No Pitino

[Morgousky859]

I'm well aware of the Bible and know that quote well, but I also know there's a difference in what I'm talking about and that verse. I can not want Pitno around the Kentucky program and still not hate the man...big difference.

Pitino getting in bed with Louisville did the man so much damage to his historical brand in the coaching hierarchy. Louisville was just too small of an institution, it lacked the punch of a national brand. No one outside of Kentucky thinks about Louisville in the grand scheme. It’s more of a regional institution known around the bluegrass and not the nation.

I just say this to say he’s paid enough of a price. I think it helps UK’s historical position to have Pitino branded with us as we move forward. The less Pitino is thought of as UL’s coach the better for him and for us. I’m fine with it.

 

[Bigtyrone]

It’s been almost THIRTY YEARS since he coached here and I just don’t about him either way. It does get annoying hearing about him so often. I wish he would just retire and go away so I don’t feel compelled to write another message about him.

 

[Fantom8888]

I have been going to UK games since the 50’s. Seen in person every UK coach obviously since Coach Rupp. IMO the best of all of them has been Pitino. The jury is out on Coach Pope as he like Pitino came into a tough situation. Coach Pitino biggest mistake ever was not going to Boston, but going to Louisville. Coach Pitino has shown nothing but respect for Kentucky for a few years now. I’m with the fans who were at Midnight Madness back in October who were wildly enthusiastic in welcoming Pitino back to Rupp!!

 

[HagginHall1999]

No one will ever duplicate what Cal has done to the NBA. There will never be another time in history where so many high level pro players came from one college program.
That is my biggest issue with Cal, he should have won more with the talent that came through Lexington in his time here.

It led to his downfall here. He knew it, we knew it, it was the 2 ton elephant in the room.

 

[LmdCat]

What a great role model for a coach at a religious school.

I am sure you don't want your life story going public. I am sure there are some things in your past that if disclosed, would shut you up.

 

[LmdCat]

It’s been almost THIRTY YEARS since he coached here and I just don’t about him either way. It does get annoying hearing about him so often. I wish he would just retire and go away so I don’t feel compelled to write another message about him.

He is heard about so often because he is still one of the best coaches in the business.

 

[Cats_2010]

I'd argue it was successful his first 11 seasons.

Not giving 2017 and 2019 and even 2020 credit as good seasons seems a bit of a stretch to me. If Pope loses an elite 8 game n overtime or on a last second shot I bet this board would view it different. Just IMO.

Yeah those years were successful for certain. Heck our St. Peter’s year was a good regular season even. After Cal didn’t finish off 2015 I told anyone that would listen that I didn’t think he would ever win another here and debated on this board that Cal’s success here will be deemed a failure if he leaves with just the one Natty which is what ended up happening, For me it goes beyond that though. It was not embracing UK Basketball and our traditions and then being condescending to the fans. His last 5-6 years of playing “his” guys to the detriment of the team and refusing to play certain lineups for extended times even while successful. I just got to where I could not stand the man and hated his very existence on our sidelines.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

I am sure you don't want your life story going public. I am sure there are some things in your past that if disclosed, would shut you up.

Agreed but I am not a coach at a religious university shaping how young adults act. It didn't shut slick rick up he is never coming back to this state lol,

 

[jr40831]

Rmemba tha finga

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Forgiveness is divine.

One day we may even forgive Cal.

It’s weird. Pitinos transgressions and misdeeds were long after he left Lex. They were both personal and professional. In fact, to some degree, he derogatorily targeted the the fan base while at Loserville.

Cal got fat, lazy, and a bit ambivalent while on the job in Lex. But Cals is fresher.

I loved UK Pitino like no other. I might have loved first five yrs of Coach Cal more. I’d accept Cal back in the fold long before Pitino. Man, Rick just has some stink you can’t wash off. Cal just got complacent and was a stubborn *** at the end. To me, that’s entirely more forgivable.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I already have. I’m can’t stay mad at a 6 when I got a 10 in the bed lol

Just to be clear, you’re saying Cal is a 6 and Pope is a 10?

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

Just to be clear, you’re saying Cal is a 6 and Pope is a 10?

Yes. To me. I don’t think Cal was always a 6, but he was at the end.

 

[Rockfly78]

Hilarious to me that people still can't cope with the sly middle finger rick gave to the fans who were heckling him. We may have some of the most sensitive fans on planet earth. If you were sitting at home on your couch and watched that happen and felt affected by it then I don't know how you survive everyday life. Soft!

If anyone needs assurance that it's ok to welcome Rick back then look no further than UL. It boils their piss that he is back in bed with UK. He burned them to the ground and then went back to his ex. It's actually poetic.

 

[OmahaCats]

I could be in the minority here but I just don’t want him around the program. He coached at Louisville of all places. Then he has made comments about their players and putting them above the UK 90’s players. Just my opinion he screwed up and I don’t want to play any team he is associated with.

lol what? This is just basketball man. Everything will be ok

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

Yes. To me. I don’t think Cal was always a 6, but he was at the end.

That's fair on Cal. I struggle with Pope being a 10, currently. He's more like a Nashville 7, but maybe a Lexington 9. Certainly a Louisville/Cincinnati 10 though!

 

[ImTheVillageIdiot]

That's fair on Cal. I struggle with Pope being a 10, currently. He's more like a Nashville 7, but maybe a Lexington 9. Certainly a Louisville/Cincinnati 10 though!

I only judge based on what has happened so far. He took a 3- week short notice portal built roster to the Sweet 16, beat Duke, Gonzaga, the national champions Florida, Tennessee twice, Louisville, at Missouri etc and then put together a top 10 recruiting class and paired it with a top 3 portal class. If I called him anything less than a 10 so far, I’d be inauthentic and should be examined for an ulterior agenda.

 

[Eagles_Ball_69]

I only judge based on what has happened so far. He took a 3- week short notice portal built roster to the Sweet 16, beat Duke, Gonzaga, the national champions Florida, Tennessee twice, Louisville, at Missouri etc and then put together a top 10 recruiting class and paired it with a top 3 portal class. If I called him anything less than a 10 so far, I’d be inauthentic and should be examined for an ulterior agenda.

My bad...I was considering the full body of work, not just his one year at UK.

I see what you're saying. I can see the 10. And honestly, I'd say a 9 is about as low as anyone could make a case for.

Once the roster was finalized, we basically ended up where I thought we'd be. I'll be completely honest, I'm not sure what I thought the evening we hired him. Other than "oh ****".

 

[The_Answer1313_rivals]

I have such mixed feelings on the guy.

I mean he is the reason I fell in love with UK basketball.

Then he goes and coaches UL.

But then eventually lands at my Alma mater stjohns and is doing things I thought I would never see again with them.

So yeah lol

Then there’s the whole separating the person from the coach. I don’t think anyone can question how good of a basketball coach he is. So then it boils down to do you let the things he did in his personal life affect your feelings on them and I honestly can see both sides of it.

 

[26MichaelUK]

Absolutely he overestimated it. He thought many UK fans would go to his side at UL. I personally know of a couple who did. Insane.

I do too actually as insane as that is.

 

[TankedCat]

I forgave him seeing how thankful he was to be cheered at Midnight Madness. He wants the Kentucky connection and its with Pope he should get it, especially if Pope wants it to happen.

I'll probably get over Calipari at some point too, but not anytime soon.