Thread: Favorite UK Basketball Coach of All Time?

From Rupp to Cal, Who's yours? BBN502

Tubby was the coach with the most class, and seemed to be the "cleanest" coach we've had. At least in my life time. I was too young to remember Rupp, but what I've read and seen about him, he wasn't as classy as Tubby.

Tubby's first year at UK, he sent us to the Championships! That's alot to say for a first year coach at a new school. But it wasn't just Tubby who got us there, it was the Talent that comes with being a Kentucky Wildcat!!!

Originally Posted by Kloma Reffitt

Tubby's first year at UK, he sent us to the Championships! That's alot to say for a first year coach at a new school. But it wasn't just Tubby who got us there, it was the Talent that comes with being a Kentucky Wildcat!!!

Tubby wasn't a bad coach but not a great one either. He won a title in 1998 in his first year with a Pitino team that had won a title in 1996, came runner-up to Arizona in a OT loss in 1997 and then won again in 1998. After that he had successful seasons but you have to do more than put in 20 plus win seasons and win some sec titles in Lexington. The question is not really fair as of course Rupp was the creator of it all but i wanted to see peoples choices...BBN502

I hate to admit it but I'm going with Pitino. He was royalty in Lexington...I'll never understand why he would give that up to go to Louisville.

Originally Posted by kentucky-girl

I hate to admit it but I'm going with Pitino. He was royalty in Lexington...I'll never understand why he would give that up to go to Louisville.

That is true. In the 90's Pitino ran Lexington and Kentucky. I think fans are torn over it cause he did revive the program then just left while he was at the top of college basketball to go to the Boston Celtics where he failed and then went to Louisville. Out of all places Louisville. What a slap in the face that was. I believe if he went back to another school besides a rival one he would be more accepted today. Hey but he still has a coaches banner in Rupp...

I hate to admit it...but i agree with Kentucky-girl. Ricky was great when he was at UK. I mean the man led us to two National Championships. Now if you ask who is your favorite coach as of this very moment...it would be Cal of course because I can't stand Ricky now...he has lost "it". Sad too. Tubby was a great one as well. Winning a championship the first year coaching the team is a major feat, but he just couldn't hold on to it anymore. Billy G was a sorry excuse for a coach for an elementary team let alone Division 1 Collegiate Basketball. Rupp is one of the most storied collegiate basketball coaches of all time. It's hard to compete with that with his record. All i can say is that I absolutely LOVE UK!!! GO CATS!

I grew up watching Pitino's Cats with my grandfather who would tell me of the days when he attended UK while Rupp roamed the sideline. So even though Ricky P has taken some publicity hits, he will always have a place in my Big Blue heart. While I attended UK we went through Tubby, Billy G, then my senior year we got Cal. I'm definitely happy with the latter. Go Cats. Free Enes!

I think that is what people tend to forget, it's not just your coach, it's your team as well. We have had exceptional coaches and exceptional teams and yet at times they just didn't jive with one another at that time.

Originally Posted by Joy Miracle

I hate to admit it...but i agree with Kentucky-girl. Ricky was great when he was at UK. I mean the man led us to two National Championships. Now if you ask who is your favorite coach as of this very moment...it would be Cal of course because I can't stand Ricky now...he has lost "it". Sad too. Tubby was a great one as well. Winning a championship the first year coaching the team is a major feat, but he just couldn't hold on to it anymore. Billy G was a sorry excuse for a coach for an elementary team let alone Division 1 Collegiate Basketball. Rupp is one of the most storied collegiate basketball coaches of all time. It's hard to compete with that with his record. All i can say is that I absolutely LOVE UK!!! GO CATS!

Pitino only won 1 title at UK, unless you count the one in 98' that Tubby was lucky enough to win with a Pitino team. The only coaches on the list I would claim is Rupp,Hall,Pitino and so far Calipari. If Calipari ever tries a stunt like Pitino did leaving for the NBA again he would be highly hated in Lex....GO BIG BLUE!!!

ok johns just the flavor of the month, lets wait and see the results. Tubby never fit in because Ky ball is running ball not walk it up. eddie and Billy were an embarassment to The U. Rick would've been my pick if not for his commints after he beat UK "This is my greatest win." come on Rick we understand leaving for 70 million heck all of us would have done that but that comment was uncalled for. I'm not old enough to remember the Baron but proops on the 4 titles. that leaves Joe and all though only one title Joe gets the nod

I have to agree... I grew up with a UK family and when I was little and there would be a UK basketball game on my sister and I would pull out our UK blankets, beanbags and the little wildcat dolls and sit in the middle of the livingroom floor to watch them. It was kind of a tradition. Then after Pitino left we were all shocked that he left UK for louisville (Which no one in my family dared to like or root for) He led us to a few championships and then Tubby's first year, yes he took us to a championship but they were all players from Pitinos team. You cant judge a coach by his first year unless it was a Cinderella story type of comeback... Just sayin..

I don't understand how Tubby has any votes.

Originally Posted by Andrew Wasserzug

Tubby was the coach with the most class, and seemed to be the "cleanest" coach we've had. At least in my life time. I was too young to remember Rupp, but what I've read and seen about him, he wasn't as classy as Tubby.

Are you out of your flippin mind?!?!?! You definitely have NO understanding of the word "class". Look it up in Webster, and you will learn Tubby is not defined as such!!!!!!!

Coming from a guy that's seen them all....

Joe B. Hall