OK, you're Mark Stoops

[Mr Schwump]

How do you fix this? And please, serious discussions only. And not play this guy or that guy.

Of course, none of us are in coaches/players meetings or at practice so we really don't know what's going on. But I think Stoops is seriously micromanaging this team and that's a big problem. A start would be to let the players play and the coaches coach. Stick Dawson in the press box and leave him alone and let him call his game.

What say you?

 

[El Gato Calvo]

How do you fix this? And please, serious discussions only. And not play this guy or that guy.

Of course, none of us are in coaches/players meetings or at practice so we really don't know what's going on. But I think Stoops is seriously micromanaging this team and that's a big problem. A start would be to let the players play and the coaches coach. Stick Dawson in the press box and leave him alone and let him call his game.

What say you?

I've long had a gut feeling that Stoops micromanages every aspect of the program.

We've had two OC's come here who have been associated with high octane offenses and we end up with what we've seen. Stoops is the common denominator.

That's a Type A personality trait and not something that can be fixed.

 

[UKErik]

Special teams is an easy fix. Have a coach responsible for lining the teams up on 3rd down. Every damned team in the nation does it. Hell, it could be a trainer or drunk fan. Just get the teams ready to take the field.

Decision making. Coaches should make their 4th down decision on 3rd down. In other words, if it's 4th and 1, I'm going for it. If it's 4th and 2, I'm kicking. Again, MANY coaches do this.

4th down play calling. Again, just about every team in the nation spends all week working on a 4th and short play. What does UK do? Run the wildcat against a strong d-front (horrible because it takes the pass option away). Throw fades. Run a QB under center sneak that the entire stadium knew as coming. Throw a bomb down the sideline. I don't even know what the Auburn 4th down call was all about.

Offensive play calling. UK HAS to have/use more short/intermediate timing routes. Work the middle of the field. Pull guards more often in the run game (then again, UK rarely runs outside unless it's a cutback). Fewer bombs. I love the downfield passing game, but UK can't throw or catch well enough to justify those shots.

UK has a lot of issues, but when you go back and look at each game, you REALLY realize how unbelievably horrid Kentucky has been on 4th down. Poor play calls. Indecision. Incompetence. Just very frustrating.

GBB!!!

 

[CoachR35]

I don't think there is a fix for this season because the team just doesn't look like a confident group that believes they can win. Stoops will need to re-evaluate the program's vision and mission in the off-season and figure out a way to get everyone on the same page. This is the most uninspired and disorganized college football team I have ever witnessed. Instilling a winning attitude goes deeper than recruiting four star players. 11 players dressed alike does not a team make.

 

[UKWinsAgainYep]

There have been a lot of drops by our receivers that have actually cost us games. I don't know how you fix drops except by recruiting better. Dorian Baker is a joke. I can't stand watching him play after his pathetic attitude and drops last game. I would bench him the rest of the season and tell him to transfer to another school. He is a cancer on the team IMO.

Start discipling players. If they don't make plays, have the G_* Da*n courage to BENCH THEM.

Patrick Towles has been a NERVOUS NELLIE from DAY ONE. This is NOTHING NEW!!!!!

SToops hasn't been smart enough to go with Barker a long time ago. Towles should never play another down for UK. I'm so sick of watching him choke with his happy feet.

Grow a pair Stoops. Play Barker and Reese Phillips. Get a QB who is calm and doesn't panic. Start benching players who have poor attitudes and can't make plays.

I salute JoJo Kemp more than anyone on the team. He has the attitude we need.

 

[Ugoff]

I'd have a "come to Jesus" meeting with the entire team and tell them that everyone is going to be evaluated on the next two weeks, specifically looking at giving maximum effort and supporting teammates. Tell them the coaches personnel decisions are not their concern. If you are sandbagging it and not giving maximum effort your *** will be out on the street. Don't like it then get up and leave now.

 

[krazykats]

Not sure there is a fix for this season if we don't discuss players first. More than just Baker seem affected by the QB controversy and I don't see us getting better until that is resolved completely. Whether that means a QB change or benching everyone who thinks if Towles starts they will halfass it to get what they want......I'd have to be involved to understand that fully.

I would absolutely have my coordinators in the box where they should be where we can communicate thru the headset then maybe the DC would see a sneaky player hiding from his defense!

What I'd mostly focus on is being decisive and clear cut. Know and understand situational football and make sure my coaches and team understand where I'm at and how I want things to be. In situations that are debatable I'd make sure I'm prepared to make decisions on the fly or see them coming and be ready to call timeout and discuss things.

The ST mess is simple fix by you know, having a coach.......and I honestly mean any coach for goodness sake! I think I could easily manage a ST unit better than this.

I will repeat that the QB issue is bigger than just Towles/Barker. I think Dawson may even be in favor of something different than Stoops and it's caused a divide there too.

 

[Saguaro Cat]

I know not personnel decisions was part of the question, but I think that's the answer. Not just quarterback. The depth chart has all these "ors" on it. Just bite the bullet and start sticking with players. Dicking around with quarterback and safeties and corners and right tackles is taking too much time and attention. Simplify.

Also, stop being a dick. Bring his kids down on the sideline. Maybe that will get him to chill the f down. Because that energy is not helping the team. It's making everyone tight. Stop yelling at refs and coaches and making sure we have eleven men on the team.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

I'd have a "come to Jesus" meeting with the entire team and tell them that everyone is going to be evaluated on the next two weeks, specifically looking at giving maximum effort and supporting teammates. Tell them the coaches personnel decisions are not their concern. If you are sandbagging it and not giving maximum effort your *** will be out on the street. Don't like it then get up and leave now.

I'm not sure this is it - but like I keep saying I think the problems are deeper than X and O or philosophy about any technical aspect. Smells like a behind the scenes soap opera to me. If so, he's got to get all players and staff lined up and rowing in the same direction. Have no idea how you do that with 100+ people 80% through a season.....

 

[sparky59]

....." A drunk fan "..???..sign me up.!!!...watching these guys this has certainly driven me to bottle......

 

[akaukswoosh]

I've long had a gut feeling that Stoops micromanages every aspect of the program.

We've had two OC's come here who have been associated with high octane offenses and we end up with what we've seen. Stoops is the common denominator.

That's a Type A personality trait and not something that can be fixed.

If he is indeed that controlling it won't be fixed. The more pressure he feels, the more he will over control and micromanage.

 

[Goingfor9]

If I were stoops I would quit and go back to being a coordinator

 

[WildCard]

Decision making. Coaches should make their 4th down decision on 3rd down. In other words, if it's 4th and 1, I'm going for it. If it's 4th and 2, I'm kicking. Again, MANY coaches do this.

I want to weigh in on this critical point. The 4th down decision should not only be made on 3rd down but, if you are going on 4th down, the 3rd down play call should reflect that decision. Cats have been guilty with a few pretty bad 3rd down calls resulting in "less makable" 4th downs.

IRT the OP's question, I think what we are seeing is an HC in On the Job Training. Aside from in game "HC decisions" there are many other aspects of "directing and managing" a program that not every move up coordinator is ready for, at least at the P5 level of competition. By and large UK has had more "success" with former HCs (Curci, Mumme, Brooks) than coordinators moving up (Ray, Joker, Bradshaw).

Unfortunately, if "experience" is the issue there is simply no real substitute for it.

Peace

 

[BlueRaider22]

UKErik had a good response. I'll just try to throw in some other thoughts.

I don't think Stoops is a micro-manager. I think he steps in on defense because Eliott isn't ready to be on his own just yet. I think he has stepped in lately on offense because Dawson hasn't been very good. I don't think he wants to, I think he has to.

I am less enamored with Dawson with every game. I don't think he adapts the play to the personnel. Brown ran the ball a lot with Towles....and Kemp as the Wildcat because that's what he had to work with. Dawson has a QB that can run but tells him not to. He has an o-line that can't protect but won't call plays to maximize the coverage. He has WRs who can get YAC but doesn't get them the ball with short and intermediate passes. The backs will run well in a game but he chooses to throw it. He has a 6'5" 240# mobile QB and a good OC at the 1 foot line but chooses not to sneak it......ever. I think this was a poor hire.

It is entirely plausible that the decision not to play Barker may have been Dawson's decision too.

 

[UKTOPDOG]

How sad is it that I actually had thoughts that the OP may be Stoops himself looking for ideas!

 

[.S&C.]

How sad is it that I actually had thoughts that the OP may be Stoops himself looking for ideas!

[laughing]

 

[BlueRaider22]

I would sell out every trick in the book to win the last 2. Wildcat, run the QB, play the hot QB, trick plays, going for it more, etc.

During the offseason I would replay every game from start to finish. Analyzing every game management decision. I would do all I can to learn from my mistakes as a young HC.

I would seriously evaluate Dawson and whether or not I should switch. I would evaluate the line play and make decisions on line coaches.

 

[.S&C.]

You won't fix this problem until you put leaders in place. This team is leaderless, and it starts with Stoops and ends with his quarterback. The team isn't all that bad honesty, they just don't play for either of them. Defensively the team has quit. The leaders in place aren't working. When that's the problem, you make massive changes. So until Stoops rides his contract out, it's doubtful we see progress.

I'm not trying to sound like broken record, but to me its obvious, and it's just one of those situations.

Or it looks that way.

 

[Dunkapotamus_rivals209832]

You're talking about a millionaire HC who called a TO to punt.

 

[UKErik]

LOL

GBB!!!

 

[Kai Slater]

Take a field trip to Tuscaloosa, take notes, come back home and implement what they learned. Even if we don't have their depth of athletes, we would see some improvements by learning from Master Nick Saban

 

[merrimanm]

I've long had a gut feeling that Stoops micromanages every aspect of the program.

We've had two OC's come here who have been associated with high octane offenses and we end up with what we've seen. Stoops is the common denominator.

That's a Type A personality trait and not something that can be fixed.

Actually, the more important common denominator is the talent level and experience.

 

[Rod Crandler]

I'm getting this sense that Stoops has anger management issues and has the entire team walking on pins and needles. So if I were Stoops, I would get some help and work on my leadership and delegation skills. Of course, what do I know....I'm just a fan that falls for the hype every summer and ends up disappointed again in November.

 

[merrimanm]

I'm getting this sense that Stoops has anger management issues and has the entire team walking on pins and needles. So if I were Stoops, I would get some help and work on my leadership and delegation skills. Of course, what do I know....I'm just a fan that falls for the hype every summer and ends up disappointed again in November.

I know a guy that played at FSU when Stoops was there. He said he was very fiery, and had a temper. But it was a good thing and that the players there LOVED him. So I don't know if that is what is happening here.

 

[kyboy1998_rivals34276]

He could go to any large business and see where he falls short.

He learns to delegate, hold people accountable and force them to do their jobs. Oversee actions and offer advice and review the results.

Then spend your time managing situation and time. Listen in on the headset and empower your coordinators and be a front man on the sidelines and in the press conference.

The leaders that perform best at their jobs will do the least and manage the most. It really boils down to the old adage, "work on your business, not in it."

The person who mentioned micro manage was right and he misses some very low hanging fruit in the process.

 

[HalHR2500]

I am very concerned about a lot of serious matters, some football related, some are not.....

 

[merrimanm]

I am very concerned about a lot of serious matters, some football related, some are not.....

Like what?

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

I am very concerned about a lot of serious matters, some football related, some are not.....

Go ahead and spill the beans.

 

[Formerly Imafan4evr_]

-I'd hire a special teams coach so we can stop this ridiculous assortment of bloopers that we call special teams. In all honesty, I wouldn't mind it being a crotchety old "been there, done that" kinda guy just to provide some level of experience to the program in general.

-On one hand, I hate the idea of dumping an OC after one year. On the other hand, Dawson has been a steaming pile of post-Mexican restaurant crap. What exactly is our offensive identity? It certainly isn't Air Raid, yet it doesn't establish any type of running threat either. I know some of this relies on personnel, but if you're running the Air Raid with a subpar QB and a line that gets sliced like hot butter, maybe go with the trusty dink-and-dunk or some midrange shots over the middle (like perhaps to that strange guy that some programs call a TE; he seems to be great when called upon)? This goofy switch between redundant draws and letting Towles just chuck a total toss-up and see who comes down with the ball is silly.

-I'd rewatch my coaching blunders (8 men on field, delay of game prior to FG, etc.), simply to learn.

-I'd evaluate my leadership strategy. Is there something I can do differently? Am I too hands-on with a particular group of players/coaches, maybe not hands-on enough with another? Can I trust my OC/DC or do I need to babysit their playcalling? If I need to babysit either of them, is it my mistrust or are they simply incompetent to be left to their own devices?

 

[Barry MuCockinher]

I've long had a gut feeling that Stoops micromanages every aspect of the program.

We've had two OC's come here who have been associated with high octane offenses and we end up with what we've seen. Stoops is the common denominator.

That's a Type A personality trait and not something that can be fixed.

This times a million, I've noticed the same exact thing. How do we have 2 guys from high octane offense be this inept. I too feel as though there's micromanagement. I think CMS has his hand in too many pots, and in the process he's neglected special teams as a result

 

[Mr Schwump]

This times a million, I've noticed the same exact thing. How do we have 2 guys from high octane offense be this inept. I too feel as though there's micromanagement. I think CMS has his hand in too many pots, and in the process he's neglected special teams as a result

I actually feel this way too about the O and OC. I think Stoops hamstrung Brown and is repeating himself with Dawson. That's why I say put Dawson in the press box and leave him alone, sure as hell can't do much worse.

 

[BlueRaider22]

He could go to any large business and see where he falls short.

He learns to delegate, hold people accountable and force them to do their jobs. Oversee actions and offer advice and review the results.

Then spend your time managing situation and time. Listen in on the headset and empower your coordinators and be a front man on the sidelines and in the press conference.

The leaders that perform best at their jobs will do the least and manage the most. It really boils down to the old adage, "work on your business, not in it."

The person who mentioned micro manage was right and he misses some very low hanging fruit in the process.

I still don't see him as a micro-manager. I see him as a guy who didn't hire some of his staff right and now as the HC he has to step in. That's two different problems......both damning but both solved in different ways.

 

[BlueRaider22]

-I'd hire a special teams coach so we can stop this ridiculous assortment of bloopers that we call special teams. In all honesty, I wouldn't mind it being a crotchety old "been there, done that" kinda guy just to provide some level of experience to the program in general.

-On one hand, I hate the idea of dumping an OC after one year. On the other hand, Dawson has been a steaming pile of post-Mexican restaurant crap. What exactly is our offensive identity? It certainly isn't Air Raid, yet it doesn't establish any type of running threat either. I know some of this relies on personnel, but if you're running the Air Raid with a subpar QB and a line that gets sliced like hot butter, maybe go with the trusty dink-and-dunk or some midrange shots over the middle (like perhaps to that strange guy that some programs call a TE; he seems to be great when called upon)? This goofy switch between redundant draws and letting Towles just chuck a total toss-up and see who comes down with the ball is silly.

-I'd rewatch my coaching blunders (8 men on field, delay of game prior to FG, etc.), simply to learn.

-I'd evaluate my leadership strategy. Is there something I can do differently? Am I too hands-on with a particular group of players/coaches, maybe not hands-on enough with another? Can I trust my OC/DC or do I need to babysit their playcalling? If I need to babysit either of them, is it my mistrust or are they simply incompetent to be left to their own devices?

I too, hate to fire a guy after 1 yr but if Stoops truly feels that Dawson is an issue its better to cut him loose now than go through another yr and risk being fired yourself or pushed further onto the hot seat before making a change. This goes for any member of the staff.

 

[domino79]

Here's what I'd do. I'd book a flight to the Caribbean and hang out for awhile, maybe play in drum circles with the natives. Try to reconnect with my primitive ego. Coach is in the belly of the beast and he needs to split with reality to get better. The same old, same old aint working. He's got to kill what he thinks he knows.

Look, logic and reason aren't doing it. The sooner Coach gets primitive, the better. I would relinquish all play-calling to Dawon and Elliot, and I would take some me time. I'm not getting fired before 2017, so what's the big deal? I created this mess, I can just leave it. See ya, wouldnt want to be ya.

 

[LowCountryCat]

Take two weeks off? Resign? Are we just brainstorming?

 

[Orionorl]

Special teams is an easy fix. Have a coach responsible for lining the teams up on 3rd down. Every damned team in the nation does it. Hell, it could be a trainer or drunk fan. Just get the teams ready to take the field.

Decision making. Coaches should make their 4th down decision on 3rd down. In other words, if it's 4th and 1, I'm going for it. If it's 4th and 2, I'm kicking. Again, MANY coaches do this.

4th down play calling. Again, just about every team in the nation spends all week working on a 4th and short play. What does UK do? Run the wildcat against a strong d-front (horrible because it takes the pass option away). Throw fades. Run a QB under center sneak that the entire stadium knew as coming. Throw a bomb down the sideline. I don't even know what the Auburn 4th down call was all about.

Offensive play calling. UK HAS to have/use more short/intermediate timing routes. Work the middle of the field. Pull guards more often in the run game (then again, UK rarely runs outside unless it's a cutback). Fewer bombs. I love the downfield passing game, but UK can't throw or catch well enough to justify those shots.

UK has a lot of issues, but when you go back and look at each game, you REALLY realize how unbelievably horrid Kentucky has been on 4th down. Poor play calls. Indecision. Incompetence. Just very frustrating.

GBB!!!

There were THREE defenders on the line for the last play Saturday. THREE. And we had SIX guys on the O-line. And the defense sacked the quarterback who was flushed out of the pocket by THREE tired defensive linemen.

You think a special teams coach is going to fix that? There is only one fix.

 

[docholiday51]

UKErik had a good response. I'll just try to throw in some other thoughts.

I don't think Stoops is a micro-manager. I think he steps in on defense because Eliott isn't ready to be on his own just yet. I think he has stepped in lately on offense because Dawson hasn't been very good. I don't think he wants to, I think he has to.

I am less enamored with Dawson with every game. I don't think he adapts the play to the personnel. Brown ran the ball a lot with Towles....and Kemp as the Wildcat because that's what he had to work with. Dawson has a QB that can run but tells him not to. He has an o-line that can't protect but won't call plays to maximize the coverage. He has WRs who can get YAC but doesn't get them the ball with short and intermediate passes. The backs will run well in a game but he chooses to throw it. He has a 6'5" 240# mobile QB and a good OC at the 1 foot line but chooses not to sneak it......ever. I think this was a poor hire.

It is entirely plausible that the decision not to play Barker may have been Dawson's decision too.

For whatever reason Stoops seems to be trying to do more on the sidelines than any one person could do with any reasonable expectation of success(either micro managing or being forced into it by others lack of ability)

My question is this,When the QB comes off the field it seems he goes and just stands around till the next series of downs,he does not go over anything with anyone or look at charts or play sheets. Surly this is not correct but on t.v. you can't tell I hope this is wrong,is there more interaction ?

 

[BBBLazing]

Actually, the more important common denominator is the talent level and experience.

You need to get over this argument. We have more talent than Vandy and still got our *** kicked.

 

[merrimanm]

You need to get over this argument. We have more talent than Vandy and still got our *** kicked.

I can't get over it until it isn't true anymore. And we have comparable talent to Vandy, and we beat our own ***, not Vandy.

 

[.S&C.]

Actually, the more important common denominator is the talent level and experience.

Talent? Eastern? Vandy? We suck in the worst SEC I've seen in a very long time.

Come on man.