Truth...

[BigBlueGuru]

Thank you. I agree everyone had the same issues as Cal did during the COVID. And I agree that was a bad year. I agree injuries have hurt Cal and Pope's teams. The reason I have a hard time buying in on Pope is that he does not have any history or record that gives me hope. The no conference championships, no tournament wins and his previous record of 187 wins and 108 losses. I think that stat is the most alarming because of so many data points. After 295 games, I think the record will give some indication of the type of coach a person is. As for Cal, yes I think some times it was painful to watch the slow down basketball and grind it out style. Very similar to Tubby. However, I think Cal had still had some decent years when everyone was saying it was awful, but ran into some hot teams at the wrong time and was crucified for it, without regard to what else he achieved. I thought listening to Cal was like listening to Trump, so I do not listen to either. However, I appreciate the discussion too and I hope Pope turns it around, I just do not believe he will.

He may not and if he doesn't we move on and make a change with Mitch not part of the process since he is retiring. You say Pope had no results at previous coaching stops to give you hope and I agree with that. I think it is obvious 75% of this board felt that way when it was announced. But you also have to admit last year was a success in what he accomplished. Maybe not that noteworthy from a historical UK perspective but more so with the hand he was dealt. To field a team that set a record for beating the most top 25 teams in a season and fielding a team capable of doing that in a matter of weeks when Cal took all our players was amazing. So which season is the outlier Season 1 or Season 2? I believe Pope will get a season 3 to show us unless the team just totally quits. Awesome discussion. Thank you

 

[BigBlueGuru]

Personally I can give Pope some leeway on all the portal guys not working out. I say that based on hiring folks and sometimes despite all the proper vetting they just dont perform as imagined for a variety of reasons.

My reason for not wanting him back is because of his actions after it was obvious the roster wasn't cohesive. He should have immediately recognized this and addressed that by changing the system to fit his current team.

He has still not done that 100% and we sit at 9-6 with multiple blowouts. Our rotations still aren't tight and they still dont make sense.That is unacceptable and a huge red flag.

Even worse it appears that the team has tuned him out and they dont respect him. Other than benching BG he hasn't weeded out or dealt with any troublemakers. MD should have been benched for what he said to the press earlier this week. He dissed Pope , the coaches and his teammates publivly but yet there he is starting . JL ignored the play called for by Pope at the end of the game.

Instead of passing to KW or OO he just did what he wanted and tossed up a brick. Players do that stuff only when they dont respect the coach and know there will be no consequences.DA does whatever he wants and won't pass to OO and vice versa . Complete BS .

Pope doesn't have the skillset or mentality to be the ceo of our team. He shows the same deficiencies as a manager in the private sector who has lost the control and respect of his staff.

I agree this season was handled beyond weird. Will be interesting one day to find out what actually happened behind the scenes but I believe instead of Pope laying down a definitive red line if you will he decided to try to cover for the players hoping they would eventually come together. I think Pope and players are understanding they are not on the same page and never will be which is why you are now seeing the finger pointing.

 

[kyjeff1]

Anyone that says they would not rather have Cal as a Coach instead of this guy is not being truthful or their ego is so big they will not admit when they are wrong...

This is a nightmare of a program!

I don't want either one.

You do realize there are more than 2 coaches in the world, right? We don't have to limit our choices to just these 2. I never want to see Cal at UK again and after last night, I want Pope removed asap.

But if Pope quit tomorrow, Cal wouldn't be in my top 50.

 

[UKortho]

Anyone that says they would not rather have Cal as a Coach instead of this guy is not being truthful or their ego is so big they will not admit when they are wrong...

This is a nightmare of a program!

Wrong

 

[FLBBNFAN]

I agree this season was handled beyond weird. Will be interesting one day to find out what actually happened behind the scenes but I believe instead of Pope laying down a definitive red line if you will he decided to try to cover for the players hoping they would eventually come together. I think Pope and players are understanding they are not on the same page and never will be which is why you are now seeing the finger pointing.

It will be interesting to hear what was actually happening behind the scenes. Eventually that will come out or even spill out during the season. I think he made a mistake in trying to cover for the players because its appears they are ungrateful for it .

There has to be a demarcation line between the coach and his team. Its not a democracy. Hate to see this happen to one of our own.