Frustrated

[bthaunert]

Bingo! And it was all masked in the nostalgia of the 1990s. I'm not afraid to admit I fell victim to it. Those were teams I watched in my formative years and I still think back to those days. But, nostalgia doesn't win games.

Talking about Cal, I don't think he ever really lost his "mojo." He's still doing what he did at UK. When he left for Arkansas, I figured he'd win there. He gets really good players. That's part of the coaching package that he brings that it appears Pope is lacking (recruiting). Like we've said, it was time for him to move on. For him and UK. But him leaving and the Pope hire are separate events.

I'm 49 years old, so my high school and college days was all Pitino. The first 24 hours after Pope was hired, I was pissed. But like you, seeing him come off the bus with all the old players, etc. sucked me in. Such a fool I was.

[EKYCat]

I'm 49 years old, so my high school and college days was all Pitino. The first 24 hours after Pope was hired, I was pissed. But like you, seeing him come off the bus with all the old players, etc. sucked me in. Such a fool I was.

I'll be 44 in a couple months, so we're in the same boat.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Cal leaving was right for him and right for UK. I harbor no ill will towards him. I wish he’d have done things differently than he did after he got his big contract but I ultimately wish Mitch had done a better job of filling the job when hiring Cal’s replacement.

I agree...I met Cal 3 times when I went to his women's clinic..He is a awesome person and I loved him as our Coach...I got frustrated with him the last few years and just felt his time here was over...I wish him the best...He did a lot of great things for the State of Kentucky

[WeWant9]

I never disliked Cal, but he wore me down his last 5 or so years. I do think he created a monster that even he couldn’t contain any longer at UK. I honestly don’t think he’d be retaining guys like he is at Ark, if he were still at UK.

as for UK, the program is in a weird spot. Historically, still one the greats; but currently we’ve fallen down in the pecking order. I don’t see much on the horizon to really change that right now. I’d throw the bag at Stokes, I think that would go a long way for summer excitement.

[thebluestripes]

The one thing buggin me is seeing post in my fb feed and posts on other boards of supposed fans acting like we ran cal off etc basically shaming people for him leaving. Those types are quickly getting on my nerves as cal would still be here if he wanted to be. The revisionist history and constant crying bout cal is quite pathetic and is a bad look for our fans

[Los Gatos]

anyone know if Pope's contract has a buy-out if he is fired after three years?

[Pobilly]

Pobilly:


Exact-a-mundo!!

Is that a Fonzi reference?

Could be, I'm that old. But was going for Sam Jackson in Pulp Fiction. Since he is in all those commercials around the tourney. Also was a reference to Fonzi in Pulp Fiction.

[Los Gatos]

Could be, I'm that old. But was going for Sam Jackson in Pulp Fiction. Since he is in all those commercials around the tourney. Also was a reference to Fonzi in Pulp Fiction.

You never can tell.

[Cawood86]

Cal isn't even an afterthought with me. The only time I think of him is when someone mentions him.

Same for me. I am glad he left.

[Cawood86]

Right now, the Pope hire is reminding me when UNC hired Matt Doherty. That didn't go well and this one seems headed the same way.

[EKYCat]

anyone know if Pope's contract has a buy-out if he is fired after three years?

I think he's owed 75% of his remaining contract whenever he's let go. He received a one year extension and a $250K raise for reaching the sweet 16 last year. If he doesn't reach it this year and completes next year without another sweet 16 UK would owe him about $17MM.

[bthaunert]

I think he's owed 75% of his remaining contract whenever he's let go. He received a one year extension and a $250K raise for reaching the sweet 16 last year. If he doesn't reach it this year and completes next year without another sweet 16 UK would owe him about $17MM.

When Mitch put that Sweet 16 auto extension in there, I could have cried. Such a ridiculously low bar for a Kentucky coach to get awarded with over $4 million in guaranteed money.

[Los Gatos]

I think he's owed 75% of his remaining contract whenever he's let go. He received a one year extension and a $250K raise for reaching the sweet 16 last year. If he doesn't reach it this year and completes next year without another sweet 16 UK would owe him about $17MM.

Thanks, at least it's not 38M. On the other hand, I,d be opposed to both the extension for just reaching the sweet sixteen and paying 75% for any years beyond three. I prefer something lower for years over three.

How about an offset if Pope takes another job after being let go by UK? Surely Barney learned that lesson with Stoops

[EKYCat]

Thanks, at least it's not 38M. On the other hand, I,d be opposed to both the extension for just reaching the sweet sixteen and paying 75% for any years beyond three. I prefer something lower for years over three.

How about an offset if Pope takes another job after being let go by UK? Surely Barney learned that lesson with Stoops

I think accepting another job might be one of the things that gets UK off the hook a little bit. Not completely, but a little bit. And the Sweet 16 deal is ludicrous.

[bthaunert]

I think accepting another job might be one of the things that gets UK off the hook a little bit. Not completely, but a little bit. And the Sweet 16 deal is ludicrous.

It's listed as dollar for dollar in his contract. So, if he takes a $2 million job, that will be deducted from the annual amount owed through the 75% buyout.