Realistically who could we get next?

chimchim said:

Let's say that we end this season as predicted by the analytical sites. Pope is coach next year and recruiting continues to struggle. We get a few average portal players and we battle injuries and we struggle to something like 19-13. Pope steps down. Ok, who you got that can handle the job and wants it? Because it's got to be both. And that pool of candidates is way smaller than many of you may realize.

Everyone knows UK can’t get a coach. Nobody leaves for a blue blood, in any sport. Not in 2026. No, ignore that Cristobal went from Oregon to Miami. And Kalen Deboer went from playing in the title game, to Alabama. It can’t be done at UK. Nobody wants to come here, when they’re perfectly fine at their current home.

I hope it doesn’t happen because I like pope and want him to succeed. But if it did, Iowa states coach. It’s amazing what he has done at that program and could become a 1 seed this year and make a deep run.

Or… the coach at Texas tech. Both coaches though have been in wars in the big 12 and have shown they can win there.

Oats, Pearl, tj otzelberger, Fred Hoiberg, Dusty May, Golden, Mark Byington, Donovan and several others should all be considered and spoken to.

I would still make Hurley and Oats say no before trying other candidates.

I’d take a look at Arizona’s coach.

Anony Moose said:

Oats, Pearl, tj otzelberger, Fred Hoiberg, Dusty May, Golden, Mark Byington, Donovan and several others should all be considered and spoken to.

In b4 “they aren’t coming”. They’ve already called and spoken to them first hand. Best we can do is Travis Ford. UK has no advantages and the fans are too mean.

There are so many coaches that would absolutely KILL it here. Young, motivated, bloodthirsty... give them the resources we have and the backing they get from this program and fanbase and they could turn it back into a juggernaut. No doubt in my mind.

Ridinwithpope said:

I hope it doesn’t happen because I like pope and want him to succeed. But if it did, Iowa states coach. It’s amazing what he has done at that program and could become a 1 seed this year and make a deep run.

T.J. Otzelberger would be my choice too. Heck of a coach/teacher, a likable guy (w/o being cheesy), and has teams that always play tough (win or lose). Plus, he would not lose many fist fights! He has never taken ISU past the Sweet 16 (S16 twice, Round of 32 once, and Round of 64 once), but also doesn't have a Kentucky budget or marketing name. Problem is his wife played at ISU and they have raised their kids in Ames. Might be another case where he might say yes, but his bride says no (we know who the tie always goes to). Before getting the HC job in 2021, he had served as an assistant at ISU from 2006-2013. He could end up being a God there! That said, for our sake I hope Pope proves to be the guy!

RunninRichie said:

In b4 “they aren’t coming”. They’ve already called and spoken to them first hand. Best we can do is Travis Ford. UK has no advantages and the fans are too mean.

You realize that this is a Kentucky message board, right? Your negativity is wild!!

Anon1759768907 said:

this,,, right here is why I laugh at our fan base. He is not coming to UK, why would he? LOL

TX Wildcat said:

T.J. Otzelberger would be my choice too. Heck of a coach/teacher, a likable guy (w/o being cheesy), and has teams that always play tough (win or lose). He has never taken ISU past the Sweet 16 (S16 twice, Round of 32 once, and Round of 64 once), but also doesn't have a Kentucky budget or marketing name. Problem is his wife played at ISU and they have raised their kids in Ames. Might be another case where he might say yes, but his bride says no (we know who the tie always goes to). Before getting the HC job in 2021, he had served as an actant at ISU from 2006-2013. He could end up being a God there! That said, for our sake I hope Pope proves to be the guy!

That's why they allow for divorce.

TX Wildcat said:

T.J. Otzelberger would be my choice too. Heck of a coach/teacher, a likable guy (w/o being cheesy), and has teams that always play tough (win or lose). He has never taken ISU past the Sweet 16 (S16 twice, Round of 32 once, and Round of 64 once), but also doesn't have a Kentucky budget or marketing name. Problem is his wife played at ISU and they have raised their kids in Ames. Might be another case where he might say yes, but his bride says no (we know who the tie always goes to). Before getting the HC job in 2021, he had served as an actant at ISU from 2006-2013. He could end up being a God there! That said, for our sake I hope Pope proves to be the guy!

Wow, I didn’t realize he had such close ties to that program. Would be hard to poach him away.

Ridinwithpope said:

You realize that this is a Kentucky message board, right? Your negativity is wild!!

He's simply pointing out the logic the minority of our fanbase possess.

I should also add, Pope is in zero danger of going anywhere anytime soon, and I am glad

Johnny_Jeepers said:

There are so many coaches that would absolutely KILL it here. Young, motivated, bloodthirsty... give them the resources we have and the backing they get from this program and fanbase and they could turn it back into a juggernaut. No doubt in my mind.

Agree. They need to have a certain brashness/cockiness to them to match the energy of us/BBN. I like Pope and have hope he gets things right. If he doesn't I feel we almost need a guy fans of other teams can't stand (like they can't stand us UK fans).

TX Wildcat said:

Agree. They need to have a certain brashness/cockiness to them to match the energy of us/BBN. I like Pope and have hope he gets things right. If he doesn't I feel we almost need a guy fans of other teams can't stand (like they can't stand us UK fans).

Our fans would expect the best of the best though, they would expect to poach the current reigning title winner, if we hired a good young coach they would hate that too and scream we can do better. You cant satisfy this fanbase, so I just make fun of it mostly now lol

KYWC36 said:

Our fans would expect the best of the best though, they would expect to poach the current reigning title winner, if we hired a good young coach they would hate that too and scream we can do better. You cant satisfy this fanbase, so I just make fun of it mostly now lol

UK literally hired John Calipari off a 38 win season.

Anony Moose said:

He's simply pointing out the logic the minority of our fanbase possess.

Sarcasm then? Sorry, new to this board and still trying to figure out who are the jokers and who are not.

Ridinwithpope said:

Wow, I didn’t realize he had such close ties to that program. Would be hard to poach him away.

Not according to Ritchie. We will have our pick!! They'll be stomping a mud hole in each other's asses to get to Lexington with Mitch and JMI

RunninRichie said:

UK literally hired John Calipari off a 38 win season.

How many years ago was that? I mean nothing has changed, like NIL, right?

Ridinwithpope said:

Sarcasm then? Sorry, new to this board and still trying to figure out who are the jokers and who are not.

Not really so much sarcasm, as an accurate reflection of what some of you actually post on here.

RunninRichie said:

UK literally hired John Calipari off a 38 win season.

They did- from a much lesser school and in a totally different time. I didn't say it couldn't happen, just that our fans would expect it and feel entitled too it and scoff if a coach like Mark Few stayed at Gonzaga. Meanwhile Gonzaga has been a better program over the last 25 years than UK has.