One Good Hire

[Farsight Clone]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire.

 

[Cats4321]

There were so many good options for us after Cal, but Mitch wanted to try this experiment instead. I 100% got on board, but there was no justification for our enthusiasm. The next coach needs to have a winning pedigree. Never thought I'd say this 5-10 years ago, but I would be thrilled with Pearl. We would at least be feared again.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Tommy Lloyd can’t instantly change the program?
Todd Golden?
I think there are other names. I’m not saying I know who would come but there’s definitely more than just those three.

 

[Farsight Clone]

Tommy Lloyd can’t instantly change the program?
Todd Golden?
I think there are other names. I’m not saying I know who would come but there’s definitely more than just those three.

I simply listed the top 3.

All three I have listed has Final Four experience.

Can Lloyd be a good hire? Yeah he can be. . Todd Golden would be a good one too. I know he has a title but I think after his title his buy out is bigger.

But all 3 has the personality and the drive and the final four experience.

 

[bnewt]

If the guy @ Vandy can win there, he should be able to do it @ UK

 

[FLBBNFAN]

Tommy Lloyd can’t instantly change the program?
Todd Golden?
I think there are other names. I’m not saying I know who would come but there’s definitely more than just those three.

Agree there are several more who can do that for us. While our job is a pressure cooker there are still a number of alpha male coaches who would love to come here and would relish the challenge.

 

[Anon1759768907]

i think drew woukdve been a good coach here bc i dont think he would ever had a disaster season

but he might not ever have a championship season

but udk man hes a heck of a recruiter

 

[UKBB4Ever]

i think drew woukdve been a good coach here bc i dont think he would ever had a disaster season

but he might not ever have a championship season

but udk man hes a heck of a recruiter

I did not want Drew and was glad he said no. But Drew would have been far better than this.

 

[Anon1759768907]

I did not want Drew and was glad he said no. But Drew would have been far better than this.

why didnt u want drew, i honestly thought he was the safest hire

 

[Dr.LutherSan]

In this era, elite coaches no longer need blue bloods; blue bloods need them.

 

[Broker]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire.

We need to stop dreaming. Neither of those three coaches will ever be hired to coach our Cats. One is retired and two have a better job than here at UK. With high expectations, with fanbase eager to turn on a coach, why in the world would Oats or May leave a job making way more money than they will ever need with little to no job pressure, come here?. Basketball programs are much like the stock market, "past performance has no guarantee on future performance. Just because we are Kentucky means little to nothing to high school basketball players. NIL has leveled the playing field and now the name on the jersey has very little matter to kids. Ask Bama what NIL did for their football recruiting. It ws not just Saban retiring. He retired because he no longer had the cheating advantage after NIL started. We have had a huge basketball budget for years compared to most schools and for any of us to believe we weren't paying kids in the past 25+ years, well you know that answer. Kanas, UNC, Duke, UK had programs in place helping kids and their parents. Pope is not our answer because he is not tough enough to get down and mean when it comes to recruiting on a level field. Pope needs to be tough enough to do what ever it takes to get kids to sign with UK. Another reason we are not happy with Pope's recruiting is because we are comparing Pope against the greatest college basketball recruiter of all time. We all know who that is.

 

[BigBlue_83]

I don't think Pearl would come here after his son took over at Auburn. I wish we would have went after Nate Oats. Not sure what would lure him here if Pope is removed or steps down

 

[BigBlue_83]

We need to stop dreaming. Neither of those three coaches will ever be hired to coach our Cats. One is retired and two have a better job than here at UK. With high expectations, with fanbase eager to turn on a coach, why in the world would Oats or May leave a job making way more money than they will ever need with little to no job pressure, come here?. Basketball programs are much like the stock market, "past performance has no guarantee on future performance. Just because we are Kentucky means little to nothing to high school basketball players. NIL has leveled the playing field and now the name on the jersey has very little matter to kids. Ask Bama what NIL did for their football recruiting. It ws not just Saban retiring. He retired because he no longer had the cheating advantage after NIL started. We have had a huge basketball budget for years compared to most schools and for any of us to believe we weren't paying kids in the past 25+ years, well you know that answer. Kanas, UNC, Duke, UK had programs in place helping kids and their parents. Pope is not our answer because he is not tough enough to get down and mean when it comes to recruiting on a level field. Pope needs to be tough enough to do what ever it takes to get kids to sign with UK. Another reason we are not happy with Pope's recruiting is because we are comparing Pope against the greatest college basketball recruiter of all time. We all know who that is.

I hate that you are right about this. We are in purgatory right now. I'm not sure how we get out.

 

[FLBBNFAN]

In this era, elite coaches no longer need blue bloods; blue bloods need them.

Good point. With NIL and the portal its a new age and the playing field has been leveled. Plenty of schools who were doormats can now change the trajectory of their programs fairly quickly with the right coach.

Personally I think if there was no portal and NIL that Pope would do really well with recruiting. He could brag on our history, wins and our media dominance. Now days it is $ based and how many guys went to the next level after playing for you. Pope's coaching resume is pretty weak on that front and getting blown out against good team is not helping.

 

[UKBB4Ever]

why didnt u want drew, i honestly thought he was the safest hire

I was like someone said earlier. He wouldn’t have bad seasons but not championship seasons either.

Kinda Tomlin like at Pitt.

And I still think that. But better than this.

 

[Catsfan3382]

I don't think Pearl would come here after his son took over at Auburn. I wish we would have went after Nate Oats. Not sure what would lure him here if Pope is removed or steps down

I could be wrong, but I think Pearl would ride a tricycle to Lexington if he was offered. He’s always talked reverently about UK and unlike Pope’s statement, he would truly “understand the assignment“. Pearl has the passion, attitude and personality to be perfect for UK - just like “swaggy” Cal did at the beginning. It’ll never happen, but I honestly think he’d come to UK in a heartbeat.

 

[chroix]

Pearl or bust.

 

[BlueSince92]

I still say give Rick Pitino a final three years here. He’d probably sleep five minutes the whole three years making sure every tiniest detail was perfect for the most killer hardwood death star ever imagined, all trying to erase the worst decision he ever made in his life. And love him or hate him you know he could do it, too, here and with the kind of money Pope is wasting.

 

[TALtruthatlast]

25-15
16-17
0-18 (vacated)
25-11
32-8 National Champs

16-17
24-12
36-4 National Champs
9-5

Who do these records belong to? Well, one is Kevin Ollies and one is Todd Goldens. While I realize it’s a normal habit to lust over the latest Coach of an NCAA Champ. Please tell me at this stage as to why Golden will be better than Kevin Ollie based solely on their body of work so far…

My take is jury is still out on Golden. Let’s see what he does the next 2-3 seasons. And that doesn’t refer to a title. Let’s see if he fields some solid teams with good records who challenge for the SEC and do decent in the dance. If he doesn’t do that then he is another Kevin Ollie.

 

[Argonaut]

25-15
16-17
0-18 (vacated)
25-11
32-8 National Champs

16-17
24-12
36-4 National Champs
9-5

Who do these records belong to? Well, one is Kevin Ollies and one is Todd Goldens. While I realize it’s a normal habit to lust over the latest Coach of an NCAA Champ. Please tell me at this stage as to why Golden will be better than Kevin Ollie based solely on their body of work so far…

My take is jury is still out on Golden. Let’s see what he does the next 2-3 seasons. And that doesn’t refer to a title. Let’s see if he fields some solid teams with good records who challenge for the SEC and do decent in the dance. If he doesn’t do that then he is another Kevin Ollie.

I’m curious about how much Florida is spending on their NIL for basketball. If they aren’t spending a lot, I could see that leading to issues for Golden at Florida in the future.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I’m curious about how much Florida is spending on their NIL for basketball. If they aren’t spending a lot, I could see that leading to issues for Golden at Florida in the future.

I think they’re paying Golden 2.5 coeds/week

 

[3 Putts]

If it comes to the point where Barnhart is in charge of a new hire, it wouldn’t surprise me if he hires someone from the Amish community if he strikes out on his first couple of options. I put absolutely nothing past this man and his train of thought.

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

Pearl or bust.

Pearl waa clearly the hire. It was literally a layup. Only Mitch could've missed it.

 

[KyKevin]

I still say give Rick Pitino a final three years here. He’d probably sleep five minutes the whole three years making sure every tiniest detail was perfect for the most killer hardwood death star ever imagined, all trying to erase the worst decision he ever made in his life. And love him or hate him you know he could do it, too, here and with the kind of money Pope is wasting.

No doubt in my mind, Pitino could still win big at Kentucky. My sister hated his guts bad, and would get fkn mad at the mention of his name, when he was at Louisville
I would take him in a minute, loved his fire and coaching.

 

[AllBall]

I don't think Pearl would come here after his son took over at Auburn. I wish we would have went after Nate Oats. Not sure what would lure him here if Pope is removed or steps down

Not following a HOF coach. It's much easier to turn things around and change the culture after a program dip.

 

[chroix]

Pearl waa clearly the hire. It was literally a layup. Only Mitch could've missed it.

Son of a ***** can't even make the bunnies.

 

[Anon1762403337]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire.

Bruce Pearl

 

[CRZ4UK]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire.

I’m not trying to be negative but calling Stein a great hire is terribly premature. Six SEC jobs were open and zero programs besides us contacted Stein. I know a huge UL booster and he says they were not even considering Stein if Brohm left. A coordinator to HC is a difficult transition. In the SEC even harder. People try to sunshine pump all the time with zero facts to base their expectations on. . Record and Facts say Stein was a very, Very risky hire.

 

[Farsight Clone]

I’m not trying to be negative but calling Stein a great hire is terribly premature. Six SEC jobs were open and zero programs besides us contacted Stein. I know a huge UL booster and he says they were not even considering Stein if Brohm left. A coordinator to HC is a difficult transition. In the SEC even harder. People try to sunshine pump all the time with zero facts to base their expectations on. . Record and Facts say Stein was a very, Very risky hire.

Geez dude. You haven't given any facts at all, just speculation. The reason why I said that is that right now Stein is doing everything right. You're looking way to much into it dude.

 

[NociHTTP]

Get behind the coach, people. Show some damn support. Pope's got issues, but he cares way more about the program than the bozo before him. I expect him to soon suggest that he's going to ditch the analytics. People are obsessed with bringing him down, trying to chase him away. Guarantee you it's one of the reasons we're struggling to land recruits.

 

[CRZ4UK]

Geez dude. You haven't given any facts at all, just speculation. The reason why I said that is that right now Stein is doing everything right. You're looking way to much into it dude.

So , Facts
Not a single SEC school hired a Coordinator to be there head coach. And almost never does. Ole Miss did promote from within that’s the closest anyone came. AI could not come up with how many but says it’s Very Rare for an SEC school to hire a Coordinator. We have done it with our last 2 hires probably breaking a record.
Fact.. Stein wasn’t interviewed by any other SEC school,
Fact .. not only was Stein never a head coach. He is in a 5% minority of being a head coach at 36. Makes him the youngest in the SEC. With zero HC experience.
fact. My buddy is completely plugged in at UL. Even though Stein was an Alum they were not interested in hiring a coordinator if Brohm left.
I hope it works out but Stein was no Coup. It was typical Barnhart Not being able to go get a slam dunk hire with Head Coaching experience. It was a huge gamble, let’s hope it pays off. The Pope gamble looks pretty iffy right now.
And again, that hire was because our AD wasn’t able to go get a proven coach. We need Barnhart gone before we are going to rise out of the cellar.

 

[Blue Jesus]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire.

Even if Pearl were the best coach available, I just think he’s too old. He’s 65 now, let’s assume the next search is after NEXT season, he’s starting his first season at Kentucky as a 67 year old? Even for a guy with a lot of energy that seems like a lot to ask. I think Oats should be option A, and I felt that way before the last search.

 

[Snarks]

Mitch never understood that unless a coach is a home run hire (ie Cal). You need to give the university a way out if things don’t work out.

I hope Pope works but he was overpaid to come here and it’s going to be expensive to cut ties with him if things go south next season. Not to mention, we paid BYU $4mil to buy him out of his contract there

 

[Farsight Clone]

Even if Pearl were the best coach available, I just think he’s too old. He’s 65 now, let’s assume the next search is after NEXT season, he’s starting his first season at Kentucky as a 67 year old? Even for a guy with a lot of energy that seems like a lot to ask. I think Oats should be option A, and I felt that way before the last search.

I'm good with either. Dusty May is also an intriguing hire.

 

[Hitman206]

25-15
16-17
0-18 (vacated)
25-11
32-8 National Champs

16-17
24-12
36-4 National Champs
9-5

Who do these records belong to? Well, one is Kevin Ollies and one is Todd Goldens. While I realize it’s a normal habit to lust over the latest Coach of an NCAA Champ. Please tell me at this stage as to why Golden will be better than Kevin Ollie based solely on their body of work so far…

My take is jury is still out on Golden. Let’s see what he does the next 2-3 seasons. And that doesn’t refer to a title. Let’s see if he fields some solid teams with good records who challenge for the SEC and do decent in the dance. If he doesn’t do that then he is another Kevin Ollie.

Don't think people realize the magnitude of what Golden did. He would stalk college girls' Instagram accounts, and when they posted a a story of where they were like at a restaurant, Golden would show up and chat them up. Then he would DM them d*ck pics. Pretty disturbing stuff.

 

[Anon470511]

This is just a thought on the potential future. I know for a fact and a half that BBN won't have it.

Look at what Indiana Football is doing right now. A high chance to win a Championship. Not one soul would ever consider that. And perhaps the first team to go 16-0.

As of now, it seems like Will Stein is the right hire, making good coaching hires and after the #1 QB in the portal. Getting good recruits to be competitive. If Indiana can do it, UK can do it.

It seems to me that we could be on a teeter between this in the future, if Mitch doesn't retire, if Mitch or his cronies make the new hire after Pope and especially if Pope stays passed this year to year 3.

Our program has been progressing towards Indiana basketball territory for the last 7 years.

Indiana Football is trending higher than basketball, and as of now before season its seems like Football for UK is doing the same.

I know this is a bit of rambling, but one good hire can instantly change our trajectory on basketball.

When BCG left, Cal instantly changed the program.

Pope isn't the guy.

I think there are only 3 guys who can instantly change the program.

Nate Oats.
Bruce Pearl
Dusty May

We just need one good hire. A few people behind the scenes forced the Cal hire...unfortunately those folks are gone.

Get behind the coach, people. Show some damn support. Pope's got issues, but he cares way more about the program than the bozo before him. I expect him to soon suggest that he's going to ditch the analytics. People are obsessed with bringing him down, trying to chase him away. Guarantee you it's one of the reasons we're struggling to land recruits.

That is absolute horse ****

 

[bbnkat02]

Pearl waa clearly the hire. It was literally a layup. Only Mitch could've missed it.

Tbf, we have a bad habit of missing those in UK basketball in the past decade

 

[bbnkat02]

No doubt in my mind, Pitino could still win big at Kentucky. My sister hated his guts bad, and would get fkn mad at the mention of his name, when he was at Louisville
I would take him in a minute, loved his fire and coaching.

My brother in BBN our dude we want to move on from just beat him. And he isn't exactly beating the doors down up there.

The 90s aren't coming back.....even if we'd like them to.

 

[Argonaut]

Get behind the coach, people. Show some damn support. Pope's got issues, but he cares way more about the program than the bozo before him. I expect him to soon suggest that he's going to ditch the analytics. People are obsessed with bringing him down, trying to chase him away. Guarantee you it's one of the reasons we're struggling to land recruits.

 

[NociHTTP]

That is absolute horse ****

So is your constantly creating new accounts.