How high or low is your confidence in Stoops?

[jauk11]

As compared to a team that has not been to a bowl since 2010 that is something. I think you are viewing MSU from a GA perspective, not a UK perspective. UK once had a series winning record against MSU but, thanks to Mullen's 7 game win streak, that is no longer the case. True, the "way too early" 2016 top 25 lists don't give much credence to this MSU team which is all the more reason it stacks up as another (very) big game for these Cats. MSU, SC, Vandy and MO are UK's SEC "peer opponents". A consistently winning program begins with consistently winning against your peers.

Peace

Repeating myself, RAW TALENT has been UK' biggest problem this century, and a lot of that was induced by probation, (a bump in the road for Bama, a killer for us). Brooks did a GREAT job of finding underrated two stars and coaching them up. Joker's first class "might" have been better by the ratings, he added three 5.7s AND a four star to the ONE 5.7 we had before at the last minute his first year, but NONE of the late additions did didley before leaving------Sanders decent.

I always have to laugh at ALL the fans that thought we should have walked over MSU Brooks last year because we had "better" players------when we had TWO four stars playing, ONE each for the O and D, and they had over TWENTY that committed the previous four years-----ALL OF THEM from the state of Mississippi. The whole state of Kentucky had ZERO four stars in 2010-----the ONE (our normal quota before Stoops------and Marrow)) we signed that year was from Missouri and did little here. MSU beat us by one score when their four star RB (Dixon, our best that era was Little, a 5.6-----he and Woodson the ONLY players on that great 07 offense above a 5.5------Burton and Tamme the only LATE 5.5s) ran all over us and they got the winning long TD pass when our D fell asleep.

The great offense in 07 had eleven starters that averaged BELOW a 5.450 (three star) while the 16 starting offense should/could average a 5.8 FOUR star even with 5.4 Toth starting over 5.8 Drake. With a TON more depth (which killed the 07 team).

Bottom line is TALENT has been our major problem and Stoops is doing a marvelous job of correcting that, (with FINALLY some good support from above with the reason pointed out by sluggercatfan). And with that new talent (and facilities and blueprint) we should attract a very good coach IF Stoops doesn't make it------but I think he will. Giant step with the new coaches, I don't think Stoops could trust the previous OC's (and didn't------Brown not enough EXPERIENCED talent) but I am very optimistic that he can turn the O all over to our new coaches AND get better himself with less to worry about.

 

[jauk11]

Used to be a 10, now it's at about 2.5. Let go of my season tickets as a result. It's never going to happen, folks.

Get out of here------please.

WE had a great offense for us in 07 with eleven starters that averaged BELOW a three star (below a 5.45) with dismal depth and will be able to start an O that averages a FOUR star THIS year (ABOVE a 5.8 with Drake replacing a Remington candidate, with a HUGE increase in depth) but we aren't making a lot of progress? Of course we are way behind the rest of the SEC still (thanks mitch) but the progress is pretty amazing to me, and the BIG plus could/should be the new additions to the coaching staff-----not that the old staff wouldn't have looked a lot better with our new roster.

Have you noticed the commits the past few days?

 

[jauk11]

Player recruitment: A
Asst. coach recruitment: B-
Program enthusiasm: B-
Game planning: C
Game mgmt/Adjustments: D
Game management will come through experience. I am still supportive of Coach Stoops and believe he needs at least 2 more years to truly evaluate his program.

Not a bad effort------but the players here now are going to elevate all those ratings. I think the coach recruitment and enthusiasm are probably both a little low, and I don't understand some of the zero enthusiasm, have you noticed our recruiting lately off 14 wins in FOUR seasons-----better players improve everything.

 

[NazCat67]

On a scale of 1 to 10....probably 6.5 at the moment. The coaching hires this offseason have increased it a couple points. There were times last year when my confidence was almost shattered. You know, the 3 man box, 8 man return team, Vandy's unaccounted for wideout, multiple plays where the defense looked confused, those types of things. The only thing that kept me from losing faith completely was the fact that recruiting was still better than it's been forever. But, with Gran being named HC of the O, I have a little faith that Stoops will spend more time working on D problems and not worry with the O. Dawson seemed to be a little bit of a loose cannon, which undoubtedly created some anxiety for Stoops. Hopefully that is no longer an issue and Stoops will get the D in order. I believe Gran will take care of the O just fine. So, I'm back up to 6.5 and going no higher until I see better game management and less confusion.

 

[dvillecatfan]

6

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

I'm at a 4. I was 8 or 9 early, but it has diminished.

Recruiting still seems to be good, but development seems to be terrible.

I'm also not sold on Barker at QB or our D in general, so I'm just hoping that the pure talent upgrade will help to get us more wins.

 

[Shydog]

I am at 5 I guess,, barely enough to renew season tics once more but not enough to go around proclaiming that the turnaround is imminent. Yes recruiting is better but its not all that unusual to see coaches fail even with excellent talent,, see Muschamp at UF for one, there are many others. I like Stoops and want him to succeed but last year gave me no reason to really believe anymore. Show me with wins on the field! I will be there cheering loudly though.

 

[Monroe Claxton]

Stoops must go to a bowl hopefully this year but for sure next year.

 

[K_TIME]

Player recruitment: A
Asst. coach recruitment: B-
Program enthusiasm: B-
Game planning: C
Game mgmt/Adjustments: D
Game management will come through experience. I am still supportive of Coach Stoops and believe he needs at least 2 more years to truly evaluate his program.

This is pretty much spot on for me...

I'd add player development is really important fact that needs to be ranked alongside of recruiting, game plannning, etc.. and I'd give him a D mark on player development. Having kids like Towles, Hatcher, etc.. pretty much bust is a blackeye. Watching Forrest throw up an awful pro day was something so many wondered what was up with all things S&C. Boom could be a generational type talent...but so far he gets winded quickly, can't block well when needed, etc.. Dorian Baker was a downer to me last year.. We really need Hinshaw and Gran to push the offensive kids to be more technically sounds...and I have no idea what Buh/Elliott can do on defensive side...but I think on the whole Stoops has been a downer on player discipline/development so far.

 

[Kooky Kats_anon]

2.

 

[BigBlueTuckian]

As you said, he has exceeded recruiting expectations. He has won every game he was favored to win and won a couple games that he wasn't supposed to win. Has he struggled with in game adjustments at times? Yes. But that is to be expected from a first time head coach. He has met or exceeded all but the most unreasonable expectations. If he has fallen short of your expectations, that's on you for having unreasonable expectations.

6-6 by year 3 is not unreasonable. We can debate that it may have been hard but not unreasonable.

 

[Chuckinden]

5. Until CMS shows he can put together a program that is in most games, I'll go with 50/50. I'm a wait and see person.

 

[Shydog]

10/10. It's amazing what he has done so far. He has exceeded my expectations and continues to get better.

We were very nearly embarrassed at home in our opener against ULL,, completely embarrassed at home against EKU, Trounced by MSU, beaten very soundly by a GA team that way in disarray at the time,stomped by Tenn at home, beaten by a ave(at best) Vandy team, embarrassed by UL after having been given a big lead to start the game.Your expectations are very low I guess,, very very low.

 

[Trublupopeye]

Do you think he redeems himself this season?

After 40 years of going to games and 30 of which are season tickets I was at the end of my fandom with Joker. Rich Brooks IMO had proved that a bowl game every year of some type was attainable with one every 4 to 5 years have a really good team "07". Then Joker happened and that was it for me. Along comes Stoops and his enthusiasm and what's more he talked like a football coach and you believed him. I have gone all in on Stoop's and will stay the course until he wins or starts to fade off in recruiting? I also like the hires and although the last two seasons have been disappointing I do believe this has been a learning curve for Mark also. I believe he figured out that he wasn't going to win trying to give fans what they want and decided to do it the way he knew would work. He proven that the secret to Ky's success is recruiting the north, simply because we are in the SEC and we are in the south to Pa. and Oh. Now having said all this, I believe it will start to pay dividends this season and as the talent pool rises so will this teams chances. Staying healthy will be paramount this season??? In the event that I'm wrong about Stoops then I'll hang up my Big Blue Wind breaker and stay at home the rest of my life and always wonder what might of been????

 

[CatFromDaHood]

No reason at all to assume Stoops didn't learn from last year. I see proper adjustments being made and, with this schedule, UK finally gets back to 7 wins.

 

[Edgehollow]

6 wins isn't Mission Impossible. 3 non-conference, Vandy, USCe, and Mizzou are ALL going to be worse that UK. The 3 that are close to impossible will be Alabama, UT, and UGA. The rest are winnable

With that said, I'm holding judgement til the spring game. Confidence is at a 5, I need to see some on-field results. The Vandy and UL games took a lot out of me last year.

 

[Chuckinden]

6 wins isn't Mission Impossible. 3 non-conference, Vandy, USCe, and Mizzou are ALL going to be worse that UK. The 3 that are close to impossible will be Alabama, UT, and UGA. The rest are winnable

With that said, I'm holding judgement til the spring game. Confidence is at a 5, I need to see some on-field results. The Vandy and UL games took a lot out of me last year.

They ALL took a lot out of me from the ULL game to the Louisville game. You would think that after 51 yrs as a UK fan I would be used to it, but hope springs eternal, I guess.

 

[UKGrad87]

Not a bad effort------but the players here now are going to elevate all those ratings. I think the coach recruitment and enthusiasm are probably both a little low, and I don't understand some of the zero enthusiasm, have you noticed our recruiting lately off 14 wins in FOUR seasons-----better players improve everything.

Agreed. There was more fan enthusiam for Mumme and Brooks (after year 3) than for Coach Stoops, and we are far and away deeper and more talented today. I am not sure why. Thoughts?

 

[UKGrad87]

This is pretty much spot on for me...

I'd add player development is really important fact that needs to be ranked alongside of recruiting, game plannning, etc.. and I'd give him a D mark on player development. Having kids like Towles, Hatcher, etc.. pretty much bust is a blackeye. Watching Forrest throw up an awful pro day was something so many wondered what was up with all things S&C. Boom could be a generational type talent...but so far he gets winded quickly, can't block well when needed, etc.. Dorian Baker was a downer to me last year.. We really need Hinshaw and Gran to push the offensive kids to be more technically sounds...and I have no idea what Buh/Elliott can do on defensive side...but I think on the whole Stoops has been a downer on player discipline/development so far.

Agreed, but that probably comes down to the asst. and S&C coaches more than the HC. If we can keep the talent flow and Gran and Hinshaw a few years, everything else will take care of itself. Will Gran have total control of play-calling? As I understand, Dawson and Coach Stoops had some differences last year.

 

[Dakota25]

Probably a five right now. I like how he is taking this job seriously by upgrading facilities, improving recruiting, and trying to get the program to national respectability. However the fact that he has regressed after mid October each of the past two seasons and has yet to beat rival Louisville is discouraging. He has the talent to make a bowl game so he needs to make a bowl game.

 

[Robcatt24]

4

Good coaches win some games there not supposed to.

Stoops hasn't shown he can do that yet.

 

[CB3UK]

Do you think he redeems himself this season?

Not too many coaches out there would can their new OC after one season. And not too many coaches would leave a gig where they are sitting pretty in order to jump in the frying pan for someone else. So to me, the fact that he has the cajones to make a tough decision like firing Dawson, and that Gran and Hinshaw knowingly came on board speaks to what they think of him....he gets the benefit of the doubt.

As I've said before, it's the gaffes like Vandy last year that have me wavering. Those have to get fixed, and fast.

 

[hs_sportsfan]

I have a good deal of confidence in the direction of our program. I think Coach Stoops was really happy with the make up of his first staff. I think that he was happy with the direction of the offense under Neal. There is no disputing that the hire of Shannon Dawson was a disaster from the start, I think that led to the disaster that was last season. I feel that Stoops was trying to fix the screw up he made on the offensive hire and he dropped the ball in the whole program. Finally I believe the stress last season got to Stoops and quite frankly he took his eye off the ball and basically lost control. Our fourth year in and he is supposedly a defensive guru and our defense is a disaster. He needs to put his talents on the defensive side, let gran run the offense let Buh take the special teams and move on.

The recruiting of this staff continues to give me hope!

 

[BIGCAT4LIFE]

On the playing field, I have not seen a damned thing I like so far. The O is terrible, and the D can't stop anyone. We will see how the spin machine works this year. Just disheartening.

 

[Blue Decade]

Do you think he redeems himself this season?

Let's put it this way. I don't think Stoops has to redeem himself this year period. I have more confidence in Stoops than I ever had in Curry, Mumme, or Joker. I have as much confidence in Stoops as I had in Brooks. But Brooks' teams really stunk in 2003, 04, 05. Stoops deserves more time. You make it sound like Stoops screwed up our 2015 team. Not every decision Stoops made was perfect. The Dawson hire worked out poorly, but after all Dawson was not Stoops' 1st choice for the job. The decision not to name a special teams coach was a mistake, but Stoops has now corrected that. I just don't think most people understand how many things Stoops has done well. He faced up to the dysfunction on his 2015 staff and cleaned house. He kept Vince Marrow away from Michigan, and Marrow has recruited the heck out of the state of Ohio. He has presided over a remodel or replacement of every Kentucky football facility. Stoops made Bud Dupree 1 of the best players in the SEC. Stoops took Melvin Lewis as a fat, out of shape juco reject and developed him into 1 of the best interior defensive players in the SEC. Stoops just signed the best recruiting class I have ever seen at Kentucky in 2016, and his 2017 class is currently ranked #1 in the SEC. But Stoops isn't going to rack up SEC wins until he has had enough time to recruit and develop a roster with as much talent and experience as other SEC rosters. In 2015, almost all of Stoops' recruits were freshmen and sophomores. So I won't start judging Stoops as an SEC head coach until 2017.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I did not realize Stoops needed redemption.

 

[K_TIME]

I did not realize Stoops needed redemption.

He misses another bowl game this year...he'll be in some hot water...then the recruiting gets harder and harder once the winning seasons don't become reality in first 4 years. So this year is pretty much a huge season for Stoops. Can't blame Joker, going on 2nd/3rd round of assistants, etc...sort of make or break

 

[jnewc2_rivals30628]

I think Stoops has been learning and I think he really was in a bad position last year with incompetent coaches and associated turmoil. I expect much better performance this year.

And who was it that hired those incompetent coaches? Stoops getting a pass for incompetent coaches is like a chef getting a pass for a terrible dish because the ingredients he bought were awful. Come on now.

This is all I'll say, there's a BIG difference between supporting a program and blindly supporting a coach (Billy G, Joker, Tubby, etc) simply because he's 'our' coach and has a UK logo on his shirt. How about some accountability? A coach makes terrible coaching hires and somehow it's not his fault? Come on. This is the dude's third offensive coordinator in 4 years. THIRD, and those coaches aren't leaving because of their immense success. Dude didn't even have a special teams coach last season, does he get a pass for that too? Come on, some of us have to take the blinders off.

 

[Levibooty]

We were posed to have a bowl year last year but poor offensive play and turmoil on the team did not let that happen. So we are now rebooting back one year and this season should be what could have been last year.

And who was it that hired those incompetent coaches? Stoops getting a pass for incompetent coaches is like a chef getting a pass for a terrible dish because the ingredients he bought were awful. Come on now.

This is all I'll say, there's a BIG difference between supporting a program and blindly supporting a coach (Billy G, Joker, Tubby, etc) simply because he's 'our' coach and has a UK logo on his shirt. How about some accountability? A coach makes terrible coaching hires and somehow it's not his fault? Come on. This is the dude's third offensive coordinator in 4 years. THIRD, and those coaches aren't leaving because of their immense success. Dude didn't even have a special teams coach last season, does he get a pass for that too? Come on, some of us have to take the blinders off.

You do know he tried to hire Gran first don't you? At some point you have to hire a replacement and not every hire is a guaranteed success. Maybe you didn't know that his 1st OC left to take a HC job. So of the two I would agree one was pretty sorry but then you have to recognize that he was replaced at the end of his first season. I can't say any of that indicates he is making terrible coaching hires, one yes, two no, three absolutely not.

 

[Levibooty]

He misses another bowl game this year...he'll be in some hot water...then the recruiting gets harder and harder once the winning seasons don't become reality in first 4 years. So this year is pretty much a huge season for Stoops. Can't blame Joker, going on 2nd/3rd round of assistants, etc...sort of make or break

I think that is a fair take.

 

[sluggercatfan]

No reason at all to assume Stoops didn't learn from last year. I see proper adjustments being made and, with this schedule, UK finally gets back to 7 wins.

As always...the proof is in the pudding

 

[Levibooty]

Let's put it this way. I don't think Stoops has to redeem himself this year period. I have more confidence in Stoops than I ever had in Curry, Mumme, or Joker. I have as much confidence in Stoops as I had in Brooks. But Brooks' teams really stunk in 2003, 04, 05. Stoops deserves more time. You make it sound like Stoops screwed up our 2015 team. Not every decision Stoops made was perfect. The Dawson hire worked out poorly, but after all Dawson was not Stoops' 1st choice for the job. The decision not to name a special teams coach was a mistake, but Stoops has now corrected that. I just don't think most people understand how many things Stoops has done well. He faced up to the dysfunction on his 2015 staff and cleaned house. He kept Vince Marrow away from Michigan, and Marrow has recruited the heck out of the state of Ohio. He has presided over a remodel or replacement of every Kentucky football facility. Stoops made Bud Dupree 1 of the best players in the SEC. Stoops took Melvin Lewis as a fat, out of shape juco reject and developed him into 1 of the best interior defensive players in the SEC. Stoops just signed the best recruiting class I have ever seen at Kentucky in 2016, and his 2017 class is currently ranked #1 in the SEC. But Stoops isn't going to rack up SEC wins until he has had enough time to recruit and develop a roster with as much talent and experience as other SEC rosters. In 2015, almost all of Stoops' recruits were freshmen and sophomores. So I won't start judging Stoops as an SEC head coach until 2017.

Great post Blue Decade.

I sometime wonder what people mean when they say development. What kind of time frame do they attach to that word.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Agreed, but that probably comes down to the asst. and S&C coaches more than the HC. If we can keep the talent flow and Gran and Hinshaw a few years, everything else will take care of itself. Will Gran have total control of play-calling? As I understand, Dawson and Coach Stoops had some differences last year.

As was told to me so did NB and MS.

 

[lex cath]

Stoops inherited a mess, it takes time to clean it up. He has surrounded himself with a very capable staff with recruiting ties now, my opinion the Cats move upward

 

[ukalum1988]

Stoops inherited a mess, it takes time to clean it up. He has surrounded himself with a very capable staff with recruiting ties now, my opinion the Cats move upward

Welcome to the site!!! [cheers]

 

[UK Cats Rock]

At least an 8 for me.

 

[NCukcat62]

6. He's done a great job at recruiting but not so good at finishing the season. If we go to a bowl this season my confidence will increase

 

[Beatle Bum]

And who was it that hired those incompetent coaches? Stoops getting a pass for incompetent coaches is like a chef getting a pass for a terrible dish because the ingredients he bought were awful. Come on now.

This is all I'll say, there's a BIG difference between supporting a program and blindly supporting a coach (Billy G, Joker, Tubby, etc) simply because he's 'our' coach and has a UK logo on his shirt. How about some accountability? A coach makes terrible coaching hires and somehow it's not his fault? Come on. This is the dude's third offensive coordinator in 4 years. THIRD, and those coaches aren't leaving because of their immense success. Dude didn't even have a special teams coach last season, does he get a pass for that too? Come on, some of us have to take the blinders off.

Why is it that if someone disagrees with you, they cannot see the situation clearly?

Plus, the metaphor of blinders really seems awful. Blinders on horses, as I understand them, are to keep the horse focused and not distracted by the extraneous.

 

[Beatle Bum]

We were posed to have a bowl year last year but poor offensive play and turmoil on the team did not let that happen. So we are now rebooting back one year and this season should be what could have been last year.

You do know he tried to hire Gran first don't you? At some point you have to hire a replacement and not every hire is a guaranteed success. Maybe you didn't know that his 1st OC left to take a HC job don't you? So of the two I would agree one was pretty sorry but then you have to recognize that he was replaced at the end of his first season. I can't say any of that indicates he is making terrible coaching hires, one yes, two no, three absolutely not.

I like that once Stoops saw Dawson was a mistake, he got rid of him. That is taking responsibility for your poor choice.

 

[Beatle Bum]

We were posed to have a bowl year last year but poor offensive play and turmoil on the team did not let that happen. So we are now rebooting back one year and this season should be what could have been last year.

You do know he tried to hire Gran first don't you? At some point you have to hire a replacement and not every hire is a guaranteed success. Maybe you didn't know that his 1st OC left to take a HC job. So of the two I would agree one was pretty sorry but then you have to recognize that he was replaced at the end of his first season. I can't say any of that indicates he is making terrible coaching hires, one yes, two no, three absolutely not.

Reports were that he also reached out to Riley, OC of the year last year.