Rajon Rondo

USARMYWILDCAT

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2016
546
1,153
93
Hypothetical question, I think we all know Mark Pope is getting a third year. I’m not debating whether that’s right or wrong. How would you feel after next year if Kentucky hired Rajon Rondo as their head coach.

Hear me out now I’m not saying this is what I want or don’t want. There’s tons of options out there and he’s just one of them. He has been renowned for his basketball IQ for years. He’s an assistant coach in the NBA right now. I think I read somewhere, he’s in charge of in game adjustments and player development for the Bucks. Kevin Young at BYU was a NBA assistant for his entire career. Never coached in college before, he’s doing really well. If you got Rondo a GM to help with recruiting. Would you be satisfied if he is who Kentucky hired?

It wouldn’t be my first choice. I don’t think I would be upset if it happened either. It can’t be worse than what we have right now.
 

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,992
9,529
77
Hypothetical question, I think we all know Mark Pope is getting a third year. I’m not debating whether that’s right or wrong. How would you feel after next year if Kentucky hired Rajon Rondo as their head coach.

Hear me out now I’m not saying this is what I want or don’t want. There’s tons of options out there and he’s just one of them. He has been renowned for his basketball IQ for years. He’s an assistant coach in the NBA right now. I think I read somewhere, he’s in charge of in game adjustments and player development for the Bucks. Kevin Young at BYU was a NBA assistant for his entire career. Never coached in college before, he’s doing really well. If you got Rondo a GM to help with recruiting. Would you be satisfied if he is who Kentucky hired?

It wouldn’t be my first choice. I don’t think I would be upset if it happened either. It can’t be worse than what we have right now.

Absolutely not. That, believe it or not, would be even worse than Dope.
 
Jul 30, 2024
5,604
10,675
113
I don’t disagree with you but why? The main reason I would be hesitant. Do we really want to hire another legacy coach? Does he have enough experience?
Love Rondo’s IQ. But he doesn’t have the resume. We took a swing on Pope that looks very likely to have missed. The next swing has to be a sure thing.
 

CrimsonCats_rivals

All-Conference
Mar 22, 2022
1,623
3,302
61
I wouldn’t be a fan of that at all. He barely has any resume as a coach, and although he was a heady player with great court vision as a player, that often doesn’t translate to coaching because it’s hard to try and see that game from a lesser player’s perspective and give them instructions. Given that he famously fought with coaches everywhere from high school to the NBA, I’m also not sure he has the right temperament to develop college level players. It wouldn’t even be a thought if he wasn’t an alumni, and we see what that kind of hire is getting us right now.
 

Anony Moose

Senior
Dec 2, 2025
668
834
93
What had Todd Golden won as a coach until last year? Looking back on it wouldn’t you have loved to have had him over Pope?
Well, he had served as an asst. Coach for Pearl and Auburn. Took the HC job at San Fran and took them to the tournament in his 3rd year.

Then went to UF, took them from the NIT in yr one, to the NCAA tournament in yr 2 after being the runner up in the SEC tournament and then won the NC in yr 3.

So, again, what's Rondo done?
 

USARMYWILDCAT

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2016
546
1,153
93
Well, he had served as an asst. Coach for Pearl and Auburn. Took the HC job at San Fran and took them to the tournament in his 3rd year.

Then went to UF, took them from the NIT in yr one, to the NCAA tournament in yr 2 after being the runner up in the SEC tournament and then won the NC in yr 3.

So, again, what's Rondo done?
Fair enough.
 

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,275
2,711
113
Whoever the next coach has to be a home run, one that gets and puts UK back at the center of college basketball. I’m not sure who it is but it can’t be another risk. A young NBA guy like Rondo might be good on the staff but not head man. I literally can’t think a many other than Oates and Pearl and honestly I don’t care for Oates style. I love his attitude though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kywildcat1021979

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
Rajon Rondo would crush it at Kentucky. Rondo would recruit out the wazoo.
RONDO WOULD WIN
RONDO WOULD HAVE LEBRON JAMES ON HIS SIDE LIKE HIM OR HATE HIM WE ARE TRYNA WIN SOME BASKETBALL GAMES RIGHT?

The only thing is hell would have to freeze over a hundred times before he sniffed an opportunity. It’s not for lack of qualifications clearly as we have Mark Pope coaching.

Winning isnt top priority at UK these days. Doing something that the younger generation would go nuts over will never ride with the blue hairs. NEVER.


I’m afraid our fanbase is out of touch with these younger players. The same ones that say hell no to rondo are the ones I’m talking about. I respect yall opinion. I’m not saying yall are wrong for feeling that way. I just think in today’s world a Rondo coaching at UK would kill it on every aspect.


Even off the court with all the stuff Kentucky basketball comes with. So what’s his name? Little geek that used to be our assistant that went to Duke who now is the head coach at Miami can coach at the U but Rajon Rondo can’t coach at UK? We all know why. And for that very reason we will continue to fall behind.

Mitch and whoever else is in charge acts like this is the 50s. We ain’t winning a damn thing at Kentucky because we are too good to make a hire like Rondo. We think we are to good for a lot of stuff. Apparently we aren’t to good to get our *** kicked repeatedly.


It’s so strange to me hearing people say they would sell out for Hurley but wouldn’t bat an eye Rondos way.


Jai Lucas can coach Miami but Rondo can’t coach UK😂ok…. We are UK don’t you know what we did in 2012 and 1998 1996!!!


Rondo can’t sniff this job but Utah valleys coach is handed the keys!!😂😂😂


I’m not mad or disrespecting anyone’s opinion but folks let’s start being real.


I’m not saying Rondo 100% comes here and dominates but I would bet my life he would make Pope look like a puppy the same as everyone else is. No Rondo. Our mighty program won’t do that but we will hire Mark Pope. Make it make sense????
 
Last edited:

USARMYWILDCAT

All-Conference
Jan 11, 2016
546
1,153
93
Whoever the next coach has to be a home run, one that gets and puts UK back at the center of college basketball. I’m not sure who it is but it can’t be another risk. A young NBA guy like Rondo might be good on the staff but not head man. I literally can’t think a many other than Oates and Pearl and honestly I don’t care for Oates style. I love his attitude though.
I agree with almost everything you said. We must hit a home run on the next coach. No doubt about it. Where I disagree is on Oat’s. This fan base would be in a constant state of meltdown watching his teams play defense. I think we can do better than Oat’s.
 

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
Do any of yall understand what perception means to young players? Do any of yall understand why Pope isn’t a good recruiter? I’m curious.

A lot of yall talk like yall think these recruits have your same mindset. These are kids. Rondo has Stokes and Kinney locked up for UK if he was head coach. Yall get how that works or yall think since he’s never been a head coach he would fail miserably?


No I can’t prove it. What I can prove is this season. Take a look. Take a look at our mighty program that expects the best to come begging but hands the keys to an unknown. We really are a wacky fanbase. I love it.
 

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
People need to google search him.
I’m guessing yall are talking about his personal problems with his ol lady? But Chris beard would be ok? I could care less about his personal life. Rondo carries himself like a professional and is respected by just about anybody in the basketball world. I just wanna win games. That’s it.




Rondo would be the first of his generation to have a chance if it were to happen. What new age legend has had a head coaching position? Do yall realize how respected our boy Rondo is?
 

Sgarrett0417

Junior
Jun 22, 2023
121
275
63
Rondo would be a good succession plan if he sat behind a successful coach for 5-7 years first…just like Duke did with Scheyer.

This doesn’t mean he’d automatically be successful, but that’s the only way I think it’d potentially work. Bringing him in blind with no coaching experience whatsoever is a bad idea.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kyjeff1

travisbickle

All-Conference
Jan 4, 2022
364
1,160
93
Hire Rondo as an assistant for two reasons:

1) His basketball rep/IQ.

2) His son who is already one of the top PG in the state as an 8th grader.

He doesn’t have any resume as a coach so no to head job, but would love to see him as an assistant. I don’t think he’s finished his degree yet (please correct me if I’m wrong) so he would have to do that first before he gets any coaching job.
 

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
Hire Rondo as an assistant for two reasons:

1) His basketball rep/IQ.

2) His son who is already one of the top PG in the state as an 8th grader.

He doesn’t have any resume as a coach so no to head job, but would love to see him as an assistant. I don’t think he’s finished his degree yet (please correct me if I’m wrong) so he would have to do that first before he gets any coaching job.
If Rondos son isn’t in a UK jersey in a few years I’ll go crazy. Pope would lose him to Kansas 😏
 

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,992
9,529
77
I’m guessing yall are talking about his personal problems with his ol lady? But Chris beard would be ok? I could care less about his personal life. Rondo carries himself like a professional and is respected by just about anybody in the basketball world. I just wanna win games. That’s it.

Rondo would be the first of his generation to have a chance if it were to happen. What new age legend has had a head coaching position? Do yall realize how respected our boy Rondo is?

2 years ago he was Arrested for a gun charge and marijuana possession. 4 years ago he was arrested for pulling a gun on the mother of his children.

6 years ago Another lady sued him and his girlfriend for “beating her up”. $ettled out of court.

All three could happen to anyone :)
 
  • Wow
Reactions: kyjeff1

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
2 years ago he was Arrested for a gun charge and marijuana possession. 4 years ago he was arrested for pulling a gun on the mother of his children.

6 years ago Another lady sued him and his girlfriend for “beating her up”. $ettled out of court.

All three could happen to anyone :)
I have worse charges than all of them combined. I’m a two time felon. People grow. People change. And titles on court documents make things sound worse than the actual situation 95% of the time.
 

UKortho

All-American
Oct 13, 2015
4,992
9,529
77
I have worse charges than all of them combined. I’m a two time felon. People grow. People change. And titles on court documents make things sound worse than the actual situation 95% of the time.

He was arrested 2, 4, and 6 years ago. He hasn’t changed yet.
 

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
He wouldn’t need to change a bit for me. I’d take Rondo over Pope all day. Can we just change our name to Kentucky Saints ? When did we become BYU? Man I’d take the rough house whiteboys we used to get. I’m so confused on why Kentucky has this superior complex.

I love Kentucky. So it’s not disrespect but come on it’s Kentucky… somebody please tell me why more than half of our fanbase acts like they drink hot tea with their pinky finger extended? I’m serious. Where did all the European fans come from? If the blacks are to black to get an opportunity at least give me the ruggid whiteboys. So sick of the sissy transformer culture at UK. Sick of it. Sick of losing. Sick of being laughing stock. SOFT PROGRAM. Can we change our identity?
 

TuesdayBoost

Junior
Jan 27, 2026
200
256
43
T
I love Rondo...that said, he would fall under the worse than Pope category. Mitch will probably hire him
I can respect that. I have plenty of reason why I THINK he would succeed. Can you tell me why you think he would be worse than Pope? I’m glad OP started this I’ve been wanting Rondo as head coach. Really I just want to know why? I’m not attacking.
 

Tri-Countycat

All-Conference
Jul 1, 2025
1,275
2,711
113
I agree with almost everything you said. We must hit a home run on the next coach. No doubt about it. Where I disagree is on Oat’s. This fan base would be in a constant state of meltdown watching his teams play defense. I think we can do better than Oat’s.
Oh I don’t want Oates. I don’t think his style of play has much longevity. I do like how he coaches with passion and does whatever he can to win. I almost think we have to get an NBA guy or a coach with final 4 experience or multiple conference championships. It’s easier to be patient with a coach when he has proven that he can win.
 
  • Like
Reactions: USARMYWILDCAT

NociHTTP

Heisman
Mar 8, 2023
12,135
19,031
113
Remember when yall lied and said he slept with Patrick Parks girlfriend. Remember when yall lied and said he was point shaving and the FBI was on campus? Raftards lying, a tradition like no other.

Burt Reynolds Roger GIF


10-4 as in your post:engagement ratio. Hot diggity dog!
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Reactions: KyKevin and KFuqua

Smeegs

All-Conference
Nov 19, 2025
480
1,318
93
I don’t disagree with you but why? The main reason I would be hesitant. Do we really want to hire another legacy coach? Does he have enough experience?
He was a great player, and also an extremely intelligent player. I’ve no doubt he has the smarts for the job.

BUT he’s also always had a reputation for having a prickly personality and being difficult to deal with off the court. And he’s had some ugly off court incidents (including pulling a gun on his baby mama and threatening to kill her in front of the kids) that would also call into question his suitability to coach.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigBluefoot

UKCowboys

All-American
Oct 14, 2019
3,252
5,459
113
I love Rondo...that said, he would fall under the worse than Pope category. Mitch will probably
T
I can respect that. I have plenty of reason why I THINK he would succeed. Can you tell me why you think he would be worse than Pope? I’m glad OP started this I’ve been wanting Rondo as head coach. Really I just want to know why? I’m not attacking.
Sure, no problem Bro. I think Kentucky is all wrong for anyone to learn to become a head coach. Its the toughest league in the Nation, the schedule is always brutal, and the pressure following Pope will be enormous