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If UNC hires...

AllBall

AllBall

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May 5, 2015
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If UNC hires Billy Donovan, is that more of an indictment against our administration or fanbase?

I've heard Goodman (marble mouth) and other talking heads say Donovan is a top 3 candidate. They speculate he's a better fit at UNC than Kentucky bc of BBN.
So, did Mitch just screw the pooch not trying to hire Billy D or is UNC a more appealing job?
 
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RunninRichie

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
28,519
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Not gonna happen. Rupp rafters resident geniuses. All informed me, that fanbases like UNC and UK's are far too mean. And will hurt a good coaches feelings. Additionally, they told me that those jobs have too big of expectations. Their best bet is to just hire a local fan.
 
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FatCatMan

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Mitch Barnhart is effectively gaslit the nation that our expectations are too high, especially with that “microwave society” BS. The man has spent decades trying to lower our expectations in basketball. No other blue blood has explicitly hired an AD who seems to hate their most loved sport quite like Kentucky has.

He’s even successfully gaslit many Kentucky fans into hating anyone with high expectations as they attack anyone who dares to demand more than middle-of-the-pack conference performance. Nothing quite shows how neutered our fanbase is quite like the rage of the hiring of Pope leading nowhere while TAMU fans b*tched their way out of the Stoops hire a couple years ago.

The damage may be irreparable. We may never recover. We’ll see how next year goes when Pope doesn’t live up to his “progress” promises. I've called Pope fans a cult, but it’s arguably Mitch’s cult, frankly. So many fans have spent years attacking anyone who wants to be consistently in the hunt for titles in basketball.
 
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U

Ukbrassowtipin

Heisman
Aug 12, 2011
82,216
90,135
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RunninRichie said:
Not gonna happen. Rupp rafters resident geniuses. All informed me, that fanbases like UNC and UK's are far too mean. And will hurt a good coaches feelings. Additionally, they told me that those jobs have too big of expectations. Their best bet is to just hire a local fan.
Click to expand...
A non insane person would say theres a difference in a coach already winning championships at a school and leaving then a failing pro coach who's tenure may be over soon and has done nothing at either franchise he was at, and who also was rumored to step down because he lost his father and mother in law and wanted to take some time off. But im sure youve got it all figured out. Again, that tricky word...nuance

Didn't UK offer Donovan after Tubby? Why didnt he come, I thought thats all you had to do was flash UK. Seriously why didnt he come?

Timing is important

"Here are the key details regarding Kentucky's pursuit of Billy Donovan during that era:
2007 Pursuit: Following the Gators' second consecutive national title in April 2007, Kentucky pursued Donovan to replace Tubby Smith.
Donovan's Decision: Donovan declined the offer from UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and opted to remain at Florida, citing a desire to stay in Gainesville.

The 2007-08 Context: Shortly after declining UK, Donovan accepted the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic in May 2007, but he almost immediately had second thoughts and returned to Florida, signing a new contract.

2009 Pursuit: When Kentucky needed a new coach again in 2009 after firing Billy Gillispie, they made another unsuccessful run at hiring Donovan.
The Florida Times-Union
The Florida Times-Union"

Also
www.espn.com

Billy Donovan on Kentucky job opening: Committed to Bulls

Billy Donovan said he has not had any contact with Kentucky about its coaching vacancy and reiterated his commitment to the Bulls on Tuesday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
RunninRichie

RunninRichie

Heisman
Sep 5, 2019
28,519
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113
Ukbrassowtipin said:
www.espn.com

Billy Donovan on Kentucky job opening: Committed to Bulls

Billy Donovan said he has not had any contact with Kentucky about its coaching vacancy and reiterated his commitment to the Bulls on Tuesday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Ukbrassowtipin said:
A non insane person would say theres a difference in a coach already winning championships at a school and leaving then a failing pro coach who's tenure may be over soon and has done nothing at either franchise he was at, and who also was rumored to step down because he lost his father and mother in law and wanted to take some time off. But im sure youve got it all figured out. Again, that tricky word...nuance

Didn't UK offer Donovan after Tubby? Why didnt he come, I thought thats all you had to do was flash UK. Seriously why didnt he come?

Timing is important

"Here are the key details regarding Kentucky's pursuit of Billy Donovan during that era:
2007 Pursuit: Following the Gators' second consecutive national title in April 2007, Kentucky pursued Donovan to replace Tubby Smith.
Donovan's Decision: Donovan declined the offer from UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and opted to remain at Florida, citing a desire to stay in Gainesville.

The 2007-08 Context: Shortly after declining UK, Donovan accepted the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic in May 2007, but he almost immediately had second thoughts and returned to Florida, signing a new contract.

2009 Pursuit: When Kentucky needed a new coach again in 2009 after firing Billy Gillispie, they made another unsuccessful run at hiring Donovan.
The Florida Times-Union
The Florida Times-Union"

Also
www.espn.com

Billy Donovan on Kentucky job opening: Committed to Bulls

Billy Donovan said he has not had any contact with Kentucky about its coaching vacancy and reiterated his commitment to the Bulls on Tuesday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
Keep spinning, hoss. That was 16 and 19 years ago. Things change. People on this board have posted, that Donovan was interested in UK last time.
 
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theBlues

theBlues

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Ukbrassowtipin said:
A non insane person would say theres a difference in a coach already winning championships at a school and leaving then a failing pro coach who's tenure may be over soon and has done nothing at either franchise he was at, and who also was rumored to step down because he lost his father and mother in law and wanted to take some time off. But im sure youve got it all figured out. Again, that tricky word...nuance

Didn't UK offer Donovan after Tubby? Why didnt he come, I thought thats all you had to do was flash UK. Seriously why didnt he come?

Timing is important

"Here are the key details regarding Kentucky's pursuit of Billy Donovan during that era:
2007 Pursuit: Following the Gators' second consecutive national title in April 2007, Kentucky pursued Donovan to replace Tubby Smith.
Donovan's Decision: Donovan declined the offer from UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and opted to remain at Florida, citing a desire to stay in Gainesville.

The 2007-08 Context: Shortly after declining UK, Donovan accepted the head coaching job with the Orlando Magic in May 2007, but he almost immediately had second thoughts and returned to Florida, signing a new contract.

2009 Pursuit: When Kentucky needed a new coach again in 2009 after firing Billy Gillispie, they made another unsuccessful run at hiring Donovan.
The Florida Times-Union
The Florida Times-Union"

Also
www.espn.com

Billy Donovan on Kentucky job opening: Committed to Bulls

Billy Donovan said he has not had any contact with Kentucky about its coaching vacancy and reiterated his commitment to the Bulls on Tuesday.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...
I've always considered myself a sane person but I think I like "non insane" better. It's more emphatic about it.




I'm just kidding with you. I've never considered myself sane.
 
E

exo6desmo

Freshman
Mar 25, 2026
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UK4Life#9 said:
Our fanbase is the absolute worst in terms of knowledge but they think they are HC material. It’s like a disease. No one wants to coach or play for miserable loud mouths that try to fire you and ruin players reputation at each and every turn.
Click to expand...
Eff you
 
G

Gobigblue812812

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2025
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AllBall said:
If UNC hires Billy Donovan, is that more of an indictment against our administration or fanbase?

I've heard Goodman (marble mouth) and other talking heads say Donovan is a top 3 candidate. They speculate he's a better fit at UNC than Kentucky bc of BBN.
So, did Mitch just screw the pooch not trying to hire Billy D or is UNC a more appealing job?
Click to expand...


It's true. Billy D is a top three legitimate candidate. The other two are Jon Gruden and Brad Stevens.
 
J

JHBr

Junior
Nov 13, 2025
122
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Field of 68 can speculate all they want in regards to BBN but unc fanbase is worse. They had a decent year and lost their best player to injury late season. Hubert had 5 years and wasn't doing badly. They could possibly have made a run if Wilson wasn't hurt. Possibly duke envy/keeping up with the Jones's?
 
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preacherfan

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2003
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JHBr said:
Field of 68 can speculate all they want in regards to BBN but unc fanbase is worse. They had a decent year and lost their best player to injury late season. Hubert had 5 years and wasn't doing badly. They could possibly have made a run if Wilson wasn't hurt. Possibly duke envy/keeping up with the Jones's?
Click to expand...
So, injuries do matter?
 
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BBNinSCar

BBNinSCar

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I’d rather have Donovan at UNC than Golden, Oats, or even Will Wade. Billy is a big risk at this point, he’s been away too long and has not been successful since leaving Florida.
This is the same school that thought Belichick was a good idea- so expect something stupid.
 
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D

Dward13

All-Conference
Feb 5, 2008
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BBNinSCar said:
I’d rather have Donovan at UNC than Golden, Oats, or even Will Wade. Billy is a big risk at this point, he’s been away too long and has not been successful since leaving Florida.
This is the same school that thought Belichick was a good idea- so expect something stupid.o
Click to expand...

I’d take Donovan over our current situation. But i’ve also looked a little closer at his career at Florida. 4 final fours and 2 ships. But he really only had 2 dominant seasons. 2007, when he returned his entire starting 5 from a national champion. One of which was gifted to him because Tubby didn’t think he could use another ultra atheltic 6’9 forward with ball skills and the mobility of a guard.(i’m talking about Corey Brewer, who has been on record as saying he was dying to come here and that Florida wasn’t his first choice)

And then the other season waa 2014. Donovan got a TON of talent in his time at florida. But was only able to secure a 1 seed twice.

He’s an outstanding postseason coach however. He has like a top 2 or 3 all time march madness winning percentage. But he spent the majority of his career at Florida getting dominated by Tubby and eventually Calipari.

I’ve often wondered if a return to college wouldn’t go as well for Donovan as some think.
 
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catfando

All-Conference
Mar 31, 2009
1,537
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UKCowboys said:
Billy has turned us down twice. To me, "We Are Kentucky" loses some luster if you beg the same guy a third time. He isn't the only good coach out there, and I would prefer one who wants to be here
Click to expand...
Unfortunately we have a coach that wants to be here. Billy D wanted to coach in the NBA. That's why he turned us down. I think he was burnt out with recruiting and college. He'd accomplished all he could at the time too. I'd much rather have him than who we have now.
 
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Dr.LutherSan

Dr.LutherSan

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UKCowboys said:
Billy has turned us down twice. To me, "We Are Kentucky" loses some luster if you beg the same guy a third time. He isn't the only good coach out there, and I would prefer one who wants to be here
Click to expand...
It's 2026. With NIL and the transfer portal, coaches don't need to be at blue bloods to succeed. "We are Kentucky" doesn't have the luster it used to.
 
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UKCowboys

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Oct 14, 2019
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catfando said:
Unfortunately we have a coach that wants to be here. Billy D wanted to coach in the NBA. That's why he turned us down. I think he was burnt out with recruiting and college. He'd accomplished all he could at the time too. I'd much rather have him than who we have now.
Click to expand...
There are a Hell of a lot better options for us than Pope. Donovan would be far better than Pope but not my first choice
 
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JohnRambo82

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high five oklahoma city thunder GIF by NBA
 
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CatPride1964

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Jan 7, 2026
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Duke friend of mine (yes they exist. He’s been there for me during dark times when no one else was) told me he hopes unc continues to suck but won’t be mad if they get a good coach because of the rivalry. His metric for Carolina being back as a program is when he can name all five starters.
 
T

TarHeelInCharlotte

Junior
Oct 23, 2025
212
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JHBr said:
Field of 68 can speculate all they want in regards to BBN but unc fanbase is worse. They had a decent year and lost their best player to injury late season. Hubert had 5 years and wasn't doing badly. They could possibly have made a run if Wilson wasn't hurt. Possibly duke envy/keeping up with the Jones's?
Click to expand...
Hubert Davis:
- 33% win percentage against Quad 1 teams
- biggest blown lead in the history of the round of 64
- biggest blown halftime lead in Championship Game history
- needed OT to avoid the biggest blown lead in the history of the round of 32
- top recruits constantly transferring away from UNC
 
T

TarHeelInCharlotte

Junior
Oct 23, 2025
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AllBall said:
If UNC hires Billy Donovan, is that more of an indictment against our administration or fanbase?

I've heard Goodman (marble mouth) and other talking heads say Donovan is a top 3 candidate. They speculate he's a better fit at UNC than Kentucky bc of BBN.
So, did Mitch just screw the pooch not trying to hire Billy D or is UNC a more appealing job?
Click to expand...
Tommy Lloyd is now practically tied with Billy D on Kalshi's betting odds.
 
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