WEBVTT 1 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:08.880 It's time for coffee and Company, fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety 2 00:00:09.119 --> 00:00:12.400 Holy crap, I don't know who the hell we think when we are get 3 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:16.320 off our show, idiot. The kids are crying or trail off. The 4 00:00:16.399 --> 00:00:19.960 countries are screwing it up. Gold Play Inner Murals, Brother, gold Play 5 00:00:20.039 --> 00:00:24.039 Inner Murals. They're supposed to be mature adults, but they're really not. 6 00:00:24.839 --> 00:00:28.559 Who's the kid here? Who's the kid here? Are you kidding me? 7 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:40.560 Now? Here's Nick coffee? All right? So today is one of those 8 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:47.159 days where I typically would be entering the studio, starting the show, needing 9 00:00:47.399 --> 00:00:51.479 the show in a major way to enhance the vibes to snap me out of 10 00:00:51.520 --> 00:00:56.479 a bad mood. But this new energy, this new life essentially that I 11 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:00.079 feel like the Louisville Kentucky rivalry has now. It made it to where my 12 00:01:00.119 --> 00:01:03.920 bad mood went away pretty quickly, and I got to remember to do something 13 00:01:04.040 --> 00:01:07.760 that you told me that you do long ago. John the company man is 14 00:01:07.799 --> 00:01:14.439 a lot wiser than I am, because before he has to take off for 15 00:01:14.519 --> 00:01:15.680 any destination, I don't know if you do it every time, but he 16 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:19.599 puts it in GPS knowing that he knows where he's going, but he wants 17 00:01:19.680 --> 00:01:23.480 to see if there's any potential re routing that needs to take place because of 18 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:27.159 traffic exactly. Well, I didn't do that, and I was. I 19 00:01:27.319 --> 00:01:38.400 was near Newburgh. The Newburgh exit Newburg Barshown Road area exits on the Waterson 20 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:42.200 and I knew it would take me very little time to just hop on the 21 00:01:42.239 --> 00:01:46.239 waters and hit sixty five North and boom, I could be you know, 22 00:01:46.560 --> 00:01:49.560 destination and destination. I would have been here, probably a no joke, 23 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:53.760 fourteen minutes. But once I got on the waters and it was completely stopped, 24 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:57.120 I sent John a picture. I think I posted a picture on Yeah, 25 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:00.359 I did post a picture on Twitter that shows it completely blocked off, 26 00:02:00.359 --> 00:02:02.920 like nobody could move. Uh, And I'm thinking this and I don't do 27 00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:07.560 well in traffic. Who does, right? But my traffic issue is not 28 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:13.759 about well, It is about impatience and whatnot. But I have like really 29 00:02:13.840 --> 00:02:16.199 bad anxiety when it comes to that kind of stuff, like if nobody's moving 30 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:20.479 and I can't go anywhere in my vehicle. At times, I've thought about 31 00:02:20.479 --> 00:02:23.319 getting out and just running away. I mean, I don't think I would 32 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:25.479 ever do that, but like being you know, I guess it's almost like 33 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:30.919 being claustrophobic. But anyways, they eventually ended up clearing it out and I 34 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.919 made it here just in time, and I'm ready to rock and roll here. 35 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:38.240 Yeah, And I'm just going to open up and be honest with you 36 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:42.159 guys. I don't know if you if you all have that thing that occasionally 37 00:02:42.280 --> 00:02:46.360 enters your mind then and then you instantly realize you're a sixth son of a 38 00:02:46.400 --> 00:02:51.759 bitch, You're an awful human being? Why would you think that? And 39 00:02:51.800 --> 00:02:53.520 I never wish for anybody to be hurt in an accident, Trust me, 40 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:57.199 I know that's probably where everybody's mind was going when I said that. But 41 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:01.080 when I do get to the scene of the accident after waiting in traffic, 42 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:06.120 and I see that everyone is fine and safe, and I'm just like, 43 00:03:07.319 --> 00:03:10.439 can you learn how to drive? I mean that is that? Is that 44 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:13.360 out of line? Does that make me a I mean, I hate that 45 00:03:13.400 --> 00:03:16.280 they had a bad day. Clearly they weren't trying to wreck I wouldn't assume, 46 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:20.800 but that makes me feel like I'm an awful human being. And then 47 00:03:20.840 --> 00:03:23.520 I quickly say, Nick, you're awful. Go home, pray on it, 48 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:25.479 Like Mark Pope and you'll be fine, you know. I mean, 49 00:03:25.479 --> 00:03:30.759 that's kind of what goes through my mind. But anyways, I made it 50 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:32.080 through traffic. We were ready to rock and roll here on a Friday, 51 00:03:34.400 --> 00:03:40.080 and let's get the party started, shall we. So at the end of 52 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:49.159 the show yesterday, six o'clock percentage chance John that you thought Mark Pope would 53 00:03:49.159 --> 00:03:52.800 be hired as Kentucky's coach. I was about it ninety percent. At the 54 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:58.639 end of the show yesterday. I couldn't tell you there's no way it happens, 55 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:01.400 but it will. Minded me a little bit of Louisville search. However, 56 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:06.080 the emotion for me totally opposite, right I was. I mean, 57 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:09.639 I'll admit it. I just never thought Louislle was going to go the mid 58 00:04:09.639 --> 00:04:12.960 major route to get a coach, just given the program and given how important 59 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.120 the hire was. I was wrong, and I was panicking, right, 60 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:20.680 just like Kentucky fans were and probably still are some of them. But yesterday 61 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:26.240 I'm thinking, like, there's no way they would do that. There's no 62 00:04:26.319 --> 00:04:28.560 way. But I'm also thinking, oh, man, I hope they hire 63 00:04:28.639 --> 00:04:33.600 Mark Pope. Good God, please hire Mark Pope. So, you know, 64 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.399 once it started to slowly, and I say slowly because more and more 65 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:40.439 reports were coming out that it was happening and they were working on it and 66 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:43.560 he's the top guy, and then you knew it was done and everybody was 67 00:04:43.600 --> 00:04:48.160 in disbelief. Just like the Pat Kelsey hire. I mean, these hires 68 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:51.160 are really, really, really similar. And I don't mean the coaches are 69 00:04:51.160 --> 00:04:56.040 similar. I mean just the way it played out. And we're going to 70 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:59.839 get into all that, trust me, we will, but I have to 71 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:05.959 say start with what I think nearly every Louisville fan on this planet has been 72 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:13.079 enjoying in the last roughly twenty four hours, and that is the humble pie 73 00:05:14.040 --> 00:05:15.519 that has been you know, you know you ever seem like somebody get a 74 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:19.759 pie shoved in their face. Yes, Kentucky fans are just not just you 75 00:05:19.800 --> 00:05:24.120 know, they don't They need like a millisecond for a break, like to 76 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:27.720 breathe. But it's just nothing but humble pie being slapped in their face because 77 00:05:28.279 --> 00:05:33.920 of how arrogant they always are, and to be fair, they're arrogance for 78 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:39.079 the most part is justified. It's I mean, they're one of the best 79 00:05:39.079 --> 00:05:42.199 programs of all time. They have one of the biggest, most passionate fan 80 00:05:42.240 --> 00:05:46.639 bases in the sport. They move the needle more than anybody else. I 81 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:47.959 mean, I hate saying this, but I also know that it's real. 82 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:55.560 So they can feel elite compared to just about everybody else. And it's not 83 00:05:56.040 --> 00:06:00.240 misguided, it's not disingenuous. Now, sometimes they're arrogance and losion is next 84 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:03.959 level. And every fan base has a portion of fans that are like that. 85 00:06:04.560 --> 00:06:08.319 But with Kentucky, again, there's a billion of them. Everywhere. 86 00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.560 I say it all the time. Go on vacation, anywhere you want in 87 00:06:11.600 --> 00:06:13.839 the world, you're gonna run into a Kentucky fan and they're gonna be wearing 88 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:17.160 blue. Trust me, never fails. So because there's a lot more of 89 00:06:17.199 --> 00:06:20.759 them, you know, they're melt down and they're losing their mind, it 90 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:24.720 gets a lot more attension. And some of it just to be you know, 91 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:28.399 maybe it's not about the number, meaning the volume of Kentucky fans. 92 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:30.639 Some of them are just insane. Like some of the things that people put 93 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:33.160 on message board. It's like you realize that can be tracked right right, 94 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:40.319 Like you realize that the person who moderates and runs that paid paid message board, 95 00:06:41.560 --> 00:06:45.639 like they have the ability to turn you into the authorities if they want 96 00:06:45.639 --> 00:06:48.240 to with your IP address, and sometimes you can get IP addresses and it 97 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:50.839 doesn't do anything for you. But like in that model, like they can 98 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:55.959 they know who you are. So anyways, it was nice to see them 99 00:06:56.160 --> 00:07:01.759 melt have to take the humble Pie and you know, just lose their mind 100 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:08.360 a little bit. And it's because there was no doubt in their mind they 101 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:12.319 thought they would ever even consider Mark Pope. I think even at three o'clock 102 00:07:12.439 --> 00:07:15.439 yesterday when the show started, because it was right about four o'clock, I 103 00:07:15.480 --> 00:07:17.079 believe it was maybe four thirty. John Rostein put it out there first that 104 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:19.439 Mark Pope is in fact in play for this job, and he's the top 105 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:25.399 candidate. None of you listening thought there was a chance in hell that Mark 106 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:30.079 Pope would be your coach. And then hour by hour it became more real. 107 00:07:30.279 --> 00:07:33.480 The disbelief set in, and I mean, I love it. Kentucky 108 00:07:33.560 --> 00:07:38.680 hired a coach that is a good ball coach, good man too. Cahill 109 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:42.399 Finel, former Louisville assistant that was here with Mack. He just worked for 110 00:07:42.560 --> 00:07:45.600 Mark Pope for the last couple of years. Cahill just got a d one 111 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:49.800 job down at ut Rio Grand Valley and wish him nothing but the best. 112 00:07:49.800 --> 00:07:53.759 But I got to know Oka Hill really well, great guy, and I 113 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:57.199 know he, I mean, is somebody that he wouldn't just say it publicly 114 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:59.759 because he's talking about his former boss. But I know he thinks the world 115 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:03.639 of Pope and honestly, anybody that's ever been around him thinks the world of 116 00:08:03.720 --> 00:08:07.360 him, honestly, just like Pat Kelsey. Right, So he's you know, 117 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:11.160 he's he's he's a guy that maybe he does win big there or you 118 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:16.920 know, maybe he's got Kentucky in a spot where they're like annually finishing fourth 119 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.240 or fifth in the SEC. Because you know what, the SEC is a 120 00:08:20.279 --> 00:08:22.439 good league. Now you got Nate Oates, you got Bruce Pearl, you 121 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:26.800 got Rick Barnes, still Todd Golden is on fire? Who else am I 122 00:08:26.839 --> 00:08:31.199 missing? Those are the big ones. I mean, I mean Lamont Peis, 123 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:33.159 he had a great run last year. I mean, we'll see if 124 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:35.720 that's sustainable. Buzz Williams, you never really know. I like Chris Chance, 125 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:39.960 I mean, like Mark Pope could be a good coach that wins, 126 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:43.519 but you know, what's the ceiling with him? So I'm not gonna sit 127 00:08:43.519 --> 00:08:45.679 her neck like all. They hired a bum, They're gonna be lousy. 128 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:50.600 But I know they are massively underwhelmed by the dork that they hired. And 129 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:54.519 I thought, man Scott Drew, he's a good coach, he recruits really 130 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:58.120 well. But at least I'll be able to say he's a dork, like 131 00:08:58.200 --> 00:09:01.639 you all don't think he's cool. He does not have the larger than life 132 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:07.320 presence that when Kentucky's at the tip top and when they are the villains, 133 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:11.320 not just with Louisville fans but with everybody, is when they've got an arrogant, 134 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:16.919 larger than life coach like John Caliperi and like Rick Patino and Rick was 135 00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:18.639 you know, in the nineties, Rick was a little different than he was 136 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:22.080 around here at louisvill Let's be honest. He did at least give us some 137 00:09:22.159 --> 00:09:26.080 fake humility whenever the Karen Cipher thing happened. And then you know, obviously 138 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:28.679 that was a huge embarrassing thing for his family, and maybe he did grow 139 00:09:28.679 --> 00:09:31.200 and become more humble, but like we know, Rick is Rick. So 140 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:35.960 now they got a guy who's a dork, no doubt about it. There's 141 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:41.159 a lot of evidence online. Guy's a dork and that's okay, Like I'm 142 00:09:41.200 --> 00:09:43.120 a dork too, We could be dorks in our own way. But like, 143 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:46.440 he's a dorky dude that like nobody's going to ever assume has the cool 144 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:52.679 factor or what they say, swagger. And he also hasn't really done anything 145 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:56.759 as a coach, which we'll get into the numbers later, but like they 146 00:09:56.840 --> 00:10:01.080 hired a less accomplished coach than Louisville did. And they're Kentucky, and you 147 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:05.080 know, they're talking about Dan Hurley like they really thought they could get him, 148 00:10:05.240 --> 00:10:07.679 remember God, to make him say no. Hadn't said no yet, 149 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:13.679 Billy Donovan, you know, sounds like they didn't even really pursue him. 150 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:16.000 And not that we'd ever get any credit for it, John, but you 151 00:10:16.039 --> 00:10:20.480 and I talked through it yesterday, like the whole the situation. Even if 152 00:10:20.519 --> 00:10:24.360 Billy Donovan was interested, the situation and circumstance made that impossible. Like those 153 00:10:24.360 --> 00:10:26.200 that said, well, they could have waited for Billy, like no, 154 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:30.000 what are you waiting on? Well, well, for him to take the 155 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.799 job, I guess, but like are you? I think we already laid 156 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:37.039 this out obviously, But you're not going to sacrifice a year of the tenures. 157 00:10:37.080 --> 00:10:39.759 So because of Billy Donovan. They didn't know it, but I knew 158 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:43.159 there was some panics setting in for Kentucky fans yesterday. And it wasn't because 159 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:46.200 of any tweets. It wasn't because anybody losing their mind. It's because of 160 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:50.039 once Drew said no, there's not a scenario. They thought Scott Drew was 161 00:10:50.039 --> 00:10:54.639 going to turn them down. They laughed at Louisville when Scott Drew turned them 162 00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:58.600 down, and then thought we may get to him and he'd be like the 163 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.320 worst, he'd be the worst coach we would take because we could get big 164 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:07.039 dogs, we're Kentucky. And then he said no, and I think, 165 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:09.639 you know, maybe they're arrogance, you know, didn't you know again, 166 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:11.759 people didn't. I didn't see a lot of people losing their minds. But 167 00:11:11.799 --> 00:11:15.840 what happened was it was instantly, let's just shift all of our attention and 168 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:18.960 throw an insane amount of money at Dan Hurley and make him say no. 169 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:22.720 Why wouldn't you do that in the first place because you knew he wasn't gonna 170 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:24.399 take the job, so you pivoted back to like, well, now, 171 00:11:24.440 --> 00:11:26.159 we'll just have to throw a lot of money at him, and we'll probably 172 00:11:26.159 --> 00:11:28.360 get him because we're gonna throw money at him, and you just you can't 173 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:33.600 turn it down. And that was never realistic. It never was, and 174 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.200 I think deep down they knew that. So then it's the Billy Donovan thing, 175 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:41.679 and they they couldn't quite grasp how that was just not really doable, 176 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:46.480 because again I'm not saying you could have waited until you know, I mean 177 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.240 early next week, like let's say he loses in the play and round or 178 00:11:50.240 --> 00:11:54.759 whatever. Like at that point you are waiting around and maybe that gap into 179 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.639 that gap where you don't have a coach is not that detrimental to you. 180 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:58.879 But any day you don't have a coach that's not out here working the per 181 00:12:00.159 --> 00:12:03.440 as we speak, you're you're slipping a little bit. So with Billy Donovan, 182 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:09.080 to me, that would be a desperation that you're that you're you're out 183 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:13.240 of options here because you'd be waiting for a guy who you really wouldn't know 184 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:16.279 if he wanted the job until his NBA season ended, and that could honestly 185 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:22.039 be in the beginning of May. So that was just never really doable, 186 00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:26.559 which is why Mitch Barnhart it sounds like never really fully pursued that. You 187 00:12:26.600 --> 00:12:28.480 know, I talked to Matt Jones last night, right before this became official, 188 00:12:30.480 --> 00:12:33.840 well right before it became like you know, uh, oh, it's 189 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:37.159 happening, and you know, he said to me that he still believes that 190 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:41.399 they're going to work on getting Donovan and that's that that's where their full attention 191 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:43.440 was. And you know, to be honest, that was wrong and a 192 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:46.399 lot of people were not that he had bad information. I think everybody that 193 00:12:46.519 --> 00:12:48.879 is that is closely connected to UK was surprised by this. But this was 194 00:12:48.919 --> 00:12:56.399 Mitch Barnhardt making his hire, making his choice, not giving a damn about 195 00:12:56.399 --> 00:13:00.000 what a fan thought, not giving a damn about what donors and boosters thought. 196 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:03.240 I'm not giving it damn about what some former players thought. He wanted 197 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:07.480 his guy, and that's that's a risky decision for him, no doubt. 198 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:11.440 But I'm you know, not to be doctor Phil here, But when you 199 00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:18.240 consider the emotional I guess, you know, situation, Maybe emotions not the 200 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:22.159 right word, But like Mitch Barnhart had a guy leading the most prominent program 201 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:26.080 on his campus, in the most prominent program maybe in the sport that did 202 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:30.600 not like him. They didn't have a relationship. Cali Perry knew that Mitch 203 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:33.600 Barnhart did not want him to be the coach, and he was overruled by 204 00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:37.799 the president of the school. So that's a fourteen year relationship with a guy 205 00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:41.200 that you know would take, you know, a little jabs at you. 206 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:46.320 Never ever ever looked at it or viewed it, approached it as if you 207 00:13:46.320 --> 00:13:50.360 were his boss, and he they hated working together. Cal didn't even acknowledge 208 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:54.480 he existed. Barnhart tried to do his job and Cal just probably was like, 209 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:56.879 Nah, I don't work for you. Yeah, you know, call 210 00:13:56.960 --> 00:14:01.919 my assistant, call you know, Cal Dawayne, you know, Carl Ellen 211 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:05.120 or something. I don't know. So I think there was a desperation for 212 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:09.440 Mitch to if he can't get Dan Hurley or Scott Drew, he is going 213 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:11.960 to go after a guy he really works well with and he respects and likes 214 00:14:11.960 --> 00:14:16.159 and thinks will be a good I guess employee, and that's Mark Pope. 215 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:22.320 So why they didn't go after Bruce Pearl, why they never ended up even 216 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:26.320 you know, throwing money at Nate Oates and revisiting that. I mean, 217 00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:28.200 even Shaka's smart, and I'm not saying every one of these guys would have 218 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:33.600 absolutely taken the job. But again it's Kentucky and nobody that turned it down 219 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:41.360 honestly, really surprises me because their their rejection to Kentucky wasn't I mean, 220 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:46.080 it was truly it It's it was truly a it's not you, it's me. 221 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:48.919 I mean, Scott Drew would never claim that Baylor is a better job, 222 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:54.120 but that's that's home for him. Danny Hurley, the guy just won 223 00:14:54.159 --> 00:14:58.159 back to back national championships and is in a phenomenal situation on top of the 224 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:03.279 sport in a major way. Why would he do anything to change that situation. 225 00:15:05.039 --> 00:15:07.279 So from there, you know, Billy just wasn't something they were going 226 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:16.519 to pursue. So it turned into Mark Pope. And here's what I know 227 00:15:16.679 --> 00:15:20.279 is happening, and I get it, like Kentucky fans feel very much like 228 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:26.960 a lot of Louisville fans felt. But one thing I said all throughout this 229 00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:31.720 past basketball season on the Louisville side of things, whoever they hire, I'm 230 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:35.240 gonna support, which is what I'm doing, because we know it's not going 231 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:41.559 to be anything like what we had with Kenny Payne, and that alone is 232 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:46.240 awesome, But also what am I gonna do? Not be a fan? 233 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:52.000 Couldn't do it if I tried. Kentucky fans are the exact same way. 234 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:56.200 Now. I do see a lot and I guess, you know, the 235 00:15:56.200 --> 00:16:00.440 message board world is wild, and I found myself now now more often looking 236 00:16:02.039 --> 00:16:04.840 in that, you know, like opening up the trash can, kind of 237 00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:07.639 taking a look to see what's in, you know what I mean, Like 238 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:10.559 you think maybe there's like a dead animal in there or something, and you 239 00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.039 kind of want to see, but you don't. Like, that's me on 240 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:15.360 these message boards because it's just I don't want to I don't want to believe 241 00:16:15.399 --> 00:16:18.039 that some of these people exist as far as just the things they say. 242 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:22.120 But some of it's not, you know, nasty, it's just I'm done. 243 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:23.679 I'm not watching again. And you know, when you type it and 244 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:26.919 hit inner or whatever you do to post, you know you're lying. But 245 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:30.919 your emotions have gotten the best of you. So that's just that's your reaction. 246 00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:33.919 It's because we care so much, right like, there's still people, 247 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:37.799 you know, yesterday I got into a not a Twitter, you know, 248 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:42.320 Spad but just somebody who was trying to act as if I couldn't support Pat 249 00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:47.159 Kelsey because I was upset about the hire initially, And it's you know, 250 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:52.679 I think you can still say everything you said about both hires and be right, 251 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:56.120 But again, what are you gonna do not support it? You're a 252 00:16:56.120 --> 00:17:02.159 fan? Now. The big difference here that I think has Louisville fans actually 253 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:07.240 feeling better about their situation in a major way really than Kentucky is that we 254 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:12.400 fired a guy who sucked at his job, put the program through two years 255 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:19.400 of embarrassment, disgrace, and just absolute levels of failure that I never thought 256 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:26.400 I would see at the University of Louisville. So we know next year there's 257 00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:30.400 gonna be expectation, but we're gonna like One of the things that made Louisville 258 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:33.200 appealing to some coaches has to be the fact that they are taking over for 259 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:38.559 Kenny Payne. They're not taking over Rick Patino or Chris Mack. Mark Pope's 260 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:44.519 taken over for John Calipery, and John cali Perry is your ex and he 261 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:49.680 looks better than Mark Pope. He is more appealing and attractive to everybody else 262 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:53.599 and I'm not talking about looks. I'm just talking about you know, it's 263 00:17:53.640 --> 00:18:00.960 an analogy. And Mark Pope, you know, he's not going to give 264 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:04.920 you the pizazz and the ceiling. I guess that that can that Cali Perry 265 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:07.240 did. Now also Cali Perry needed to be changed, right, it had 266 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:12.359 to happen for both sides. It was just done. But now you have 267 00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:18.720 Mark Pope and he may be a good coach, but you can like him 268 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:22.640 as a dude, love him as a player. When he was there in 269 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:26.759 the nineties, I mean, I think it was genuine When Kentucky fans were 270 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:30.079 calling into KSR today saying they felt bad for Mark Pope. I get it 271 00:18:30.119 --> 00:18:34.319 because like he's getting his dream job and he takes a peak at social media. 272 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:38.160 I mean that these guys are humans. Everybody's human. Like there's no 273 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:41.920 way that wouldn't impact you to some extent. Now, I think he's a 274 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:44.200 professional and he's still going to take the job and he's going to embrace it 275 00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:45.759 because I think he's that kind of guy. But like that's that wouldn't be 276 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:51.079 fun for anybody. So you know, he's he may be a good coach, 277 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:56.759 but again, he's just he He is absolutely a wait and see guy 278 00:18:56.799 --> 00:19:02.079 for Kentucky, which they never thought they were going to get, because we 279 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:07.359 really don't know how any coaching hire is gonna work out. Fact, but 280 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:10.000 there are some guys where the wait and see is all right, Well, 281 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:12.519 Scot Drew's won a title, he recruits an elite level like we'll see if 282 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:15.079 he can get it done at the top, but like, we're gonna be 283 00:19:15.160 --> 00:19:21.359 good right away. Dan Hurley, clearly that would have been a home run 284 00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:26.880 any other name Kentucky fans mentioned, despite knowing that they have no clue truly 285 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:32.880 how it will work out, you have some level of belief and I guess 286 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:36.079 proof that this guy is a top caliber coach. There's no proof of that 287 00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:38.279 with Mark Pope, there's none, and I guess there's no proof of that 288 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:41.759 with Pat Kelsey because you know, he's never won a tournament game either, 289 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:44.599 but he's been in the tournament more times. He's won his league a lot, 290 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:48.960 a lot, and Pope's never done that. So you are gonna find 291 00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:55.599 yourself at times, even in wins, probably thinking like, damn, we 292 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:57.839 had something really good and I don't look it's not like you you know, 293 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:02.200 it's not like you could have controlled it, right, fans didn't. I 294 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:04.279 don't think fans ran Cal out of town as much as I do troll on 295 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:07.440 Twitter with that kind of stuff. Fans didn't run him out of town. 296 00:20:07.279 --> 00:20:11.240 It just ran its course and kind he made the situation what it is. 297 00:20:11.680 --> 00:20:12.920 But I want to read this to you guys really quickly, because this is 298 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:18.000 a screenshot from I guess the Cat's Pause message board that I happen to think 299 00:20:18.119 --> 00:20:25.359 is exactly how a lot of Kentucky fans felt yesterday. It's a guy named 300 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:29.880 Jay Bev on the Cat's poss We thought Cal was the girlfriend who got ugly. 301 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:33.160 We treated him terribly until he finally walked out the door, went after 302 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:37.960 some beautiful women we thought we could get, got turned down. Then saw 303 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:42.079 a picture of the exact same Cal on Twitter, started to realize just how 304 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:47.160 pretty he was. We just couldn't see it because we were together too long. 305 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:51.079 That's what today feels like. I thought Cal was hideous for the past 306 00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:53.519 five years, but today he seems like he was actually cute the whole time, 307 00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:59.759 And that's a natural feeling. That's just I guess, you know, 308 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:03.880 part of this process for Kentucky fans but make no mistake about it, they 309 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:11.920 hired a guy that nobody's scared of, not a single fan base. Louisville 310 00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:18.440 is coming off of twelve wins in two years. We have four players on 311 00:21:18.480 --> 00:21:22.960 the team right now, I believe three actually, so we don't know how 312 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:26.319 any of these rosters are going to come together and how it's going to look 313 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:30.039 in year one. But Louisville, despite really getting dominated in this rivalry for 314 00:21:30.119 --> 00:21:33.279 quite some time and coming off of an awful run An era call of a 315 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:38.240 run it it was a failure, the Kenny Payne era, we got new 316 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:45.319 life. We're starting fresh and you know, the rival up the road despite 317 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:48.720 clearly being more accomplished from top to bottom and having you know, much better 318 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:52.839 seasons than we've had in recent years. There's nothing to worry about right now, 319 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:59.519 and that's exciting. And I think it's exciting for Kentucky fans too. 320 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:02.000 They're probably not thrilled, but they really can't be that. I mean, 321 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:06.000 they they'll always find a way to be chesty and arrogant and be little Louisville 322 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:10.079 fans. But like you can't look at your hire and act like you've done 323 00:22:10.079 --> 00:22:15.160 anything that fits with the way you see yourself, it makes sense you, 324 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:22.160 I mean you hiring Mark Pope is nothing that anybody thought Kentucky basketball would do, 325 00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:27.759 but they did, and it might work out. But I think overall, 326 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:33.960 like one thing that nobody seems to be mentioning a whole lot, Mark 327 00:22:34.000 --> 00:22:38.039 Pope would never even be a name that anybody in this state would have ever 328 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:42.000 heard of if he did not play at Kentucky. That's the root of this 329 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:48.880 hire. That is why he was even considered. And maybe that aside he 330 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:52.799 wiled Mitch in the interview, maybe they maybe they you know, did some 331 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:59.440 Bible study together and you know, something like that. Maybe maybe they prayed 332 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.720 on it. I'm not mocking people for praying. I mean, I pray 333 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:03.799 to everybody praise, but like it's just one of those things that probably now 334 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:07.319 you're gonna hear a lot more from your coach, which you know is you 335 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:10.720 know whatever, I probably shouldn't you know, throw that in there when I 336 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:14.839 when I'm on this monologue, but you know what I mean. So Louisville 337 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:17.240 did that too, and you said you'd never do it and you did. 338 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.759 Now this guy's been a head coach. It's not Kenny Payne. Situation. 339 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:21.880 I wish I could say that and try to act like it is, but 340 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:25.519 it's not. But either way, you hired a guy to take over for 341 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:30.160 John Vincent Caliperry that don't really have a resume that would that would sniff being 342 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:33.519 in the top one hundred on the candidate list for this job. But you 343 00:23:33.559 --> 00:23:40.039 did because he played there and Mitch Barnhart felt comfy and cozy with him. 344 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.400 And I heard a lot of Pat Kelsey, all, look at this dork 345 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:45.400 with his glasses. Oh he's a raw, raw guy. The dork stuff 346 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:48.279 you got. I mean, I mean, you could still say it. 347 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:51.319 You can do whatever you want, but like know that your coach is a 348 00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:53.799 lot more door here, and there's a lot of evidence that shows that. 349 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.920 All right, stick with us, We'll keep it rolling along here. Let 350 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:59.720 you guys be part of the show if you like. Five x two five 351 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:03.039 seven, one seventy nine hundred is the number. This is Coffee and Company 352 00:24:03.039 --> 00:24:07.720 fueled by Thornton's on Sports Talk seven ninety. That's right, coffee and Company 353 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:11.000 rolling along here on Sports Talk seven ninety a Friday afternoon. We are fueled 354 00:24:11.000 --> 00:24:12.960 by Thornton's make sure you sign up to become a member of the Refreshing Awards 355 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:18.960 program if you have not already. One of the things that stood out last 356 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:22.799 night, Jody Dimmling actually put this out there as both Louisville and Kentucky have 357 00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:26.880 new coaches, and I think it's safe to say both were never of the 358 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:29.759 belief that these two guys would be their coach if you'd asked them, you 359 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:34.759 know, a month ago. But only one school shot more three point attempts 360 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:38.799 per game than BYU and College of Charleston, and that was North Florida. 361 00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:41.759 So I'd say next year when these two teams play in RUP Arena, there'll 362 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:45.200 be a lot of threes taken, which is exciting. Hopefully it's not a 363 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:51.000 brickfest. But you know, I don't I don't think a Tucky fans probably 364 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:52.640 share the same excitement about like the rivalry stuff. And I get it, 365 00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:56.119 like, you know, you've been able to and you still have bragging rights, 366 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.680 clearly, trust me. Louisvell's been so bad lately, and even when 367 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:02.079 they were bad, they still had a tough time winning in the rivalry. 368 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:03.440 But you know, just to kind of know what, they're kind of starting 369 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:07.200 fresh and we are as well. It just gives it gives Louis a fans 370 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:10.240 some life in this thing, and we haven't had that in a while. 371 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:12.079 And a lot of Kentucky fans, I think we're genuine when they would call 372 00:25:12.119 --> 00:25:15.839 in or you know, when I would talk to some of them and say, 373 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:18.319 man, it's not fun when you all are like this bad and this 374 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.960 sad. And I think some of them believed it. Some of them maybe 375 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:25.279 I don't know if they believed it. Uh, But either way, I'm 376 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.880 excited. But if you're not, and you're on the Kentucky side, and 377 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:30.519 I totally get it. All right, let's go to the phone lines five 378 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:33.240 O two, five seven, one seventy nine hundred is the number if you 379 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:36.400 want to give us a call. Let's go to Chris. Chris, you're 380 00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:40.680 on Sports Talk seven ninety. How are you? I am great, and 381 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:45.720 I'm very happy because I'm a lifelong UK fan and I think that this is 382 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:49.799 Mark Pope is gonna be a nice one coach. What gives you that belief? 383 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:53.480 Not doubting it, I'm just curious what what's specifically about him is, 384 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:57.799 is you think it's going to be really successful? Well, I think if 385 00:25:57.799 --> 00:26:02.839 you look at all the King and the dates, okay, and people talked 386 00:26:02.839 --> 00:26:10.920 about the tears, you know, and obviously Harley was the would have been 387 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:17.160 a home run. I wasn't a big fan of Scott Drew Jay Wright. 388 00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:19.079 I think would have been great, But those guys all said no. So 389 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:26.279 you know, there's not a whole lot of other guys out there that are 390 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:32.279 likely to leave where they are for anywhere. Yeah. Look, but Chris, 391 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:34.000 there's no doubt about it. There's no doubt about it. These two 392 00:26:34.119 --> 00:26:38.160 schools making these Highers Louisvilles can be more so chalked up, I guess as 393 00:26:38.279 --> 00:26:41.160 the fact that they were coming off two awful seasons. But I think this 394 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:45.279 is telling for college basketball that when you lose your legendary coach, you know, 395 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:48.400 the most likely route now is either going to be just prop up an 396 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:52.680 assistant who's been there, or go sort of in the mid major route. 397 00:26:52.920 --> 00:26:56.160 Yeah, and you know, I think as far as Pope himself goes, 398 00:26:56.200 --> 00:27:00.519 I love the fact that he's an alumni, that he's played for US. 399 00:27:00.839 --> 00:27:03.519 I like, you know, I haven't heard very many people talk about the 400 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:07.200 fact that he's got lots of NBA experience. He played I think eight six 401 00:27:07.279 --> 00:27:12.000 or eight years in the NBA. I think that's huge. You know, 402 00:27:12.680 --> 00:27:18.160 the schools he's been at, Utah Valley State and Brigham Young. I don't 403 00:27:18.160 --> 00:27:26.400 know that Brigham Young was relevant since Danny Ainge went there and they the fact 404 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:30.759 that he won and was successful at those two places tells me a lot. 405 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:37.599 Number one and number two. You know, everybody says he's he's a very 406 00:27:37.640 --> 00:27:42.160 exciting style of play. When you put him in a situation like Kentucky, 407 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:51.319 I think that the Kentucky fans that I've been reading about overestimate the power of 408 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:56.680 the name in the sense that these kids today are to me, there, 409 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:59.839 what have you done lately? Kind of people. You know, when there's 410 00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:03.279 young as they are, they want to see what's happened last season, Uh, 411 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:10.000 not twenty five years ago. So but but with Pope, I think 412 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:15.640 you put that guy, he's supposed to be just a basketball savant and an 413 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:21.599 extremely intelligent guy. You put him in a situation like Kentucky where he's got 414 00:28:22.119 --> 00:28:25.640 he's going to be a fan favorite. They're gonna they may not be happy 415 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:29.400 now, but I think they're going to love him. You know, when 416 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:33.680 you one of the things you just said a few minutes ago was no, 417 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:38.759 no fan base is going to be afraid of Mark Pope. Who cares? 418 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.480 Why is that important? Well, let me tell you this. Let me 419 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:44.799 tell you this. I don't disagree with you, Chris, but I will 420 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:48.200 answer the question by saying, I don't think you and I don't look you. 421 00:28:48.319 --> 00:28:51.759 I believe you're What you're saying is one thousand percent your opinion. But 422 00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:55.119 I also think to go back to what you said, like your fan base 423 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:59.319 thinks and wants everybody to be scared of Kentucky basketball for the majority, You're 424 00:28:59.400 --> 00:29:00.240 right, that doesn't matter matter if he wins. None of this, none 425 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:03.559 of the none of the stuff matters as far as fear and all that, 426 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:07.480 Like, winning is what ultimately matters. But this is a higher for you 427 00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:11.319 that is a lot different than what you've had. And as much as Caliperry, 428 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:14.839 it kind of ended poorly. I mean, he was the perfect figure 429 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:18.039 for that program, in that fan base in every way. But he also 430 00:29:18.279 --> 00:29:23.400 said when he first got hired that ten years is as long as you can 431 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:26.440 do it. No doubt he was right, No, he was right, 432 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:26.960 And thank you for the call, Chris. I want to move on to 433 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:30.319 get to some other people. But look, this is the same exact thing 434 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:33.119 Louisville fans have said, and there's nothing wrong with it. Like I'm not 435 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:36.240 bringing it up to like you know, say, Kentucky fans will doing it. 436 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:40.359 Like it's understandable. There are resources, tools, if you will, 437 00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:42.960 available at jobs like Louisville and Kentucky that if you have a good coach, 438 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:48.960 they could thrive and excel in a major way. And that's the hope here 439 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:51.680 is that these guys that have never been at this level or even close to 440 00:29:51.720 --> 00:29:56.720 it as as coaches head coaches, they now will you know, step in 441 00:29:56.000 --> 00:30:00.039 and get this thing rolling. I think that's I think that's what That's a 442 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:04.759 very reasonable and fair, you know assumption. I guess that that would end 443 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:07.599 up happening. I mean, you never know, right, All right, 444 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:10.480 let's go back to the phone lines. Let's go to Joe. Joe, 445 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:14.000 you're on Sports Talk seven ninety. How are you fine, good afternoon. 446 00:30:14.440 --> 00:30:18.640 Just a couple of things. One, as a Kentucky fan, I personally 447 00:30:19.400 --> 00:30:22.920 I'm going to support Mark Poe, you know, as a fan, like 448 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:26.960 you know, but if somebody asked me, I mean, until he wins, 449 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:32.079 I'm not a fan of his higher. I'm just not. And again 450 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:34.799 a lot of it is because if you look at his resume, it's not 451 00:30:34.880 --> 00:30:40.880 that great. But again, stepping back, I think I think one reason 452 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:45.839 you didn't get some coaches considered apparently not even talk to is rich Barnhardt has 453 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:52.680 shown and clearly for the remainder of his previously and up to the end of 454 00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:57.160 his tenure, he's not even going to consider guys with real or perceived baggage. 455 00:30:57.200 --> 00:31:00.119 He's just not. I mean, I don't think he talked to Bruce 456 00:31:00.119 --> 00:31:03.200 Pearl. I don't think he talked to Chris Beard. You know, I 457 00:31:03.680 --> 00:31:06.559 think you're right about that, Joe. And one of the things that I 458 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.759 don't know, I mean, I know Mitch Barnhart well enough as far as 459 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:10.240 you know. I don't know, I don't mean on a personal level. 460 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:11.480 But he's been the AD a long time. I've been able to follow his 461 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:15.119 career for you know, as long as I can remember. But I also 462 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:18.839 think there's there's a level of Barnhart that either just doesn't quite grasp, doesn't 463 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:23.359 understand, or maybe just doesn't care about like what and you can't just do 464 00:31:23.359 --> 00:31:26.680 whatever your fans want. But also it doesn't like he is such an opposite 465 00:31:26.759 --> 00:31:30.440 representation. I think of what the fans are, you know what I mean, 466 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:33.160 does that make sense? Well? Sure? And you know really for 467 00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:37.160 me, And again just my opinion, But when I step back and look 468 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:44.480 at it, there's in one particular way I find him and Cal very similar. 469 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:51.440 I think there's there's a distinct air of arrogance Sir Mitch Barnhart from time 470 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:53.680 to time. And I don't think a lot of people see that. He's 471 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:59.200 been very successful. Don't get me wrong, but sometimes you know, when 472 00:31:59.240 --> 00:32:02.519 you're doing that, you do it to the detriment of your team or your 473 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:07.440 sport, of your basketball coach, but also for the entire athletics department if 474 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:09.960 you do that. And I think Mitch barn Hurt's done a great job. 475 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:14.880 I think he's the best ad they've ever had, but he's not perfect. 476 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:19.880 And again, I mean, I think when you don't consider people that you 477 00:32:20.079 --> 00:32:23.880 look, you limit your field, you know, tremendously. And and and 478 00:32:23.960 --> 00:32:28.960 I'll just say two other things that I'll get off as one on the surface 479 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:32.319 of me, if I were laying ondns, I think Pat Kelsey will be 480 00:32:32.359 --> 00:32:37.559 more successful than than Mark Pope. Who knows, you know, but I 481 00:32:37.680 --> 00:32:42.000 just on the surface, for me, I think he'll be more successful and 482 00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:45.759 too. As far as the actual search you mentioned earlier, you know, 483 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:55.759 you know, why wasn't Dan Hurley approached first. I really don't think miss 484 00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:00.559 Varnhart wanted to hire Dan Hurdley. I think I think you one and Scott 485 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:02.480 Drew above all, and you know the fact that they knew one another. 486 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:07.839 I suspect at some point previously they talked that this job ever comes open, 487 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:09.880 would you be interested? And I'm sure he didn't defend it. It was 488 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:14.880 say yes, sure, But I feel like probably Mitch Barnhardt felt like if 489 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:16.920 he ever offered him a job, he would take it, and then he 490 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:22.640 turned him down. And then if he had to offer Dan Hurley, this 491 00:33:22.720 --> 00:33:25.880 fan base would have been in an up poor and I understand that I didn't 492 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:29.759 think he was gonna take it, but I thought he he had to offer, 493 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.640 and of course he turned him down. And then of course, you 494 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:35.519 know, you know, if you're not considering guys, like I said, 495 00:33:35.519 --> 00:33:38.720 with quote unquote baggage, you you limit your choice. I mean, we'll 496 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:44.200 see what happens, but I will say this, even being a former player, 497 00:33:45.079 --> 00:33:51.359 because this initially this hire is not viewed totally positively. He's probably gonna 498 00:33:51.359 --> 00:33:53.960 have a shorter amount of time. There's no doubt about it, because and 499 00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:55.799 I think, thank you for the college I got to run to break. 500 00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:59.640 But no, there's no doubt because if he struggles early or struggle young, 501 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:02.160 and struggling in Kentucky is actually viewed as success in other places. But here's 502 00:34:02.160 --> 00:34:07.239 the facts. They can't fall back on some great resume that gives them hope 503 00:34:07.280 --> 00:34:12.159 in a surety that this guy is capable of doing this job. And honestly, 504 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:14.599 there aren't many that you could have hired other than Dan Hurley Scott Drew. 505 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.800 Our quick break will come back on the other side and bring in the 506 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:19.760 one, the only, mister Jeffrey Greer right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. 507 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.880 That's right, we were wrapping up the three o'clock hour here with our 508 00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:28.079 man, mister Jeffrey Greer, who joins us. Jeff, if I'd have 509 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:30.119 told you a week ago that Mark Pope was going to be Kentucky's next head 510 00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:35.800 coach, would you believe me? Okay, here's the crazy thing, Nick, 511 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:42.119 Yes, really yeah, Like maybe not the first five, six, 512 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:45.639 seven choices, but you know, you know, a world where it's really 513 00:34:45.719 --> 00:34:49.639 and I know we've talked about this previously, where it's been really hard for 514 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:53.239 people to hire big name coaches. I would have said, it's not out 515 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:58.679 of the realm of possibility. Yeah, and now that it's actually happened, 516 00:34:58.880 --> 00:35:02.519 and a yes, you can make sense of it, given that even if 517 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:05.760 you have the best job in the world, if somebody's already in a really 518 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:07.559 good position, they're just not going to look to leave and if they're comfortable. 519 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:12.159 But I just I feel like they could have taken like to me, 520 00:35:12.320 --> 00:35:15.159 Mark Pope, the connection there of him being a player is great, and 521 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.800 I think he you know, he's shown to be a good coach. Look 522 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:20.119 at what he's done at Utah Valley State and he's had some success at BYU. 523 00:35:20.280 --> 00:35:22.679 But I just feel like work for Kentucky. Let me ask you this, 524 00:35:22.719 --> 00:35:24.320 because you know this. You know a lot of coaches, You've met 525 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:28.400 a lot of them over the years during your work. I think Kentucky, 526 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:31.280 you know the mid tier guys, and they're not even mid tier guys in 527 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:35.079 the grand scheme of things. They're mid tier guys for how Kentucky would view 528 00:35:35.079 --> 00:35:37.079 them. But like a Bruce Pearl or a shack of Smart or Innate Oats 529 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:40.199 or Todd Golden. I mean even a buzz Williams. You know, those 530 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:43.800 are guys that maybe they would want it, or maybe they wouldn't want to 531 00:35:43.800 --> 00:35:45.480 follow cal you know what I'm saying, Like because of what that job is. 532 00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:51.320 Yeah, I mean, what a monster that job is. I mean, 533 00:35:51.760 --> 00:35:55.519 and look, Louisville is a big job, Kansas is a big job. 534 00:35:55.599 --> 00:36:00.679 Kentucky's a big job. Obviously, Duke now Yukon in the last like 535 00:36:00.760 --> 00:36:05.480 twenty thirty years from what Calhoun did there has become a huge job. And 536 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:07.599 I know, I'm leaving out Indiana. There's some really big, big, 537 00:36:07.599 --> 00:36:15.840 big jobs, But for Kentucky it's uniquely difficult because of the way how different 538 00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:22.840 it was for cal Perry against the other guys in in the last what thirty 539 00:36:22.880 --> 00:36:27.559 forty years who have coached there. Yeah, you know, it's a big 540 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:31.119 active follow Yeah. And like Rick Patino had really good players in the nineties, 541 00:36:31.320 --> 00:36:36.039 so don't get me wrong about that, but there's just something about the 542 00:36:36.079 --> 00:36:38.800 way Patino coaches that was that was just different than Cal. I mean, 543 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:44.679 Cal is bringing in the very best of the best first round draft picks year 544 00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:49.480 after year after year, and now you're gonna have a guy who's gonna go 545 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:52.920 recruit still at a high level. It's gonna I mean, it's Kentucky. 546 00:36:52.480 --> 00:36:58.000 Nike will help and they're gonna still get good players. But you're you're gonna 547 00:36:58.000 --> 00:37:00.639 have a guy who's recruiting to a system and is going to play I want 548 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:04.199 to play a certain way and he's going to want to find guys to fit 549 00:37:04.280 --> 00:37:06.440 that. And it's just going to be different. It's not going to be 550 00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:08.960 how can I get, you know, the eight most talented kids that I 551 00:37:09.000 --> 00:37:13.480 can get in the freshman class to come in. And I know that has 552 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:17.239 changed slightly in the last few years for Cal, but it's just going to 553 00:37:17.320 --> 00:37:22.000 be different. But yes, it is a very difficult act to follow. 554 00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:24.840 And I think, honestly, if they were going to try to replace a 555 00:37:24.840 --> 00:37:31.039 guy like Cal, I can't believe I'm saying this because it's you know, 556 00:37:31.480 --> 00:37:35.920 it's Kentucky. But I feel like that's probably the best route to go as 557 00:37:35.960 --> 00:37:38.159 a guy who knows the program the way Mark Pope does. I don't know, 558 00:37:38.199 --> 00:37:39.920 well, I know what you mean, I know exactly what you mean. 559 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:45.119 I think in a way, there's value in this guy, just like 560 00:37:45.159 --> 00:37:50.000 Pat Kelsey actually understanding that that's he's not the caliber coach as far as resume 561 00:37:50.599 --> 00:37:54.679 that fans were expecting or even wanting initially, because it's not someone that will 562 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:58.880 maybe shut down because they realize, you know what, man, I was 563 00:37:59.599 --> 00:38:02.480 I was at you know, I was at Auburn or I was at Baylor 564 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:05.960 and life was a lot easier. Man, this isn't for me, and 565 00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:07.840 they just become I think, not checked out, but just it just becomes 566 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:12.119 a bad situation. I think these two guys coming into these two jobs are 567 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:15.119 well aware that the fans would have not listed them first, second, third, 568 00:38:15.159 --> 00:38:16.519 fourth, fifth, even sixth. And I think in a way that 569 00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:21.199 sounds crazy because I think there's justification in fans not thinking that would be the 570 00:38:21.239 --> 00:38:23.880 guy. But this these are two dudes that will I think, make the 571 00:38:23.960 --> 00:38:28.360 most of this opportunity and utilize the resources there. They're gonna make it work 572 00:38:28.400 --> 00:38:31.360 or they're gonna die. Trine, Yeah, well, yeah, thats exactly 573 00:38:31.440 --> 00:38:38.119 to your point. Like Mark Pope knows exactly what he's getting into and wanted 574 00:38:38.119 --> 00:38:44.880 that job. Obviously, Pat Kelsey knows has has a pretty good feel. 575 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:49.199 It seems like at least in his initial behavior that he understands what this job 576 00:38:49.320 --> 00:38:54.119 is in Louisville and knew that his skill set fit what fans were looking for. 577 00:38:54.239 --> 00:38:59.960 Communicative out there in your face, a little bit more little charisma, 578 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:04.679 little bit more activity, and just and just not being busy to be busy, 579 00:39:04.760 --> 00:39:08.480 but he's busy, and people want their coach to look busy. And 580 00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:14.119 so both of those guys are coming into situations where you know, even with 581 00:39:14.280 --> 00:39:17.760 Cal's success at Kentucky, you know, both of those programs and their fan 582 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:22.679 bases are desperate. We're desperate for something different, and I think they're gonna 583 00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:24.079 get it with both of these guys. I will say, Nick, one 584 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:30.400 funny thing that I've been chatting about, and I saw our our mutual connection 585 00:39:30.519 --> 00:39:32.440 David Paget. I saw him today, had a nice chat with him today, 586 00:39:32.480 --> 00:39:38.440 but laugh I love that guy. But I was laughing because the U 587 00:39:38.559 --> 00:39:43.920 k U of l Games, at least for the next couple of years, 588 00:39:44.519 --> 00:39:50.559 are gonna have moments like the David Paget to Archie Miller microphone exchange. Classic 589 00:39:50.679 --> 00:39:54.519 moment. We're gonna we're gonna see Kelsey and Pope. So they need to 590 00:39:54.519 --> 00:39:58.159 make sure their s I d s are doing a good job of lowering the 591 00:39:58.199 --> 00:40:01.159 microphone. The best part about that microphone situation with Archie Miller was he was 592 00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:04.480 pissed when he walked in there, like he looked around like, are you 593 00:40:04.480 --> 00:40:06.920 really gonna make me do this? And he grabbed it as if like I 594 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:08.719 can't believe this. Get me the hell out of here, which was which 595 00:40:08.719 --> 00:40:12.360 again was a great moment in the rivalry. All right, so big, 596 00:40:12.440 --> 00:40:15.360 we got a big match tomorrow. Does the San Diego Wave do they know 597 00:40:15.400 --> 00:40:20.880 what they're in for tomorrow? Because I feel like Racing lou is primed to 598 00:40:20.920 --> 00:40:23.079 really take advantage of this big opportunity. Tomorrow night, it's going to be 599 00:40:23.159 --> 00:40:27.400 college night, which means you get in for just eight bucks with a student 600 00:40:27.440 --> 00:40:30.639 ID. I mean, that's that's an incentive for the college folks to come 601 00:40:30.639 --> 00:40:34.840 out there and raise hell and give give the business to San Diego Wave. 602 00:40:35.920 --> 00:40:40.000 Yeah, two dollars beers beforehand. Hell yeah, happy hour. I mean, 603 00:40:40.039 --> 00:40:44.239 it's fantastic. So yeah, it's supposed to be really nice out tomorrow 604 00:40:44.320 --> 00:40:46.880 too, which I'm excited about. So look, this team last year, 605 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:52.519 this is a very American. If we played in Europe or anywhere else, 606 00:40:52.559 --> 00:40:54.079 in the world. They would have been the champs. Last year. They 607 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:59.599 won the regular season through twenty two games, they were the best team in 608 00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:02.639 the league. And they're coming in here. They've got some big names. 609 00:41:04.159 --> 00:41:07.159 Obviously, Alex Morgan is probably the most famous women's soccer player in the world. 610 00:41:08.000 --> 00:41:10.639 We'll see if she suits up tomorrow. I'm intrigued to see. She 611 00:41:10.719 --> 00:41:15.639 was with the US women's national team, but she'll be there. They've got 612 00:41:15.679 --> 00:41:20.599 a teenager, Jaden Shaw, who is probably the next big star for the 613 00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:25.079 US over the next decade or two. She's like nineteen. She's unbelievable. 614 00:41:25.119 --> 00:41:30.119 They've got so many good players, but we always give them hell when we 615 00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:32.000 play. I mean, it is a slugfest between these two teams, and 616 00:41:32.199 --> 00:41:37.880 they're always entertaining games. So it's a big opportunity at home. And we're 617 00:41:37.920 --> 00:41:40.480 starting to feel that Derby buzz too, like it's yeah to get outside and 618 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:44.960 have some fun around the city. So this is a big chance for us. 619 00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:46.320 And the weather tomorrow again, as you mentioned, is going to be 620 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:50.559 is expected to be beautiful, and that'll think that'll really get us in the 621 00:41:50.559 --> 00:41:52.280 spring vibes. And I'll tell you this with Alex Morgan, coming here. 622 00:41:52.280 --> 00:41:55.119 That's obviously a big deal. You mentioned not being sure if she suits up, 623 00:41:55.400 --> 00:41:59.159 do you guys with the club catch like heat when that happens to other 624 00:41:59.480 --> 00:42:01.559 organization catchy because it's out of your control. You have nothing to do with 625 00:42:01.599 --> 00:42:05.000 it. But there are people that will probably travel to see her, at 626 00:42:05.079 --> 00:42:07.840 least they would at some point, and like nobody really knows for sure if 627 00:42:07.840 --> 00:42:12.440 she's going to be there. Yeah, well it's like you remember that the 628 00:42:14.639 --> 00:42:17.679 I guess it's a faux controversy around Lebron a couple of years ago when he 629 00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:22.320 had a couple of like load management games where he wasn't playing and people were 630 00:42:22.440 --> 00:42:24.119 curious. So, I mean, look, people are gonna be upset. 631 00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:28.199 I've been in those I've been in those shoes where I've bought tickets to go 632 00:42:28.239 --> 00:42:31.039 see a game and somebody didn't play and they were just being rested or you 633 00:42:31.039 --> 00:42:35.159 know, they had a family obligation or something that they just missed that game. 634 00:42:35.199 --> 00:42:40.039 It's usually the higher, higher game number leagues like Major League Baseball or 635 00:42:40.360 --> 00:42:45.079 the NBA or NHL. But but yeah, it's disappointing. Now we don't 636 00:42:45.079 --> 00:42:46.599 We're not going to get any heat for it just because Yeah, it's totally 637 00:42:46.599 --> 00:42:52.519 out of your control. Yeah, but you know, our fans certainly like 638 00:42:52.519 --> 00:42:54.960 like to let people know that they're frustrated. I think I think she may 639 00:42:55.400 --> 00:42:58.880 not be playing because she knows what's good for, she knows what's coming. 640 00:42:58.920 --> 00:43:01.199 She doesn't want to be a part of the beat that's about to take place. 641 00:43:01.239 --> 00:43:05.639 All right, last question I have for you, I think you know, 642 00:43:05.639 --> 00:43:07.079 if it's cool with you, I'd like to do a vibe check at 643 00:43:07.119 --> 00:43:09.760 a game. I'd like to check. I was just about to ask you, 644 00:43:09.880 --> 00:43:14.559 Nick. It'll be perfect, wouldn't it. Gotta do it. The 645 00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:17.679 vibes will be off the chart. I gotta give you. I'll give you 646 00:43:17.719 --> 00:43:21.679 a couple of games that I think will be the best ones to do it 647 00:43:21.719 --> 00:43:23.159 for looking forward to Let's make it happen. Jeff, appreciate you making it 648 00:43:23.199 --> 00:43:25.599 time for us on a Friday afternoon. Enjoy your weekend. We'll see Assume 649 00:43:25.639 --> 00:43:29.079 brother. All right, see you soon, Nick. Thanks? All right, 650 00:43:29.159 --> 00:43:30.480 that's Jeff Greer. Always appreciate his time. You know what else, 651 00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:36.719 We appreciate our friends over at Etland and England because they are the most trusted 652 00:43:36.719 --> 00:43:39.559 real estate group in the city of Louisville. Kentucky in area. They've been 653 00:43:39.559 --> 00:43:44.840 doing it since nineteen seventy six. Full service residential real estate brokerage, and 654 00:43:45.719 --> 00:43:49.880 that alone is worth giving them your business. But they'll also list your home 655 00:43:49.920 --> 00:43:52.039 for one percent. Yes, that is right, they will listen your home 656 00:43:52.079 --> 00:43:54.480 for just one percent. That will make it not only a smooth process for 657 00:43:54.559 --> 00:43:57.679 you. I mean the one percent has nothing to do with the process itself, 658 00:43:57.719 --> 00:43:59.800 but you know what it does. It saves your money, keeps money 659 00:43:59.800 --> 00:44:02.239 in your pocket, which obviously when you move, expenses add up. So 660 00:44:02.280 --> 00:44:06.039 again it's Eatlin and Eland. Check them out at Eland dot com and if 661 00:44:06.039 --> 00:44:07.880 you want to give them a call five O two five nine nine twenty eight 662 00:44:07.960 --> 00:44:13.920 hundred. Keep you lock right here on Sports Talk seven ninety