Looking forward to 2016

[willievic]

I know it's a long time till football in 2016, but I'm looking forward to it. I believe with the players Coach Stoops has recruited, and the ones we have coming in next year, we will be a very improved team. Do I think we will win 8 or 9 games? Definitely not, but I think we will enough to go bowling, and more important, be competitive in most of the games.
The one thing I want to see is improvement by the players, but more important, definitely better management of the game, especially by Coach Stoops. I felt this past year, Coach Stoops was coaching 2nd down and we were playing 3rd down. He seemed to be behind, and the game was moving to fast for him. He needs to spend less time arguing with the officials, he's not going to win, and more time paying attention to the game.
Is Dawson the man for OC? I don't really think anyone knows, even though a lot of fans want him gone. I think when you have as much turmoil on the team as there seemed to be, it's hard to gauge an OC. Some of the remarks Coach Stoops made, and then didn't follow through about the QB situation, definitely cause dissension. If you say it, do it.
I find it hard to criticize the OL coach and DL coach, even though I wasn't happy with the play of either line. Injuries and youth makes it hard to coach, especially when you don't have a true leader, which neither had the last half of the season.
If 2016 does not show improvement, then we will see changes in the staff for 2017, and if there isn't a LOT of improvement in 2017, we will have a new Head Coach in 2018. I look for Coach Stoops to do a much better job of game management next year.
2015 season is over, now let's get behind this staff for 2016. I personally don't want to say anything that might prevent a recruit from coming to the University of Kentucky.

 

[jauk11]

I know it's a long time till football in 2016, but I'm looking forward to it. I believe with the players Coach Stoops has recruited, and the ones we have coming in next year, we will be a very improved team. Do I think we will win 8 or 9 games? Definitely not, but I think we will enough to go bowling, and more important, be competitive in most of the games.
The one thing I want to see is improvement by the players, but more important, definitely better management of the game, especially by Coach Stoops. I felt this past year, Coach Stoops was coaching 2nd down and we were playing 3rd down. He seemed to be behind, and the game was moving to fast for him. He needs to spend less time arguing with the officials, he's not going to win, and more time paying attention to the game.
Is Dawson the man for OC? I don't really think anyone knows, even though a lot of fans want him gone. I think when you have as much turmoil on the team as there seemed to be, it's hard to gauge an OC. Some of the remarks Coach Stoops made, and then didn't follow through about the QB situation, definitely cause dissension. If you say it, do it.
I find it hard to criticize the OL coach and DL coach, even though I wasn't happy with the play of either line. Injuries and youth makes it hard to coach, especially when you don't have a true leader, which neither had the last half of the season.
If 2016 does not show improvement, then we will see changes in the staff for 2017, and if there isn't a LOT of improvement in 2017, we will have a new Head Coach in 2018. I look for Coach Stoops to do a much better job of game management next year.
2015 season is over, now let's get behind this staff for 2016. I personally don't want to say anything that might prevent a recruit from coming to the University of Kentucky.

Nice post.

I wish everyone shared your sentiments in the last sentence. Some decisions come down to a whig of difference. What is a whig? An amount so small it hasn't even been named yet, until now.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Most of you won't agree with me but looking to next year with hope that we'll be much improved is like watching a replay and hoping the results will be different. Stoops will get his 4-5 years to prove himself. We will continue to fight to get 6 wins all the while most of the SEC teams on our schedule will keep beating us by 3-4 touchdowns. I admire the die hard fans that come to every game even though we're a terrible team. That's a true UK fan. But thinking that Stoops will make us an annual 7-8 game winner is not going to happen. He has assistant coach credentials. That's all he is. Blind faith in him is just wrong.

 

[BigBluePhantom]

Most of you won't agree with me but looking to next year with hope that we'll be much improved is like watching a replay and hoping the results will be different. Stoops will get his 4-5 years to prove himself. We will continue to fight to get 6 wins all the while most of the SEC teams on our schedule will keep beating us by 3-4 touchdowns. I admire the die hard fans that come to every game even though we're a terrible team. That's a true UK fan. But thinking that Stoops will make us an annual 7-8 game winner is not going to happen. He has assistant coach credentials. That's all he is. Blind faith in him is just wrong.

There is a slight chance that you are right but there is no reason for it to play out like that. Our talent has been improving since he got here and it won't be until year five that we feel the full effect of that due to redshirting. We had some real issues this year but they were glaring issues. I am sure Stoops sees all the problems just like we do. He will address those problems and hopefully, most of them will be solved by next year. We are real close to being that 7 to 8 win team so we only need marginal improvement in a few key areas to get there. Every indication is that we should be better next year. I understand any of us being timid after years and years of coming up short but the consistently better recruiting classes are tangible reasons for hope.

 

[bigbluegrog]

Most of you won't agree with me but looking to next year with hope that we'll be much improved is like watching a replay and hoping the results will be different. Stoops will get his 4-5 years to prove himself. We will continue to fight to get 6 wins all the while most of the SEC teams on our schedule will keep beating us by 3-4 touchdowns. I admire the die hard fans that come to every game even though we're a terrible team. That's a true UK fan. But thinking that Stoops will make us an annual 7-8 game winner is not going to happen. He has assistant coach credentials. That's all he is. Blind faith in him is just wrong.

I suppose I understand the negativity but what purpose does that serve? Personally, optimism (blind faith) beats pessimism any day of the week. I will go to my grave feeling that one of these years our blind faith is going to pay off. Hoping 2016 is the year.

 

[uk_king_cat2]

I will make it to a few games as i always do. Should be able to get lots of cheap seats in 2016.

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

I suppose I understand the negativity but what purpose does that serve? Personally, optimism (blind faith) beats pessimism any day of the week. I will go to my grave feeling that one of these years our blind faith is going to pay off. Hoping 2016 is the year.

I appreciate your courteous response to a delicate topic. And I certainly see your point. I really like your comment that optimism beats pessimism...... I just feel like a good portion of fans think we'll get better results every year when in fact the product on the field is more talented 'on paper' but gets held back by a coaching staff that can't develop that talent. I love the recruiting but I strongly dislike the coaches failing to improve the football team.

 

[uk_king_cat2]

I'm ready for the season to start tomorrow.

 

[bigbluegrog]

I appreciate your courteous response to a delicate topic. And I certainly see your point. I really like your comment that optimism beats pessimism...... I just feel like a good portion of fans think we'll get better results every year when in fact the product on the field is more talented 'on paper' but gets held back by a coaching staff that can't develop that talent. I love the recruiting but I strongly dislike the coaches failing to improve the football team.

I disliked the coaching/development too but to think in December that the 2016 season will automatically be a failure just doesn't make sense to me. And btw, I have only missed two home games since 1977 so there has been a lot of blind faith. We may very well suck again next year, I'm just not ready to concede anything nine months ahead. But that's just me. I hope UK can win you and others back at some point. The BBN needs you!

 

[screwduke]

I was down after the UL game but beyond pumped to see all the talent coming in.

 

[Poetax]

As UK fans, we have seen the tough times. And I'm in the belief that just as our young players will improve with time so will our staff.

 

[jauk11]

I was down after the UL game but beyond pumped to see all the talent coming in.

Yeah, I think you were off the track for a while there, glad to see you are back on board, hope to start building up some steam again soon, so far so good with holding on to our commits.

And just reading Ainsley's comments to a recruit helps too.

 

[CATFANFOLIFE87]

I suppose I understand the negativity but what purpose does that serve? Personally, optimism (blind faith) beats pessimism any day of the week. I will go to my grave feeling that one of these years our blind faith is going to pay off. Hoping 2016 is the year.

I'm with you on negativity serving no purpose. If you want to assure that UK football stays UK football then bail on the best recruiting staff we've had in almost 40 years. JR recently wrote a piece that he shared over here about judging this staff differently. He brought up the self-fulfilling prophecy and how the hype becomes your next football team. This staff has created momentum for this program out of thin air. The fans have been a big part of that to this point. If people want to keep believing that UK football can never be more than it is now then that's all we'll ever get.

The staff is going to have some of the nicest facilities in the country to recruit to when the practice facility is finished next year. The extent to which they'll be able to capitalize on it in recruiting will be affected by whether fans choose to support the team and the coaches in 2016 and 2017. Just remember when you jump ship that you were part of the problem not the solution

 

[vhcat70]

I suppose I understand the negativity but what purpose does that serve? Personally, optimism (blind faith) beats pessimism any day of the week.

Pessimism as a result of objective view of a situation has its place. World affairs, finances, & personal relationships are examples of where it can save one.

 

[StoopRaid7]

I can't wait either. Love how coach is bringing in those oline guys. It's starts up front on both sides of the ball

 

[GridCats]

I'm like an old fighter that's been knock down so much that my mind tells me it's time to quit, but keep going back for more. Even if I give away half the tickets as I did this year, most likely I'll hang on for another round.

 

[gobigblue812_rivals29381]

One thing can be said that is factual. If the 16 class holds together, there will be more talent on this team than there has been in decades. Whether Stoops can coach them up to another level is the question. Even if Stoops is gone in a year or two the next coach will have SEC talent to work with unlike other incoming coaches.

 

[redbudman]

Nice post.

I wish everyone shared your sentiments in the last sentence. Some decisions come down to a whig of difference. What is a whig? An amount so small it hasn't even been named yet, until now.

If Stoops does not make it at least we will have the facilities to attract a top guy! If we step up to the plate and pay him! If Stoops continues to really seem lost during the game as he has so far! I say pull the plug and really make a concerted effort to get a big name coach the fans deserve a winning team!

 

[willievic]

I am an eternal optimist, but even I have been critical of Coach Stoops coaching this past year. I know he was an excellent Defensive Coordinator at ever where he's been, but he made a lot of mistakes during the games. Being a HC was new to him, and having to make the decisions as the "man", was tough. Sometimes he was arguing with the refs when he should have been paying attention to the game. He was thinking about the 2nd down and we were running the 3rd down.
When I was instructing in fighters in the Air Force, most of the pilots were behind the aircraft for a while, but they would catch up after a few flights. I can see the same thing with Coach Stoops, but as he gets experience as a HC, and more confidence, he will do a much better job.
I expect us to see a different staff this year as far as the management of the game, including Coach Stoops and Coach Dawson.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[Allan Brewer]

Damage control has begun
LOL

 

[bigbluegrog]

Pessimism as a result of objective view of a situation has its place. World affairs, finances, & personal relationships are examples of where it can save one.

True, but you can flip that and say the same thing about optimism. I think that both can be contagious.

 

[richbrookstomato]

I've been a season ticket holder for 25 years and I know all about optimism.

However, I have come to the conclusion that this staff needs to SHOW ME they can take UK Football out of the mediocrity that has prevailed throughout our frustrating history. I want Coach Stoops to succeed here. I realize that our recruiting has improved tremendously since his arrival.

I also have been around long enough to know that talk is cheap and results are what count. It's time to SHOW ME!!

 

[RealCat41]

I'm like an old fighter that's been knock down so much that my mind tells me it's time to quit, but keep going back for more. Even if I give away half the tickets as I did this year, most likely I'll hang on for another round.

You are officially the Tex Cobb of the Kentucky fan base.

 

[GridCats]

Not a boxing fan and had to Google. I was thinking of "Rocky" I guess. :smiley:

 

[jte123]

I always follow the Wildcats and am hopeful the team will be better each year. Reality is we are never going to change we are a bottom SEC team period, that's the way it has been for 50 years. yes 5 ... 0 years.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

We can't be much worse than this season so yeah, I agree we will be improved. Will it be enough to beat UL on the road, UT on the road, FL on the road, Bama on the road, UGA at home? No way. We should be able to potentially win every other game though, but could lose most of them outside APSU and N. Mex. St as well.

 

[K_TIME]

I'll give my best positive outlook on 2016...
1. The schedule, to me, isn't really that much harder for UK's ability to win 6 games in 2016 vs. 2015.
- UT, Bama (takes Auburn spot) and UF are probably more out of reach for UK...but we lost all those games in 2015 anyway
- The winnable games are probably easier for UK. Miss St (w.o Dak), Vandy at home, USC at home (w.o Pharoah), Mizzou on road could be tougher, UL on road (but their roster is worsening).... We can win 3-4 of this grouping.
2. If Leavitt/Bonner are ready to go day 1...our guys in trenches should be better in 2016 and possibly by a good margin. Outside of Cory Johnson (who was great in 2015)...I think Hugennin, Swindle are easily responsible and Lewis we only got 5 games out of him and Elam looked OK in his place to me.
- I've always thought it was way more important to be stronger on the edges vs. middle part of DL/OL. We need upgrades at offensive tackles to protect the edges and we have to pass rush from the edges. Bonner/Leavitt could go a long way to help us in the trenches in 2016 vs. what we got in 2015
3. It all boils down to Drew Barker...if we can manage the offense better than what we got from Towles, we can make that next step. But if he looks out of sorts (i.e. UL game) then it will be a repeat of 2015. But if Dawson/Barker can get on page to have a mediocre QB season...UK has better players in more spots to get to a bowl game.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

We are a disheartened and beaten down fan base who continues to have hope thought the light flickers on that belief.

We are not in the conversation of being a SEC football school. We are a great road trip for visiting fans who know they will win and enjoy a great weekend.

We are third best in Kenrucky behind WKU and Louisville. Even Eastern is playing well and competitive. This is not Mitch Barnhart's fault. He could only do so much in his 15 years. The true issue lies in the fact the infrastructure of the UK campus was crumbling due to politics and old school thinking. Folks, nothing was ever improving for athletics until academics were greatly updated.

What Dr. C has done for UK is unprecedented and in some quarters greatly disliked. Change brings about strong opinions and a major effort to keep things as they are.

That movement and pressures to keep things as they are also prevented any athletic improvements outside basketball. That is why today Dr. C led the charge along with Mitch and CMS to bring $200M in stadium and facilities improvements. Even these state of the art facilities doesn't guarantee football success.

CMS and his staff are recruiting at levels not seen since Bear Ryant and his "slush" fund brought us Babe Parelli and players that went down that Glory Road.

This process will continue to be difficult and demanding. CMS and his staff is our only hope for the immediate future. The question for all of us from decades old fans to young fans hoping for success is do our part in the process of achieving success.

After all, regardless of your opinions the program needs us and as fans we need the program.

 

[Allan Brewer]

We are a disheartened and beaten down fan base who continues to have hope thought the light flickers on that belief.

We are not in the conversation of being a SEC football school. We are a great road trip for visiting fans who know they will win and enjoy a great weekend.

We are third best in Kenrucky behind WKU and Louisville. Even Eastern is playing well and competitive. This is not Mitch Barnhart's fault. He could only do so much in his 15 years. The true issue lies in the fact the infrastructure of the UK campus was crumbling due to politics and old school thinking. Folks, nothing was ever improving for athletics until academics were greatly updated.

What Dr. C has done for UK is unprecedented and in some quarters greatly disliked. Change brings about strong opinions and a major effort to keep things as they are.

That movement and pressures to keep things as they are also prevented any athletic improvements outside basketball. That is why today Dr. C led the charge along with Mitch and CMS to bring $200M in stadium and facilities improvements. Even these state of the art facilities doesn't guarantee football success.

CMS and his staff are recruiting at levels not seen since Bear Ryant and his "slush" fund brought us Babe Parelli and players that went down that Glory Road.

This process will continue to be difficult and demanding. CMS and his staff is our only hope for the immediate future. The question for all of us from decades old fans to young fans hoping for success is do our part in the process of achieving success.

After all, regardless of your opinions the program needs us and as fans we need the program.

Uhhhhh, you are looking backwards at the wake behind the stern of the boat, SA Cat
If you turn around and face the bow you will see us about to go over a waterfall

 

[scotbishop]

Been going to UK games since I was 6. I'm 52 and will continue to go. We make a weekend of it by doing all the things we cant do in Williamsburg

 

[Allan Brewer]

Been going to UK games since I was 6. I'm 52 and will continue to go. We make a weekend of it by doing all the things we cant do in Williamsburg

A true testament to the impoverished expectations of UK football fans: we go because they ain't nothin better to do

 

[Kybluedude]

CMS and his staff are recruiting at levels not seen since Bear Ryant and his "slush" fund brought us Babe Parelli and players that went down that Glory Road." ---- Uncalled for and unsubstantiated comments. Bryant was a unquestioned great Coach here as well as every place he coached.

 

[scotbishop]

A true testament to the impoverished expectations of UK football fans: we go because they ain't nothin better to do

There are better things to do we just like going to UK games and enjoying Lexington, Keenland, shopping, food and football. Doesn't everyone?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

There are better things to do we just like going to UK games and enjoying Lexington, Keenland, shopping, food and football. Doesn't everyone?

Not much better than that type of day if you ask me, if you are spending it with family/friends. Same reason I got to TN TItans games even though we suck now, does not matter if we win or lose, still enjoy supporting the team. Certainly does not mean I am not wanting more.

 

[scotbishop]

Not much better than that type of day if you ask me, if you are spending it with family/friends. Same reason I got to TN TItans games even though we suck now, does not matter if we win or lose, still enjoy supporting the team. Certainly does not mean I am not wanting more.

Bingo!!!!!You got it.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

CMS and his staff are recruiting at levels not seen since Bear Ryant and his "slush" fund brought us Babe Parelli and players that went down that Glory Road." ---- Uncalled for and unsubstantiated comments. Bryant was a unquestioned great Coach here as well as every place he coached.

Mr. Dude, every word of my comments are absolutely true. Slush funds were used by nearly every top football school in the 40s and 50s. In the book Rising Tide about Bryant's years at Alabama, it was Howard Schellenberger as an assistant coach was sent with $10,000 in cash to bring Joe Namath to Tuscaloosa. These cash funds are today called recruiting budgets. Bryant's slush fund was discovered by then president Herman Donovan who stopped the practice and declared UK would only recruit in the state of Kentucky. Bryant continued his mantra of doing whatever it takes to win at both Texas A&M and later at Alabama. No one including myself is denigrating Coach Bryant's achievements and legacy as one of college football's greatest coaches.