I'm still a believer in Pope...

[Mdnerd]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

 

[GoAndRunIsGoneAndDone]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

Agree 100%. I understand the fan frustration because the product on the floor is bad but I do think he'll right the ship. Tough to say for sure about it being this season but I'm confident that he will. And if not, the roster will have to look a lot different next season. Yes, ultimately Pope is the man responsible but it's also not like any of us expected a returning player like Oweh to just refuse to play hard. It's hard to blame any coach for that kind of attitude CHANGE from a returning player.

 

[Anon1679859502]

Everyone has a right to their opinion but I’m not a believer…most games last year we got down big and had to claw back to win. Recruiting and roster management is terrible and his mental state after losses all about coaching and he’s in over his head.

 

[Henogee1975]

I believe he’s a good man.

 

[[email protected]]

Wow lol I hope he does turn it around but I have no faith that he will. He struggles with recruiting and it’s going to be even harder if he doesn’t turn this around.

 

[KampusKat]

The problem is the team, not the coach. Look at Top 15 wins last year and compare to this year. Same Coach, different teams. Fans shouldn't beat him up too much because I am sure he does that to himself enough already. Next year will look a lot different.

 

[Kats meow]

He has no real history as a really successful coach. Actually it’s pretty mediocre. In his last 3 years at BYU his conference records were 9-6, 7-9, and 10-8. I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out how he’s the best we could do.

 

[travisbickle]

Regardless of how we feel I believe he will get a full three seasons. So I’m rooting for him to figure it out.

It’s hard to have optimism right now but maybe there’s a light bulb moment for this group.

I don’t think the top end talent is there, but I also don’t think the talent level is indicative of a 35 point beat down. We’ll see if he can pull the right levers.

 

[philstat]

He’s a wonderful person and a tremendous representative for the university though his coaching credentials are suspect, he’s yet to win consistently at an elite level and more importantly, as a leader, he’s failing to motivate his team, the biggest offender of all, IMO.

 

[Pattyice270812]

I just would like to see Pope hold players more accountable. Dan hurdley wouldn't tolerate whats going on with this team.

And I would like to see jerseys without names on the back till its earned.

 

[megablue]

The problem is the team, not the coach. Look at Top 15 wins last year and compare to this year. Same Coach, different teams. Fans shouldn't beat him up too much because I am sure he does that to himself enough already. Next year will look a lot different.

What will happen and be in place next year to make it "look a lot different" ????

 

[Catman100]

Loved where we were at the end of last season, but was that a fluke?
It's just very difficult to not worry when he totally constructed this team, along with all the NIL dollars spent.
A coach must construct a team based on how he wants to play, and so far, it looks like he struck out this season on roster assembly.

Hope he get's the water out of this sinking ship, but I am not convinced he can.
Hope for Pope.

 

[BlueSince92]

I'm still mostly behind Pope.

But I've got to say, I'm a little worried after watching that video of his coaching show with Tom Leach last night.

He just seemed so relaxed and borderline goofy. That's his normal demeanor and normally it's fine. Great, even.

But this is the point in the TV show where the patient is bleeding out on the table and the EKG is flatline.

The surgeon needs to be crying. Leaking snot. Slapping the patient. Screaming DON'T YOU LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!



Not making jokes about scarfing cookies.

In a sense I can maybe see why he may have wanted to take this approach. I've seen bad parents that go all emotional and panicky when their kid gets a cut on the playground, and seen it send the kid into a self-defeating crying implosion. And I've seen good parents grin and giggle when their kid gets a worse cut on the playground, and seen the kid grin and giggle in response and run back out for another round.

I don't think Pope's cookie jokes and general relaxed manner were authentically an indication he doesn't care. I think they were the result of a conscious choice to be that second kind of parent. Especially knowing this fanbase and knowing how bad things could really get if we full-out implode. That's reasonable enough. I'm not trying to demonize him.

All the same, the patient really is flatline and the patient really is bleeding out.


My head can say whatever it wants: my gut is still a little freaked out that there's no "DON'T YOU LEAVE ME!!!!!!!!"

 

[jedwar]

I'd be more than fine if he's not the coach after this season. But I expect a 3rd year.

 

[UKortho]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

Except- he struggles to speak after some losses.

 

[jedwar]

He has no real history as a really successful coach. Actually it’s pretty mediocre. In his last 3 years at BYU his conference records were 9-6, 7-9, and 10-8. I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out how he’s the best we could do.

He wasn't the best we could do. He is who Barnhart settled for.

 

[Goingfor9]

Regardless of how we feel I believe he will get a full three seasons. So I’m rooting for him to figure it out.

It’s hard to have optimism right now but maybe there’s a light bulb moment for this group.

I don’t think the top end talent is there, but I also don’t think the talent level is indicative of a 35 point beat down. We’ll see if he can pull the right levers.

Who is making that decision? Believe what you want but a year three with pope and no superstar recruits. No top tier players want to play for the guy so why drag it out? And give him another and he gets to a sweet sixteen with 10-11 losses. Then what? You fire him then and the “irrational expectation” argument makes it difficult to hire a coach. You fire a guy when he sucks well there’s no “fan expectations this fan expectations that”.

I also know this. UK fans have had enough of losing. This isn’t the football program where the it “takes time bs gets thrown around”. There is little appetite to miss another tournament. There is little appetite to have another 10 loss season. I can’t believe we have fans advocating for more time.

Then we have this. BYU. BYU also made the tournament last year with pope players actually made the sweet sixteen. (They never had half a season as that with pope). Then the coach at byu pulls the top recruit. This after pope lamenting he couldn’t get to the next level at BYU because of rules at the school.

you have popes thin resume that gets even thinner when the guy who replaces him has far more success.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

You’re a ride or die fan because the wheels have fallen off already

 

[Tim0808]

I hate to say it, but I have only watched 2 games this year and it was so disappointing that I cannot watch anymore. I hope Pope turns it around, but I can go down to Park and Rec and watch AAU basketball. I cannot watch the no defense and jacking up 3's as soon as they get across half court. Just Bad Basketball. These numbers are really worrisome.

2016 12-18
2017 17-17
2018 23-11
2019 25-10
2020 24-8
2021 20-7
2022 24-11
2023 19-15
2024 23-11
2025 24-12
2026 5-4

Not including this year, he has a career record averaging 21.1 wins and 12 losses at year. Is that going to cut it at UK or should it?

 

[JwUKFan11]

Last year most of our big wins we had to come back from double digit deficits. A few we got blown out and then you factor in the talent that he has brought in over 2 isn’t even close to up par and that’s before you consider the amount that he had to spend. Then you think about how it’s not just that fact that we are losing, hell Cal lost but we almost never were blown out but we are getting demolished in these games.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

well believe in one hand, etc

 

[Ky_Bred_Cat]

Pope can get this done. He deserves a chance with the full compliment of his players. Right now there are two gaping holes in the lineup. Add a true point in Lowe and an elite difference maker inside with JQ and things could be very different pretty quickly.

We don't have one player capable of playing the point outside of Lowe (Popes fault here) and only one, undersized, 'dog' in the entire frontcourt (Mo D who has missed 4 games). Those are deficiencies that few coaches could overcome.

IF Lowe stays healthy (a big IF IMO) and JQ plays as expected (I think he will be tremendous), this team could turn things around.

 

[Monday Nitro]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

Watch out now! You'll start a................

 

[OleTiredBum]

Rectum we'll know after Saturday at what stage of the game we're in.

 

[BigBluePap]

seems a month or so ago we were all mostly thrilled with this roster (including me), and it is somewhat disheartening to see how readily some are ready to throw in the towel. I still strongly support CMP and I hope he can turn this season around. I’m generally not conspiracy minded and wasn’t sure what to make of reports of fighting over girlfriends or whatever, but I do believe that something happened … and the game against the Zags was F-ing embarrassing. GBB

 

[BigBluePap]

Rectum we'll know after Saturday at what stage of the game we're in.
View attachment 1064279

 

[kuhlkat]

Agree 100%. I understand the fan frustration because the product on the floor is bad but I do think he'll right the ship. Tough to say for sure about it being this season but I'm confident that he will. And if not, the roster will have to look a lot different next season. Yes, ultimately Pope is the man responsible but it's also not like any of us expected a returning player like Oweh to just refuse to play hard. It's hard to blame any coach for that kind of attitude CHANGE from a returning player.

Nor did we expect Kam Williams and Jelavic to shoot enough bricks to build a skyscraper

 

[OleTiredBum]

Nor did we expect Kam Williams and Jelavic to shoot enough bricks to build a skyscraper

just building a good foundation is all it is man! lol

 

[TheResistance]

I would have Hope for Pope IF he showed signs of dealing with the problem. Listening to the call-in show, all giggles and laughs, saying practice was great (hear that MANY times before). And Pope is always looking so down when on tv, and being interviewed. I want to have hope, but the only signs so far from Pope is discouraging instead of appealing.

 

[rick64]

My belief is pretty shaky right now. The Cats REALLY need to win these next 2 big games vs IU and SJU.

 

[wildcat111]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

WTF we have a $22 million payroll .Do you need to see 0-20 record against decent teams to be convinced?

 

[Mdnerd]

WTF we have a $22 million payroll .Do you need to see 0-20 record against decent teams to be convinced?

What if we win the next 10? You'll be on here singing his praises. Quit being so fickle. The season is still young. Ride out the storm and see what happens...

 

[RoyKent]

I like Pope as a person. By all accounts he is a great guy and he clearly loves UK.

However, I was never onboard with him being the UK coach and I am still not. Maybe he can turn it around and win me over but last year was fine, this year is a disaster and recruiting is garbage. I am not optimistic.

 

[jedwar]

I like Pope as a person. By all accounts he is a great guy and he clearly loves UK.

However, I was never onboard with him being the UK coach and I am still not. Maybe he can turn it around and win me over but last year was fine, this year is a disaster and recruiting is garbage. I am not optimistic.

I agree with you on all except last year was extremly mediocre. The only thing that made it feel good was the wins against ranked teams. But losing 12 games and finishing in the middle of the SEC is meh. He has averaged 12 losses a year on his career. I'm afraid that's just how he may be.

 

[AllBall]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

What truth is he speaking? Must be the Taylor Swift quotes.

 

[ukjeepin]

I want Pope to be successful and around for a long time. The frustration the fans feel he feels and he doesn't want the fans to lower the bar. He's got to earn keeping this position. I am rooting he figures it out that's why he gets the big $$$. I do think we finish strong with a so so seed and have the dance to prove our worth.

 

[AllBall]

The problem is the team, not the coach. Look at Top 15 wins last year and compare to this year. Same Coach, different teams. Fans shouldn't beat him up too much because I am sure he does that to himself enough already. Next year will look a lot different.

Will it though? He was already struggling to recruit now it'll be a bigger hindrance. Love the optimism though.

 

[Noledynasty2490]

Pope can get this done. He deserves a chance with the full compliment of his players. Right now there are two gaping holes in the lineup. Add a true point in Lowe and an elite difference maker inside with JQ and things could be very different pretty quickly.

We don't have one player capable of playing the point outside of Lowe (Popes fault here) and only one, undersized, 'dog' in the entire frontcourt (Mo D who has missed 4 games). Those are deficiencies that few coaches could overcome.

IF Lowe stays healthy (a big IF IMO) and JQ plays as expected (I think he will be tremendous), this team could turn things around.

Putting all your hopes into a guy coming off an ACL you know you're not getting back til mid-season could be seen as bad roster construction, no?

 

Noledynasty2490

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[UKBB4Ever]

I think he did an unbelievable job last season given all of the circumstances. Dont think anyone could have done better honestly.

This season has started horribly, but it is a very small sample size and the book has not been fully written. He can still turn this thing around.

The biggest factor for me is he actually cares. Maybe im being too forgiving, but after the last regime, its still refreshing to have a coach that will speak the truth and show he gives a damn. Cal's lack of care, deflection, and lies are why i never thought he'd turn it around again. It was the driving force behind me wanting him gone so bad and im still beyond grateful he's out of here.

This season has sucked so far, but im not ready to dump Pope by a long shot. This was never going to be a Disney fairytale. Im still behind him and want to see what he can do.

The team quit last year too.

I thought it was just that rag tag group that Pope put together in a few days so he got a pass.

It wasn’t that. This is a top down failure.

He’s not going anywhere so we can only hope he changes everything.

I can’t see it changing.

 

[carolinacat]

I believe it's way premature to talk about replacing him. We have over 20 games left in the season, so there's still an opportunity for significant improvement. Maybe the injury bug won't bite us the rest of the season. I do have reservations about the quality of this roster, particularly when it comes to outside shooting. I think he needs to make some adjustments in our schemes to move towards a more power oriented inside game.

The team quit last year too.

I thought it was just that rag tag group that Pope put together in a few days so he got a pass.

It wasn’t that. This is a top down failure.

He’s not going anywhere so we can only hope he changes everything.

I can’t see it changing.

That's utterly ridiculous. That rag tag group won a lot of big games and went to the sweet 16, despite a rash of injuries to guys like Butler, Robinson, Carr, and Kreisa. If we'd been a little luckier in the injury department, we could have gone even further.