You're not doing the jersey a favor by allowing it to clothe you. 💙💙💙 He CRUSHED that press conference. Let's go!

Couldn't find more enthusiasm for UK as a coach. Welcome Coach Pope

I’m so excited to see what Coach Pope brings to the program. He understands Kentucky basketball heart and soul. This is a great step for us and we can’t wait to give him our full support!!! Welcome home Mark!! GO BIG BLUE!!!!

I think he just showed the world why BBN is so special and BBN is gonna eat together 😎

"Entitlement leads to sorrow and depression" I think many fans made a connection to Calipari with that one.

@loutcb

Ай бұрын

just truthbombed bbn n

@aceboogie57

Ай бұрын

As a UK fan I totally agree. A lot of is felt entitled, so not winning force ppl to hate Cal.. as if there arent 40 other coaches who has been with the same school with 1 or no championship at all

@russellmxnia

Ай бұрын

@@aceboogie57Pretty sure he was talking about Cal feeling entitled to the head coaching job despite not winning anything substantial in 9 years.

The energy I felt in rupp gave me chills.. really felt like something special was happening, and my girlfriend actually had to talk me into going and I am glad I did. Truly a moment I'll never forget. If rupp was like this during home games there isn't another atmosphere in the country that can match it. Absolutely incredible. I think Mark pope might, just might brought back that 90s energy when UK was on the top of the game, and my gawd if he starts winning, this program will reach prestige it hasn't seen since 2009-2015.

For those still hung up on the Pope's resume, of the four traditonal Bluebloods in college basketball, Mark Pope has the most impressive resume of any of the four head coaches when they were hired. Hubert Davis of North Carolina had never been a head coach. Joh Scheyer of Duke had never been a head coach. Both were legacy hires like Pope. Bill Self of Kansas was the only one of the four who wasn't a legacy hire, and when he was hired, he had a slightly lower winning percentage than Pope and ten years HC experience compared to Pope's nine. Self had seven years HC experience at mid-majors and three at a P5 program before being hired, compared to Pope's eight years mid-major and one P5 (with it worth mentioning that he successfully handled BYU's transition to the P5 level). 75% of the Bluebloods currently have legacy hires, which makes sense because they have the previous success to draw talent from.

I absolutely love his passion…GO BIG BLUE

We have been hungry for this...for a long time!! Go CATS!!

This was awesome. We were there. Loved every minute of it.

I want this guy to win. He will have tons of fan support to help him. Can’t wait for Madness

What an awesome time for UK basketball and the BBN💙 I can't wait till basketball season!! Welcome home Coach Pope 💙

He’s the coach we need. Love for the program, passionate, and knows the expectations.

@RedMissileGaming

Ай бұрын

Expectations? The guy has zero tournaments wins. Fans will run him out of town within 2-3 years. Lol

@vanillaicecream2569

Ай бұрын

@@RedMissileGaming The mans only been coaching a few years, give it a rest and let someone with a brain talk. Think about the support he’s gonna get at Kentucky. It’s the Mecca of college basketball and he’s as hungry as Kentucky fans are players are to win. He will prove you wrong.

@dejure9178

Ай бұрын

@@RedMissileGamingPlease go away troll.

@josephschroer7594

Ай бұрын

Go Big Blue, Go Big Blue, Go Big Blue!!! #KSR #BBN #kyjoe

@jerometene

Ай бұрын

If you are not a UK fan, then why the hell are you here trolling and acting like a scorn female?? I don't go to any other schools site to give my opinion because I care nothing about them!..sorry azz's like this love making others negative & sad like like them...

I just hope he can coach half as well as he can talk #hopeinpope

I'm pumped man that was the best thing I've watched for a long time, loved the Shep remark Go Big Blue #BBN #9

@josephschroer7594

Ай бұрын

AD Mitch Barnhart made a Great Decision in Choosing Coach Mark Pope as Our New UKMBB Coach!!! #kyjoe is a Coach Mark Pope Backer: I am Ready to See #9!!! It Sounds like a Song!!! I would like to Sing a UK Rap Song with with Coach Mark Pope!!! #KSR #BBN #kyjoe

BYU fan here, ima miss pope so much, you changed our program for the better

@barrettanderson2781

Ай бұрын

Class.

@AY-jy4xf

Ай бұрын

Lmao how he didn’t win anything noteworthy

@nawnaw1749

Ай бұрын

@@AY-jy4xf, exactly, he couldn’t even win in the WCC.

@Rescue694

Ай бұрын

@@nawnaw1749that was byu. not uk! Just wait and see…

@nawnaw1749

Ай бұрын

@@Rescue694, the WCC is trash and BYU had good enough players. He’s going to fail at Kentucky as well.

Flew in all the way from Texas for this. Best money ever spent. One of the most amazing things I’ve seen especially for a press conference 😂😂😂

@ChimeExpress

Ай бұрын

What??? WoW! 😂

I'm excited for Mark Pope. He has my full support.

I'm excited for UK basketball again....lord please let this man do well.

My wife is a Kentucky Alum. We are big fans of Mark. It will be so refreshing to have some actual coaching going on.

@Phez8

Ай бұрын

WoW - YMFAR

@RedMissileGaming

Ай бұрын

Riiiiiight. The guy has zero tournament wins. That's real coaching right there. Lol

@angiebradshaw8621

Ай бұрын

Give him a chance. He loves Kentucky and knows what it means to play for the name on the front of the jersey not the name on the back. At least he wants to win not inflate his ego like Cal did.

@scapegoat413

Ай бұрын

@@RedMissileGamingcal had 1 more tourney win in the last 4 years

@wsteele5864

Ай бұрын

@@RedMissileGaming he took BYU into Phog Allen (a place Fraschilla says is worth 7pts a game minimum) and beat Kansas, Cal took the most talent he has had in at least 5 years to a neutral court and lost. You take your hall of fame retiree and I will take the guy with intensity and purpose, every single time.

That place was the loudest I’ve heard in a long time and it was so nice and refreshing to see it and hear it in person

@derekmiles9069

Ай бұрын

Cal ran this program into the ground and it’s up to us to pick it back up and pope I believe will be our guy

@joshbright1770

Ай бұрын

@@derekmiles9069 Idk about in the ground lol that’s not exactly how I would describe it bc after BCG it was a completely different story but I do think it’s more important for everyone to show their support and get behind this program now more than ever

@kyle4uk244

Ай бұрын

Hate I couldn’t be there part of being a Kentucky fan in Alabama, but watching looked great. The next test as far as crowd is concerned is let’s see how the fan base shows up come tip off time.

@kyle4uk244

Ай бұрын

@@joshbright1770 yea have to agree the program wasn’t ran in the ground lol. It was before my time though by Eddie Sutton when left the program on deaths door. The problem with Calipari is something that he honestly told us from day one he was a players first coach. He prides himself on getting kids to the next step as quickly as he can which is a lesson Arkansas fans will learn probably sooner rather than later he place’s getting kids drafted ahead of program success.

I’m SO pumped! I wasn’t against Cal like many were. I respect he cares about the players first. I genuinely believe that but I hate the One and Done. With all that said, Cal is now gone, wasn’t treated well considering he deserved to be treated with respect at least. However, I’m excited to see what Pope will do! I think he’s gonna do great!

Very interesting. Love his enthusiasm. This isn't going to be a quick fix. A whole new philosophy is needed. I believe this is the right route to take. Throwin money at someone who looks at it as just the next job is not the answer. This guy really wants to be there and that means something.

Kentucky had about 1/3 of the crowd at a press conference as UConn had for their parade

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

And if UK had held their press conference outside, it would have been even closer, since they turned away at least 5K at the door!

Pope the Hope , Will Win @ KY..GO CATS...🏀🏆

Good Lord works in mysterious ways. Mark is here for a reason. BBN is ready for the change and players that want to be here not a NBA feeder school

@Marshall_Weber

Ай бұрын

💯

@jeffreybeshears8211

Ай бұрын

God ordained

I love this guy! So pumped for next season!!

I had the pleasure of meeting him back in 1996. Super nice guy. He understands the tradition here and how crazy the fans can be at times. He will be great for the program.

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

Agreed. I went to school with him at UK. Didn't know him well, but he's always been a class act.

Mark Pope living his dream. Couldn’t be happier for him. BYU "82

he undertood the assignment some quotes he said pretty much ensures that he knows what it takes and what to expect on both sides. i know he was the 5th choice on Mitch’s list and only was on there because he played for UK but i’ll give him a chance. i expect him to AT LEAST be a borderline tournament team year 1.

@briancc9990

Ай бұрын

5th choice ? He was the only choice 😂

Hope he can win! Let’s do this! BBN!

I get a feeling this guy is gonna win like crazy at uk

@nawnaw1749

Ай бұрын

Players don’t like him

@MyCatIsNamedChubmuffin

Ай бұрын

@@nawnaw1749 like who?

This introduction was better than the last 10 years! 😂 AMAZING!

Wow, this guy sent chills through my body with that speech!! Good job Mitch!!!!

Much more awesome than anticipated! Pumped

I’m so Excited

Love this guy! Really excited. It's refreshing to have someone so who understands and loves the program. I believe he will be very successful!

I believe Barnhart did a gr8 job with this pick, evntho it seemed a liotle underwhelming and let down the night I heard it. Like most of us, the excitment the next day grew to aa levl i havent felt in a long time. The more we looked into wt he has done with BYU the last few years and the type of exciting, efficient, and the difficult to guard offense he implements with the lower level of talent compared to what hell be able to bring to Kentucky is a no brainer that gr8 success will follow, and id be willing to bet, fairly quickly. The way he was makin noise in the big 12, there no doubt he would be 1 of the future up and coming names/talents in the college coaching world within the next 2 years anyway. Also, Barnhart deserves a lot of credit, not only for this hidden gem, but also for Stoops and wt hes done, will do to the football program. 2024 gonna be a big year for KY sports...Go CATS!!!

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

I agree with those who complain about how Barnhart went about it, but the outcome was exactly what we needed to heal and unify. All those who felt detached from the program for years are back in the fold. That's why it feels like old times again.

I wish the camera would have shown his family!

The age of the wildcats are once again upon us my friends. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!!

Lots of veiled shots at Calapari 😂

@js1642

Ай бұрын

Hahaha, noted. Mixing up defenses, playing for banners, leading the country in 3s made, and the best one .... this is not my team, it's OUR team! Go Cats

@RonCarver

Ай бұрын

Slightly veiled, but not hidden all that well. :) I chuckled every single time! and there were numerous.

A lot of disgruntled UK fans who had been biting their tongues (or not in a few cases) for years, including a number of former players, are very happy with this change. Our old coach used "la Familia" as a talking point. Our new coach exemplifies what that word means!

I was personally very bummed out that Cal left and not excited about the Pope hire at first. But Cal was really correct about something.....sometimes you just need a different leader and a different voice. This new voice and leader has given me so much excitement for the future. I don't know if it will be better than Cal's teams. It will certainly be different. I am ready for it.

@BS-dq1kz

Ай бұрын

I feel exactly how you do. Your sentiments match mine to a T!

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

I hold no animosity toward Cal, but if he had stuck to his statements early at UK about this being a ten-year job and left in the mid 2010's, his legacy would be much better remembered.

Dang - coming from an Arkansas fan, I wish we got this guy!

Thankful and excited to have mark god bless😅😅

Let’s go! I’m excited about mark pope. I wasn’t at first but now I just have a feeling he’s gunna give us that comeback story! And when he does it’s gunna be great!

He’s a players coach. He played for Kentucky and he knows what it means to wear that jersey. I can’t wait to see what he does for the program

I have watched this about 100 times. That being said, just watching this has changed my mind completely about this new era of Kentucky basketball. If you call yourself a Kentucky fan but you can’t make yourself get behind Mitch’s hire them there are one of two things wrong. #1-I believe you were never a real UK fan ride or die!!! How could you be?? He is one of our own. He was on the greatest team ever put on the court. (Mine and a lot of college basketball talking heads!!) The 96 team were stacked and they were the definition of a team along with the definition of many other words. For example: heart, resilience, grit, determination, and CHAMPIONS to name a few. The second 5 Pitino put on the floor were just as great as the starting 5. Matter of fact it has been said many times that UKs second 5 could not only beat any other team or start for any other school in the country but they could also beat the starting 5. That is one deep, talented team!! #2- well……really there isn’t a number 2. The only thing I can come up with is that if you can’t get behind one of our own then you are too young and haven’t been around long enough to remember Pope being on the court. That’s ok!! Give the man a chance!! He loves this school, state, team, and anything Kentucky as much as any of the rest of us do. He may not have the polished resume as Cal, Jay Wright, Danny Hurley, or any of the rest of the coaches that were named but I know he has one thing none of those other guys had. That is pure love for UK. That alone makes me excited about where things are going for the team. Give him time I firmly believe we are going to be just fine. GO BIG BLUE!!!!

I always saw Cal as a politician and a sellsmen! The Pope has a more genuine air, plus he's humble, grateful, understanding, enthusiastic, positive - a natural leader with charisma and education! A lot of brains and talent. He shall be successful, this I do not doubt!

Has BBN thought about if we only make the NiT next year? Dont wanna be negative but he only has a 60% win percentage and we just lost 77%

I give him props for knowing what the job is. The last guy forgot that.

If Mark Pope, I'm definitely doing what ever I can to talk Adou Theiro to stay at UK along with UGO, SHEPPY & BIG Z. THEN BRING IN PERRY ALONG WITH 2-3 SEASOND ROLL PLAYERS.

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

I've been watching BYU games, and Theiro would become All-Conference in Pope's system. As a PF with guard skills, he's a perfect fit. And the Pope system often gets the ball to guys underneath with one-on-one matchups going to the run. There are very few people in college basketball who can stop Theiro in that situation.

AWESOME!

Bring Jeff Sheppard on staff

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

Talk about an enticement for Reed to say another year!

Alright Coach Pope, the ball is in your court. Let's prove all the doubters wrong. Go Big Blue! I haven't said that in the last five years.

We gotta give him a chance. If we don't even make the NCAA Tournament next year I would be good with it. He has to build his program and it won't happen overnight. So give the man a chance. I couldn't tell you the players on our teams for the past six or seven years. I had given up on calipari and was over the one and done ten years ago. We WERE a doormat for the NBA. Not anymore. GO BIG BLUE!!!!!

I’m hyped now. Still carefully optimistic, but hyped nonetheless

Why did it sound like I heard booing at times? Or was the crowd saying something else?

@downwinder3

Ай бұрын

There was never any booing. A couple of Go Big Blue chants....One more year chant and Reed, Reed, Reed. The arena was ecstatic the whole time

@STONERCREEK1

Ай бұрын

@downwinder3 Cool, thanks. I was watching and had it running through my stereo system. I think it must have been when the crowd was saying "Reed," and the low-frequency made me think that. I saw no reason for anything negative there anyway. Pope did a good job, I think, and this may be just what we need!!

@dejure9178

Ай бұрын

You were hearing the Jack Givens cheer:”Goooooooose”.😂. Takes an old man like me to remember that one.☺️

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

I think Mitch did get a few boos at the beginning, but only a few and only at the beginning. There's still some animosity toward him overall even for some people who love the Pope hire.

@STONERCREEK1

Ай бұрын

@@dejure9178 That makes sense. Thanks

Im sold....GO CATS

I can’t believe they think he’s going to actually win championships 😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

time will tell but at least he gets why he is there. not to puts players in the NBA. success alone will take players there

im from wv my dad was born in kentucky so i got a little kentucky in my blood love the hire mark will win at kentucky

💙

Nice

😂Waylon Jenningsly: He's Gonna to Turn the Ship Around, He's Gonna make us a Champion College MBB School, He's Got Greatness in his Soul, Coach Mark Pope will Bring us Back to Gloryland!!! Chorus: Coach Mark Pope is a Winner, He knows how to Coach a Winner, UKMBB will Win #9 within 7 Yrs, He Also Loves to Sing, Coach Mark Pope, You are our Wildcat MBB Coach!!! #KSR #BBN #kyjoe

Win in Nashville, something Cal was too good for.

Welcome home coach!

Bbn we are so back

I absolutely love this! I support Pope and know he’s gonna do great. However, I have to say, as someone who moved from Ky to another state for a lot more money, of course they’ll move for 5.5 million dollars! lol.

This was beautiful!!

I wasn’t buying it at first. But he feels for this program like a coach should. I was pissed when I heard he was hired. Now, I think he is actually man for the job. Let’s get it pope!

Happy for Ky it was time for a change

#kyjoe is Ready to Sing about his UKMBB Team!!! #KSR #BBN #kyjoe

😂😂😂 Kentucky is in for a rude awakening

@adamspanyer2040

Ай бұрын

Laugh now cry later

@Bobby2Pops19

Ай бұрын

@@adamspanyer2040 Definitely gonna be crying when Pope can’t do half of what Cal did lmao

IM A POPE ADDICT!!

Ohhhhhhhhh C-A-T-S

I love the Sheppard comment 😅 I feel so bad for the kid so much pressure

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

He needs to view it as an opportunity. He saw the old guys getting off that bus. If he stays one more year, he'll be able to write his own ticket for the rest of his life in the state of Kentucky. Surely that's worth delaying the NBA for one year.

Can’t speak for everyone but I’ve missed a coach that will put the name on the front of the jersey first. Don’t care about the number 1 or 2 recruiting class when we have 1 tournament win in 4 seasons. Let’s see some players stay 3-4 years and develop!

Mitch gets fired next

If he could get lead us to a sweet the first year would be great

Boy if he coaches even half as well as he's gassing this crowd up he might actually be a good coach 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Nuthin but support let’s go cats

No audio💀

No pressure 😂

@nawnaw1749

Ай бұрын

He still makes 27.5 million if he gets fired

@Rescue694

Ай бұрын

@@nawnaw1749quit trolling he isn’t going anywhere. Put 5k on it meet me in central Ky to sign for it

Lol …The song, “Find your way back” from Jefferson Starship came out in 1981, not in the 70’s Barnhart.

mannn our Pope is so Jokic😂💯🙏🫡🔥😤🍻🏆

Good luck Coach Pope!

To riff on Marquis Teague's quote "We is Kentucky and we give a lot of fucks"

Go Big Blue!!! #HopeInPope

Fresh air.

I feel this is a stop gap hire for Kentucky, although he might actually succeed, if he can recruit and develop for the the future. Good luck

@downwinder3

Ай бұрын

Every hire is a stop gap hire. There is no permanent coach

everyone wanted Calipari gone now we have absolutely 0 players. Good job people

@mattheweaton6562

8 күн бұрын

How about now, g?

If you want a coach that will truly love the program/state Pope is your guy. If hanging banners in Rupp is the goal, this is not the answer. Folks, this is not 1996.

We shall see but I'm not gonna hate on pope. BBN

All UK sports are in a great place now. UK FOOTBALL is breaking school records and winning vs Florida, and Tennessee. UK Baseball is doing great and now UK BASKETBALL is in good hands.

@wtk6069

Ай бұрын

If it weren't for that ugly mess with the swimming program, Mitch would deserve an A overall.

@phillipjohnson8241

Ай бұрын

@wtk6069 What happened? We had a elite female swimmer and a trans male took the title from her. He wasn't a UK student.

He just got to stop CATS thing it ain’t it.

Zero to hero. How?

@randyrowland6744

Ай бұрын

Love from the faithful...thing called BBN baby😅!

Cayts by 90 #9

New Jersey not New York

Lets remember these other coaches we wanted didnt win immediately. Took years, some times double digit years before a championship was won. Im not expecting success quickly. I do feel he will have it rolling in 3 years time, but i wouldnt be upset if it took 13 years so long as we are still being true to UK and laying the foundation for long-term success. Ok with waiting a decade + if we are building a dynasty

@melwilmoth

Ай бұрын

That was the dumbest thing I have ever heard....so you are cool with losing seasons? Well you just got your wish....a SHIT coach