🏀 🔥 Hot Seat 2026 : Is Kentucky's Pope in danger of losing his job?

All I know about this story:

• They aren't winning.
• The coach went on some rant last week
• He was fired.

Another note on this one...before UArk finally settled on Cal, Tang was in the mix for that position. As I recall he ended up getting a raise, or an extension, or both because of their opening in Fayetteville. While I watched that job opening I didn't pay much attention to him as a candidate.

Fired for cause and Tom Mars enters the picture; again.

 

[alabama mike]

The now former coach at K. St. was just telling the truth in the post game conference. It is true, they were not winning. The guy basically said his former team quit and had no heart. Personally, I do not have a problem with him saying that.

 

[rick4bama]

The now former coach at K. St. was just telling the truth in the post game conference. It is true, they were not winning. The guy basically said his former team quit and had no heart. Personally, I do not have a problem with him saying that.

President and AD shore did!

 

[TerryP]

President and AD shore did!

They are just a couple of beaches.

 

[TerryP]

In 2009 Kentucky lost to Georgia, in Rupp, in what was Billy Gillespie's last season as head coach. UK missed the dance that season and ended up as a five or six seed in the NIT.

UK isn't in danger of missing the tournament right now. (The last I looked at the projections I believe they are looking at a seven seed.) They did lose to UGA at home last night.

Side step: UT has lost to UArk and UF this season: both on the road. How on earth did Kentucky manage to beat UT? Not once, but twice?

With this schedule I think Kentucky is going to be playing Wednesday in the tourney. Not as early as some, but still, Wednesday. Which in turn makes me think Pope's seat has to be warm today. What, 2-3 to close the season?

 

[alabama mike]

President and AD shore did!

That's the problem, people get their panties in a wad when someone is direct and states the truth about kids who quit or pout.

 

[RTB X Bot]

 

[TerryP]

With this schedule I think Kentucky is going to be playing Wednesday in the tourney.

As of this morning...

Kentucky fans are looking at their tickets seeing it is the first game, on the first day, against the worst team in the conference ...

 

[alabama mike]

As of this morning...

Kentucky fans are looking at their tickets seeing it is the first game, on the first day, against the worst team in the conference ...

That’s wonderful.

 

[alabama mike]

I do not think Pope will lose his job this year but he is definitely on the hot seat for next year. A decent run in the SEC Tournament will help along with a win or two in the NCAA Tournament. UK basketball fans expect to win and win big every year, just like we do in football.