I'm trying to find a reason for optimism ...

[bballcat4]

We live in a different era. Granted, we're in the SEC and it's difficult watching a game like the one on Saturday. (It's even more difficult knowing it was a nationally televised game.)

However, I did some research based on something I heard about Beamer several years ago. Seeing him at the Battle for Bristol game reminded me of his start at Va Tech.

Beamer was 18-27 after his 4th year at Va. Tech. He went 5-6 his 5th year and 2-8-1 his sixth year. Those stats get you fired in today's world. However, Beamer went 9-3 in his SEVENTH year. From there he went 101-34 over the next 11 years.

I'm not a Stoops apologist. I am, however, a UK fan. After supporting UK athletics for 40+ years I'm convinced of this when it comes to football. The only (best) chance UK has of developing a quality football team is to make a decision on a coach then stick with him for a minimum of 6-7 years.

A coaching carousel every 4-5 years is a recipe for failure. I'd rather watch a game like Saturday in year 4 than change coaches 2-3 times a decade. UK is a comparable program to VaTech when Beamer arrived, except UK plays in the most difficult conference in America.

Some of you will take this as support for Stoops and acceptance for current play of the team. It's not. This is simply a statement of strategy for building a program. Just maybe, the Barnhart extension put us in a position where we don't have a choice but to keep Stoops because of the $. If Stoops becomes the next Beamer then Barnhart will take credit. (I seriously doubt he was thinking of this when he granted the extension.) Just maybe, Barnhart reaps the benefit for something he never intended.

We've tried the coaching carousel. What do we have to lose by bucking the trend and giving a coach some extra time? (I know UK football ticket sales funds a lot of the other sports.) This would require some major fundraising to get through a few lean years.

Just a thought from a UK fan that wants the best longterm for the program.

 

[ganner918_rivals60369]

Those back to back winning seasons for Beamer in years 3 and 4, each with a win over a ranked team, and generally being competitive in their losses probably went a long way to buying him extra time. He also had 5 years experience as a 1-AA head coach with 4 winning seasons there. I don't see a single thing to give me optimism about our program. Our coaching staff hasn't done a thing in their time here to show they can develop players, game plan, make adjustments, or even consistently get the right number of players on the field. And their recruiting (and multiple transfers out or players thrown off on both sides of the ball) have left both of our lines in such atrocious shape that we're going to continue to get manhandled in the trenches by any decent team for the foreseeable future. We're in bad shape, and it's not turning around soon.

 

[WildCard]

IIRC, Beamer took over a pretty successful VPI program that had run afoul of The NCAA. His early record was not well received by the VPI fans. To some extent UK has tried the same, I.e., extending guys who Got little done under their first contract. The difference, of course, is Beamer did get a lot done under his extension. IOW, Beamer "got better" after 6 years and UK coaches have not. FWIW, I think Beamer's success at VPI is a somewhat anomalous career situation.

Peace

 

[StubbornPenny]

The time that football coaches got in the 80's has no bearing on today's game. The money, the coverage, the fan access, the blowback, the "microwave society" are all vastly different.

 

[Kai Slater]

Brother, your optimism will be realized after the big game on Saturday because the cats are going to WIN !! Stooops Troops is just getting started, bro, and you will see a different UK football team this time, especially now that Mark is taking on some of the defensive coaching. After UK wins 38-34, we can put this behind us and move on to a better, more optimistic UK football program.

 

[TopCatCal]

I believe we have the best looking road uniforms in college football. Whether it's the white pants & white jerseys, or the blue pants with the white jerseys.

I'm trying to find something to feel good about. See it's not all bad.

 

[bballcat4]

IIRC, Beamer took over a pretty successful VPI program that had run afoul of The NCAA. His early record was not well received by the VPI fans. To some extent UK has tried the same, I.e., extending guys who Got little done under their first contract. The difference, of course, is Beamer did get a lot done under his extension. IOW, Beamer "got better" after 6 years and UK coaches have not. FWIW, I think Beamer's success at VPI is a somewhat anomalous career situation.

Peace

Agree that Beamer's situation was an anomaly. Agree with poster below that our "microwave" culture prevents this kind of patience.

VaTech coming off probation couldn't have been much different than talent level Joker left behind. There were a couple NFL players. Others were mid major recruits.

Stoops will get his chance because of the enormous buyout. Just don't see UK making a move before 2018.