Nearly 4 years ago when Mark Stoops was hired, he said he was only interested in the job if the University was committed to upgrading their facilities and stadium. They were sub-par and completely inadequate compared to those of UK's SEC rivals, and worse, the little bro down the road.
Nearly 4 years later, I believe that the school and Mitch have upheld their part of the bargain. They have completely renovated Commonwealth Stadium adding a state-of-the-art field and luxury boxes and it looks fantastic! They have built an amazing new practice facility and training building and have made a huge financial commitment to the football program. As a fan, I couldn't be more proud of what they have done. The football program now has something that, to the eye, competes on an even level with what upper-level programs offer in terms of facilities.
Now it's Coach Stoops turn to uphold his part of the bargain. He has his stadium upgrades. He has his new practice facilities and training building. He has built a strong coaching staff and has recruited well for the past three+ seasons building something we haven't had in forever - quality depth at multiple positions. He has the deepest running back depth chart I've ever seen at UK. He has built a solid D-line and an impressive secondary. His O-line is stout and ready. Chris Westry is poised for a breakout year and will be an apex predator in the secondary by the end of the season. Coach Stoops has his best team (by far) at UK. It's time for him to make it happen.
I know the schedule isn't doing us any favors, but @ Florida, @ Alabama, @ Tennessee, Georgia, and @ Louisville aside, there are AT LEAST 6 winnable games on the schedule - Southern Miss, New Mexico St., South Carolina, Vanderbilt, @ Mizzou, and Austin Peay. We could even steal the game at home against Mississippi St. and get to 7 and whose to say we don't go on the road and beat Louisville? There are enough winnable games on the schedule to get to a bowl game. It's just now time for Coach Stoops to get it done.
Nearly 4 years later, I believe that the school and Mitch have upheld their part of the bargain. They have completely renovated Commonwealth Stadium adding a state-of-the-art field and luxury boxes and it looks fantastic! They have built an amazing new practice facility and training building and have made a huge financial commitment to the football program. As a fan, I couldn't be more proud of what they have done. The football program now has something that, to the eye, competes on an even level with what upper-level programs offer in terms of facilities.
Now it's Coach Stoops turn to uphold his part of the bargain. He has his stadium upgrades. He has his new practice facilities and training building. He has built a strong coaching staff and has recruited well for the past three+ seasons building something we haven't had in forever - quality depth at multiple positions. He has the deepest running back depth chart I've ever seen at UK. He has built a solid D-line and an impressive secondary. His O-line is stout and ready. Chris Westry is poised for a breakout year and will be an apex predator in the secondary by the end of the season. Coach Stoops has his best team (by far) at UK. It's time for him to make it happen.
I know the schedule isn't doing us any favors, but @ Florida, @ Alabama, @ Tennessee, Georgia, and @ Louisville aside, there are AT LEAST 6 winnable games on the schedule - Southern Miss, New Mexico St., South Carolina, Vanderbilt, @ Mizzou, and Austin Peay. We could even steal the game at home against Mississippi St. and get to 7 and whose to say we don't go on the road and beat Louisville? There are enough winnable games on the schedule to get to a bowl game. It's just now time for Coach Stoops to get it done.