For Those Who Want Stoops Fired

[UKani]

All of you who want Stoops fired after year #3, ask yourself a question, where is UK in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri?

Some need a shot of reality in the arm. UK is 3rd in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri. With all these openings that happened this off season South Carolina hired a proven loser who hired the same OC that he had at Florida, and everyone turned down the Missouri job and so they had to hire the DC as the head coach. Seriously, do you people want DJ Eliot or Shannon Dawson as your head coach? That's the equivalent that you'd get if you fired Stoops right now.

People saying that not firing Stoops is delaying the inevitable, but what do you do when you have an offseason with the most openings that FBS has seen and schools in a higher pecking order than you fail to make a splash hire. Logic will tell you that the inevitable would be that you hire someone with a fraction of the coaching ability as Stoops, and you would hire then for a 3 year period where recruiting wouldn't be nearly as good, thus delaying anything that the next Head Coach could do with a talent deficient roster like the one Stoops inherited. Which means you begin the circle of failure again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For those who said Stoops doesn't know what he's doing, ask yourself this question... Why did he figure it out for the first half of the season 2 years in a row, but not the 2nd half?

Another shot of reality needs to be given to some. Starting 4-1 this season, and starting 5-1 last season obviously shows that Stoops has figured it out enough to have his team playing competitively and inspired for the first half of the season. For those who is comparing Stoops to Joker, ask yourself when did Joker do that? I like Joker and know him, but the staff and the head coach from that era to this era is night and day. Joker had an issue with assembling a team, let alone even playing a game. Stoops' problem is figuring out how to get his players to sustain the energy and competitiveness that they start the season with. That's a far cry from Joker!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do any of you realize that Mark Stoops inherited the worst roster of any team in a P5 conference? That's not just me saying it, several pundits have said that and continue to say that. It was remarkable that Stoops even began last season with a 5-1 record. For those who think James Franklin did a remarkable job, go and look at how many Vandy players he inherited sniffed the NFL. I'll give you a hint, it was more than he inherited at Penn State. The outcome of his lack of success at Penn State compared to when he was at Vandy is no coincidence. So don't compare what James Franklin did at Vandy to what Mark Stoops is doing at UK. Bottom line is the NFL players Stoops inherited are Avery Williamson and Bud Dupree, the rest he's recruited himself or converted from a WR to a LB and developed them himself. Crazy thing is Bud Dupree said himself that he developed more under Stoops in 1 year than he did his entire time under Joker. I really believe you guys think UK is in a better position than we really are.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another dose of reality needs to be given to fans who think they'll pull another successful head coach from another team at this level. Mark Stoops was a coordinator, Joker was a coordinator, Rich Brooks was former NFL DC who was out of work, Guy Morris was an OLine coach off of a staff that left because of NCAA infractions, Hal Mumme was a D3 head coach, Bill Curry was a head coach who was about to be let go..... News flash all UK is going to be able to get from a high level school is a coordinator, and as long as that is the case, we will have to deal with a HC who is learning on the job. Sure we can go get Mark Hudspeth, but recruiting will severely suffer, I'm talking someone who is struggling to land Joker like recruits. If you look at the SEC's history of HC's coming in without any prior HC experience it ain't good. For every Philip Fulmer there are like 10 Will Muschamp's. Unless UK suddenly jumps up in stature, its best Head Coaches will always be coordinators. That unfortunately comes with a learning curve and it will always take them some years to get over that learning curve. Yeah you could find a James Franklin, but that's rare. Are you willing to fire the next 5 or 10 HC's to find a James Franklin who inherits a nice roster, or will you let a coordinator go through his pains of being a first time HC while showing competence and recruiting the best in program history and let him build something out of what was previously nothing?

 

[KY_BBN]

Seriously, do you people want DJ Eliot or Shannon Dawson as your head coach?

While I get the gist of what you're saying and mostly agree with you, it's funny to me that you write a post like this and lead it off with a line that insinuates that we have two terrible coaching candidates leading our offense and defense, both of which were hand-picked by the guy you're taking up for.

 

[Stenchymouse]

I don't want Stoops fired.

I think that he needs 5 years to be judged, but I just have lost the wind in my sails for UK football.

I'm starting to believe that it's never gonna matter who the coach is or who the players are.

We're just always gonna suck.

Maybe someday we'll be competitive, but my hope is lost.

 

[Ctroberts1024]

If we fail to make a bowl game next year, Stoops should be fired. It's highly unlikely that he will due to his contract, but he should be based on performance. This is essentially year three based on how bad we were when he took over.

That said, the cupboard is not bare. If we don't make a bowl game next year, it is 100% on coaching. He doesn't have Joker recruits anymore. These are Stoops guys. Well over the majority of the players will have played at least one year of SEC football. We will certainly have the talent and experience for a bowl game. If he can't do it, bring in a coaching staff that can coach up the talent we have.

So, yes, I absolutely want him fired if we do not make a bowl game next year.

 

[DACats86]

If we fail to make a bowl game next year, Stoops should be fired. It's highly unlikely that he will due to his contract, but he should be based on performance. This is essentially year three based on how bad we were when he took over.

That said, the cupboard is not bare. If we don't make a bowl game next year, it is 100% on coaching. He doesn't have Joker recruits anymore. These are Stoops guys. Well over the majority of the players will have played at least one year of SEC football. We will certainly have the talent and experience for a bowl game. If he can't do it, bring in a coaching staff that can coach up the talent we have.

So, yes, I absolutely want him fired if we do not make a bowl game next year.

He won't be fired next year even if he doesn't make a bowl. And yes, the cupboard is still pretty sparse - no UK players on SEC 1st and 2nd teams.

 

[Ctroberts1024]

He won't be fired next year even if he doesn't make a bowl. And yes, the cupboard is still pretty sparse - no UK players on SEC 1st and 2nd teams.

I know he won't get fired due to his contract. But if it is based off performance and we don't make a bowl, then he should be.
Just because we don't have anyone on those teams, doesn't mean we don't have talent. I would say that we have more talent than Mizzou, Vandy and USCjr.

 

[allgeir]

Stoops gets 5 years period and he should. Coaches will get better as we add better players and a deeper roster. Stoops and company have done a great job of recruiting and if he gets fired after 5 years he will leave a good roster of players, GO CATS

 

[Allan Brewer]

Stoops and company have done a great job of recruiting ....

I am getting tired of hearing this when the All-SEC team comes out and there is not a single player on that three-team deep list of players

Just hard to convince me that our recruiting is so spectacular

 

[poonfan2]

I am getting tired of hearing this when the All-SEC team comes out and there is not a single player on that three-team deep list of players

Just hard to convince me that our recruiting is so spectacular

Very few of the players Stoops recruited have even made it to their junior year. If he gets 5 years in and that's still the case, then that's certainly cause for concern. But not yet.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

I was following along until you indicated he was a good coach at the beginnings of the last two seasons when he was 5-1 and 4-1. SMH. He won at the beginning of those years because he played patsies. What happened when the schedule got more difficult ? He got the living sh*t kicked out of him. I see your point that the pickings were slim for his replacement this year (even though Stoops wasn't going to get fired anyway) but that still leaves the dilemma of having a terrible coach for another year or so. Sort of between a rock and a hard spot aren't we ? Bottom line is CMS is a beyond awful coach who just so happens to be in a perfect spot for him all the while Cat fans continue to pay hard earned money and get screwed royally. It will be interesting to see how Stoops and the administration respond to the dwindling crowds and fan support as we continue to lose games. Sort of like the movie Groundhog Day.

 

[GridCats]

Those great starts were when everyone was playing. We start losing our key players and we struggle. Melvin Lewis goes down, and Boom is hurt and some others are just hanging on. A deeper roster means a couple more classes comes in to fill in for those going down. Just not there yet.

But all the mistakes the coaches made is what's hard to take.

 

[UKani]

While I get the gist of what you're saying and mostly agree with you, it's funny to me that you write a post like this and lead it off with a line that insinuates that we have two terrible coaching candidates leading our offense and defense, both of which were hand-picked by the guy you're taking up for.

Not all great assistant coaches make great head coaches. Bud Foster comes to my mind.... Some do but aren't ready and need more grooming before becoming head coaches, Joker comes to mind.

 

[poonfan2]

Something to think about.: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/2015-college-football-preview-iowa-hawkeyes-kirk-ferentz/

http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/624652.html

Wasn't Dan Mullen on the hot seat 2 seasons ago also? Franklin and Ferentz are proven winners but Franklin has been a disappointment at Penn St. and Ferentz was nearly let go before coming within a few seconds of making the 4 team playoff.

 

[UKani]

I was following along until you indicated he was a good coach at the beginnings of the last two seasons when he was 5-1 and 4-1. SMH. He won at the beginning of those years because he played patsies. What happened when the schedule got more difficult ? He got the living sh*t kicked out of him. I see your point that the pickings were slim for his replacement this year (even though Stoops wasn't going to get fired anyway) but that still leaves the dilemma of having a terrible coach for another year or so. Sort of between a rock and a hard spot aren't we ? Bottom line is CMS is a beyond awful coach who just so happens to be in a perfect spot for him all the while Cat fans continue to pay hard earned money and get screwed royally. It will be interesting to see how Stoops and the administration respond to the dwindling crowds and fan support as we continue to lose games. Sort of like the movie Groundhog Day.

If that's what you got out of what I said then you weren't following along from the start.... Which I expect from non-Stoops supporters. Because you've got to find any window to push the agenda.

 

[docholiday51]

I agree with much of what the OP says.One thing that does bother me is the 2 years of mid season melt downs.I know that injuries and schedule difficulty account for part of it but we don't play in a vacuum,other teams have injuries as well.This season the back end of the schedule contained winnable games.I don't think he should be fired but there are issues that need to be addressed and things(staff) that need to be changed or at least reorganized.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

If that's what you got out of what I said then you weren't following along from the start.... Which I expect from non-Stoops supporters. Because you've got to find any window to push the agenda.

Hell, you wrote a damn novel. You said there were no good coaches available and backed it up with a history lesson. Then you said Stoops started strong when in fact all he was doing was beating bad teams and teams with a history of being good but just so happened to be having the beginning of horrible seasons from what they were accustomed to having i.e. South Carolina and Missouri. I didn't necessarily disagree with the rest of your comments but they didn't have anything whatsoever to do with the fact that Mark Stoops is a terrible game coach that's protected for 1-2 more years. If you've read my posts you'd know I try to be respectful but some people say things and if everyone doesn't stand up and clap for them they try to go negative. I can have a different opinion than you. As a matter of fact a lot of people have a different opinion than you.

 

[TJS4UK]

Very few of the players Stoops recruited have even made it to their junior year. If he gets 5 years in and that's still the case, then that's certainly cause for concern. But not yet.

^ This

 

[sluggercatfan]

If we fail to make a bowl game next year, Stoops should be fired. It's highly unlikely that he will due to his contract, but he should be based on performance. This is essentially year three based on how bad we were when he took over.

That said, the cupboard is not bare. If we don't make a bowl game next year, it is 100% on coaching. He doesn't have Joker recruits anymore. These are Stoops guys. Well over the majority of the players will have played at least one year of SEC football. We will certainly have the talent and experience for a bowl game. If he can't do it, bring in a coaching staff that can coach up the talent we have.

So, yes, I absolutely want him fired if we do not make a bowl game next year.

Partly because of Stoops KENTUCKY now has facilities on par with anybody in the SEC so there is a lot there for the next hire to hit the ground running with...Oh, and I will take Jeff Brohm or Mike Leach thank you very much...Would love to have Herman at Houston , but I don't know if he would take the job

 

[TJS4UK]

Stoops gets 5 years period and he should. Coaches will get better as we add better players and a deeper roster. Stoops and company have done a great job of recruiting and if he gets fired after 5 years he will leave a good roster of players, GO CATS

^ and this

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

All of you who want Stoops fired after year #3, ask yourself a question, where is UK in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri?

Some need a shot of reality in the arm. UK is 3rd in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri. With all these openings that happened this off season South Carolina hired a proven loser who hired the same OC that he had at Florida, and everyone turned down the Missouri job and so they had to hire the DC as the head coach. Seriously, do you people want DJ Eliot or Shannon Dawson as your head coach? That's the equivalent that you'd get if you fired Stoops right now.

People saying that not firing Stoops is delaying the inevitable, but what do you do when you have an offseason with the most openings that FBS has seen and schools in a higher pecking order than you fail to make a splash hire. Logic will tell you that the inevitable would be that you hire someone with a fraction of the coaching ability as Stoops, and you would hire then for a 3 year period where recruiting wouldn't be nearly as good, thus delaying anything that the next Head Coach could do with a talent deficient roster like the one Stoops inherited. Which means you begin the circle of failure again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For those who said Stoops doesn't know what he's doing, ask yourself this question... Why did he figure it out for the first half of the season 2 years in a row, but not the 2nd half?

Another shot of reality needs to be given to some. Starting 4-1 this season, and starting 5-1 last season obviously shows that Stoops has figured it out enough to have his team playing competitively and inspired for the first half of the season. For those who is comparing Stoops to Joker, ask yourself when did Joker do that? I like Joker and know him, but the staff and the head coach from that era to this era is night and day. Joker had an issue with assembling a team, let alone even playing a game. Stoops' problem is figuring out how to get his players to sustain the energy and competitiveness that they start the season with. That's a far cry from Joker!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do any of you realize that Mark Stoops inherited the worst roster of any team in a P5 conference? That's not just me saying it, several pundits have said that and continue to say that. It was remarkable that Stoops even began last season with a 5-1 record. For those who think James Franklin did a remarkable job, go and look at how many Vandy players he inherited sniffed the NFL. I'll give you a hint, it was more than he inherited at Penn State. The outcome of his lack of success at Penn State compared to when he was at Vandy is no coincidence. So don't compare what James Franklin did at Vandy to what Mark Stoops is doing at UK. Bottom line is the NFL players Stoops inherited are Avery Williamson and Bud Dupree, the rest he's recruited himself or converted from a WR to a LB and developed them himself. Crazy thing is Bud Dupree said himself that he developed more under Stoops in 1 year than he did his entire time under Joker. I really believe you guys think UK is in a better position than we really are.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another dose of reality needs to be given to fans who think they'll pull another successful head coach from another team at this level. Mark Stoops was a coordinator, Joker was a coordinator, Rich Brooks was former NFL DC who was out of work, Guy Morris was an OLine coach off of a staff that left because of NCAA infractions, Hal Mumme was a D3 head coach, Bill Curry was a head coach who was about to be let go..... News flash all UK is going to be able to get from a high level school is a coordinator, and as long as that is the case, we will have to deal with a HC who is learning on the job. Sure we can go get Mark Hudspeth, but recruiting will severely suffer, I'm talking someone who is struggling to land Joker like recruits. If you look at the SEC's history of HC's coming in without any prior HC experience it ain't good. For every Philip Fulmer there are like 10 Will Muschamp's. Unless UK suddenly jumps up in stature, its best Head Coaches will always be coordinators. That unfortunately comes with a learning curve and it will always take them some years to get over that learning curve. Yeah you could find a James Franklin, but that's rare. Are you willing to fire the next 5 or 10 HC's to find a James Franklin who inherits a nice roster, or will you let a coordinator go through his pains of being a first time HC while showing competence and recruiting the best in program history and let him build something out of what was previously nothing?

One of the best and most intelligent posts of the year. Thank you so much.

 

[Chuckinden]

One of the best and most intelligent posts of the year. Thank you so much.

You read all that? Cudos to you.....

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

You read all that? Cudos to you.....

Thank you. This is a fine example of civility and appreciation that makes this board great.

 

[LowCountryCat]

In two seasons it will be "Stoops needs at least 7-10 years to get his system in place..."

 

[BigBlueCatNation]

All of you who want Stoops fired after year #3, ask yourself a question, where is UK in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri?

UK Is not 3rd behind those schools. If anything, they're on the same level. If Kentucky would pony up the cash and act like they're serious about football, they've got the brand recognition and fan support that those other 2 schools just don't have.

That means a lot in the business. Unfortunately Kentucky won't get out of its own way to let that happen

 

[Levibooty]

UK Is not 3rd behind those schools. If anything, they're on the same level. If Kentucky would pony up the cash and act like they're serious about football, they've got the brand recognition and fan support that those other 2 schools just don't have.

That means a lot in the business. Unfortunately Kentucky won't get out of its own way to let that happen

I don't think this argument holds water anymore.

 

[ukgrad83]

I am getting tired of hearing this when the All-SEC team comes out and there is not a single player on that three-team deep list of players

Just hard to convince me that our recruiting is so spectacular

Recruiting is about the only thing MS & Company are doing well. The coaching has been abysmal. That's the reason we have ZERO players on the all-SEC team. The players don't show they possess fundamental skills; correct blocking and tackling techniques, QB not able to run through progressions, receivers don't break back to the QB when the pocket collapses, eight men on the field for a punt, disorganization etc. etc. etc. All point to the coaching staff. Believe me, I have no hatred for MS, but IMHO, he's not cut out to be a head coach. I believe next year the over/under on wins is 4 1/2. I hope to be wrong, but my head tells me otherwise.

 

[Tannerdad]

I am not on the fire Stoops wagon but I have to be honest and say I don't have the faith in his abilities as I once did. He needs another year for sure and will get it. I am definitely not fond of Dawson and would be OK if he did not return, but I digress.

But here is a question. If we do not see real progression next season, or we see the same confusion, lack of discipline, bad play, etc as the past 2 years, should he get year 5? If this happens, then what would make you think his 5th year will be the magic one? Personally, I hope it never comes to that but I feel strongly that we HAVE to show real progress next season. And with out schedule, we may not win 6 but still could show progress.

 

[DACats86]

I do not want to see Stoops fired. I want him to get at a minimum five years. But, I do want to see him stop making basic coaching mistakes at critical junctures in winnable games.

 

[docholiday51]

Recruiting is about the only thing MS & Company are doing well. The coaching has been abysmal. That's the reason we have ZERO players on the all-SEC team. The players don't show they possess fundamental skills; correct blocking and tackling techniques, QB not able to run through progressions, receivers don't break back to the QB when the pocket collapses, eight men on the field for a punt, disorganization etc. etc. etc. All point to the coaching staff. Believe me, I have no hatred for MS, but IMHO, he's not cut out to be a head coach. I believe next year the over/under on wins is 4 1/2. I hope to be wrong, but my head tells me otherwise.

You are probably right on your O/U.I don't see us getting off to the 4-1 or 5-1 start next year.It is a long time till the start of next season so things could change

It is just sad that we can't play well enough too get to a mid grade bowl and extend the season and create just a little buzz around the football program.We stumble out and play our 12 game season,with no one in the media paying any attention,then we go into even more obscurity for 9 months before repeating the process next year.

 

[GridCats]

I do not want to see Stoops fired. I want him to get at a minimum five years. But, I do want to see him stop making basic coaching mistakes at critical junctures in winnable games.

DA I agree, but on the fence about the fifth year. He needs to get everyone on the same page. Just need to see if he can do that.

 

[BigBlueCatNation]

I don't think this argument holds water anymore.

Why do you say that?

 

[JHB4UK]

South Carolina/Missour fans & administration have been far more invested for far longer a time in the sport of college football than the same here at UK. A winning culture means something, an atmosphere of expecting and demanding great play that surrounds players from the minute they are on their first visit to their last second of their last game 5 years later. Missouri & South Carolina players are treated as the most important people on campus, receive the most disappointment if they don't perform well.

Or, the opposite that UK players get sucked into, the negative feedback loop. All of our guys were fired up enthusiastic youngsters in high school used to winning and excelling. Then they get to campus. And are surrounded by 4 & 5 year guys who have had their souls sucked out from losing, getting their heads handed too them, from fans & fellow students who prefer basketball and focus on that sport starting mid October.

And then the enthusiastic winning freshmen get dragged down as well, until 4 & 5 years later they are now the upper classmen who chuckled at a freshmen like Patrick Towles running his guts out winning sprints in his first drill saying, "you'll learn!"

 

[DACats86]

South Carolina/Missour fans & administration have been far more invested for far longer a time in the sport of college football than the same here at UK. A winning culture means something, an atmosphere of expecting and demanding great play that surrounds players from the minute they are on their first visit to their last second of their last game 5 years later. Missouri & South Carolina players are treated as the most important people on campus, receive the most disappointment if they don't perform well.

Or, the opposite that UK players get sucked into, the negative feedback loop. All of our guys were fired up enthusiastic youngsters in high school used to winning and excelling. Then they get to campus. And are surrounded by 4 & 5 year guys who have had their souls sucked out from losing, getting their heads handed too them, from fans & fellow students who prefer basketball and focus on that sport starting mid October.

And then the enthusiastic winning freshmen get dragged down as well, until 4 & 5 years later they are now the upper classmen who chuckled at a freshmen like Patrick Towles running his guts out winning sprints in his first drill saying, "you'll learn!"

Exactly. And honestly, the ones with the most responsibility to break that cycle are the players themselves. I think guys like Drake, Kash, Landon and Tobias will really help in that regard.

 

[GridCats]

Yes and with all the upgrades and new coaching staff we all felt the time had come. Hopefully so, time will tell.

 

[JHB4UK]

I think guys like Drake, Kash, Landon and Tobias will really help in that regard.

We can only hope & pray so. Problem is they will be surrounded by the rest of the team from the other 3, 4 classes. The group that has done a bunch of losing, bunch of failing to compete, and has never beaten any good team or team they weren't supposed to even (outside of 2 narrow USCjr victories).

Just hard to see the cycle broken, to stop the bolder rolling downhill. Brooks said it so simple a decade ago, how do you beat Tennessee & Florida, recruit kids who don't know UK is supposed to lose to Tennessee & Florida. easy enough to get them here, how do you then prevent them from learning & adopting the UK football losing mentality.

 

[BigBlueCatNation]

We can only hope & pray so. Problem is they will be surrounded by the rest of the team from the other 3, 4 classes. The group that has done a bunch of losing, bunch of failing to compete, and has never beaten any good team or team they weren't supposed to even (outside of 2 narrow USCjr victories).

Just hard to see the cycle broken, to stop the bolder rolling downhill. Brooks said it so simple a decade ago, how do you beat Tennessee & Florida, recruit kids who don't know UK is supposed to lose to Tennessee & Florida. easy enough to get them here, how do you then prevent them from learning & adopting the UK football losing mentality.

You just win and you keep them ALL believing. Keep that noise out. I know it's hard, but I think having a newer head coach and staff certainly helps. I think the worst class that thought that way the most probably just graduated, so hopefully that losing mentality will be that much easier to overcome

 

[Chuckinden]

Why do you say that?

You don't think they have "ponied up" the cash in last few years?

 

[Levibooty]

Why do you say that?

We have people complaining we spend too much locking down our coach. We just spent millions on our stadium. We are spending more building a football only facility. Heck we have even bought time during the superbowl.

 

[ScrewDuke1]

Stoops sucks.

 

[RACdad]

All of you who want Stoops fired after year #3, ask yourself a question, where is UK in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri?

Some need a shot of reality in the arm. UK is 3rd in the pecking order of South Carolina and Missouri. With all these openings that happened this off season South Carolina hired a proven loser who hired the same OC that he had at Florida, and everyone turned down the Missouri job and so they had to hire the DC as the head coach. Seriously, do you people want DJ Eliot or Shannon Dawson as your head coach? That's the equivalent that you'd get if you fired Stoops right now.

People saying that not firing Stoops is delaying the inevitable, but what do you do when you have an offseason with the most openings that FBS has seen and schools in a higher pecking order than you fail to make a splash hire. Logic will tell you that the inevitable would be that you hire someone with a fraction of the coaching ability as Stoops, and you would hire then for a 3 year period where recruiting wouldn't be nearly as good, thus delaying anything that the next Head Coach could do with a talent deficient roster like the one Stoops inherited. Which means you begin the circle of failure again.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For those who said Stoops doesn't know what he's doing, ask yourself this question... Why did he figure it out for the first half of the season 2 years in a row, but not the 2nd half?

Another shot of reality needs to be given to some. Starting 4-1 this season, and starting 5-1 last season obviously shows that Stoops has figured it out enough to have his team playing competitively and inspired for the first half of the season. For those who is comparing Stoops to Joker, ask yourself when did Joker do that? I like Joker and know him, but the staff and the head coach from that era to this era is night and day. Joker had an issue with assembling a team, let alone even playing a game. Stoops' problem is figuring out how to get his players to sustain the energy and competitiveness that they start the season with. That's a far cry from Joker!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do any of you realize that Mark Stoops inherited the worst roster of any team in a P5 conference? That's not just me saying it, several pundits have said that and continue to say that. It was remarkable that Stoops even began last season with a 5-1 record. For those who think James Franklin did a remarkable job, go and look at how many Vandy players he inherited sniffed the NFL. I'll give you a hint, it was more than he inherited at Penn State. The outcome of his lack of success at Penn State compared to when he was at Vandy is no coincidence. So don't compare what James Franklin did at Vandy to what Mark Stoops is doing at UK. Bottom line is the NFL players Stoops inherited are Avery Williamson and Bud Dupree, the rest he's recruited himself or converted from a WR to a LB and developed them himself. Crazy thing is Bud Dupree said himself that he developed more under Stoops in 1 year than he did his entire time under Joker. I really believe you guys think UK is in a better position than we really are.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another dose of reality needs to be given to fans who think they'll pull another successful head coach from another team at this level. Mark Stoops was a coordinator, Joker was a coordinator, Rich Brooks was former NFL DC who was out of work, Guy Morris was an OLine coach off of a staff that left because of NCAA infractions, Hal Mumme was a D3 head coach, Bill Curry was a head coach who was about to be let go..... News flash all UK is going to be able to get from a high level school is a coordinator, and as long as that is the case, we will have to deal with a HC who is learning on the job. Sure we can go get Mark Hudspeth, but recruiting will severely suffer, I'm talking someone who is struggling to land Joker like recruits. If you look at the SEC's history of HC's coming in without any prior HC experience it ain't good. For every Philip Fulmer there are like 10 Will Muschamp's. Unless UK suddenly jumps up in stature, its best Head Coaches will always be coordinators. That unfortunately comes with a learning curve and it will always take them some years to get over that learning curve. Yeah you could find a James Franklin, but that's rare. Are you willing to fire the next 5 or 10 HC's to find a James Franklin who inherits a nice roster, or will you let a coordinator go through his pains of being a first time HC while showing competence and recruiting the best in program history and let him build something out of what was previously nothing?

Isn't this year #4?