is Stoops on the hot seat?

Oct 1, 2001
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another 5-7, 2 sec win season and the seats will start to get warm...

I doubt anything drastic happens after this year if that is what we end up with, but I think Stoops and staff would be going into the following season as essentially lame ducks in need of a miracle...

If we're not playing in bowls and sniffing 4-5 conference wins with in two years...then I think an overhaul will have to come...
Mitch will no doubt be relieved to know you have a scenario to boost our football program and perhaps hire that "big time coach."
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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You don't think touting a guys performance against Vanderbilt and Charlotte is sunshine pumping? Those two programs went a combined 6-18 in 2015, with two wins against FCS schools. And Vandy played in the lowly SECE.
Vandy was a pretty good defense and an awful offense...so yeah, I don't have a problem saying Barker played decent vs them.

You do know Barker only played meaningful snaps in those 3 games right? That's really all he can be judged on - so it's not like I selected those to tout his performance...I selected those because that's all there is to judge.
 

Blue Decade

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5/8 - 60 yards 1 TD, 1 INT and 26 rushing yards vs a good VU defense

16/29 for 129 vs Charlotte - but 9/10 on 3rd and 4th down passing attempts. In snow...

5/8 for 129 and rushing TD vs UL in 1st half. Most of half with Boom Williams, as I said. Many of his 1st half completions being 3rd down conversions.

So like I said, he played decent vs Charlotte, Vandy and Good against UL before the Williams injury...don't think that is overhyping or sunshine pumping at all. He is still mostly an unknown...but Towles was a known, and we know it wasn't good enough.
Did you actually watch these games? LOL! I don't think so. You keep saying Barker played good against Louisville. That tells me you weren't there. It was brutal, and Barker played 1 of the worst games I have seen a Kentucky quarterback play in years. I hope Drew becomes an All American, but I'm telling it like it was. His play in November was awful.
 
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Vandy was a pretty good defense and an awful offense...so yeah, I don't have a problem saying Barker played decent vs them.

You do know Barker only played meaningful snaps in those 3 games right? That's really all he can be judged on - so it's not like I selected those to tout his performance...I selected those because that's all there is to judge.

Yes, against arguably 3 of the 4 worst opponents on UK's schedule. His 2nd half performance against a worse than common Louisville defense was abysmal. And to try and blame that on a running back being out is ridiculous. I don't care if they were missing Barry Freaking Sanders, that was as poor of play from a UK QB that I've seen in a long, long time. And that's saying something.

Look, I know he was a rookie. But he saw action against some cupcakes and he wasn't very good. He has a long way to go. I've seen plenty of SEC QB's in the same situation never get there. I hope he does but I don't have the warm and fuzzies based on 2015 like you do.
 

Shydog

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Sep 11, 2013
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barkers true frosh spring game he shows a LOT of promise and skills,, most came out of that game not sure who was more talented PT Drew,or Phillips. Drew hasn't lost those skills,, I know he didn't look good against UL but still I think most will be pleasantly surprised with his play this fall. I am at least hopeful!
 
Oct 1, 2001
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Did you actually watch these games? LOL! I don't think so. You keep saying Barker played good against Louisville. That tells me you weren't there. It was brutal, and Barker played 1 of the worst games I have seen a Kentucky quarterback play in years. I hope Drew becomes an All American, but I'm telling it like it was. His play in November was awful.
Yes, and when Mike Hartline began QB play this board savaged the young man mercilessly.
 
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Grumpyolddawg

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Jun 11, 2001
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Okay. But it is.


Okay. But it is.

Who is going to make it tougher? Your western division teams we 2 losses last year, Bama is tougher than AU no doubt but it was a loss last year, makes it moot. State is going to take a step back without Dak so those 2 games aren't tougher. Austin Peay looked bad in every game last year, was blown out by EKU, New Mexico State is one of the worst D1 teams in the country so those 2 are a downgrade and a big downgrade over EKU and Charlotte. Southern Miss was pretty good last year but lost their coach, qb, rb and leading WR, if all of those returned could have been tough but thats a lot to replace. UL will be tough again, but a loss last year so at worse its 1 loss this year and a win isn't out of the question

Now the 6 division opponents, 3 have new head coaches, new schemes on both sides of the ball, 2 of those have never been head coaches and the one with head coaching experience can't exactly be positive in that he was fired. Vandy will put a good D on the field, but an offense that struggles and when UF's qb was suspended last year UF went in a nosedive. Bama is an upgrade over AU and UT will be good this year, everyone else in the East could be taking a step back. UGA either starts the worst qb in P5 football or a true frosh, neither is encouraging for us, outside of UT UK is probably in the best shape at QB than anyone in the East at the beginning of the season.
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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Did you actually watch these games? LOL! I don't think so. You keep saying Barker played good against Louisville. That tells me you weren't there. It was brutal, and Barker played 1 of the worst games I have seen a Kentucky quarterback play in years. I hope Drew becomes an All American, but I'm telling it like it was. His play in November was awful.
I was there. Are you not reading that I said he played well until the Boom Williams injury? That's a pretty big piece to miss...UK offense scored 17 in 1st half.
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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Yes, against arguably 3 of the 4 worst opponents on UK's schedule. His 2nd half performance against a worse than common Louisville defense was abysmal. And to try and blame that on a running back being out is ridiculous. I don't care if they were missing Barry Freaking Sanders, that was as poor of play from a UK QB that I've seen in a long, long time. And that's saying something.

Look, I know he was a rookie. But he saw action against some cupcakes and he wasn't very good. He has a long way to go. I've seen plenty of SEC QB's in the same situation never get there. I hope he does but I don't have the warm and fuzzies based on 2015 like you do.
Don't have warm and fuzzies...just am happy to give him a shot over a failed Towles.

And Barker played against 1 cupcake and 2 pretty good defenses. Period. He did decent against Vandy, had one good and one terrible half vs UL and was a game manager and chain mover vs an outmatched Charlotte team.
 
Oct 1, 2001
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Who is going to make it tougher? Your western division teams we 2 losses last year, Bama is tougher than AU no doubt but it was a loss last year, makes it moot. State is going to take a step back without Dak so those 2 games aren't tougher. Austin Peay looked bad in every game last year, was blown out by EKU, New Mexico State is one of the worst D1 teams in the country so those 2 are a downgrade and a big downgrade over EKU and Charlotte. Southern Miss was pretty good last year but lost their coach, qb, rb and leading WR, if all of those returned could have been tough but thats a lot to replace. UL will be tough again, but a loss last year so at worse its 1 loss this year and a win isn't out of the question

Now the 6 division opponents, 3 have new head coaches, new schemes on both sides of the ball, 2 of those have never been head coaches and the one with head coaching experience can't exactly be positive in that he was fired. Vandy will put a good D on the field, but an offense that struggles and when UF's qb was suspended last year UF went in a nosedive. Bama is an upgrade over AU and UT will be good this year, everyone else in the East could be taking a step back. UGA either starts the worst qb in P5 football or a true frosh, neither is encouraging for us, outside of UT UK is probably in the best shape at QB than anyone in the East at the beginning of the season.
Our fan base is conditioned to lose after decades of neglect and development of a graveyard of coaches. None of us truly believe UK can win in football. We predict winning three to five games, but the rest of the schedule is written off as impossible to win. We have the ultimate loser's attitude after 60 years despite a blip of success every now and then usually followed by probation. Last year was particularly disheartening. Do we win this year? Do we get to a bowl? Who knows? All we know is watching UK football is a constant year after year heartbreak.
 

Kooky Kats_anon

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Aug 17, 2002
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Stoops *** is firmly planted on the hot seat until he puts out a defense that doesn't allow 40+ points a game to EVERY read/option quarterback alive.

If defense is his calling card...

<ding dong>

Stoops: "who is it?"
Muffled voice: "mobile quarterback"
Stoops: "a what?"
Muffled voice: "mobile quarterback"

<opens door> <dives left>

<mobile quarterback scampers right, runs in unimpeded and steals food off the Stoops dinner table>

<mobile quarterback takes hairy dump in foyer and leaves>

UK Football Fever - Catch it '16!
 
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So. Miss QB is back. They also have a pretty good RB return. I hope the players aren't as confident as grumpy is when they play them. It's going to be a tough tough opening game.
 
Oct 12, 2013
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Don't have warm and fuzzies...just am happy to give him a shot over a failed Towles.

And Barker played against 1 cupcake and 2 pretty good defenses. Period. He did decent against Vandy, had one good and one terrible half vs UL and was a game manager and chain mover vs an outmatched Charlotte team.

He played against Vandy, Charlotte and Louisville. Who wouldn't want to cut their teeth against them? Period.
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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He played against Vandy, Charlotte and Louisville. Who wouldn't want to cut their teeth against them? Period.
Louisville was ranked 18th in total team defense and Vandy was ranked 28th. I'd suspect a lot of QBs wouldn't want to cut their teeth against them...statistically the 4th and 5th toughest defenses on the schedule.
 
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Louisville was ranked 18th in total team defense and Vandy was ranked 28th. I'd suspect a lot of QBs wouldn't want to cut their teeth against them...statistically the 4th and 5th toughest defenses on the schedule.

That's because they benefitted by playing against Barker. Look, it's pretty obvious you haven't watched much UK football. Because like someone else said earlier, Barker's play in the 2nd half against Louisville was as poor as UK football has ever seen. And to suggest that it was because a running back was hurt is silly.

You don't have any desire to be objective. Welcome to ignore.
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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That's because they benefitted by playing against Barker. Look, it's pretty obvious you haven't watched much UK football. Because like someone else said earlier, Barker's play in the 2nd half against Louisville was as poor as UK football has ever seen. And to suggest that it was because a running back was hurt is silly.

You don't have any desire to be objective. Welcome to ignore.
Season tickets. Boom was our best offensive player and kept defenses honest. I am sorry you were dominated on the subject. If you ignore everyone who makes you look like a fool on this forum, you will be in an empty room.
 

Grumpyolddawg

Heisman
Jun 11, 2001
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So. Miss QB is back. They also have a pretty good RB return. I hope the players aren't as confident as grumpy is when they play them. It's going to be a tough tough opening game.

I thought the qb graduated so I was mistaken about him. Without losing the coach I wouldn't be confident of a UK win, but he isn't there, new head coach, his first game, things most likely won't go as smooth as USM would like, think UK wins. But still, the SEC schedule isn't as strong as it has been in the last few years. What are the chances of all 3 new coaches being good hires? UF lost a ton and barely beat UK the last 2 years, I still don't think they did in 14.
 

CatsFanGG24

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Dec 22, 2003
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You are terrible.
Sorry. He was. It's fine to crap on the OL, defensive position groups, special teams return guys....but QB is off limits?

He is a big boy, I'm sure he has heard worse...and the way he left with his little parting shots, I'm not going to cut him a break on his performance.
 

pikespeak1

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No, not a dumb thread. The team has been piss poor down the stretch the last two seasons. And the reasons haven't been all about personnel. Stoops has made some boneheaded calls during these stretches and it did effect the team. Eliot has been totally vanilla during that stretch as well. I don't think I've ever seen an Eliot team run a stunt on a pass rush, or get a stop when you need one during crucial SEC's games.
It's not a dumb thread. It's an idiotic, stupid, moronic thread. You should have titled it, "I hate Stoops." Then the post should have read: I don't know anything about football, what it takes to build a program or win in the SEC, or how little Stoops had to work with when he got here."
Stoops is everything that UK fans could possible want in a coach. Too bad some of you are too dumb to realize it.
 
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pikespeak1

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Stoops has been a disappointment.
The Joker excuses are gone.
Big money has been spent on coaches and upgrades.
He has increased the talent by leaps and bounds which in turn should show better results. But that hasn't happen.
Late season melt downs, turmoil in the locker room, basic special teams failures.

Their are expectations that come from all the changes that have been made.
Now once again some fans are expecting us to blow off this coming season
and wait for the 2017 season.

Stoops needs to prove he can win this season!
Only an idiot would consider Stoops a disapointment at this point.
 

pikespeak1

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Agreed. No way should we have missed a bowl game last year. You can only tout recruiting successes for so long. Eventually you have to start winning games. Stoops is clearly on the hot seat. If he fails to make a bowl game and keeps his job it will totally because of the irresponsible contract and not because he has earned a 5th year. If Stoops doesn't get to 6 wins this year it is likely that he never will. The schedule is a little more difficult than this past year but we should still have a clear path to 6 wins. You can even argue that we should be favored in 6 games and that's not counting UL and Miss State which should also be winnable. Underdogs maybe but winnable.
Which game did UK lose that they were favored in?
 
Feb 21, 2006
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Mitch will no doubt be relieved to know you have a scenario to boost our football program and perhaps hire that "big time coach."

where in my post do i say anything about a big time coach?...where do I say that there isn't an effort to boost the program?

We have probably the best candidate we could have hoped for coaching us right now...Mark Stoops was a hot name rising the ranks...has the name, the resume, the pedigree, the recruiting prowess...

and we do have the best effort being pumped into football that we've ever had...the renovations, the new facilities, the expanding of staff and upgrades in pay...

I know this...

and all that is why it is absolutely important that things improve...Mumme, Morris, Brooks, and Joker all had some excuse in the fact that football was not a priority and that the resources necessary to competing in football were not being properly allocated, and none of them had the caliber of recruit that CMS has been able to recruit...that excuse no longer holds...

CMS has the investment, the effort, the caliber of recruit...if he cannot start winning with those things then it will be time to move on...

as far as a plan and big name coach should things not work out with CMS...

if competing in the SEC is indeed a priority then I would suggest bringing in more football people...perhaps putting together a football consulting/advisory committee

-Rich Brooks, Howard Schnellenberger, Tim Couch, Dermontti Dawson, etc...and engage with them on what needs to be done...

-open up the check book...really go hard after some big name coordinators or coaches...i would focus on the offense and go for somebody with a prolific system and proven record of production and execution...

-hire some folks from NFL and top college programs...people who have worked in and been apart of big time football...scouts, current and former front office people, former assistants and players, personnel from successful college programs, etc...bring them in as executive and assistant ADs and football support staffers...
 
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JasonS.

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Oct 10, 2001
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For his first two years all of the talk around the program was that Year 3 would be the defining season for the Stoops era ... and then Year 3 came and it was pretty much a disaster. The fact the goalposts have shifted to Year 4 -- or Year 5 -- is concerning. And frankly Kentucky is the only program in the SEC that would give a coach that much time; hopefully that turns out to be a good thing.

The very, very good thing is that, despite on field performance, recruiting has held up ... but this year is pretty huge.
 

pikespeak1

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Sorry. He was. It's fine to crap on the OL, defensive position groups, special teams return guys....but QB is off limits?

He is a big boy, I'm sure he has heard worse...and the way he left with his little parting shots, I'm not going to cut him a break on his performance.
Funny thing is I never see you taking shots at the OL, only at Towles.
 

CatsFanGG24

Heisman
Dec 22, 2003
22,267
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Funny thing is I never see you taking shots at the OL, only at Towles.
We were weak at tackle...Towles had a problem holding the ball too long...add those together and you get a disaster.

The fact that Towles had trouble throwing screen passes and That Dawson loved vertical routes also hurt us badly.
 
Oct 1, 2001
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where in my post do i say anything about a big time coach?...where do I say that there isn't an effort to boost the program?

We have probably the best candidate we could have hoped for coaching us right now...Mark Stoops was a hot name rising the ranks...has the name, the resume, the pedigree, the recruiting prowess...

and we do have the best effort being pumped into football that we've ever had...the renovations, the new facilities, the expanding of staff and upgrades in pay...

I know this...

and all that is why it is absolutely important that things improve...Mumme, Morris, Brooks, and Joker all had some excuse in the fact that football was not a priority and that the resources necessary to competing in football were not being properly allocated, and none of them had the caliber of recruit that CMS has been able to recruit...that excuse no longer holds...

CMS has the investment, the effort, the caliber of recruit...if he cannot start winning with those things then it will be time to move on...

as far as a plan and big name coach should things not work out with CMS...

if competing in the SEC is indeed a priority then I would suggest bringing in more football people...perhaps putting together a football consulting/advisory committee

-Rich Brooks, Howard Schnellenberger, Tim Couch, Dermontti Dawson, etc...and engage with them on what needs to be done...

-open up the check book...really go hard after some big name coordinators or coaches...i would focus on the offense and go for somebody with a prolific system and proven record of production and execution...

-hire some folks from NFL and top college programs...people who have worked in and been apart of big time football...scouts, current and former front office people, former assistants and players, personnel from successful college programs, etc...bring them in as executive and assistant ADs and football support staffers...
Amen, brother. Your preaching from the pulpit of UK fooball futility has been a sermon we've heard since the 60s.
 

Blue Decade

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For his first two years all of the talk around the program was that Year 3 would be the defining season for the Stoops era ... and then Year 3 came and it was pretty much a disaster. The fact the goalposts have shifted to Year 4 -- or Year 5 -- is concerning. And frankly Kentucky is the only program in the SEC that would give a coach that much time; hopefully that turns out to be a good thing.

The very, very good thing is that, despite on field performance, recruiting has held up ... but this year is pretty huge.
Year 3 was not a disaster. We went 5-7. If 5 or 6 plays in the Auburn and Vandy games had been better managed, we would have finished 7-5 and made a bowl, and people would be singing a different tune. So it's fair to say 2015 was disappointing. Not fair or accurate to say disaster. I am not a proponent of what if, just telling the truth. You base your year 3 expectation on talk around the program. To me, that isn't the way to hold Stoops accountable. What I see is strong recruiting, which gives the program a better roster and stronger projection. There is no rule that says it must happen in year 3. Because of the realities of player development, most people I know think this kind of program building takes 5 years.
 

greginky1957

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Oct 10, 2008
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Call me optimistic, but my take is this. Stoops is in the drivers seat, not the hot seat. His off season moves have been brilliant and we will start seeing some rewards as early as this year, maybe even a bowl game if we are real lucky.
 

TBCat

Heisman
Mar 30, 2007
14,317
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Which game did UK lose that they were favored in?

Vandy maybe? That would be your bowl game right there. Didn't happen though. How about UL. After 3 years of recruiting circles around them shouldn't we be able to win in our own stadium by now? Also Western the first year was an upset loss. The big question is after 3 years who has he beat? Even given depleted rosters a good coach should be able to pull off at least one major upset during a 3 year period. Our best win over those 3 years is a bad 7-6 South Carolina team.
 

CatsFanGG24

Heisman
Dec 22, 2003
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Vandy maybe? That would be your bowl game right there. Didn't happen though. How about UL. After 3 years of recruiting circles around them shouldn't we be able to win in our own stadium by now? Also Western the first year was an upset loss. The big question is after 3 years who has he beat? Even given depleted rosters a good coach should be able to pull off at least one major upset during a 3 year period. Our best win over those 3 years is a bad 7-6 South Carolina team.

WKU had a better roster in year 1. The two huge blunders on Stoops were the Vandy and Louisville games from last year....and the Vandy game in particular where he was directly involved in some decisions that clearly resulted in us losing.
 

JHB4UK

Heisman
May 29, 2001
31,836
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Awesome thread. A question was asked, it was definitively answered my myself and others. The rest, last 40+ posts are just re fighting the battles of last Oct-Nov-Dec. But noone with any intelligence or facts can dispute the answer to the original question - Mark Stoops job is not in jeopardy in 2016, he will be the head coach in 2017*

*Unless a Petrino motorcycle trip or Pitino restaurant encounter happens

So now that is out of the way, why dont some of you join the precious present instead of the miserable past? The disappointments of '14 & '15 have been gone over & relived enough, don't you think? Look forward to the future and the exciting unknown it possesses, stop deliberately making yourselves unhappy.

Personally I also do not buy into the '16 schedule being more difficult argument. Of our 5 wins from last year, which ones are now more difficult and we will lose? Southern Miss a frisky non power 5 team, but that is what Louisiana Laffayette was sold as for 8 months last year. Plus they have tremendous turmoil at the coaching spot. Mizzou will be on the road, but they will be worst in '16. South Carolina at home, their talent is not going to be better this year especially at QB. Austin Peay for EKU, New Mex St for UNCC - wash, same lesser home opponents we should defeat. State will take a step back, is at home, a more manageable opponent. Florida on the road, they have severe turmoil if you have been reading up on their Spring. Vandy a game we giftwrapped and gave away last year, this year they are at our place and will not be dramatically better or more talented. Tennessee & Georgia were losses last year, likely will be again this year. Auburn was a loss last year, trading for a loss at Bama this year. UL is a mystery, who knows what kind of team they will actually be by the time we play them after thanksgiving. They might be rolling to a great year, they might have yet another season of QB shuffle, weekly "OR" listed for 3 guys in the clownish amateur fool the defense tricks.
 

Blue Decade

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Yes, and when Mike Hartline began QB play this board savaged the young man mercilessly.
LOL! I didn't savage Hartline. I was optimistic that Hartline would have a good career. And I'm not savaging Barker either. I'm only saying that he played poorly in November. He could be a great player in 2 more years. But he isn't ready yet.
 

Blue Decade

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It's not a dumb thread. It's an idiotic, stupid, moronic thread. You should have titled it, "I hate Stoops." Then the post should have read: I don't know anything about football, what it takes to build a program or win in the SEC, or how little Stoops had to work with when he got here."
Stoops is everything that UK fans could possible want in a coach. Too bad some of you are too dumb to realize it.
+1
 
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Deeeefense

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Aug 22, 2001
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I'm not trying to lay all the woos of the offense on the line play last year but after watching football for several decades I have noticed that there is almost always a strong correlation between line play (protection in particular) and QB success. And for whatever reason last year our protection schemes just didn't hold up a lot of the time. We also had some dissent among some of the receivers last year which did not help.

I'm not trying to blame Barkers lack of success on others just taking the big picture view. I think most if not all of the other issues with the offense have, or will be resolved, and that will give Barker or Johnson or Hoak for that matter a much better opportunity to be successful then last year.