Craig Yeast talks About Son's Decommitment

[akaukswoosh]

Josh Moore ‏@HLpreps 12m12 minutes ago


.@markcstory caught up with former Bryan Station Coach Craig Yeast. He had a lot to say. http://www.kentucky.com/sports/college/kentucky-sports/uk-football/article93800582.html…pic.twitter.com/L5gfpfhBKE

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

Nice for the elder Yeast to give his side. The conspiracy he told his son to decommit over not getting a job at UK never really passed the smell test. Everyone in Lexington and Ohio have only had nice things to say about him. That portrayal didn't seem consistent with a greedy parent trying to leverage his child into a job.

 

[TuckyFB]

I was really looking forward to hearing "Touchdown Yeast" again.

I'm sad that it won't ever happen again.

 

[rudd1]

-i tried to care...but i can't.

 

[shutzhund]

Everything he said made sense. Mom and Dad seen like good parents.

 

[jauk11]

First thanks to Craig for a LOT of exciting moments on the field for UK, and I agree with him 100%, it is his son's life and his choice. I think UK has a tremendous program to offer its recruits but it isn't for everyone and there would probably be a lot of pressure and comparison to his dad if he came here------and not too many Craig Yeast's come along.

 

[TeoJ]

Riiiighhtttttt

 

[TXCatFBFan]

BS

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

Still waiting for him to commit to Bama after his offer...

 

[WildCard]

Craig Yeast was one of the best I have ever seen at UK. FWIW, if I were a young football player ([laughing]) I'm not sure I would want to go to a school where my dad was not just a player but a superstar. Probably lots of unnecessary (and unfair) expectations. JMO.

Peace

 

[sluggercatfan]

Craig Yeast was one of the best I have ever seen at UK. FWIW, if I were a young football player ([laughing]) I'm not sure I would want to go to a school where my dad was not just a player but a superstar. Probably lots of unnecessary (and unfair) expectations. JMO.

Peace

Personally I think he was the best... And I hope he gets to fulfill his dream of coaching at his alma mater someday

 

[Deeeefense]

I'm thinking maybe it was Russ that thought his dad should have been considered for the receiver coach job and since he wasn't he, himself decided to part ways with UK. That would sort of fit the narrative but it also jibs with Craig's side of things.

Anyway I'm heartened to hear those kind words from Craig about UK becasue he is certainly way up there as an all time fan favorite by many that remember him.

 

[tntuk]

Nice for the elder Yeast to give his side. The conspiracy he told his son to decommit over not getting a job at UK never really passed the smell test. Everyone in Lexington and Ohio have only had nice things to say about him. That portrayal didn't seem consistent with a greedy parent trying to leverage his child into a job.

Do you think he would really admit to that publicly?

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

Do you think he would really admit to that publicly?

No, but here's where we are: a classic he said-he said situation. Who to believe? An anonymous source (lots of problems with that), or the subject who gets asked the question by H-L's sports columnist as a matter of public record? If Yeast did do what he's accused of then this piece is chalk-full of lies to the point he buried himself.

Other media isn't reporting the Yeasts acted deceptively, so pardon me if at this point I feel ambiguity if not full "benefit of the doubt" to Yeast.

 

[ukfan03]

I hope Russ has a successful career except if he plays against UK. I don't have anything else to say on the subject.

 

[tntuk]

No, but here's where we are: a classic he said-he said situation. Who to believe? An anonymous source (lots of problems with that), or the subject who gets asked the question by H-L's sports columnist as a matter of public record? If Yeast did do what he's accused of then this piece is chalk-full of lies to the point he buried himself.

Other media isn't reporting the Yeasts acted deceptively, so pardon me if at this point I feel ambiguity if not full "benefit of the doubt" to Yeast.

If you have Twitter, check out JRow's indirect comments on the situation.

 

[kentucky_wildcat_#1]

We all obviously loved Craig Yeast and the excitement his game on the field meant for Kentucky, but if we're being honest here, it's probably best he went elsewhere and made his own name for himself. It would be nearly impossible to live up to what his dad gave Kentucky. The pressure this kid would have had on him from day 1 would have been crazy. This kid is not his dad and most likely will never be as great as his dad on the football field. That's not to say the kid doesn't have talent. He has talent. His dad was just the elite of the elite in the Sec type of talent. I wouldn't want to have to deal with having an all time great parent at the school i'm going to play for. I'm sure if this kid was a 5 star can't miss prospect my opinion would be different. If he were, he would have the talent to handle such expectations. His dad will always be a legend at Kentucky no matter what and some of us would want to follow our parents legacy and some would not. This kid is probably one of the few that does not want to follow and build on his dad's legacy. I can't blame him for that.

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

If you have Twitter, check out JRow's indirect comments on the situation.

Thanks. I checked that out. All respect to him, but other media arent reporting that's what happened. Maybe because they need two sources to publish that kind of claim?

Don't blame him for believing his source, but one anonymous source carries tradecraft problems especially when the subject of it all denies it. So, we're back to he said-he said

 

[jauk11]

Craig Yeast was one of the best I have ever seen at UK. FWIW, if I were a young football player ([laughing]) I'm not sure I would want to go to a school where my dad was not just a player but a superstar. Probably lots of unnecessary (and unfair) expectations. JMO.

Peace

Pretty innocent post to raise such ire. One that I agree with, and I think you do add a lot of links and stats to the conversation on here AND know your football. Sounds like I might be one of the few that actually think you do like the cats, but I have noticed a lot of your posts lately have had a few little digs (not this post), perhaps even a subconscious reaction to your critics on here? It must get a little old.

 

[UKani]

I'm sorry, but Craig Yeast lied in this interview.... I know for a fact that he talked to Joker about a job at UK and he talked to Neal Brown about a job at UK too.

I was there when Shawn Woods was talking about not getting any help by Rick Pitino or anybody at UK and Craig Yeast followed up with the same complaint in regards to Joker. Mitch Barnhart even knows this because Craig Yeast formally applied for the WR job under Joker and Joker said no real quick and hired Tee Martin. Also the Neal Brown situation I knew about that and Craig Yeast was upset too about that too..

This last time of him trying to get a coaching job under Stoops I don't have as strong sources on... I just know of others that said he's at least mentioned the Quality Control position to Stoops and Stoops didn't bite and then shortly after Stoops names his final piece to of the staff Russ Yeast decommits.... But maybe that was just a coincidence.....

 

[jauk11]

I'm sorry, but Craig Yeast lied in this interview.... I know for a fact that he talked to Joker about a job at UK and he talked to Neal Brown about a job at UK too.

I was there when Shawn Woods was talking about not getting any help by Rick Pitino or anybody at UK and Craig Yeast followed up with the same complaint in regards to Joker. Mitch Barnhart even knows this because Craig Yeast formally applied for the WR job under Joker and Joker said no real quick and hired Tee Martin. Also the Neal Brown situation I knew about that and Craig Yeast was upset too about that too..

This last time of him trying to get a coaching job under Stoops I don't have as strong sources on... I just know of others that said he's at least mentioned the Quality Control position to Stoops and Stoops didn't bite and then shortly after Stoops names his final piece to of the staff Russ Yeast decommits.... But maybe that was just a coincidence.....

Craig may just have had bad timing, I remember Joker being at the Stone Mountain Ga game to scout Sanders and being blown away by everyone knowing Tee and how he interacted with the younger players. At the time Joker was mostly concerned with getting SEC talent across the board (impossible to do with the support and facilities at the time) and he fired a bunch of very good coaches that didn't like to recruit with that goal. It didn't work out too well, although Joker did add a four star and three 5.7s to join Sanders just before the deadline. Unfortunately Sanders was the only one that played any significant snaps. some zero.

 

[Greasy Creak Mafia]

Tell that to Dicky Lyons jr. He never had his old man outshine him.

 

[jauk11]

Tell that to Dicky Lyons jr. He never had his old man outshine him.

Yes, and while I don't know this, UK might have been his only offer, he was lower than a two star, he was rated a 4.9. An amazing story really.

And while he was an amazing find I am not sure he outshone his Dad by any means, definitely exceeded expectations more than almost anyone I can think of.

 

[Bryo72]

He decommitted....go to the "tide" and be on the practice squad his senior yr!

 

[Bryo72]

In all honesty, how many sons have lived up to "dad's quote unquote, superstar, world record breaking status" anyway?

 

[Bryo72]

Should have asked, then 2* recruit Randall Cobb's, dad too join or staff back then...wait didn't need his dad....Randle spurned TN played KY and went on too the NFL....damn his father!

 

[Greasy Creak Mafia]

While Dicky may not have been AA ,..... I would bet his time at UK produced more wins.

 

[uksam21]

In all honesty, how many sons have lived up to "dad's quote unquote, superstar, world record breaking status" anyway?

different sport but I think Barry Bonds(even before the sterioids thing) was a HOF and Ken Griffey Jr especially.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

I'm sorry, but Craig Yeast lied in this interview.... I know for a fact that he talked to Joker about a job at UK and he talked to Neal Brown about a job at UK too.

I was there when Shawn Woods was talking about not getting any help by Rick Pitino or anybody at UK and Craig Yeast followed up with the same complaint in regards to Joker. Mitch Barnhart even knows this because Craig Yeast formally applied for the WR job under Joker and Joker said no real quick and hired Tee Martin. Also the Neal Brown situation I knew about that and Craig Yeast was upset too about that too..

This last time of him trying to get a coaching job under Stoops I don't have as strong sources on... I just know of others that said he's at least mentioned the Quality Control position to Stoops and Stoops didn't bite and then shortly after Stoops names his final piece to of the staff Russ Yeast decommits.... But maybe that was just a coincidence.....

His quote was he never asked about the WR job , not any job. Maybe he did inquire about the QC job how knows?

 

[JHB4UK]

wish the best to Craig & his family, hopefully this is the last spoken of an unnecessarily messy recruitment

 

[ukalumni00]

I knew Craig in college. Solid guy and a great player. I know he bleeds blue. That said, for whatever reason his son will not play at UK. Its time to just let it go and let all parties move on. Hopefully Craig will not become MIA for UK events in the future. His son's recruitment will become a distant memory and everyone will move on. Everything happens for a reason and it may be in the best interest of both parties for his son to go elsewhere and make his own way and not constantly have the expectations of being a Yeast weighing on his shoulders at UK.

 

[K_TIME]

It will always be rumor on the why the decommit..and that is fine. But here are the facts:
1. UK offered a WR/DB scholly and Russ Yeast Verballed.
2. Russ Yeast backed off his verbal commit..UK didn't yank an offer or even over recruit his spot.
3. UK reasonably recruited other kids at his spot...and he apparently no longer had a UK offer after we got in on Clevan Thomas/Cedrick Dort at those WR/DB spots...whichever Yeast may have ended up at.

So UK did all it could and the Yeast's said thanks but no thanks...all on their end why they are not at UK. UK didn't really do a thing remotely negative in this circumstance. We now live in a day where verbals and backing off verbals are no big deal...so it's in the past now I guess.

 

[Mike-D]

Thanks. I checked that out. All respect to him, but other media arent reporting that's what happened. Maybe because they need two sources to publish that kind of claim?

Don't blame him for believing his source, but one anonymous source carries tradecraft problems especially when the subject of it all denies it. So, we're back to he said-he said

Justin Rowland doesn't just throw crap against the wall.

 

[anon_7tbtqcx308nxh]

Justin Rowland doesn't just throw CRAP against the wall.

That's not what I said. Try again.

 

[80 Proof]

The whole situation smells funny to me. Too much circumstance and coincidence.

Russ didn't handle the situation well, which he's only 17 so he doesn't have the experience yet that he should be expected to. That's where Craig should have stepped up.

 

[sluggercatfan]

We all obviously loved Craig Yeast and the excitement his game on the field meant for Kentucky, but if we're being honest here, it's probably best he went elsewhere and made his own name for himself. It would be nearly impossible to live up to what his dad gave Kentucky. The pressure this kid would have had on him from day 1 would have been crazy. This kid is not his dad and most likely will never be as great as his dad on the football field. That's not to say the kid doesn't have talent. He has talent. His dad was just the elite of the elite in the Sec type of talent. I wouldn't want to have to deal with having an all time great parent at the school i'm going to play for. I'm sure if this kid was a 5 star can't miss prospect my opinion would be different. If he were, he would have the talent to handle such expectations. His dad will always be a legend at Kentucky no matter what and some of us would want to follow our parents legacy and some would not. This kid is probably one of the few that does not want to follow and build on his dad's legacy. I can't blame him for that.

The kid has an offer from the University of Alabama for crying out loud... How do you know he wouldn't be as good as his dad was. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he doesn't end up at Otis because that is actually where Craig wanted to go originally

 

[sluggercatfan]

I knew Craig in college. Solid guy and a great player. I know he bleeds blue. That said, for whatever reason his son will not play at UK. Its time to just let it go and let all parties move on. Hopefully Craig will not become MIA for UK events in the future. His son's recruitment will become a distant memory and everyone will move on. Everything happens for a reason and it may be in the best interest of both parties for his son to go elsewhere and make his own way and not constantly have the expectations of being a Yeast weighing on his shoulders at UK.

Agree totally with this... Time to move on and concentrate on the future and wish Russ and Craig both the best and maybe he will get his dream someday of being able to coach at UK

 

[kyrivals]

The recruitment and story are not as big of a deal as some make it out to be. Both parties have moved on.

 

[WildCard]

Pretty innocent post to raise such ire. One that I agree with, and I think you do add a lot of links and stats to the conversation on here AND know your football. Sounds like I might be one of the few that actually think you do like the cats, but I have noticed a lot of your posts lately have had a few little digs (not this post), perhaps even a subconscious reaction to your critics on here? It must get a little old.

Thanks ja! Yeah, I do get beat up pretty bad over here at times. Not so much on "pure football talk" threads (disagreements here are fine and usually courteous) but ones that in some way reflect on the coaching or the state of the program.

I enjoy football talk. I try pretty hard to not respond to "personal criticism" but, yeah, sometimes a rebuttal "dig" leaks out. However, what does get a bit old is to be frequently criticized for expressing the same views as many other posters who do not have "Card" in their screen name. But you gotta have tough skin to play on message boards.

Peace

 

[Bryo72]

While Dicky may not have been AA ,..... I would bet his time at UK produced more wins.

Dicky Lyons Jr....one helluva of a player, loved the shot he layed on that LSU player in 2007....