that

NociHTTP · 2026-09-17T23:04:07-0500

WeWant9 said:
Pope or not, I have always found these recruiting photoshoots to be really weird.

They're not weird, if you're someone who sees the importance in recognizing and cherishing people's uniqueness. This feigned masculinity just further pushes the idea that players aren't worthy of getting to know.

NociHTTP · 2026-09-17T23:05:27-0500

true-blue1 said:
What is he doing with his arm around the kid?

Showing that he cares? I know, strange concept.

*Fox2Monk* · 2026-09-18T07:17:07-0500

UKortho said:
It looks cringe. But everything Pope does is just cringe. The pic on the beach, the floppy hat fishing, him saying “MFers” loud enough that the press could here him/ but doesn’t have one alpha gene in him. Say it direct during the press conference. The stupid antics during the initial press conference, the strange video of him doing the C A T S chant. He can’t format sentences after some losses. He is not a good recruiter. Kids think he is weird AF. Overpay/ that’s his game plan. He should hire a real GM- fire Fox- and take some classes on not being a pushover.

if he was at Louisville this board would have a field day.

I do agree with this. There is a reason he has a hard time connecting with some of these guys. I generally think once they get to know him he is well liked, but he is definitely the prototypical white nerd people think of. The MF’er thing was very cringe. Like just cuss. We all know he does in practice. If he talks like that no wonder he has a hard time preparing for a game. They probably tune him out honestly some times.

*Fox2Monk* · 2026-09-18T07:21:03-0500

Cowtown Cat said:
LMFAO grasping at straws, constantly. Board has gone to absolute ****.

I don’t think that is all the way true, I mean if he wasn’t a Cat and he never played here he would get clowned. If he was at UofL we would relentlessly mock him. I think money and fit matters more than anything, but it is obviously a difference in a recruitment. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost out on many players simply due to the fact they didn’t vibe with him the same as other coaches.

I bet Calipari feels like the god father to recruits when compared to Pope in recruiting. I hope that change, but he needs a great year or else it won’t matter soon anyway.

You know I wouldn’t hate on him just because. I’m not a huge fan overall of his tenure, but I think this is a legit criticism or issue. Maybe not as big as some think, but it’s there. I still hope he turns it around and becomes a huge success. I want to see former guys like him succeed in the worst way and for us to get back on top.

RunninRichie · 2026-09-18T07:36:53-0500

Cowtown Cat · 2026-09-18T07:36:59-0500

*Fox2Monk* said:
I don’t think that is all the way true, I mean if he wasn’t a Cat and he never played here he would get clowned. If he was at UofL we would relentlessly mock him. I think money and fit matters more than anything, but it is obviously a difference in a recruitment. I wouldn’t be surprised if we lost out on many players simply due to the fact they didn’t vibe with him the same as other coaches.

I bet Calipari feels like the god father to recruits when compared to Pope in recruiting. I hope that change, but he needs a great year or else it won’t matter soon anyway.

You know I wouldn’t hate on him just because. I’m not a huge fan overall of his tenure, but I think this is a legit criticism or issue. Maybe not as big as some think, but it’s there. I still hope he turns it around and becomes a huge success. I want to see former guys like him succeed in the worst way and for us to get back on top.

Meh. You’re my dude, but I disagree. These posters will find ANY reason to ***** and moan about Pope. Literally anything and everything the guy does he gets slammed for on here. It’s absurd.

If you're wondering why Pope doesn't land recruits

All-Conference

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