2024 Coaching Carousel

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

The thing about Pope is that there will be almost zero expectations.  He has nowhere to go with the fan base but upwards.

Now, having said that, Kentucky's AD will not be having an easy couple of years.

It's the opposite. They have huge expectations. The fanbase is going to compare him to John Calipari and are going to expect those results.

[Hards Alumni]

It's the opposite. They have huge expectations. The fanbase is going to compare him to John Calipari and are going to expect those results.

There's a reason they were trying to run Cal out of town.  He's had a bad run in the last five years.

Honestly, the hire will probably turn a lot of the rabid fans down a notch or two.  They're going to have to come to terms with the reality that college basketball doesn't revolve around them anymore.  This hiring humbled a lot of them already.

[rocket surgeon]

There's a reason they were trying to run Cal out of town.  He's had a bad run in the last five years.

Honestly, the hire will probably turn a lot of the rabid fans down a notch or two.  They're going to have to come to terms with the reality that college basketball doesn't revolve around them anymore.  This hiring humbled a lot of them already.

  You might be on to something here hardy.  If cal struggled somewhat with the talent he was bringing in year after year...? The one and dones regardless of how good they are, go through growing pains. And the never really gel as a team. Also, the parity of college basketball today, it's not easy to win year in/out.  Ask Matt painter, Bennett, Kryzewski et.al. Hell, ask Scott drew😉

[Lennys Tap]

Maybe there are a few things left in CBB that aren't all about the money, after all.

Only because the money in Waco, Storrs, etc., is really big too.

[Uncle Rico]

once again, i never announced "donedeal" but you guys are always quick to dance on others apparent miscalculations.  i stand by my prognostications as i know my sources here are ironclad i merely said scott was going to be offered.  NEVER said he was going to take it as no one yet knew for sure.  i can tell you this however-it was a group decision.  if it were up to one person...

some of you out there-true character revealed-sad

You just don't know ball

[Oldgym]

There's a reason they were trying to run Cal out of town.  He's had a bad run in the last five years.

Honestly, the hire will probably turn a lot of the rabid fans down a notch or two.  They're going to have to come to terms with the reality that college basketball doesn't revolve around them anymore.  This hiring humbled a lot of them already.

True, but "humbling" at UK will probably work a little differently than most places. Pope will get a couple years worth of leash to prove they aren't the next Indiana. Not more, and certainly not, say...five.  And there will be plenty of kicking and screaming along the way.

[Hards Alumni]

True, but "humbling" at UK will probably work a little differently than most places. Pope will get a couple years worth of leash to prove they aren't the next Indiana. Not more, and certainly not, say...five.  And there will be plenty of kicking and screaming along the way.

Oh, I totally agree.  And then if they can Pope and there is no clear replacement they can expect another round of what they've experienced this off-season.

[cheebs09]

The Kentucky faithful seem to be taking the news well.

https://twitter.com/__NotKG/status/1778598047305343222

[Uncle Rico]

The Kentucky faithful seem to be taking the news well.

https://twitter.com/__NotKG/status/1778598047305343222

Oh?  A peaceful protest?

[Pakuni]

The Kentucky faithful seem to be taking the news well.

https://twitter.com/__NotKG/status/1778598047305343222

If they were serious they'd write letters.

[Uncle Rico]

If they were serious they'd write letters.

I've been told that shows leadership

[lawdog77]

There's a reason they were trying to run Cal out of town.  He's had a bad run in the last five years.

Honestly, the hire will probably turn a lot of the rabid fans down a notch or two.  They're going to have to come to terms with the reality that college basketball doesn't revolve around them anymore.  This hiring humbled a lot of them already.

Personally knowing how Indiana fans still think they can pick and choose players  and coaches, and the interactions I have with UK fans on a weekly basis, I don't think this is correct.

[Pakuni]

There's a reason they were trying to run Cal out of town.  He's had a bad run in the last five years.

There's also the matter of the Crafts.

[Hards Alumni]

Personally knowing how Indiana fans still think they can pick and choose players  and coaches, and the interactions I have with UK fans on a weekly basis, I don't think this is correct.

Delusional ones, yes, but every fan base has those.

IMO, at this point Indiana is no better a job than any other in the B1G.  It's been over two decades since they've gotten to the Elite 8, and nearly FOUR decades since their last championship.

There are literal grandparents who have not seen Indiana basketball win a National Championship.

[MUbiz]

I was on one of the UK twitter spaces last night - it was entertaining to say the least. In the first 10 minutes of the space they had already filled up Mitch Barnhart's voice mail box (AD). Multiple people called for riots and one even provided Mitch's home address. This has not humbled anyone. I would be worth a decent sum of cash if I had a dollar for every time I heard "Write X coach a blank check and they will line up and come, because we are Kentucky"

This is spot on from the fan base that dug up grass in coach Cal's lawn after they won the natty and sold the pieces of sod on craigslist; then turned around and put "Die coach Cal" signs after the 1st weekend exits.

[Hards Alumni]

I was on one of the UK twitter spaces last night - it was entertaining to say the least. In the first 10 minutes of the space they had already filled up Mitch Barnhart's voice mail box (AD). Multiple people called for riots and one even provided Mitch's home address. This has not humbled anyone. I would be worth a decent sum of cash if I had a dollar for every time I heard "Write X coach a blank check and they will line up and come, because we are Kentucky"

This is spot on from the fan base that dug up grass in coach Cal's lawn after they won the natty and sold the pieces of sod on craigslist; then turned around and put "Die coach Cal" signs after the 1st weekend exits.

Yep, they're the delusional ones.  Not the average fan.  You think scoop can be a cesspool after a disappointing loss?  Never go to Rupp's Rafters.  You'll see true despair.

[Zog from Margo]

I was on one of the UK twitter spaces last night - it was entertaining to say the least. In the first 10 minutes of the space they had already filled up Mitch Barnhart's voice mail box (AD). Multiple people called for riots and one even provided Mitch's home address. This has not humbled anyone. I would be worth a decent sum of cash if I had a dollar for every time I heard "Write X coach a blank check and they will line up and come, because we are Kentucky"

This is spot on from the fan base that dug up grass in coach Cal's lawn after they won the natty and sold the pieces of sod on craigslist; then turned around and put "Die coach Cal" signs after the 1st weekend exits.

Who wouldn't want to coach at Kentucky?

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

once again, i never announced "donedeal" but you guys are always quick to dance on others apparent miscalculations.  i stand by my prognostications as i know my sources here are ironclad i merely said scott was going to be offered.  NEVER said he was going to take it as no one yet knew for sure.  i can tell you this however-it was a group decision.  if it were up to one person...

some of you out there-true character revealed-sad

True,  you never said done deal.  But you did post that the reason he turned down Louisville was because UK was going to offer him, implying that he was waiting for the UK job to open.  Instead he turned down UK too, so it seems like he turned down Loiusville (and Kentucky) because he wants to stay at Baylor.

You made a call based on good info.  It ended up not panning out,  it happens. Youre going to take some lumps for that. It's not personal,  it's what happens when someone misses a call on the internet

[MUbiz]

Yep, they're the delusional ones.  Not the average fan.  You think scoop can be a cesspool after a disappointing loss?  Never go to Rupp's Rafters.  You'll see true despair.

Scoop is tame compared to 99% of all other power 5 fanbases. The hubris of those Kentucky fans last night was laughable.

[brewcity77]

Their fans won't see it, but I think Kentucky are the winners here. Cal will go to Arkansas with all the fanfare he brings, the recruits, and the attention, but I don't think he'll win there at the level Pope will at Kentucky. Fans will cry all summer, then when the games actually start and they see his style of play, they'll get excited. Next year at this time, when they've projected as a top-10 team and Kentucky looks like a program back on the rise, they'll all be bought in.

Pope has exceeded kenpom projections 8/10 years as a head coach and BYU is a really tough place to win. Having 3 top-20 teams there in 5 years is fantastic. That's more top-20 kenpom teams than in the previous 23 years combined. He's a very good coach that has exceeded expectations at two very difficult jobs. I know UK fans aren't happy now, but in the long run, I think this one will prove to be a great hire.

[wadesworld]

Sounds like Mark Pope's style is...well, exactly what Kentucky was this year.

[Skatastrophy]

I bet you could sell separation of church and state tshirts to kentucky fans with a wall between Pope and UK logos.

[tower912]

I doubt they will accept the Pope being infallible.

[pbiflyer]

Yep, they're the delusional ones.  Not the average fan.  You think scoop can be a cesspool after a disappointing loss?  Never go to Rupp's Rafters.  You'll see true despair.

Nah, they're fine. Several years ago, I was banned from their site because I posted something laughing at them.....on a Marquette board. 

[NickelDimer]

Oh?  A peaceful protest?

Tourist visit