Nate Oats?

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Isn’t our NIL budget like double the next highest team? The fact that we’re willing to spend football money on the basketball program makes us in pretty elite company, I’d think.

They say it is. I’m one to really hope it’s not. Just for the fact that if Pope actually spent 22 million just on this roster alone…. He seriously should be fired. Not being crazy fan or am just talking bad about him. Seriously if 22 million was spent he should be fired immediately.




If my boss says here’s 22 million go get a team. You either go get several great players or you don’t. If you don’t have several stars on that team then you sure as hell better not of spent all my damn money.


So no I don’t believe we spent anywhere close to that because the numbers are actually laughable. Which is what all these recruits are doing. If we have all this money then yall are gonna pay me is probably what these recruits are saying.

That’s why I think it is just Mitch and Pope bsn and being the cornballs they are.

 

[HappyBlue]

Nobody in the college basketball world would crush UK for firing Pope after this year if he misses the NCAAT after spending 22 million on a roster.
And Pearl has earned enough street cred, that a 10 loss season would be viewed as an outlier. The odds of him stringing together a bunch of 10 loss seasons and not getting to a FF at UK, would be very low.

Again, you got any proof 22 million was spent? Or you just following all the other lemmings that have latched onto this RUMOR.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Yeah, I agree. There's a lot of schools who just dropped 22 million dollars on a roster.

I wasn’t talking about NIL. That really is its own thing starting this season and is a lot more complicated. No one,
Including us, are likely to ever see a 22M roster again. I’m talking about the built in resources at the school. I’m frustrated with Pope and if you asked me today if I can press a button to change coaches I would. Is that the best case scenario? No. The best case scenario is Pope restoring faith to the point where fans no longer want to press that button.

 

[Argonaut]

The short answer is because we really did have far better and far more resources in the past. You’re right, it’s no longer true. This is why, as frustrated as we all are, the best case scenario would be for Pope to win back support by proving he can handle this job. I still am pretty certain he isn’t the guy long term but we aren’t going to throw him in the trash this season unless it goes significantly worse. As of today, we aren’t even a bubble team on Bracket Matrix. If it gets to a point where we have to hire a new coach, there is no one we can definitively say will come here for the reason you stated. Other schools can easily allocate many of the same resources that once made us special.

I don’t think anyone outside of Duke, UNC, Kansas and maybe Uconn is going to spend $20+ million on the basketball team. It’s important to remember that the football schools will still put most of their resources into their football programs. Like Alabama is never going to prioritize their basketball program over football. Basketball will always get the short end of the stick.

Nobody has unlimited resources, universities will have to appropriately divide their limited funs and most aren’t going to screw over their football teams to make basketball number 1 imo. Obviously some coaches will do better with fewer funds as we’ve seen considering our own coach compared to literally every other basketball team in America.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

The number was leaked via Pope and his boys.

Yea when I was in second grade me and all my buddies had twelve inch dicks

 

[Argonaut]

They say it is. I’m one to really hope it’s not. Just for the fact that if Pope actually spent 22 million just on this roster alone…. He seriously should be fired. Not being crazy fan or am just talking bad about him. Seriously if 22 million was spent he should be fired immediately.




If my boss says here’s 22 million go get a team. You either go get several great players or you don’t. If you don’t have several stars on that team then you sure as hell better not of spent all my damn money.


So no I don’t believe we spent anywhere close to that because the numbers are actually laughable. Which is what all these recruits are doing. If we have all this money then yall are gonna pay me is probably what these recruits are saying.

That’s why I think it is just Mitch and Pope bsn and being the cornballs they are.

Rumors are he overspent with coaches like Golden baffled they spent so much on guys like Aberdeen.

 

[kyjeff1]

Serious question. And I do the exact same thing so it’s not just to you. Do we as fans assume Kentucky has all these extra resources that other teams don’t have? I honestly don’t have a clue so I’m asking. How are the facilities when placed side by side? The campus? Winning losing culture as of lately. Last ten years. NIL. Overall money in general. On and on.

Are we really way above everybody or is that something we just assume because it’s our team and they have a lot of history. We look at us as number one but are we ? Are there way more resources at Kentucky?



Ik some of you can’t wait to give a one word answer..

I think UK's boosters would pour more NIL funds into the program than anyone not named duke, unc and KU. Everyone else puts most of their funds into football.

But the main thing that puts UK above everyone else, is… ..us, the BBN.

Even when times are tough, we pack every arena. That's a crazy amount of support. It provides a stage bigger and brighter than anyone else puts out there and that's even with espn doing everything they can to give duke the Dallas Cowboys treatment.

To me, that's a significant advantage.

 

[kyjeff1]

He’s the Hal Mumme of college basketball.

You know what? I love that comparison, I think that is spot on.

 

[JSquad0070]

Bruce Pearl was handmade by God for the UK job. He’s the perfect fit. If Pope is gone then he has to be our 1st call and you throw the bag to get him out of retirement.

 

[Argonaut]

I think UK's boosters would pour more NIL funds into the program than anyone not named duke, unc and KU. Everyone else puts most of their funds into football.

But the main thing that puts UK above everyone else, is… ..us, the BBN.

Even when times are tough, we pack every arena. That's a crazy amount of support. It provides a stage bigger and brighter than anyone else puts out there and that's even with espn doing everything they can to give duke the Dallas Cowboys treatment.

To me, that's a significant advantage.

Kentucky needs an egomaniac that thrives in the spotlight. I don’t honestly know who fits that description right now. It sure as heck isn’t Pope who flounders under the slightest bit of criticism. And no, I’m not including Pearl right now. Talking about working coaches.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

Rumors are he overspent with coaches like Golden baffled they spent so much on guys like Aberdeen.

If it’s true Stokes is probably like I’m not going there for no less than 5. And can you blame him?

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I don’t think anyone outside of Duke, UNC, Kansas and maybe Uconn is going to spend $20+ million on the basketball team. It’s important to remember that the football schools will still put most of their resources into their football programs. Like Alabama is never going to prioritize their basketball program over football. Basketball will always get the short end of the stick.

Nobody has unlimited resources, universities will have to appropriately divide their limited funs and most aren’t going to screw over their football teams to make basketball number 1 imo. Obviously some coaches will do better with fewer funds as we’ve seen considering our own coach compared to literally every other basketball team in America.

I don’t disagree with your logic here and it’s part of WHY I think we will be less attractive in the rev share era. Yes, you heard me — LESS attractive. You’re going to see Big East schools like UConn start spanking us. We are giving a higher percentage of rev share than other SEC schools to basketball, but we won’t be able to compete with Villanova, Georgetown, UConn, etc when they start going basketball heavy. Fans got mad that we gave too much to basketball in rev share, but it may not be enough. We won’t be able to be elite in both, you have to allocate somewhere with major emphasis.

All that was kind of off topic though. Rev share is one small part of things and I like Nate Oats, I really do. You won’t see me upset if he’s ever the coach here — but he did say he doesn’t like our fans. His own words from his own mouth, so why we think he even wants to be here is beyond me.

 

[Argonaut]

If it’s true Stokes is probably like I’m not going there for no less than 5. And can you blame him?

Pope being known as the guy who overpays means that most of these transfers and high school recruits are probably expecting a premium to come here over other schools. But he’s apparently not willing to enter bidding wars with other programs.

 

[kyjeff1]

I keep hearing this 22 million argument. Can someone post something that proves that? Or are we just supposed to believe rumors????

It was leaked by reliable sources and Pope was asked several times if it was true, he never denied it. If it's not 22m, it's damn close.

 

[kyjeff1]

The short answer is because we really did have far better and far more resources in the past. You’re right, it’s no longer true. This is why, as frustrated as we all are, the best case scenario would be for Pope to win back support by proving he can handle this job. I still am pretty certain he isn’t the guy long term but we aren’t going to throw him in the trash this season unless it goes significantly worse. As of today, we aren’t even a bubble team on Bracket Matrix. If it gets to a point where we have to hire a new coach, there is no one we can definitively say will come here for the reason you stated. Other schools can easily allocate many of the same resources that once made us special.

I'm not sure there is another school out there that can, or would, dump 20+ million into basketball NIL. Maybe duke, unc and BYU, but that's about it. Vanderbilt and Alabama aren’t doing that.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

It wasn't a question about resources, it was a question about Oats having a bad year and UK fans being unrealistic. Part of that unrealistic mind set is that since we are UK we have more resources than anyone and a coach should never miss on talent and a coach should never have a bad season.

No because Oats has won the SEC and went to a final 4 in the past 10 years. Along with being a contender almost every year.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

The days of the biggest name coaches tripping over each other in a foot race to a blue blood job may either be over or nearly over. This is why when I’m looking at potential Pope replacements, I’m trying to be realistic and think of candidates who show promise but don’t have the extensive resumes. I’m looking for traits, behaviors and philosophy because a lot of the names we really want may be long shots.

When I get sad and think about a new coach, for example, my first name isn’t Nate Oats — it’s Bruce Pearl.

But Pearl is retired, he’d be nearing 70 and I’d bet doesn’t want to compete head to head in-conference versus his son.

We had a Hall of Fame coach that we ran off without a back up plan. Most fans, including me, were absolutely certain an upgrade was going to be easy — Hurley is coming, Oats is coming….I took it for what it was —- things are different now. Coaching changes are more complicated than they’ve ever been, so I’d rather keeping coping with Pope, hoping with Pope —- whatever thing some will say and really hope Pope proves he’s the guy. That, as unlikely as it is, is the best case scenario.

 

[kyjeff1]

Yes we can, just fans like you ignore we lost our back pg to injury, had a starting pg that was playing with one arm, and lost our best player for the tourney.

The problem with that argument is Pope beat Gonzaga, Florida, Tennessee twice and a really good Illinois team while navigating those injuries, but turned around and got lambasted by Ohio State (NIT), Alabama (3 times), Auburn (in Rupp), Arkansas (in Rupp), then finally, Tennessee with a shot to get to the Elite 8.

His motivation tactics are terrible.

 

[kyjeff1]

Again, you got any proof 22 million was spent? Or you just following all the other lemmings that have latched onto this RUMOR.

You can be obtuse if you want. I don't have freaking receipts, but literally everyone is saying it and Mark Pope never denied it. Read between the lines.

 

[Crestcat]

I’d like to see Ashley Judd’s practice facility!

Needs an update, time has taken it's toll.

 

[kyjeff1]

Kentucky needs an egomaniac that thrives in the spotlight. I don’t honestly know who fits that description right now. It sure as heck isn’t Pope who flounders under the slightest bit of criticism. And no, I’m not including Pearl right now. Talking about working coaches.

Pearl, Ozellberger, Oats, Maye and the guy at Texas Tech would be my choices. They all have the chops for this job.
I would put BP, Oats and Maye at the front of the line, they have been to the FF.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Needs an update, time has taken it's toll.

Well let’s say 1998 Ashley Judd. I haven’t seen her in recent times.

 

[kyjeff1]

The days of the biggest name coaches tripping over each other in a foot race to a blue blood job may either be over or nearly over. This is why when I’m looking at potential Pope replacements, I’m trying to be realistic and think of candidates who show promise but don’t have the extensive resumes. I’m looking for traits, behaviors and philosophy because a lot of the names we really want may be long shots.

When I get sad and think about a new coach, for example, my first name isn’t Nate Oats — it’s Bruce Pearl.

But Pearl is retired, he’d be nearing 70 and I’d bet doesn’t want to compete head to head in-conference versus his son.

We had a Hall of Fame coach that we ran off without a back up plan. Most fans, including me, were absolutely certain an upgrade was going to be easy — Hurley is coming, Oats is coming….I took it for what it was —- things are different now. Coaching changes are more complicated than they’ve ever been, so I’d rather keeping coping with Pope, hoping with Pope —- whatever thing some will say and really hope Pope proves he’s the guy. That, as unlikely as it is, is the best case scenario.

You don't think BP would want to compete against his son? I think he would love it. I think he would treat those games as great lifetime highlights for both of them.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

You don't think BP would want to compete against his son? I think he would love it. I think he would treat those games as great lifetime highlights for both of them.

Maybe. I really hope so. But the point is it isn’t certain. There are no guarantees anymore — if Pope fails to prove he can be the coach here, which probably means an Elite Eight in the next two years, we move on. But I’d prefer we do it as professionally as we can and be the best versions of ourselves as fans so that we can be part of the sales pitch and not part of the baggage.

 

[peterpiper09]

The number was leaked via Pope and his boys.

That’s bs
Prove it
I’ve never believed we paid 22 mil

 

[kyjeff1]

Maybe. I really hope so. But the point is it isn’t certain. There are no guarantees anymore — if Pope fails to prove he can be the coach here, which probably means an Elite Eight in the next two years, we move on. But I’d prefer we do it as professionally as we can and be the best versions of ourselves as fans so that we can be part of the sales pitch and not part of the baggage.

In my opinion, he only gets to a 3rd year if he can salvage this season, which means he needs to get to the NCAAT. If he doesn't, you can’t retain him. He’s in one hell of a hole right now and it’s his fault.

Right now, with no recruits for next year, you can't retain him if we go to the NIT.

 

[kyjeff1]

That’s bs
Prove it
I’ve never believed we paid 22 mil

Nah, that's not how it works, it's up to you to disprove it.

If not, you're just going to have to deal with it, because that's the number that was leaked and Pope didn’t deny it.

You don't have to believe it, that's one of the great things about being your own person, but don't attack others for simply posting what has been reported by every source possible.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

In my opinion, he only gets to a 3rd year if he can salvage this season, which means he needs to get to the NCAAT. If he doesn't, you can’t retain him. He’s in one hell of a hole right now and it’s his fault.

Right now, with no recruits for next year, you can't retain him if we go to the NIT.

I think, as I’ve said before, even now it’s 75% or more likely he’s back regardless. It’d have to get worse. He has a lot of proving to do to make it beyond year 3. If I were a betting man, I’d say we have another coach in 14 months BUT that’s not what I prefer. I prefer Pope get it done.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

In my opinion, he only gets to a 3rd year if he can salvage this season, which means he needs to get to the NCAAT. If he doesn't, you can’t retain him. He’s in one hell of a hole right now and it’s his fault.

Right now, with no recruits for next year, you can't retain him if we go to the NIT.

I just don’t see how you want Mitch to make the next hire. That’s just completely insane to me. And if he’s let go this year that’s who’s making the hire.

 

[ComebackCats98]

Are some of our fans really going to try to bash Oats who has a better record than Pope this year, has owned him head to head and had the same number of ncaa tournament wins at Buffalo as Pope has in his entire coaching career

Cope with Pope

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Are some of our fans really going to try to bash Oats who has a better record than Pope this year, has owned him head to head and had the same number of ncaa tournament wins at Buffalo as Pope has in his entire coaching career

Cope with Pope

One of them is our current coach
And the other one trashed our fans

I’m going to side with Pope. Is Oats a better coach? Yes, but he doesn’t love our fans the way they love him. He thinks we are entitled pressure-cooker fishbowl fans

 

[peterpiper09]

Nah, that's not how it works, it's up to you to disprove it.

If not, you're just going to have to deal with it, because that's the number that was leaked and Pope didn’t deny it.

You don't have to believe it, that's one of the great things about being your own person, but don't attack others for simply posting what has been reported by every source possible.

Wrong
I don’t have to prove dog****
Pope didn’t say because it’s nobody’s business
I bet the truth is more like 1/2 that but I don’t know NOR do I care

 

[kyjeff1]

I think, as I’ve said before, even now it’s 75% or more likely he’s back regardless. It’d have to get worse. He has a lot of proving to do to make it beyond year 3. If I were a betting man, I’d say we have another coach in 14 months BUT that’s not what I prefer. I prefer Pope get it done.

Well, this has a very high probability of getting much worse. Our schedule is an absolute gauntlet from here on out.

 

[ComebackCats98]

One of them is our current coach
And the other one trashed our fans

I’m going to side with Pope. Is Oats a better coach? Yes, but he doesn’t love our fans the way they love him. He thinks we are entitled pressure-cooker fishbowl fans

Do you think Rick Pitino loved our fans? Do you think Cal woke up every morning with his heart full for love of our fans? They’re getting paid millions of dollars to coach basketball. They don’t care about you or me. If they win and things are going good they can say we have the best fanbase, but reality is they’re just cashing checks and trying to win games.

 

[kyjeff1]

I just don’t see how you want Mitch to make the next hire. That’s just completely insane to me. And if he’s let go this year that’s who’s making the hire.

Where did I say I wanted Mitch to make the next hire? I never said that.

Why do you think giving Pope another year, somehow guarantees Mitch will be fired in 2027?

Additionally, I would be willing to bet that it won't be Mitch making the next hire. Just like what happened in 2009, a committee will be put together to do it, so Mitch can’t screw it up again.

 

[ComebackCats98]

Nate Oats is a good basketball coach. He won at Buffalo and he has won at Alabama. If our fans want to start a thread every time he loses go for it, but it doesn’t change that he’s is 10x the coach that Pope will ever be.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

No one knows, it is just rumor like the crazy rumor that UK spent 22m. But the rumor was that they offered 5m for just 1 player that player being AJ Dybantsa. If they are able to make a 5m offer for just one player, I would say that aren't hurting for "resources"

The guys in the know have stated that Alabama's roster does not exceed 10 million. But I think it's cool that we should just follow the internal intuition of message board fans who have no connections to the players in order to shield Pope.

 

[CatBearPig]

It wasn't a question about resources, it was a question about Oats having a bad year and UK fans being unrealistic. Part of that unrealistic mind set is that since we are UK we have more resources than anyone and a coach should never miss on talent and a coach should never have a bad season.

This is lazy. Alabamas record is great but they’re not a bad team. We suck. They’re infinitely better than us.

 

[kyjeff1]

Wrong
I don’t have to prove dog****
Pope didn’t say because it’s nobody’s business
I bet the truth is more like 1/2 that but I don’t know NOR do I care

No, you're wrong, you're the one telling others that they are wrong, so it is you're burden to prove that 22m number is wrong, or stfu. It’s that simple.

 

[Johnnie Africa]

Where did I say I wanted Mitch to make the next hire? I never said that.

Why do you think giving Pope another year, somehow guarantees Mitch will be fired in 2027?

Additionally, I would be willing to bet that it won't be Mitch making the next hire. Just like what happened in 2009, a committee will be put together to do it, so Mitch can’t screw it up again.

I thought it was announced his contract is up in June? Having a new AD who is hungry and wanting to make a big splash with a great bball coach would be ideal if Pope doesn’t turn it around. It’ll also be easier to bring on a new coach if he knows who the AD is going to be. It’s just absolutely god awful timing to try and hire a new coach this offseason, especially since there’s no sure fire coach we want anyway.