Boosters/Decision Makers

[USARMYWILDCAT]

I’ve alway heard that after the BCG debacle. “The powers that be” (I assume this is the holders of the purse) forced Mitch’s hand to hire Cal? Cal’s last year the rumor was boosters refused to support the team with NIL if Cal stayed on as coach. It was said that this was a big reason that Cal chose to move Arkansas. He saw the writing on the wall apparently? I’ve always took the approach in life, “believe what you see, question what you hear”. I don’t know how true these rumors are because I have no first hand knowledge. Just what I hear from talking to other people and honestly reading this board.

My question is, if the above is true. Do you believe “the powers that be” are already having the same conversations with admin about Mark Pope? If those conversations are happening. Do you think this is going to be another Cal situation. Mitch is going to be told what to do and he’s not gonna have a choice?

 

[wccat]

Here is the issue...if you have an AD who gets UK in these messes ($$$$ for Cal and Stoops) but refuses to fix the issues then he IS the issue. Get him out and let's look nationwide instead of bringing in another Mitch wannabe.

 

[BigBlueGuru]

I still think regardless how this season plays out that Pope will get one more year. I don't think based upon current recruiting and the product on the floor it is going to miraculously turn around next year. Just have lost all faith in the whole coaching staff. I also don't think UK would want to face the negative perception of firing a coach after just 2 years and one of those years they exceeded expectations for the hand they were dealt. I hope I am proven wrong as I absolutely do not want to see the same product or worse on the floor next year. Move Pope to a GM position or something and make a homerun hire. Everyone saves face.

 

[USARMYWILDCAT]

Here is the issue...if you have an AD who gets UK in these messes ($$$$ for Cal and Stoops) but refuses to fix the issues then he IS the issue. Get him out and let's look nationwide instead of bringing in another Mitch wannabe.

In a perfect world, this would be my choice. It is definitely past time for Mitch to leave. I’m not sure that’s gonna happen. To be honest with you I bet you they already know who the next A.D. is going to be. It’s probably someone on Mitch’s staff that he has had handpicked for a while. Also, maybe the people that hold the purse will have some say in who the next A.D. will be?

 

[Blueworld_3.0]

I still think regardless how this season plays out that Pope will get one more year. I don't think based upon current recruiting and the product on the floor it is going to miraculously turn around next year. Just have lost all faith in the whole coaching staff. I also don't think UK would want to face the negative perception of firing a coach after just 2 years and one of those years they exceeded expectations for the hand they were dealt. I hope I am proven wrong as I absolutely do not want to see the same product or worse on the floor next year. Move Pope to a GM position or something and make a homerun hire. Everyone saves face.

This would be the best case scenario. And for precisely that reason it won't happen. We are going to be stuck with Pope and a terrible product on the court for another year.

 

[wccat]

In a perfect world, this would be my choice. It is definitely past time for Mitch to leave. I’m not sure that’s gonna happen. To be honest with you I bet you they already know who the next A.D. is going to be. It’s probably someone on Mitch’s staff that he has had handpicked for a while. Also, maybe the people that hold the purse will have some say in who the next A.D. will be?

I have read where it will be Mark Hill https://ukathletics.com/staff/marc-hill/ or DeWayne Peevey who is at DePaul.

 

[kyjeff1]

I still think regardless how this season plays out that Pope will get one more year. I don't think based upon current recruiting and the product on the floor it is going to miraculously turn around next year. Just have lost all faith in the whole coaching staff. I also don't think UK would want to face the negative perception of firing a coach after just 2 years and one of those years they exceeded expectations for the hand they were dealt. I hope I am proven wrong as I absolutely do not want to see the same product or worse on the floor next year. Move Pope to a GM position or something and make a homerun hire. Everyone saves face.

If I was a donor, I would get together with the other main donors and have a meeting with Pope and Mitch and have them explain why we are where we are.

If Pope says the ball just didn't bounce our way and injuries were the problem and the roster was really good, I immediately tell Mitch my funding is no longer available until someone who actually understands the assignment is put in place. I'm not donating money to have a guy p*ssyfoot around and think he was on the right track.

The correct things for Pope to say is that he did a terrible job constructing the roster, he mismanaged $22m, he didn't mentally prepare his team to play games and he messed up by not bringing in top end talent at all 5 positions.

Same thing for Mitch, twice now he was careless with who he hired to coach this basketball program, this isn’t a job you give to just anybody and he is responsible for this mess. He’s also responsible for the 2 dumb, one sided, lifetime deals he gave to Cal and Stoops.

When you donate millions, you get a huge say in what happens and I know how I felt watching that game last night and watching Pope stroll around like it was nothing, but I didn't give millions to this team like those guys did, they must be livid right now.

 

[LordEgg]

the last thing we need is Pope as GM

 

[DraftCat]

The only way I'd consider another year of Pope is if he already had players committed. However he has ZERO so he's completely reliant on the portal. A new coach could do the exact same thing.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

the last thing we need is Pope as GM

Exactly that would be as bad as when Cal could've retired and been in an ambassador role or Mitch has something similar when he retires.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I still think regardless how this season plays out that Pope will get one more year. I don't think based upon current recruiting and the product on the floor it is going to miraculously turn around next year. Just have lost all faith in the whole coaching staff. I also don't think UK would want to face the negative perception of firing a coach after just 2 years and one of those years they exceeded expectations for the hand they were dealt. I hope I am proven wrong as I absolutely do not want to see the same product or worse on the floor next year. Move Pope to a GM position or something and make a homerun hire. Everyone saves face.

You wanna move the coach that paid $22M for THIS roster to GM? Yeah, nah, he just needs to pack his bags and go coach Utah Valley Tech or some such place.

 

[fisherscatfan]

I have read where it will be Mark Hill https://ukathletics.com/staff/marc-hill/ or DeWayne Peevey who is at DePaul.

Then UK deserves all the problems that will come with either of those hires.

 

[wccat]

Then UK deserves all the problems that will come with either of those hires.

You are 1000% correct. Let's hope the donors speak up because it appears Mitch has the president's ear.

 

[true-blue1]

Something has to be done! Pope is in over his head! There is No other way to put it!

 

[TX Wildcat]

Time for Mitch to enjoy the twilight years and pass the baton. If not (or even if so), all hires need to be done by committee anyhow. The committee needs to include Jeff Bourne (the JMU AD who retired 20 months ago and who hired Curt Cignetti, Mark Byington, and Kenny Brooks at JMU) as a consultant.

Pope gets 1 more year, period. Sorry! To have a chance at getting this right he needs a GM and to either let his assistants handle the recruiting or maybe even shake up his staff.

 

[WallCousins]

I’ve alway heard that after the BCG debacle. “The powers that be” (I assume this is the holders of the purse) forced Mitch’s hand to hire Cal? Cal’s last year the rumor was boosters refused to support the team with NIL if Cal stayed on as coach. It was said that this was a big reason that Cal chose to move Arkansas. He saw the writing on the wall apparently? I’ve always took the approach in life, “believe what you see, question what you hear”. I don’t know how true these rumors are because I have no first hand knowledge. Just what I hear from talking to other people and honestly reading this board.

My question is, if the above is true. Do you believe “the powers that be” are already having the same conversations with admin about Mark Pope? If those conversations are happening. Do you think this is going to be another Cal situation. Mitch is going to be told what to do and he’s not gonna have a choice?

We can thank Mike Pratt for getting Cal hired.

 

[JHR1932]

If I was a donor, I would get together with the other main donors and have a meeting with Pope and Mitch and have them explain why we are where we are.

If Pope says the ball just didn't bounce our way and injuries were the problem and the roster was really good, I immediately tell Mitch my funding is no longer available until someone who actually understands the assignment is put in place. I'm not donating money to have a guy p*ssyfoot around and think he was on the right track.

The correct things for Pope to say is that he did a terrible job constructing the roster, he mismanaged $22m, he didn't mentally prepare his team to play games and he messed up by not bringing in top end talent at all 5 positions.

Same thing for Mitch, twice now he was careless with who he hired to coach this basketball program, this isn’t a job you give to just anybody and he is responsible for this mess. He’s also responsible for the 2 dumb, one sided, lifetime deals he gave to Cal and Stoops.

When you donate millions, you get a huge say in what happens and I know how I felt watching that game last night and watching Pope stroll around like it was nothing, but I didn't give millions to this team like those guys did, they must be livid right now.

Good post I will say it again, Mark Pope is a good person, he is seriously woke and very very soft creepy like with constant, beautiful, unbelievably talented, he’s getting better etc interviews. He cannot recruit because of this creepy approach imo along with his rotation approach where he wants to assure everyone loves him because everyone plays and gets a trophy.

finally this is by far the worst constructed team I can ever remember and THAT INCLUDES Gillespie. I Literally am stunned at how badly put together this team was put together.. he ha got to go or resign

 

[wildcatdon]

Good post I will say it again, Mark Pope is a good person, he is seriously woke and very very soft creepy like with constant, beautiful, unbelievably talented, he’s getting better etc interviews. He cannot recruit because of this creepy approach imo along with his rotation approach where he wants to assure everyone loves him because everyone plays and gets a trophy.

finally this is by far the worst constructed team I can ever remember and THAT INCLUDES Gillespie. I Literally am stunned at how badly put together this team was put together.. he ha got to go or resign

Where do you get this stuff? Are you 8? Good Lord.

 

[TommyMansky]

What is stipulated in NIL contracts? Do players have to listen to coaches or give any quantifiable amount of effort?

 

[JHR1932]

Where do you get this stuff? Are you 8? Good Lord.

I listen and watch him talk in pre and postgame press conferences keep drinking the juice old man. please tell us again we have 3 starters out, oh I forgot they played and we still got smacked. You can be fine with this product not me big man

you are go to say to us with a straight face that your boy Pope out together a strong roster.

 

[catfanlou]

In a perfect world, this would be my choice. It is definitely past time for Mitch to leave. I’m not sure that’s gonna happen. To be honest with you I bet you they already know who the next A.D. is going to be. It’s probably someone on Mitch’s staff that he has had handpicked for a while. Also, maybe the people that hold the purse will have some say in who the next A.D. will be?

Or it will be who JMI says it should be that they control and is beholden to them .

 

[catfanlou]

Then UK deserves all the problems that will come with either of those hires.

It should be a national search and someone who has no ties whatsoever to JMI .

 

[kyjeff1]

Good post I will say it again, Mark Pope is a good person, he is seriously woke and very very soft creepy like with constant, beautiful, unbelievably talented, he’s getting better etc interviews. He cannot recruit because of this creepy approach imo along with his rotation approach where he wants to assure everyone loves him because everyone plays and gets a trophy.

finally this is by far the worst constructed team I can ever remember and THAT INCLUDES Gillespie. I Literally am stunned at how badly put together this team was put together.. he ha got to go or resign

Yeah, I'm a Mark Pope fan, I want him to be great, he deserves to be great, but that doesn't mean I'm going to turn a blind eye and act like what we're all seeing is fine. It's not fine and if Mark was my brother, my own flesh and blood, I would say the same things I've been saying. I'm a realist and the reality of it is, this is a disaster and Pope is responsible.
Last year's success story is going to buy Pope a 3rd year, but I don't have high hopes. There are too many red flags that are consistently happening and he doesn't have the personality that it takes to be successful at this level.
I hate that Mitch hired him. Not only was he not qualified, but now, we have to eat one of our own on his way out the door. Thanks Mitch.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

What is stipulated in NIL contracts? Do players have to listen to coaches or give any quantifiable amount of effort?

No. NIL is just licensing your Name, Image and Likeness in exchange for compensation, money, products, services in exchange for brand endorsements, social media posts, autograph signings, and appearances. It cannot be linked to performance, minutes played, effort, on the court stuff (pay for play). In a nutshell, I am paying you a certain amount of money to use your name and image to earn my company money (i.e. promotions, commercials, a basketball clinic where I charge kids to attend to see you, etc) That is separate from Rev sharing.

If you sign an NIL deal with say Murray St and never set foot on the floor, you still get paid. As long as you uphold the commitments in your contract (those promotions, commercials, and clinics etc). I'm actually surprised this hasn't snowballed into the old Casino Mafia days where guys families are disappearing if he doesn't perform after paying him 2 million in NIL. It's the wild west out there with corrupt sheriffs and UK won't play in the gray, little lone break the rules. Its the world we live in now.

 

[MegaBlue05]

He’s gonna be here next year, y’all. Either come to grips with it or continue the wishful thinking. Choice is yours.

Last year bought him next year, and this year makes next year a win something or get out year.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I’d refer to Sources Say from two nights ago on this — the boosters/donors like Mark Pope.

Likelihood Pope is not brought back for a 3rd year - 0%

Likelihood Pope gets FU money to do whatever he wants next year depends on whether or not he can win big the rest of the year.

If he flounders, so will spending, but they still like Pope. Might as well get these thoughts out of your head or you’re going to end up disappointed, finger pointing and blaming a bunch of folks. There is NO chance of someone other than Pope being coach next year outside of Pope himself stepping down.

 

[TotheMoon88]

I’d refer to Sources Say from two nights ago on this — the boosters/donors like Mark Pope.

Likelihood Pope is not brought back for a 3rd year - 0%

Likelihood Pope gets FU money to do whatever he wants next year depends on whether or not he can win big the rest of the year.

If he flounders, so will spending, but they still like Pope. Might as well get these thoughts out of your head or you’re going to end up disappointed, finger pointing and blaming a bunch of folks. There is NO chance of someone other than Pope being coach next year outside of Pope himself stepping down.

We can still wish

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

We can still wish

Wish all you want. I wish Dan Hurley would sign to be coach here and we could pay him in Rupp Arena ice cream lol. We have a segment of folks that cannot separate “what I want to happen” versus what is actually reasonable. The inability to acknowledge the distinction leads to a lot of folks fighting pointlessly over it.

 

[OGtruebluewildcat]

Pope was about 3-4 on the list, and we got him because he played here, otherwise who knows who’d have volunteered for this.

I said in another thread and I’ll keep saying it. Not only are top tier established big name coaches staying put, but down roster guys are as well.

Coaches can make multi-millions anywhere. The resources, platform, media, etc is pretty much equal as well. Portal and NIL have obviously changed things to where you can go get talent and build a roster pretty much anywhere.

Same in football. Folks are telling bama “nah I’m good…” and Michigan has to hit up the retirement home.

If you run off Pope, you’re essentially putting yourself in a position to grovel and sing “baby come back…” to Cal.

He is the only guy who can turn things around and get the limelight back on the program. Everyone knows it, because by running off Pope you’re saying no to different, you’re saying you want the attention and 24/7 hype cycle. You want the big ego coach, program, players. You’re saying you’re not interested in building a program or roster over 3,4,5 years.

Theres 3-4 guys who can do this job. Two of them have done it and are currently coaching elsewhere. The others have said no multiple times.

 

[RunninRichie]

I’d refer to Sources Say from two nights ago on this — the boosters/donors like Mark Pope.

Likelihood Pope is not brought back for a 3rd year - 0%

Likelihood Pope gets FU money to do whatever he wants next year depends on whether or not he can win big the rest of the year.

If he flounders, so will spending, but they still like Pope. Might as well get these thoughts out of your head or you’re going to end up disappointed, finger pointing and blaming a bunch of folks. There is NO chance of someone other than Pope being coach next year outside of Pope himself stepping down.

They like Pope because he played here. We’re screwed. Good ole boy network has killed one of my favorite teams.

 

[CutNets]

I’d refer to Sources Say from two nights ago on this — the boosters/donors like Mark Pope.

Likelihood Pope is not brought back for a 3rd year - 0%

Likelihood Pope gets FU money to do whatever he wants next year depends on whether or not he can win big the rest of the year.

If he flounders, so will spending, but they still like Pope. Might as well get these thoughts out of your head or you’re going to end up disappointed, finger pointing and blaming a bunch of folks. There is NO chance of someone other than Pope being coach next year outside of Pope himself stepping down.

So if spending flounders, as you say, and I believe you, what good is it to keep Pope? So you (boosters/donors) like Pope, but they're not going to give him the money to be successful? Doesn't make sense. The counter to that is "well they gave him the money this year and he failed", so why then give him the money again? Well, why then keep him? Seems like a no win for Pope and the boosters barring some kind of miraculous turn-around. If boosters/donors really just thought it was a bad roster and not going to be typical of the true Pope, wouldn't they give him the FU money yet again just to see if this was an anomaly?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

So if spending flounders, as you say, and I believe you, what good is it to keep Pope? So you (boosters/donors) like Pope, but they're not going to give him the money to be successful? Doesn't make sense. The counter to that is "well they gave him the money this year and he failed", so why then give him the money again? Well, why then keep him? Seems like a no win for Pope and the boosters barring some kind of miraculous turn-around. If boosters/donors really just thought it was a bad roster and not going to be typical of the true Pope, wouldn't they give him the FU money yet again just to see if this was an anomaly?

The very thing you cited is what boosters/donors were saying according to Pilgrim: they believe this year could be an anomaly and FU money could still happen. It just isn’t certain if we don’t perform if that makes sense.

 

[kyjeff1]

dude even got the avatar that the original cutnets had. Well done sir.

 

[kyjeff1]

The very thing you cited is what boosters/donors were saying according to Pilgrim: they believe this year could be an anomaly and FU money could still happen. It just isn’t certain if we don’t perform if that makes sense.

It’s going to take FU money for Pope to fix this. Cutting his roster money down, will just set him up to fail, especially knowing he missed out on all high school recruits.

 

[CutNets]

The very thing you cited is what boosters/donors were saying according to Pilgrim: they believe this year could be an anomaly and FU money could still happen. It just isn’t certain if we don’t perform if that makes sense.

I see. I guess my point is that if the season ends on it's current trajectory, which is bad, then it sounds like the big money is not going to be there for him. So again, why keep him if you're not going to give him the financial support to be successful? It's counterintuitive. "Hey we like Mark, we're going to keep him regardless of how the season ends. But if it ends poorly we're not going to give him the big money again next year". It's dumb. Either keep him and go all-in again, or fire him and go all-in on a new coach. But to keep him, and not go all-in while expecting a better result is just plain dumb. Just my opinion.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

It’s going to take FU money for Pope to fix this. Cutting his roster money down, will just set him up to fail, especially knowing he missed out on all high school recruits.

Agree. If I give my wife money to make this exotic tasty dish she's been wanting to make and she goes to buy all the ingredients, but the store is out of this item, and this other item she has to buy the off brand version, and she has to make some substitutions. Then when she makes the dinner it turns out meh, it doesn't look appetizing, but it's edible, and fell well short of what you expected her to make and the money you spent for that result is not warranted. I'm not going to ban her from ever buying groceries or cooking dinner again and I will probably still give her the same amount of money the next time she goes shopping. But if she were to screw that one up again too and just buys skittles and mayo I might have to get a divorce. lol

 

[kyjeff1]

You know guys, there is an avenue where Pope isn't here next year. There are so many red flags and if this team implodes and misses the tournament, it is not out of the question for the boosters/donors, Mitch and Pope to just all shake hands and go their own ways.
Everyone at UK from the donors, to the youngest of fans, have endured enough since that 2017 E8 loss. UK deserves better and at this point, Pope, if he's being honest, can't promise things will be better next year, in fact, it could be worse.

 

[dckala2_]

I hope and pray that all of catspaws has the same job security that Barnhart has.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

It’s going to take FU money for Pope to fix this. Cutting his roster money down, will just set him up to fail, especially knowing he missed out on all high school recruits.

I see. I guess my point is that if the season ends on it's current trajectory, which is bad, then it sounds like the big money is not going to be there for him. So again, why keep him if you're not going to give him the financial support to be successful? It's counterintuitive. "Hey we like Mark, we're going to keep him regardless of how the season ends. But if it ends poorly we're not going to give him the big money again next year". It's dumb. Either keep him and go all-in again, or fire him and go all-in on a new coach. But to keep him, and not go all-in while expecting a better result is just plain dumb. Just my opinion.

I’m kind of with you fellas. Don’t get the idea of saying “he’s our guy” but we aren’t sure about equipping him

 

[Drcatfan]

I know there is no point in dwelling on the past, but not convincing Hurley to take the job was a HUGE miss. It's hard not to imagine the different situation we would be in right now with Hurley.