# Kentucky's search for a new head coach isn't going well **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 11, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159 "2024-04-11T15:32:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/1 "2024-04-11T15:32:53Z")
The Big Blue Nation who claims that their basketball head coaching position is the most enviable position in college basketball, have struck out on 4 premier coaching candidates at this time. Nate Oats - Alabama Jay Wright - former HC Villanova Danny Hurley - Uconn Scott Drew - Baylor They supposedly still have the following coaches in their sites: Billy Donovan - Bulls Bruce Pearl - Auburn and drumroll… Rick Pitino - St. Johns If you listen to Kentucky fans, they can get anyone they want. They have the resources, the facilities, the boosters, the $$$. So what’s happened? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/2 "2024-04-11T16:19:41Z")
WAG but top coaches can get paid big $$$ anywhere. Why go someplace like Kentucky where the expectations and pressure is so high immediately? No matter who they hire, there will probably be calls for their resignation before they even unpack their office. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/3 "2024-04-11T18:05:50Z")
I’m surprised Kelvin Sampson isn’t on the short list. Maybe his age is a hindrance, and UK is looking for youth. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/4 "2024-04-11T18:24:22Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’m surprised Kelvin Sampson isn’t on the short list. Yeah, Kelvin is 68. But Pitino is 71. I’m guessing it will be Pearl. Long shot candidate might be Jerome Tang of Kansas State. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/5 "2024-04-11T22:22:54Z")
Please hire Billy Donovan. Sincerely, Bulls fans. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/6 "2024-04-11T22:31:43Z")
Thanks, Kentucky. You’re making me agree with Omniscient about Chicago sports. ---
**Author:** ![Chingon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chingon/32/17645_2.png) [@Chingon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chingon)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2024, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/7 "2024-04-11T23:17:51Z")
Pearl would be a fool to take that job. He has all he needs at Auburn. I don’t think Tang is jumping ship and UK has to think they can hit higher. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/8 "2024-04-12T00:29:02Z")
> [@Chingon](#): > > Pearl would be a fool to take that job. Yes, he would. That fact, however, might not stop him from moving to a blueblood. > [@Chingon](#): > > I don’t think Tang is jumping ship and UK has to think they can hit higher. That’s why I said it’s a long shot. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/9 "2024-04-12T01:54:32Z")
It is now being reported that Mark Pope, current BYU coach, will take the Kentucky job. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2024, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/10 "2024-04-12T07:53:19Z")
[ESPN is reporting](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39924986/mark-pope-nearing-5-year-deal-kentucky-head-coach) it’ll be a 5-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed in the ESPN article. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2024, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kentuckys-search-for-a-new-head-coach-isnt-going-well/1000159/11 "2024-05-05T05:48:27Z")
I was guardedly optimistic when Pope was hired, and after seeing what he’s accomplished since then, I’m actually quite happy. He’s done a damn fine job of restocking the roster with transfers while also keeping the only Calipari recruit that he had a real chance of keeping, Kentucky Mr. Basketball Travis Perry. I did hold out hope that he could talk Reed Sheppard into sticking around. But that was obviously unlikely.