The REAL Problem

[UKreturntogreatness]

The "Real Problem" is this is Kentucky basketball. This is/was a special program with a historical legacy of excellence and top tier recognition in the world of college basketball. Other teams feared to play us and in away games this was the most special game of the season for that opponent on their home court. To beat us was an upset. Not only was the fan following with meaningful impact existing for the State of Kentucky but also nationally. Players at Kentucky were elite and expectations were always to provide an excellence on the court. Kentucky was recognized as a Blue Blood program with the most wins of any college program. Now it is all gone.

I was excited by Pope when he arrived. However, retrospectively, I now understand based upon what I just described above to be an elite team and program takes an elite coach and players. Cal lost his interest and became stubborn more focused on getting his favorites to the NBA than winning games. So, when he left to be elite would have taken a hire of an elite nature. Cal in his last several years definitely hurt the program so there was this opportunity with him gone to recapture what had been lost. It didn't happen. Kentucky winning a game or two in the NCAA tourney is nothing. Kentucky similar to Duke should be the elite program in the SEC attracting the very best of the best. Again that is all lost. That's the real problem. Is there a solution at all? if so, whom?

 

[UKCowboys]

The real problem is Mitch. When Cal left, he didn't do a real coaching search. Hurley wasn't coming here for any amount of money. Pearl would have taken the job in a second, and I believe, would have had early Cal level success, but he wasn't even considered. It was Drew, who rejected us, with a fallback of Pope. I think a lot of you don't realize that if Pooe is fired before MB, the odds are very slim that you get the coach you want, and very high you get someone worse than Pope and yes, thats possible

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

The real problem is Mitch. When Cal left, he didn't do a real coaching search. Hurley wasn't coming here for any amount of money. Pearl would have taken the job in a second, and I believe, would have had early Cal level success, but he wasn't even considered. It was Drew, who rejected us, with a fallback of Pope. I think a lot of you don't realize that if Pooe is fired before MB, the odds are very slim that you get the coach you want, and very high you get someone worse than Pope and yes, thats possible

I believe Dwight Perry is coaching somewhere so that will no doubt be Mitch's top choice this time

 

[UKCowboys]

I believe Dwight Perry is coaching somewhere so that will no doubt be Mitch's top choice this time

While youre kidding, Mitch probably looked at that and went, "You know..."

 

[megablue]

I believe Dwight Perry is coaching somewhere so that will no doubt be Mitch's top choice this time

You're not serious, but for those who might be curious:

Dwight Perry - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[megablue]

What is curious to me, given his extremely successful Won-Loss record, why hasn't this guy moved on ... as an assistant, if nothing else ??
His coaching record is nothing short of amazing. He is 69 years of age ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Crutchfield

 

[BlueBomb]

As much as it pains me to say it, we've not been "Kentucky" for a long time.

It further pains me to realize it's likely -- and maybe even probable -- that Pope will be given a third year. If that happens, we're looking at back-to-back NIT tournaments.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Barring a scandal or wrong doing (very unlikely with Pope), barring him being honorable and stepping down (also highly unlikely with the amount of money on the table from staying), or a sudden and unforeseen health issue (also unlikely)... Mark Pope will get a year 3. We can scream and cry about it, but it is the most likely scenario. Because either:

A) That will give UK a full year to start back channeling a replacement, have a clear exit strategy, have who they believe is the "right" guy in place and just let Pope self destruct

B) The brass doesn't actually care about Pope's record because he is a yes man and mediocrity still makes the university tons of money, so in this disaster scenario we are 14 loss UK for years going forward.

C) or Daddy (the boosters) take away the ATM card and Pope has to make due with 2 and 3 star recruits who dream of playing at a P4 D1 school and will do it for a scholarship and a future selling used cars in Maysville with their connections they made here.

I try and be as realistic and neutral as I can be without overreacting one way or the other. I really wanted one of our own to succeed here, still do, but I don't see a pathway to that success. He's in WAY over his head and doesn't appear to have the dog in him to fight for it either. No ill will towards Pope the man, but Pope the coach belongs at a mid-major running Princeton style offense.

 

[UKCowboys]

Barring a scandal or wrong doing (very unlikely with Pope), barring him being honorable and stepping down (also highly unlikely with the amount of money on the table from staying), or a sudden and unforeseen health issue (also unlikely)... Mark Pope will get a year 3. We can scream and cry about it, but it is the most likely scenario. Because either:

A) That will give UK a full year to start back channeling a replacement, have a clear exit strategy, have who they believe is the "right" guy in place and just let Pope self destruct

B) The brass doesn't actually care about Pope's record because he is a yes man and mediocrity still makes the university tons of money, so in this disaster scenario we are 14 loss UK for years going forward.

C) or Daddy (the boosters) take away the ATM card and Pope has to make due with 2 and 3 star recruits who dream of playing at a P4 D1 school and will do it for a scholarship and a future selling used cars in Maysville with their connections they made here.

I try and be as realistic and neutral as I can be without overreacting one way or the other. I really wanted one of our own to succeed here, still do, but I don't see a pathway to that success. He's in WAY over his head and doesn't appear to have the dog in him to fight for it either. No ill will towards Pope the man, but Pope the coach belongs at a mid-major running Princeton style offense.

Its not Pope's job to step down and its not the "honorable" thing to do. There's not one single person on this board that would quit in his place. His job is to support his wife and children. MB hired him and its his job to fire him. But MB is the one that should be fired. The new AD should then decide if he wants to replace Pope, or give him one more season with the best GM in place above him

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

We hired a guy who is a 10-15 loss per season coach.
THAT is the outcome we should expect going forward.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Its not Pope's job to step down and its not the "honorable" thing to do. There's not one single person on this board that would quit in his place. His job is to support his wife and children. MB hired him and its his job to fire him. But MB is the one that should be fired. The new AD should then decide if he wants to replace Pope, or give him one more season with the best GM in place above him

Calm down there. I simply stated possible scenarios where he could not see a year 3. Stepping down because you aren't up to the assignment out of love for the program is honorable. Sacrificing future monetary earnings to better the program is honorable. It isn't Pope's job to be honorable, but the chance he chooses to be and resigns is not 0%. It is also highly unlikely, but possible, to happen. You went three quarter tilt on a scenario I said is "possible" but highly unlikely. Step off the ledge my friend, it's only a mediocre season for a mediocre coach.

Mark Pope is a millionaire, spare me the support his wife and children sob story. Mark Pope's actual JOB is to produce victories and hang banners at the University of Kentucky. He is failing at his job currently. He can support his family coaching North Dakota State just as easily. Mitch needs to go, that's a whole other conversation.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

The real problem is Mitch. When Cal left, he didn't do a real coaching search. Hurley wasn't coming here for any amount of money. Pearl would have taken the job in a second, and I believe, would have had early Cal level success, but he wasn't even considered. It was Drew, who rejected us, with a fallback of Pope. I think a lot of you don't realize that if Pooe is fired before MB, the odds are very slim that you get the coach you want, and very high you get someone worse than Pope and yes, thats possible

you are 100% wrong. the next hire will be a home run. has to be.

 

[Snarks]

Mitch panicked and hired an unqualified coach. Also, not a shocker but even overpaid for him (don’t forget thy paid BYU $4mil to buyout Pope). It’s not shocking that BYU got better after Pope left.

Many people said, never hire a coach just because he played here. Mitch fell for that! Only UK would retain Mitch after all these mess ups.

 

[hypocrithatr]

Mitch has to be fired before this program can move forward. He's the man that hired two coaches that should have never been in the discussion for being the Head Coach of Kentucky, period. He doesn't care about the MBB Program, he was forced by former alumni to hire Calipari and he's the reason Calipari didn't give a crap the last 5 or 6 yrs he was our head coach. Mitch Barnhart is destroying Kentucky Basketball!!!!!!!!

 

[MegaBlue05]

you are 100% wrong. the next hire will be a home run. has to be.

Won’t be if Mitch is still here and involved with the hire. He’ll want either a buddy or another Ned Flanders with a whistle.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Won’t be if Mitch is still here and involved with the hire. He’ll want either a buddy or another Ned Flanders with a whistle.

have to have faith that higher-ups will step in and make the call for Mitch, like they did with Calipari

 

[UKCowboys]

you are 100% wrong. the next hire will be a home run. has to be.

LMAO, heard it last time.

 

[UKCowboys]

Calm down there. I simply stated possible scenarios where he could not see a year 3. Stepping down because you aren't up to the assignment out of love for the program is honorable. Sacrificing future monetary earnings to better the program is honorable. It isn't Pope's job to be honorable, but the chance he chooses to be and resigns is not 0%. It is also highly unlikely, but possible, to happen. You went three quarter tilt on a scenario I said is "possible" but highly unlikely. Step off the ledge my friend, it's only a mediocre season for a mediocre coach.

Mark Pope is a millionaire, spare me the support his wife and children sob story. Mark Pope's actual JOB is to produce victories and hang banners at the University of Kentucky. He is failing at his job currently. He can support his family coaching North Dakota State just as easily. Mitch needs to go, that's a whole other conversation.

Brother, a lot of people would think quitting a job when you still have a contract instead of seeing it through and turning it around is anything but honorable

 

[MichaelGray]

Calm down there. I simply stated possible scenarios where he could not see a year 3. Stepping down because you aren't up to the assignment out of love for the program is honorable. Sacrificing future monetary earnings to better the program is honorable. It isn't Pope's job to be honorable, but the chance he chooses to be and resigns is not 0%. It is also highly unlikely, but possible, to happen. You went three quarter tilt on a scenario I said is "possible" but highly unlikely. Step off the ledge my friend, it's only a mediocre season for a mediocre coach.

Mark Pope is a millionaire, spare me the support his wife and children sob story. Mark Pope's actual JOB is to produce victories and hang banners at the University of Kentucky. He is failing at his job currently. He can support his family coaching North Dakota State just as easily. Mitch needs to go, that's a whole other conversation.

The season isn't over yet, I can totally see a scenario where we lose too many of the remaining games & the heat gets turned up so hot that Pope steps down, out of love for the program. In that scenario Mitch sees the fans are too pissed about the losing & maybe even tells Pope resigning is the best thing to do. More than likely we finish the season like 18-12 & Mitch gives him a 3rd year.

 

[PastorofMuppets82]

Brother, a lot of people would think quitting a job when you still have a contract instead of seeing it through and turning it around is anything but honorable

Again, like I said, highly doubtful it happens. Depends how he did it. If he (behind closed doors) told the administration he was in over his head, wanted the best for the university and felt like he wasn't able to do it and let them begin a coaching search for the right guy... Then came out and gave a heartfelt press conference where he reiterated that he knew the assignment and fell short and believed it best to not hurt BBN, the program, or our legacy any longer with mediocrity, most of BBN would call that honorable. Mitch is going to give Pope a lifetime contract if he makes the NIT this year or something equally dumb, so I hope to God a lot of people who thinking quitting the job when you still have a contract instead of seeing it through changed their mind on that.

There is honor in trying to guide a team up Everest and admitting you are overwhelmed and the conditions are too treacherous and heading back down. A lot more honor than than sticking it out and getting everyone around you killed because you keep thinking you can reach the top. Just because they paid you to take them to the top.

 

[true-blue1]

I don't see any reason for Pope to get a 3rd year, but he will. I do think when Pope gets fired the Administration will have to make major changes in the athletic department. You got to get Barnhart out of there!

 

[KFuqua]

The "Real Problem" is this is Kentucky basketball. This is/was a special program with a historical legacy of excellence and top tier recognition in the world of college basketball. Other teams feared to play us and in away games this was the most special game of the season for that opponent on their home court. To beat us was an upset. Not only was the fan following with meaningful impact existing for the State of Kentucky but also nationally. Players at Kentucky were elite and expectations were always to provide an excellence on the court. Kentucky was recognized as a Blue Blood program with the most wins of any college program. Now it is all gone.

I was excited by Pope when he arrived. However, retrospectively, I now understand based upon what I just described above to be an elite team and program takes an elite coach and players. Cal lost his interest and became stubborn more focused on getting his favorites to the NBA than winning games. So, when he left to be elite would have taken a hire of an elite nature. Cal in his last several years definitely hurt the program so there was this opportunity with him gone to recapture what had been lost. It didn't happen. Kentucky winning a game or two in the NCAA tourney is nothing. Kentucky similar to Duke should be the elite program in the SEC attracting the very best of the best. Again that is all lost. That's the real problem. Is there a solution at all? if so, whom?

The one thing that I disagree with here is that winning a game or two in the NCAA tournament is nothing. For a first year coach, who was hired late and had to piece together a team from what was left out there to not only get to the tournament, but to win a couple of games is a pretty good year. This year has been disappointing (to put it mildly), but discounting what Pope did last year doesn't make sense.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

The one thing that I disagree with here is that winning a game or two in the NCAA tournament is nothing. For a first year coach, who was hired late and had to piece together a team from what was left out there to not only get to the tournament, but to win a couple of games is a pretty good year. This year has been disappointing (to put it mildly), but discounting what Pope did last year doesn't make sense.

lost 12 games tho.
not discounting the 2nd weekend appearance but...12 losses. not great. that should be his basement here, but he's already regressing.

 

[paulcalhoun_rivals397471]

As much as it pains me to say it, we've not been "Kentucky" for a long time.

It further pains me to realize it's likely -- and maybe even probable -- that Pope will be given a third year. If that happens, we're looking at back-to-back NIT tournaments.

That's a serious loser mentality. We haven't been relegated to one NIT yet. You are already giving up not only on the rest of this season but next season as well.

 

[preston-lemasterpiece]

Brother, a lot of people would think quitting a job when you still have a contract instead of seeing it through and turning it around is anything but honorable

what if turning it around isn't an option?
and "staying and honoring your commitment" really just means digging the program in a deeper and deeper hole?
what would you do in a case like that?

 

[woopigsuie]

The real problem is y'all ran off Cal right when he could start hanging on to players for more than a year. That's alright! We'll take him!

 

[KFuqua]

The real problem is y'all ran off Cal right when he could start hanging on to players for more than a year. That's alright! We'll take him!

Getting rid of Cal is absolutely one thing that was done right. He gave up on Kentucky years ago and he needed to be fired. Glad he's gone.

 

[UKCowboys]

what if turning it around isn't an option?
and "staying and honoring your commitment" really just means digging the program in a deeper and deeper hole?
what would you do in a case like that?

Do you think Pope got to win a national championship and become HC at Kentucky because he didn't believe in himself? You're too smart to believe that bullcrap

 

[HipTer]

The real problem is Mitch. When Cal left, he didn't do a real coaching search. Hurley wasn't coming here for any amount of money. Pearl would have taken the job in a second, and I believe, would have had early Cal level success, but he wasn't even considered. It was Drew, who rejected us, with a fallback of Pope. I think a lot of you don't realize that if Pooe is fired before MB, the odds are very slim that you get the coach you want, and very high you get someone worse than Pope and yes, thats possible

Regardless of what coaches Barnhart brought in, I believe he should have been fired - and still should be fired - solely for the "lifetime contracts" he recommended to the Board that resulted in crazy buy-outs (including Pope's current deal).

 

[wildcatdon]

The real problem is y'all ran off Cal right when he could start hanging on to players for more than a year. That's alright! We'll take him!

You can have that non coaching fraud.

 

[yoshukai]

The real problem is y'all ran off Cal right when he could start hanging on to players for more than a year. That's alright! We'll take him!

I will admit that Cal will retain more players with the current state of college basketball . And that should help him . But not enough to overcome his coaching deficiencies.

 

[UKCowboys]

Regardless of what coaches Barnhart brought in, I believe he should have been fired - and still should be fired - solely for the "lifetime contracts" he recommended to the Board that resulted in crazy buy-outs (including Pope's current deal).

Can't argue that

 

[UKnine]

We hired a guy who is a 10-15 loss per season coach.
THAT is the outcome we should expect going forward.

Pope built his record of 63% win percentage competing against those superstar coaches of the powerful Western Athletic Conference and the West Coast Conference. No wonder Mitch was so impressed with him!!

 

[BlueBomb]

That's a serious loser mentality. We haven't been relegated to one NIT yet. You are already giving up not only on the rest of this season but next season as well.

Yep, that's true.

 

[Sportspm]

What really would be realistic options if Pope was fired or resigned? If Pearl turned it down, who’s next? Oats had baggage, Golden has baggage. Why would Loyd leave Arizona? Would seem like a lateral move and he seems like more of a west coast guy.
If I was AD and struck out on big names, I would go with an up and coming coach that was a little younger and had fire and intensity.
My top choice in that category right now would be Bucky McMillan at Tex A&M.
He coach’s a style and system very similar to a 90’s Pitino style of play except he’s a southern guy. Very fun and exciting basketball. Rupp Arena would be rocking.
Currently in first place in the SEC in his first year. Won their rivalry game against Texas @ Texas.
Has an impressive early background, probably most remembered for taking Kansas to the wire in NCAA tournament as Samford coach but here is an excerpt from Wikipedia about his High School coaching accomplishments before taking over at Samford.

“He won three 7A basketball championships, two 6A basketball championships for Mountain Brook.[4] He coached the Spartans to two championship runner-ups, seven final four appearances, 10 regional appearances and nine area titles.[1]

in 2018, McMillan was named the national Boys Basketball Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association after the team finished 34-3. He's the first Alabama coach to win the national honor from the NHSCA.[5] McMillan was named the coach of the 2019 Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.[3] He was the USA Today's Alabama Coach of the Year in 2019. In 2020, Mountain Brook was ranked 13th in the top 25 public high school basketball programs in the United States over the previous ten years.[2] He finished 333-74 in twelve seasons at Mountain Brook, averaging nearly 28 wins per season.”

 

[UKAlum84]

I think part of the problem is having a coach, needing to live up to the standards of winning, as if they were rupp.

Rupp as our coach, might as well be part of the outlier's for winning, especially championships. The same goes for John Wooden. Most coaches aren't going to come close to the luck and ability that rupp and wooden had, especially winning many national championships.

The norm in college ball, is to struggle, make some improvements, and maybe peak during the ncaa tourney....

 

[kentucky_slim]

The real problem is Mitch. When Cal left, he didn't do a real coaching search. Hurley wasn't coming here for any amount of money. Pearl would have taken the job in a second, and I believe, would have had early Cal level success, but he wasn't even considered. It was Drew, who rejected us, with a fallback of Pope. I think a lot of you don't realize that if Pooe is fired before MB, the odds are very slim that you get the coach you want, and very high you get someone worse than Pope and yes, thats possible

I also think you can blame Mitch for the last portion of Cals term at UK. Clearly the relationship was severly broken.

 

[UKAlum84]

Wonder if UCLA has the same amount of crazy, irrational fans as Kentucky?

You'd figure that John Wooden's legacy would be filled with high standards, more championships, and less coaching struggles.
Because he hit the ceiling in my opinion, coaching college ball.

 

[UKAlum84]

UCLA's last title was 1995.

 

[Sportspm]

Wonder if UCLA has the same amount of crazy, irrational fans as Kentucky?

You'd figure that John Wooden's legacy would be filled with high standards, more championships, and less coaching struggles.
Because he hit the ceiling in my opinion, coaching college ball.

To me, Wooden’s accomplishments are somewhat tarnished because of the big money booster or boosters paying players at that time when it was illegal. Bill Walton said he took a pay cut when he left UCLA for NBA or maybe is was ABA at that time.