My Plea: If This Does Not Turn Around

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I still hope this gets turned around with Pope at the helm…but that is looking less likely as the year goes on. I understand the fan base will, at some point, demand to move on to another coach. And I would understand why. The only thing I ask is this: Please, please, please wait until Mitch retires. We absolutely do not need to have Mitch hiring another basketball coach. As frustrated as people are, waiting until Mitch is gone is the best decision. I’m sure no one will care, but that’s how I feel.

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

Fire him too.

 

[Farsight Clone]

I still hope this gets turned around with Pope at the helm…but that is looking less likely as the year goes on. I understand the fan base will, at some point, demand to move on to another coach. And I would understand why. The only thing I ask is this: Please, please, please wait until Mitch retires. We absolutely do not need to have Mitch hiring another basketball coach. As frustrated as people are, waiting until Mitch is gone is the best decision. I’m sure no one will care, but that’s how I feel.

The word is he will retire before next season. One can hope

 

[Bill_the_cat]

Everyone just needs to relax. Pope will settle this team down at some point.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Everyone just needs to relax. Pope will settle this team down at some point.

I genuinely hope, Bill. I’ve been wanting a guy like Pope for years and now it’s went south.

 

[lordvoldemort123]

Mitch needs to step aside whether through retirement or dismissal as soon as possible. We’re in this position because our Athletic Director entrusted the Kentucky program to a coach who had never won an NCAA Tournament game. That decision was unacceptable and has directly contributed to the situation we’re facing now.

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

Agreed. If Pope was the best Mitch could do two years ago we certainly don't want him making another hire.

 

[AllBall]

The word is he will retire before next season. One can hope

His contract expires June 26

 

[RunninRichie]

Jacob Tamme and boosters stepped in, to hire Will Stein. I have no doubts, that formers players will step in here. MB's days of hiring football and basketball coaches is over.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Jacob Tamme and boosters stepped in, to hire Will Stein. I have no doubts, that formers players will step in here. MB's days of hiring football and basketball coaches is over.

Not a risk worth running. Wait it out so there’s no Mitch involved.

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

The frustrating thing is my hope for the Zags game is that we don't get blown out and humiliated on tv like the Michigan State game. That's where this team has my expectations right now.

 

[DrGlock]

I've always believed that our rivals are secretly paying Mitch more than we are

 

[DrGlock]

The frustrating thing is my hope for the Zags game is that we don't get blown out and humiliated on tv like the Michigan State game. That's where this team has my expectations right now.

The sad thing is... I'd put the odds of us not getting blown out at less than 10%. Beating up on UK can be used as a recruiting tool for other coaches. Even Rick will make sure to win by at least 10, though I think he will do everything in his power to avoid blowing us out any worse than that.

I really think Mitch hired Pope to shield himself from criticism a little bit--knowing it would buy time bc fans would give him a little more grace vs someone with an identical resume who didn't play at UK. But the results speak for themselves. Man, it would be awesome for one of our own to be an elite coach and be here for 20+ years with multiple titles, but the writing is on the wall

 

[sefus12]

I genuinely hope, Bill. I’ve been wanting a guy like Pope for years and now it’s went south.

It’s gone south in some part due to injuries. The roster is certainly poorly constructed as well, but I’ll give Pope more than 1.5 recruiting classes (his first class was put together out of the bargain bin as there wasn’t much left, so I don’t grade him on that one) before declaring him a failure.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Jacob Tamme and boosters stepped in, to hire Will Stein. I have no doubts, that formers players will step in here. MB's days of hiring football and basketball coaches is over.

Yeah I’m kinda in that belief as well. I think Mitch is on his way out and from what I understand there were 3 people in charge of hiring Stein, excluding Mitch. I would assume Pope was Mitch’s last hire.

 

[Supafuzz75]

Not a risk worth running. Wait it out so there’s no Mitch involved.

Mitch will be involved until 2028 regardless.. He's already got some deal that'll make him whatever to the president for 2 years after he retires..

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

It’s gone south in some part due to injuries. The roster is certainly poorly constructed as well, but I’ll give Pope more than 1.5 recruiting classes (his first class was put together out of the bargain bin as there wasn’t much left, so I don’t grade him on that one) before declaring him a failure.

I agree as well. I’m still pro-Pope and want it to work. I’m just looking around at the sea of angry faces and seeing the writing is on the wall. As always, I still wish we’d let things play out — I don’t see it happening much longer unfortunately. I’ve spent so much time arguing for what I believe are reasonable views, but I also know this is Kentucky and fans don’t put up with losing. It is what it is, so I’m at least encouraging people to WAIT so that Mitch isn’t involved with hiring another coach, should the fanbase demand blood be spilled.

 

[Skyguyb27]

I don’t think you can lay all the blame on recruiting at this point. You would see fight and preparation and trying if it was only a recruiting issue. Pope just got out coached by Hubert freaking Davis. That look like some Cal sh$t at the end of the game.

 

[LineSkiCat14]

Yeah I think if your one of the guys at the top making decisions.. you do this in one fell swoop. Mitch and Pope both go in the off season. Its similar to the NFL.. GMs want their guy. So I think you have to build this from scratch with two guys on the same page. M

 

[blackcat714]

I've always believed that our rivals are secretly paying Mitch more than we are

I have always believed it was the coaches giving him kick back payments for the contracts he hands out bet Stoops gave him millions to fire him

 

[One2Three]

I still hope this gets turned around with Pope at the helm…but that is looking less likely as the year goes on. I understand the fan base will, at some point, demand to move on to another coach. And I would understand why. The only thing I ask is this: Please, please, please wait until Mitch retires. We absolutely do not need to have Mitch hiring another basketball coach. As frustrated as people are, waiting until Mitch is gone is the best decision. I’m sure no one will care, but that’s how I feel.

If we wait till next you we’ll probably be competing with UNC and Kansas for a new coach.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If we wait till next you we’ll probably be competing with UNC and Kansas for a new coach.

Idk about that. Self will retire when he wants to. Davis is perfectly mediocre enough to keep a job. He’s the Carolina Tubby.

 

[theKybluedude]

Let him get his whole team geared up and on the floor.

PG and C are probably the top 2 most important positions.

Play some zone. Can’t defend in man.

Run the offense thru Jelavic out front

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Let him get his whole team geared up and on the floor.

PG and C are probably the top 2 most important positions.

Play some zone. Can’t defend in man.

Run the offense thru Jelavic out front

I agree with you, brother. But read the room, the rest of BBN are done.

 

[senonesy]

It’s gone south in some part due to injuries. The roster is certainly poorly constructed as well, but I’ll give Pope more than 1.5 recruiting classes (his first class was put together out of the bargain bin as there wasn’t much left, so I don’t grade him on that one) before declaring him a failure.

Someone with a voice of reason…. Finally.

 

[senonesy]

I don’t think you can lay all the blame on recruiting at this point. You would see fight and preparation and trying if it was only a recruiting issue. Pope just got out coached by Hubert freaking Davis. That look like some Cal sh$t at the end of the game.

Everyone played hard last night. Shots weren’t falling,but you can’t say there wasn’t any fight

 

[cornbreadnmilk]

Everyone played hard last night. Shots weren’t falling,but you can’t say there wasn’t any fight

Rebounding is pure effort and wasn't there in any way.

 

[BlueWorldOrder74]

Everyone played hard last night. Shots weren’t falling,but you can’t say there wasn’t any fight

I disagree. I watched OO ball watch so many times. I watched BG not contest shots. There were some glaring examples of lazy play last night.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Everyone played hard last night. Shots weren’t falling,but you can’t say there wasn’t any fight

I know most of the fanbase really won’t hear it, but a lot of the issues that were plaguing this team have been adjusted. Our defense has significantly improved. We were shooting over 35% from three going into that game and shot 1-13. That’s hard to overcome. But those of us who are Pope people just need to see that the fanbase has turned sour and heavily. No arguing or providing retort will help at this point. I’m just mentally preparing for this coaching staff to be short timers.

 

[Goingfor9]

Fire him too.

He don’t deserve to retire from UK. No way in hell should he be loitering on an 800k salary. The guy should be fired his name stripped from out sports complex. This guy has done alot of damage and the humiliation of swim scandal should have this guy bagging groceries at Kroger. Sexual abuse occurring in a program and the AD isn’t fired? It’s the good ole boy system run by outsiders at UK. These guys like Barney don’t hate losing at Kentucky. We need an Ad who hates to lose. The entire thing is a big mess.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

It’s gone south in some part due to injuries. The roster is certainly poorly constructed as well, but I’ll give Pope more than 1.5 recruiting classes (his first class was put together out of the bargain bin as there wasn’t much left, so I don’t grade him on that one) before declaring him a failure.

Injuries are not an excuse for the non injured to play like they are.

What is it, sympathy pains?

 

[ZaytovenCat]

Jacob Tamme and boosters stepped in, to hire Will Stein. I have no doubts, that formers players will step in here. MB's days of hiring football and basketball coaches is over.

They also waited too late to step in as well. Had they done it a month sooner we could have had Sumrall. Assuming Mitch didn’t do his usual Mitch thing and screw it up.

Mitch can’t make the next hire. I honestly wouldn’t be shocked to find out Hurley turned us down because of how bad Barnhart was in the meetings. We need a legit AD (not Mitch or a Mitch disciple) making the hire and the BOT absolutely can not tell the AD that certain coaches are off the table.

 

[FireWentOut]

He don’t deserve to retire from UK. No way in hell should he be loitering on an 800k salary. The guy should be fired his name stripped from out sports complex. This guy has done alot of damage and the humiliation of swim scandal should have this guy bagging groceries at Kroger. Sexual abuse occurring in a program and the AD isn’t fired? It’s the good ole boy system run by outsiders at UK. These guys like Barney don’t hate losing at Kentucky. We need an Ad who hates to lose. The entire thing is a big mess.

A big mess is a good way to put it. If this JMI things turns out to be as bad as advertised then Mitch might have put the death knell on this program. I haven't looked into, and I hope it is all overblown like so many things turn out to be, but considering some of Barnhart's decisions as of late it wouldn't surprise me if it is all true.

 

[ZaytovenCat]

He don’t deserve to retire from UK. No way in hell should he be loitering on an 800k salary. The guy should be fired his name stripped from out sports complex. This guy has done alot of damage and the humiliation of swim scandal should have this guy bagging groceries at Kroger. Sexual abuse occurring in a program and the AD isn’t fired? It’s the good ole boy system run by outsiders at UK. These guys like Barney don’t hate losing at Kentucky. We need an Ad who hates to lose. The entire thing is a big mess.

1000% agree. It pisses me off when I think of Mitch getting a cushy retirement and $800k the next two years to do nothing. He deserves nothing less than a firing and public shaming. I hope he moves out of state.

 

[LadyCaytIL]

What UK should do is find who the next AD will be starting now and have that settled by march and if Pope has to go, have that person in the committee to make the next Mens BBall coach hire .

Hopefully we dont need to do that

 

[Catlogic1552]

Everyone just needs to relax. Pope will settle this team down at some point.

I’m not so sure. Popes comments last night tells me he’s lost the team. If the players don’t respect him, that doesn’t turn around overnight.

 

[Skyguyb27]

Everyone played hard last night. Shots weren’t falling,but you can’t say there wasn’t any fight

I agree, they gave a lot more effort than previous games but they seemed extremely disorganized and inefficient and the lack of rebounding (effort) was lacking. Also, I haven’t compared stats but was that 2nd half performance Pope’s worst showing at UK?

 

[KyCPA2000]

I still hope this gets turned around with Pope at the helm…but that is looking less likely as the year goes on. I understand the fan base will, at some point, demand to move on to another coach. And I would understand why. The only thing I ask is this: Please, please, please wait until Mitch retires. We absolutely do not need to have Mitch hiring another basketball coach. As frustrated as people are, waiting until Mitch is gone is the best decision. I’m sure no one will care, but that’s how I feel.

Pope will get another year or 2 after this one. Mitch will have retired; likely in 2026. Wouldn't worry about Mitch picking the next coach if necessary. Pope missed on his top targets for this year. Hopefully things go better after this season is over.

 

[UKortho]

I still hope this gets turned around with Pope at the helm…but that is looking less likely as the year goes on. I understand the fan base will, at some point, demand to move on to another coach. And I would understand why. The only thing I ask is this: Please, please, please wait until Mitch retires. We absolutely do not need to have Mitch hiring another basketball coach. As frustrated as people are, waiting until Mitch is gone is the best decision. I’m sure no one will care, but that’s how I feel.

Everyone just needs to relax. Pope will settle this team down at some point.

I have it on good authority that Mitch wants to give Pelphrey the next opportunity to coach here

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I have it on good authority that Mitch wants to give Pelphrey the next opportunity to coach here

Maybe he could hire Cameron Mills and Buzz Baker as co-head coaches. Watching those fireworks on the sideline every game would at least distract us from the losing.