> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.insidekentuckybasketball.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # John Clay: Why I’m putting retirement on hold to join Inside Kentucky Basketball - URL: https://www.insidekentuckybasketball.com/john-clay-why-im-putting-retirement-on-hold-to-write-about-the-wildcats/ - Published: 2026-10-20T10:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-20T10:00:05.000Z - Description: The longtime Herald-Leader columnist and USBWA Hall of Famer is looking forward to following what should be an intriguing season for Mark Pope and the Wildcats. - Author: John Clay - Tags: John Clay, Commentary I’m back. Back in the saddle again. I’m climbing up on the saddle. Let’s put it that way. After 44 years at the Lexington Herald-Leader, including 25 as a sports columnist, I retired on July 1, 2025\. Over the past 15 months, I’ve written two pieces, neither of which were published. One was the foreword for a yet-to-be-published book by a friend. The other was an acceptance speech at an awards ceremony. That’s it. Instead, my wife and I have been enjoying our three grandchildren — two in Lexington; one in Atlanta — with a fourth grandchild on the way later this month. We’ve traveled. We saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Red Rocks (bucket list) during a five-day trip to Colorado. My 14th Isbell show. (His July solo show at EKU made 15.) We saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Pittsburgh. My 25th Bruce show. We’ve traveled back and forth to Atlanta, for the aforementioned reason. I’ve been inside Rupp Arena once. That was to see my alma mater, George Rogers Clark High School, beat St. Xavier in the championship game of the Boys’ State High School Basketball Tournament. Bought a ticket the day of the game. It was the Cardinals’ second title in four years. The GRC girls won their state tournament, as well. Not to brag, or course. Bored, I am not. A friend told me when I retired, “I think you’ll find you’re available.” Bingo. I’m busy. The best kind of busy. All in all, retirement has my complete stamp of approval. So why interrupt that now? Why am I climbing up on that horse again, even if it’s in a “contributor” role? Ben Roberts is the main reason. More than a former colleague, he’s a friend. It took courage for him to leave his dream job at the H-L to [start a Kentucky basketball site all his own](https://www.insidekentuckybasketball.com/welcome-to-inside-kentucky-basketball-heres-what-you-can-expect/). If anyone can make it work, Ben can. I’m confident he’ll do the same outstanding job with “Inside Kentucky Basketball” he did for the Herald-Leader. Derek Terry is another reason. He is Ben’s partner in this venture. He’s also someone I have known and liked as a young writer and journalist. Derek started and runs the terrific “[Bat Cats Central](https://www.batcatscentral.com/?ref=insidekentuckybasketball.com)” website on UK baseball. There’s something new and exciting in what they are starting together with this new basketball site. I’m happy to be a small part. After all, I still follow Kentucky basketball. I read the stories. I watch the games. I just watch them from the comfort of my den, instead of that corner nosebleed section high above the floor at Rupp. On the one hand, there’s something to be said for “being in the room” and an eyewitness account. You get a better feel for the game and atmosphere amid the roar of the crowd. On the other hand, television can offer a slightly different perspective. Cameras often catch things that you don’t notice in the stands. Then there’s Mark Pope. He’s another reason for my return. I helped cover Mark on that 1996 UK national championship team. As a columnist, I wrote about his return and first season as Kentucky basketball coach. I’ve always found Mark to be a fascinating figure, with a different take on things. I know last season didn’t go the way he or Big Blue Nation wanted. From the outside, my take was that Mark strayed from some of his basic tenets. Florida won the 2025 national title when Todd Golden built a roster meshing his 3-point shooting attack with a more physical defense. It looked like Mark leaned into that approach. I think he overcorrected. That’s what makes this season so fascinating. It’s Mark’s third. It’s a big year for the coach. By most accounts, Pope is returning to the style of play that he knows best. His 2026-27 roster construction speaks to the way he knows how to coach. I think Mark is a smart guy who will learn from his mistakes. I want to see what that means. That doesn’t guarantee anything, of course. That’s why they play the games, as they say. SEC basketball has become a bear, a grizzly bear. Look at the quality of the coaches. Look at the quality of the teams. That’s what makes it fun, of course. The entire college basketball landscape has changed. I look at that as another fun challenge. Bottom line: I’m anxious to see what happens. I’m looking forward to being part of the discussion again. I can’t wait for the ride. [![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4b/42/4b424756-e11a-4365-9300-59cc68bfbdc1/content/images/2026/10/IKB--wide--1.PNG)](#/portal/signup) John Clay's first column for Inside Kentucky Basketball is free to all readers. For John's commentary on the Cats, plus analysis, features and more on the team, please show your support for independent UK coverage with a premium subscription. [Subscribe to Inside Kentucky Basketball ](#/portal/signup)