If the fan base rips Barnhart... you also have to..

[Slowwalker]

While I LOVE what Pope has been able to do in half a season, I think it is a bit premature to call him a home run hire. To me, a home run hire would mean that we see something like what Cal did in his first 6-7 seasons. Multiple final fours, a championship, no issues off the court, etc.

 

[yoshukai]

I am so glad it wasn’t Carlisemo. RP was like what choice after Olsen, PJC? Maybe 3rd or 4th?

it was.... similar to RP... it didn't make CM great and this doesn't make MB any better.
Occasional blind luck is not a quality we need in leadership

David Rozelle is responsible for hiring Rick Pitino. He was the first person contacted by Newton but turned him down. Newton had already moved on to other coaches ( mainly PJ Carlisimo) but Rozelle contacted Pitino and convinced him to take the job .

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Barnhart legacy lies with that disastrous football program of ours . STOOPS does not want to be here and mitch has fixed it to where stoops want leave until we buy him out . THANKS MITCH

Joker hire was legendary brainfart.

 

[dynastydreamuk]

No barnhart sucks. The 3 big spots id say are men's BB, FB. And women's BB...

He hired Gillespie, Joker, and Elzy... and i believe he hired Demoss. Gillespie hire is inexcusable....hell he could have hired Cal then or I bet took Pitino back away from Louisville. Didn't even attempt Pitino or Cal at that time... inexcusable. Joker hire inexcusable for SEC..

Mitch successful hired rate is 50% at best for sports that matter

 

[NociHTTP]

I don’t think he was doing that. I think he was clarifying his position while taking into consideration something BBH had made public before. They had a reasonable debate and both were very courteous and respectful to each other.

I just take exception to people who name-call, or otherwise bring something that could be perceived as a vulnerability and that has nothing to do with the debate, into the debate. I see now that they like to banter back and forth, and that BHH is cool with it, so I'll bow out.

 

[NociHTTP]

Gotta be honest I was a freshman in college for the Gillispie hire and don’t remember much about the process. All I remember is Cal wanted it and Mitch didn’t call him and Jay Wright and Donovan turned us down.

Cal is known to hold grudges, well we all do that. So, I'm wondering if he let being snubbed have an effect on how things transpired.

 

[jlett]

Give him credit.

I thought Pope was a desperate hire and he was just settling.

I was 100% wrong. POPE encompasses everything I want in a coach. Embracing the past, Embracing the fan base, excellent communicator, HUMBLE leadership, and an analytical look at how basketball is being played in today's game.

I think Barnhart got very lucky that Cal decided to walk and didn't get stuck with the crazy contract he delved out, BUT it appears he hit a Home Run with Pope.

Props to Barnhart. (Now please copy and paste for Football )

Dr RB

I think you speak for many of us who were a bit concerned with UK's initial choices declining the job, and wondering if Coach Pope was ready for Prime Time. Let me say how happy I am to have been so dead wrong! Was CMP ready ... hell YES! I couldn't be more thankful for his presence. And, did I mention we have beaten 3 Top Ten schools already this season in 14 games!

 

[4Frusciante#]

Pope got his job the same way as Stoops, Billy Clyde, and Joker; he talked Barnhart into it. We are just lucky that Pope is smart and energetic enough to back up the talk.
Barnhart should not be trusted to hire the new football coach that will be hired at the end of next season.

 

[Catluv]

I believe so when Sutton and Pitino was hired.

Yes people were calling him “LOOT” Olson

 

[Blueathletics]

I would argue Pope was an illogical hire.

- He had zero tourney wins.
- He had only one year in a major conference.
- UofL and Indiana had just made the mistake of hiring former players who didn't measure up, so how stupid could UK be to not learn from their mistake?
- He hadn't proved he can recruit.
- There are many coaches with more success who would come here

Mitch gambled and won.

The jury's still out as Pope has not yet made it to the Tournament nor made any kind of run....time will tell

 

[bradyjames_rivals]

He wanted Scott Drew and Hurley (awful fit here) and he also gave stoops an insane extension after hiring BCG and Joker. It’s my understanding he was against Cal. So I don’t know where that puts him but I’m happy we have pope.

lol, the facts always cause them problems. UK would be better off without Mitch at this time in his career. He needs to go.

 

[eb4ukcats]

I thought the boosters convinced Mitch, to get Cal. Didn't Pope reach out to Mitch?
The nil, lack of supporting football, but investing in lacrosse ( sarcasm), contracts, that were unbalanced, to the University

 

[Cowtown Cat]

It was obvious to me. I know what it was like at the time - I was one of the few arguing in Pope’s favor.

Fans lose their minds sometimes, and the media eats that up. That was the “emotionalism” you’re talking about. The Pope hire was logical.

I wanted the hire before Cal ever even left. Pope just felt right and we already knew he was a damn good floor coach. Combine that with the fact he played here, was a captain and a champion. On arguably our best team of all time no less. To me, if we could succeed at BYU, he damn sure could here.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Drew/Hurley/Donovan were the first picks. He settled, and I’m now thrilled he did.

Drew was the only one other than Pope that was really and truly seriously pursued. Hurley was offered but everyone knew that was just a formality and he wasn't taking the job. Billy D was not offered.