Is there bad news coming?

[JasonS.]

Care to elaborate re Nutter?

Not really. You hear stuff, but there's always talk around a program when a new coach comes in and does some things that rub people the wrong way. There's more talk when the team struggles (e.g., Brooks, Joker ... GILLISPIE!). A lot of it's probably crap

What I do know is there were just a lot of these threads this time last year ... Stoops was rid of the square pegs in Neal Brown and Craig Naivar, held onto Marrow ... now all would be right in the world.

Here's hoping. There's really no solution at this point other than winning.

 

[JPFisher]

"Head Coach of the Offense". First I've heard of it and if so look out because this situation sounds like Head Coach in Waiting. It won't friggin work and whoever's idea it might be is a blithering idiot. Talk about dividing players and staff this would be the perfect scenario.

Gran is not that solid. An OC in a weak conference. Not the home run some people are fantasizing over. A long term contract and a wedge dividing the team. I detect Mitch's clumsy hand ruining whatever progress has been made. No matter the back slapping, smiles and hand shakes this is going to be one train wreck of a marriage if it happens.

Should it be and if Mitch is involved the guys presently slobbering all over his feet should check their memories. He is the same guy that starved football for years and had a gun to his head before he grudgingly made changes because the fans boycotted ticket sales.

Bran may well be an empty promise bought at a high cost and I don't mean just his salary.

Head coach in waiting? Where the hell is Stoops going? What the hell makes anyone think that Mitch would keep a guy as head coach from a previous firing?

Gran's value comes not just as an OC, but as a recruiter and the fact he was able to bring Hinshaw with him. However, Gran's work at Cincy (with talent comparable to the conference they played in) is solid and Gran has more than enough experience in good to great programs including stops in the SEC. This isn't even taking into account the dividends that familiarity will play.

Which leado into the head coach of the offense. Imo, sounds like Stoops had enough trust to give Gran complete autonomy. Take that as you will. Reinforcing a split in the locker room? Seriously?

Why?

 

[Cawood86_rivals]

It speaks to Stoops ability to hire good assistants. He is the one who wanted Dawson. Did he not vet him enough? Did he not get a feel for his personality? Yet good old Eliot is still here. Defense is bad and has been since he's been here.

 

[Mdeer]

Matt Jones took a call yesterday that brought up football, and Matt cut him off saying he didn't want to the caller to bring him down. Said that the football situation is worse than people know, but he can't talk about it right now. Anybody know what he's talking about?

Lol I warned you guys about jack Daniels Dawson

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

Bottom line is that hiring Shannon Dawson was a mistake and every person that speaks out about his firing (Towles and Philips) gives us a little more info of what the case was with the offense.

Throw the guys that are gone under the bus. That is the UK way.

Hey Coach Stoops, you're next.

 

[docholiday51]

It speaks to Stoops ability to hire good assistants. He is the one who wanted Dawson. Did he not vet him enough? Did he not get a feel for his personality? Yet good old Eliot is still here. Defense is bad and has been since he's been here.

What about this,since we have plenty of time to speculate before next season.

Stoops wanted Lincoln Riley last year,when that didn't work out he couldn't go to Gran since Gran knew he was second choice so he settled for Dawson. Fast forward to this year, Gran is the first choice so he agrees to come.

 

[Allan Brewer]

I heard Matt; and frankly, as the entire situation was in flux as he spoke, the remarks were untimely and uncalled for

I think most of us agree that things worked out beautifully

In fact, I am so enthused that I am seriously considering buying season tickets for Kentucky football next year; and anybody that has followed me on here knows that is a HUGE buy-in to what Mitch and Coach Stoops are doing

 

[Beatle Bum]

Throw the guys that are gone under the bus. That is the UK way.

Hey Coach Stoops, you're next.

You think Dawson was a good hire? Tell me why.

 

[FiveStarBBN]

A player told me that Stoops did not interfere with Brown at all but he did interfere Dawson. There was something off between Stoops and Dawson this season I know that for a fact. Hopefully the rift will be gone next season and we will see positive results.

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

You think Dawson was a good hire? Tell me why.

I think he's a scapegoat. But my point wasn't about whether he was a good coach or bad. My post was about sunshine pampers who can find no wrong with the boys in blue - until they are no longer wearing blue. That's when the sunshine pumpers start pointing fingers.

 

[Allan Brewer]

I don't consider myself a sunshine pumper

Matter o' fact I didn't think the Dawson thing would work and it didn't

But I DO think that Mark got it right this time and we are about to embark on a journey none of us who suffered through Bradshaw, Ray, Curry and Phillips' regimes could have ever imagined

 

[ageit]

A scapegoat? He ran the offense, it failed, miserably at times, and he lost his job. The finger pointing goes on everywhere when coaches/ players leave or get shown the door. Case in point petrinos last exit from ul, he got ravaged by the media, fans, and administration. That is what happens.
And he's back

 

[Mr Schwump]

I think he's a scapegoat. But my point wasn't about whether he was a good coach or bad. My post was about sunshine pampers who can find no wrong with the boys in blue - until they are no longer wearing blue. That's when the sunshine pumpers start pointing fingers.

There, there Peter...having a bad day? You were so sure UK would screw up the Gran/Hinshaw hires you already had your gigs prepared. Now that UK didn't, all you have left is some lame Dawson crap. The Dawson Era is over. Maybe you need a hug, you and Pitino should pair off Peter. Tough days for both of you.

 

[Beatle Bum]

I think he's a scapegoat. But my point wasn't about whether he was a good coach or bad. My post was about sunshine pampers who can find no wrong with the boys in blue - until they are no longer wearing blue. That's when the sunshine pumpers start pointing fingers.

The criticism does not apply if you agree he was a bad hire. That would make you a sunshine "pamper" ( I actually like this more than pumper), as well.

And, by scape goat, are you saying he WAS a good hire? Or, are you avoiding the question?

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

There, there Peter...having a bad day? You were so sure UK would screw up the Gran/Hinshaw hires you already had your gigs prepared. Now that UK didn't, all you have left is some lame Dawson crap. The Dawson Era is over. Maybe you need a hug, you and Pitino should pair off Peter. Tough days for both of you.

You will have to forgive those of us who prefer the actions speak louder than words approach. I'm sure you used these same tactics a year ago when someone questioned the Dawson hire.

I get it - every fan base has "fans" like you that don't get it - that aren't capable of getting it.

 

[chuckster.sixpack]

The criticism does not apply if you agree he was a bad hire. That would make you a sunshine "pamper" ( I actually like this more than pumper), as well.

And, by scape goat, are you saying he WAS a good hire? Or, are you avoiding the question?

I certainly don't think he was a good hire, and questioned it when it was made. Chuckled when the sunshine pumpers thought he was the best thing since sliced bread. And like clock work, was attacked by the Internet tough guys that believe only in blue.

But he isn't the only bad hire on this staff. This season was as disappointing a season as I've seen at UK. The schedule was not just weak, it had 8 home games with not one of the 8 being great. Anybody who thinks that play calling was the only reason for 5-7 simply doesn't get it.

So now all is well now that Dawson and a WR coach are gone. The Bahgdad Bobs of college football. So, yeah, I think he's a scapegoat for those that can't see that there are still issues.

 

[UKani]

Throw the guys that are gone under the bus. That is the UK way.

Hey Coach Stoops, you're next.

I didn't throw anybody under the bus..... If you read the comments from Towles and Philips they actually give some inside at what was going on. They both hint at dysfunction. That's all I was saying.

 

[TM85]

You should really not believe everything you hear on the radio. I like Matts show and listen everyday but the guy has little to no insight on the football team and he could care less about the program.

 

[ZenCatFan73]

I'm feeling good about the new hires. No pi$$ing in my cheerios please.

 

[Longtrip]

From what little I know about the new coaches..... I like the hires!
Kudos to CMS and Mitch!

 

[billoliver40]

The term Head Coach of the Offense kind of does remind me of 'co-head coaches'. Which could be a nightmare.
In essence, it seems we have a head coach of the Offense who has coaches and a Head Coach who is actually a Defensive specialist.

Gonna be interesting who makes calls and when they do it.

Maybe one of em can count how many players are on the field sometimes.

 

[Goingfor9]

Shannon Dawson is a self centered person who couldn't get the job done. When he proved that, Stoops stepped in and Dawson got pouty. So he then started bad mouthing Stoops to certain players and caused the divide. I believe that to be true until someone with proven inside knowledge says otherwise. The more I read and hear, the more I believe Dawson should have been fired midseason.

Nobody gets fired at UK. Never going to happen mid season. Stoops driving the program to China

 

[kb22stang]

I can summarize.

No one knows ****.

The end.

 

[Anon1713320623]

Bottom line, the pusswads in the locker room need to kick rocks. Football is a grown mans sport, it's not for pansies.

 

[jgolfparker]

first and foremost, we have a guy who wants to be a great coach and wants to be at kentucky. Dont know who his first hire was last year but he got Dawson, and that was gamble, we all knew that, had never been the playcaller and nothing really to say would be good. Looked good on the outside but you have to look at the body of work this past year and say. BAD> Brown came here to get a HC job, it was offered and that is where he went, It was his dream, Gran has alot to back up his hire and if you have done your homework then you know he knows his job.. I stand with Coach Mark Stoops and very much want him to be our Coach for several more years.........

 

[JC CATS]

I didn't realize the ship was dysfunctional before Dawson showed. We improved quite a bit with Brown.

Also, I didn't know UK had wheels. I thought the mechanics were still in the process of putting some on. Lol

That would be training wheels...

 

[mtn cat1]

"Head Coach of the Offense". First I've heard of it and if so look out because this situation sounds like Head Coach in Waiting. It won't friggin work and whoever's idea it might be is a blithering idiot. Talk about dividing players and staff this would be the perfect scenario.

Gran is not that solid. An OC in a weak conference. Not the home run some people are fantasizing over. A long term contract and a wedge dividing the team. I detect Mitch's clumsy hand ruining whatever progress has been made. No matter the back slapping, smiles and hand shakes this is going to be one train wreck of a marriage if it happens.

Should it be and if Mitch is involved the guys presently slobbering all over his feet should check their memories. He is the same guy that starved football for years and had a gun to his head before he grudgingly made changes because the fans boycotted ticket sales.

Bran may well be an empty promise bought at a high cost and I don't mean just his salary.

Someone surely pissed in his wheaties!!!

 

[Blue Decade]

Matt was talking about Reese Phillips comments and what it indicates what was going on amongst coaches and players.

As far as I'm concerned the hire of Eddie Gran and Darin Hinshaw nullifies that bad news.

It will be interesting. Barnhart's deft handling of the Gran/Hinshaw hire is another poker in the eye for uninformed people still trying to undermine our athletics department. However, a lot of skeletons emerged from Stoops' closet this month. When the #6 passer in school history transfers out before his senior season over a rift between the head coach and the offensive coordinator, that doesn't die with the next news cycle. Locker room divisions will be harder to heal, and our quarterback depth is mission critical now. I believe the current recruiting class will largely hold together, with few significant defections. But losing Kobe Smith hurts. Kobe was our most important defensive commitment. I have seen some fake gurus speculate that other defensive tackles in the class can contribute immediately, but that's probably wrong. They need redshirts. Kobe was at a different level. By firing Dawson over tactical differences, then naming Gran Head Coach of the Offense, Stoops publicly acknowledges he has neither the moxy nor interest in overseeing the entire football team. He wants to handle the defense and leave the offense in other hands. This is why defensive coordinators have a hard time adjusting to being head coaches. The offensive line was a critical weakness in 2015, and the improvement burden in 2016 is largely on Tate Leavitt, a juco coming into a fluid coaching transition. Chad Scott has never coached receivers before, so it looks like Stoops is still struggling to get his staff straightened out. All of this places a big load on Gran's shoulders. Gran will have to be a great offensive manager, plus Gran and Hinshaw must immediately be effective recruiters from day 1. I am still a Stoops supporter, and I believe he can still be successful. But the path to success just got more complicated, and the window of opportunity just shortened. Stoops has 2 more years to get the job done or get canned, and Gran MUST succeed. If Barker doesn't make huge progress this spring, then Gran could be up against an insurmountable problem unless he brings in his own handpicked quarterback. If Gran fails, Stoops would be finished at Kentucky, and probably as a P5 head coach. That's the long and short of it. I hope this works out for him and for Kentucky, but the walls are closing in now.

 

[Shavers48]

It will be interesting. Barnhart's deft handling of the Gran/Hinshaw hire is another poker in the eye for uninformed people still trying to undermine our athletics department. However, a lot of skeletons emerged from Stoops' closet this month. When the #6 passer in school history transfers out before his senior season over a rift between the head coach and the offensive coordinator, that doesn't die with the next news cycle. Locker room divisions will be harder to heal, and our quarterback depth is mission critical now. I believe the current recruiting class will largely hold together, with few significant defections. But losing Kobe Smith hurts. Kobe was our most important defensive commitment. I have seen some fake gurus speculate that other defensive tackles in the class can contribute immediately, but that's probably wrong. They need redshirts. Kobe was at a different level. By firing Dawson over tactical differences, then naming Gran Head Coach of the Offense, Stoops publicly acknowledges he has neither the moxy nor interest in overseeing the entire football team. He wants to handle the defense and leave the offense in other hands. This is why defensive coordinators have a hard time adjusting to being head coaches. The offensive line was a critical weakness in 2015, and the improvement burden in 2016 is largely on Tate Leavitt, a juco coming into a fluid coaching transition. Chad Scott has never coached receivers before, so it looks like Stoops is still struggling to get his staff straightened out. All of this places a big load on Gran's shoulders. Gran will have to be a great offensive manager, plus Gran and Hinshaw must immediately be effective recruiters from day 1. I am still a Stoops supporter, and I believe he can still be successful. But the path to success just got more complicated, and the window of opportunity just shortened. Stoops has 2 more years to get the job done or get canned, and Gran MUST succeed. If Barker doesn't make huge progress this spring, then Gran could be up against an insurmountable problem unless he brings in his own handpicked quarterback. If Gran fails, Stoops would be finished at Kentucky, and probably as a P5 head coach. That's the long and short of it. I hope this works out for him and for Kentucky, but the walls are closing in now.

wonder why barnhart waited until you had 6 pages of cluster to start applying his deftness.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

I don't know any inside scoops either, but i also think it is fair to say there are issues with this staff that go beyond a bad OC hire 12 months ago. Hopefully we are on track for all issues to be resolved. Brooks didn't start winning until he changed both his coordinators.

And IMO Stoops went after Dawson instead of Gran because he liked the power running WVU used out of the spread/air raid system.

Or, perhaps Coach Gran had other priorities at the time. Who really knows?

 

[birdie king]

I heard Matt; and frankly, as the entire situation was in flux as he spoke, the remarks were untimely and uncalled for

I think most of us agree that things worked out beautifully

In fact, I am so enthused that I am seriously considering buying season tickets for Kentucky football next year; and anybody that has followed me on here knows that is a HUGE buy-in to what Mitch and Coach Stoops are doing

Mitch and Stoops. Now there's a winning combo.

 

[Spica Orbit]

You should really not believe everything you hear on the radio. I like Matts show and listen everyday but the guy has little to no insight on the football team and he could care less about the program.

---
Matt Jones & football are mutually exclusive. What's allowed over there is constant criticism & derision of the football program, but only a 100% love fest for the basketball program. Jones & that guy that always looks like he's drunk have always run things that way. A freaking molecule has more football knowledge than Jones.

Spica Orbit

 

[Blue Decade]

wonder why barnhart waited until you had 6 pages of cluster to start applying his deftness.

You apparently don't know what you are talking about. Have you noticed anything different about our football stadium lately? Have you noticed how Kentucky's sports information department gets out ahead of most stories, and damage controls the others? And did you notice that Michigan was unable to pry Vince Marrow loose from Kentucky's staff after Barnhart wrote a new contract for Vince? Where do you think the money and vision are coming from?

 

[Shavers48]

You apparently don't know what you are talking about. Have you noticed anything different about our football stadium lately? Have you noticed how Kentucky's sports information department gets out ahead of most stories, and damage controls the others? And did you notice that Michigan was unable to pry Vince Marrow loose from Kentucky's staff after Barnhart wrote a new contract for Vince? Where do you think the money and vision are coming from?

poor spin. guys had 14 years and it's still a cluster. time to move on.

 

[Beatle Bum]

poor spin. guys had 14 years and it's still a cluster. time to move on.

Will you move on?

 

[Blueaz]

I think he's a scapegoat. But my point wasn't about whether he was a good coach or bad. My post was about sunshine pampers who can find no wrong with the boys in blue - until they are no longer wearing blue. That's when the sunshine pumpers start pointing fingers.

Wtf. You just try to stir crap up!
There were millions of blue fingers pointing at Dawson all season. And, there were more than a few who questioned the hire. Stoops screwed up, he is trying to fix it. STFU and get over it.
Huge difference in being a sunshine pumper and playing the hand that has been dealt.

 

[Blue Decade]

poor spin. guys had 14 years and it's still a cluster. time to move on.

Spin? LOL! Those are indisputable facts, and I could name more. But you obviously have a chip on your shoulder and don't know what you are talking about, so why bother?

 

[fromthe25ydline]

It appears that better minds are running the offense now. There is plenty of talent to work with. Stoops can now concentrate on his forte' which is defense. It is Kentucky and the SEC which has their degrees of appeal to many coaches around the country. We've seen Stoops fail, now let's see if he can right the ship.

 

[Ollie.ksr]

All I know is, we ran a "read option" where the backside DE wasn't blocked, but the option for the QB to pull it out and run wasn't part of the offensive package. At that point in time, Dawson should have been relived of his duties.

 

[Poetax]

In a team of 90-100 young men, you're always going to have a few who are unhappy about their (lack of) playing time, poor grades, girl trouble, etc.; but what we saw in the 2015 team was truly dysfunctional. Obviously Stoops is ultimately responsible for this, and I hate to call Towles and Phillips bad apples, but hopefully the malcontents will decide on their own they need to move on. If I'm Stoops, I would pretty much challenge anybody who's not "all in" to do just that.

Finally, at the risk of being all sappy and sentimental, hopefully the hiring of Gran (and Hinshaw?) will bring the team together.

It will be interesting. Barnhart's deft handling of the Gran/Hinshaw hire is another poker in the eye for uninformed people still trying to undermine our athletics department. However, a lot of skeletons emerged from Stoops' closet this month. When the #6 passer in school history transfers out before his senior season over a rift between the head coach and the offensive coordinator, that doesn't die with the next news cycle. Locker room divisions will be harder to heal, and our quarterback depth is mission critical now. I believe the current recruiting class will largely hold together, with few significant defections. But losing Kobe Smith hurts. Kobe was our most important defensive commitment. I have seen some fake gurus speculate that other defensive tackles in the class can contribute immediately, but that's probably wrong. They need redshirts. Kobe was at a different level. By firing Dawson over tactical differences, then naming Gran Head Coach of the Offense, Stoops publicly acknowledges he has neither the moxy nor interest in overseeing the entire football team. He wants to handle the defense and leave the offense in other hands. This is why defensive coordinators have a hard time adjusting to being head coaches. The offensive line was a critical weakness in 2015, and the improvement burden in 2016 is largely on Tate Leavitt, a juco coming into a fluid coaching transition. Chad Scott has never coached receivers before, so it looks like Stoops is still struggling to get his staff straightened out. All of this places a big load on Gran's shoulders. Gran will have to be a great offensive manager, plus Gran and Hinshaw must immediately be effective recruiters from day 1. I am still a Stoops supporter, and I believe he can still be successful. But the path to success just got more complicated, and the window of opportunity just shortened. Stoops has 2 more years to get the job done or get canned, and Gran MUST succeed. If Barker doesn't make huge progress this spring, then Gran could be up against an insurmountable problem unless he brings in his own handpicked quarterback. If Gran fails, Stoops would be finished at Kentucky, and probably as a P5 head coach. That's the long and short of it. I hope this works out for him and for Kentucky, but the walls are closing in now.

Until we get the players there won't be any degree of success for either side of the ball and special teams. It will be amazing to see how much better the coaching will look when the players are in place.