The Case for Mike Leach

[CatsPaws270]

I like him - but his performance at WSU would've resulted in this board calling for his head multiple times had he had the same type of results here.

Loss to Portland State a year after blowing them out. Loss to Eastern Washington. Blowout losses to rival every year.

His offense putting up 42 points in a loss to EWU would not make you feel any better about that L.

But at the same time, if a coach at UK put up a 9-4 record with a 6-3 conference record, including a win over Miami in the Sun Bowl, he'd have a statue made for him outside the stadium.

And people keep acting like winning in the SEC with defense and toughness is the way to go at UK?! We will never have the talent to match up against the other teams in our conference that do that...its delusional to think that way.

All Leach has to do is put out a team good enough to beat 3 mid major schools, Mizzou, Miss St, Vandy, and SC....with a chance to upset a few of the other 4 we play every year and have a team that can compete with a high powered UofL offense.

 

[CatsPaws270]

[media]

 

[gamecockcat]

I don't agree that we'll 'never' have the talent defensively to compete in the SEC. While they have been few and far between, we have had defenses that were above average in the SEC and absolutely were competitive. While the game overall is more wide open, don't kid yourself. A team like Bama or last year's Florida team will always be in the game because their defense is so good. Leach cares nothing for defense. All he cares about is his offense.

I don't want to settle for 'entertaining'. If I were a Michigan fan, winning 14-7 last week would've been plenty entertaining. Think UofL would trade an entertaining loss to Clemson for an ugly win? I don't see Leach being able to be much better than .500 here. I'd like to think we aspire to something better as fans. Sure, that's a first step. But, with Leach, imo, it's also the ceiling.

 

[kb22stang]

So everyone is going to ignore the fact that he went 3-9, 6-7, 3-9 in his first three seasons at WSU. His fourth season he did go 9-4 but that was in the PAC 10 (or 12 or whatever) which isn't nearly as tough as the SEC. I just don't see that his record, outside of TX, is that much different than Stoops.

 

[CatsPaws270]

I don't agree that we'll 'never' have the talent defensively to compete in the SEC. While they have been few and far between, we have had defenses that were above average in the SEC and absolutely were competitive. While the game overall is more wide open, don't kid yourself. A team like Bama or last year's Florida team will always be in the game because their defense is so good. Leach cares nothing for defense. All he cares about is his offense.

I don't want to settle for 'entertaining'. If I were a Michigan fan, winning 14-7 last week would've been plenty entertaining. Think UofL would trade an entertaining loss to Clemson for an ugly win? I don't see Leach being able to be much better than .500 here. I'd like to think we aspire to something better as fans. Sure, that's a first step. But, with Leach, imo, it's also the ceiling.

We had defenses like that with Brooks, but we could not sustain the talent and depth to win with that style and to go through a season healthy with that style.

 

[Shavers48]

If you obligate yourself financially and time wise to a new coach with a multi-million dollar contract and a 4 year plan, why would you want to pick someone with a losing record in a lesser conference with a goal of more mediocrity? I think most football fans have had it with that type of thinking. I would personally rather stick with Stoops than bring in Leach, who I think is mostly yesterday's news.

what in the world are you talking about. Leach has already proven he can take an obscure program to top of the rankings once before and all signs indicating he's heading there with another. stoops has proven NOTHING. but you're right, I don't understand why we'd obligate ourselves to so much financially with someone so unproven.

 

[CatsPaws270]

So everyone is going to ignore the fact that he went 3-9, 6-7, 3-9 in his first three seasons at WSU. His fourth season he did go 9-4 but that was in the PAC 10 (or 12 or whatever) which isn't nearly as tough as the SEC. I just don't see that his record, outside of TX, is that much different than Stoops.

2 bowls in 4 years playing Oregon, Stanford, Cal, and Washington every season is a lot better than Stoops. Look at their schedule during his time at WSU and tell me its much tougher than Stoops.

I mean we keep saying "the SEC is so tough" NO, the SEC WEST IS TOUGH. We dont have to play Bama, LSU, Ole Miss, Ark, and A&M every single season.

We play in the SEC EAST and Stoops has faced a rebuilding UT and a struggling UGA program and has been slaughtered by both of them regularly. UF is a down program and he is 0-4 and was slaughtered last month against them. Vandy, SC, and Mizzou are not world beaters by any means now. Miss. St. is a tough team I'll give him that, but they are not top notch with Dak gone.

People act like playing in the SEC East these last 4 years has been like playing an NFL schedule for Stoops.

 

[ekywildcat_rivals26726]

I think it's time to retire that cliche anyway. Defense doesn't win championships anymore. The rules of the game and the development of the spread have forced even the likes of Saban to running a wide open style of play.

You're right. I don't believe it either, just threw it in for the people that do. It doesn't mean a thing if you stop the other team if you can't take the ball and score. And I think our odds of winning would be better with a Mike Leach passing attack than a running game, or any other good passing coach, doesn't have to be Leach.

 

[rabidcatfan]

Would be quite happy with a Leach hire. He has some downside, but I think he is a proven winner with a proven offensive system. Here is the likely result:

1) He would chafe the administration, as the Mitches of the world hate guys like this.
2) We would consistently win 6-7 games.
3) We would win 8 or 9 now and then.
4) We would win 5 (or less) every five years or so.
5) We would compete for the east once every 5-7 years.
6) We would beat good programs when they're down (something we never do now).
7) We would occasionally score big upsets over good teams when they're up.
8) We would somewhat regularly lose to bad teams that we have no business losing to (Eastern Washington?)

Overall, I'd take it.

I agree on most of your points, but I feel that Mike Leach combined with the resources at UK would equal to something amazing. I believe that he would accomplish more here than he did at TTU. At TTU he was facing tough Texas, OU, K-State, OSU, Baylor, and TAMU teams. At UK he will face tough UF, UT, and UGa teams and occasionally LSU, Bama, Auburn, and TAMU. His teams competed with those tough Big12 teams consistently and those teams were far better than the teams that UF, UT, and UGa have produced over the last 3 or 4 seasons. I think that Coach Leach would average 7 wins a season here at UK with an 8 win season every other year or so and a 9+ win season every 4-5 seasons. He will END the Florida losing streak and we will beat a major SEC west opponent at least every few seasons.

Simply put, the man would win here and win big (compared to our history). I also would expect UK's first double-digit win season sometime in his first 10 years at the helm. His offense is unconventional and the man is a mad genius when it comes to squeezing every ounce of ability out of lesser talent. Pair him with an equally crazy DC and we may have something there. I only hope MB has the stones to offer him the job if Stoops is canned.

 

[Gabewcat]

As long as Barnhart is the AD, Mike Leach has no shot as UK's next coach. I love Mike Leach but I realized that he will never be the UK Coach.

 

[Mobilecat2]

Nope nada never.

 

[willievic]

I remember I enjoyed his book, swing your sword. I haven't read it in a few years though. I remember him saying he really liked CM newton bc he was the only one that got it when they were looking to move up to the Division 1 ranks. He said CM hired him bc it reminded him of when Bear Bryant was the AD at Bama and hired him from Transy to coach BB. Basically saying he didn't think being a D1 coach was a prerequisite for success.

He talked about how UK fans pouted a little bit at first bc they pulled Billy Jack Haskins and asked him to play reciever and Couch almost transfered bc of Bill Curry and the option until they showed him film of the offense. Of course, once everyone saw what the offense was about they changed their mind.

Of course then no one had ever seen an offense like that before. He talked about Urban Meyer being up here all the time wanting to learn more about it. He also talked about how having to have a run game and the size of the SEC everyone talks about was pretty much nonsense to them. He also liked it here, he left though bc at the time the thought of him the highest producing OC from the SEC and Stoops being a DC with the best d at Florida sounded to good to pass up combining at oklahoma.

I like Leach. I wouldn't mind him being here. Hes not going to get big time players in, but he specifically knows what type of guy he's looking for. We'd win some big games, but also lose some we should win. But it would atleast be entertaining. The question is if by year three if by some reason he struggled early on if people would be losing their minds. I think he would do alright to start though bc he'd have a pretty good base of players right away. Plus he's not the type of guy to blow smoke up everybody's ***. He'll just straight say the team is trash if he thinks they are.

UKBrassow, I'm one of the fans who says "To Hell with being entertaining." I'm entertained when they win, which has not been to often in my life. I never give up, and just keep hoping that we will get a coach who can win. I'm from the old school, who believes if you can't do the job, the AD should get rid of you and hire someone else. Flying in the Air Force, or with Northwest Airlines, losing was never an option for me, and it still isn't today.

OLD STOLL FIELD GUY!

 

[law1127]

I'm with you Willievic!

 

[sluggercatfan]

Here is the skinny from Mike Leach at Texas Tech... He coached there from 2000 - 2009... His record there 85 - 43 and only had one year below 500 in conference and that was his first year with his best year being 11-2 in 2008 going 7-1 in the Big 12... He has been at Washington state which may be a program that is worse than at Kentucky and in four years he has taken them to 2 bowl games and he always has one of the most prolific offenses in the country and if you don't think that isn't the most important thing in today's college football just looking around at the scores of the big boys... In 2002 he swept the state of Texas and beat Clemson 55 - 15 in the tangerine book... Once again I say that we could do a helluva lot worse and I actually think we have worse right now

 

[WildcatofNati]

Here is the skinny from Mike Leach at Texas Tech... He coached there from 2000 - 2009... His record there 85 - 43 and only had one year below 500 in conference and that was his first year with his best year being 11-2 in 2008 going 7-1 in the Big 12... He has been at Washington state which may be a program that is worse than at Kentucky and in four years he has taken them to 2 bowl games and he always has one of the most prolific offenses in the country and if you don't think that isn't the most important thing in today's college football just looking around at the scores of the big boys... In 2002 he swept the state of Texas and beat Clemson 55 - 15 in the tangerine book... Once again I say that we could do a helluva lot worse and I actually think we have worse right now

No doubt that there would be many worse options than Leach. Why would he want to come here at this point in his career?

 

[donngottie]

He would love to be here because the sec is big boy football and leach wants to be a pain in the big boys asses! I think the guy lives for beating coaches who have more talent than him! His press conferences are straight as a guy can be. He tells the team, fans, and press just how it is whether u like it or not.

 

[Blue Decade]

Ahead of Kiffin and Neal Brown on my list, I truly believe Mike Leach is the coach to take UK to the next level if Stoops does not work out for and is fired after this season. Leach has exhibited everything necessary to prove he is capable of winning at UK.

In the Fall of 2011, this forum was lit up with fans wanting him to replace Joker. There was a bunch of fans who did not think it would work...Mitch said we were in a Microwave society..he went to WSU...we went 2-10...and then we got Stoops. He was the right choice at the time, and I also believe he is the right choice today.

The Facts:
1.We all say that UK needs to hire someone who is a proven winner, experienced. Leach has plenty of years proving he is a winner.
-Career winning record with a .591 winning %
-12 of 14 seasons coaching he has made a bowl

2. UK needs someone who knows how to win in a power 5 conference, Leach has coached every year in the power 5.
-Won a Pac-12 Coach of the Year
-Won a Big 12 Coach of the Year
-So basically a coach of the year in 2 different power conferences
-Made a bowl 10 out of 10 seasons at Texas Tech
-Faced off against Talented Texas and OU teams every season when Stoops and Brown were at their best with players like Peterson and Vince Young.
-Texas A&M and Oklahoma St. were also tough divisional opponents every year too.

3. UK needs a coach who can create a scheme to make-up for the talent difference.
-Air Raid Guru
-His offenses have set multiple NCAA records

4. UK needs a coach that understands how to win at a traditionally awful school. WSU was in worse shape than UK is when he took over.
-Washington State was on a 10 year bowl drought before Leach arrived.
-WSU has reached a bowl 2 out of his 4 seasons
-The 3rd year when he did not make a bowl, his starting QB was lost for the season with an injury.
-Texas Tech is in an unfavorable location compared to the powerhouses like Texas, TAMU, and Oklahoma that they had to compete with on an annual basis.
-He coaches in a stadium now that only seats 32,000 fans...think how marketable of a program that is right now.

5. UK needs a coach that understands the program at UK and what he will be getting into trying to build the program up. UK needs a coach that wants to be here.
-Leach was our offensive coordinator during probably our best season in my lifetime. They went 7-4 and went to the Outback Bowl...beat Alabama
-Leach obviously wanted the job in 2011, I remember KSR interviewing him and he visited Lexington during the season
-He's 55...so he is not too old, but old enough to this would be a job that he'd want to keep.

To summarize my statement, Mike Leach is an experienced, successful, and offensive minded coach with ties to UK and knowledge of how to win at lesser programs. There would not be bad press if people are worried, because WSU already hired him and he seems to be redeemed by the press.

Ask Oregon how they feel about him after that 51-33 beat down he put on them last week?

He has the resume and meets the traits necessary that fit what UK needs in a coach. If there is a change(Stoops could turn it around), Leach should be phone call #1, end of story.

LOL! Here we go again. This is like a broken record. The hirings of Morriss, Brooks, Joker, and Stoops prove that Kentucky has never had an interest in hiring Mike Leach. Or Petrino. Or any of the other bizarre personalities that get touted on this chat board every October and November. I'm not here to explain again why Leach is a bad idea, or why Stoops probably won't be fired this year. Both of those things are true, but don't need to be repeated. It's enough just to know that Kentucky has had numerous opportunities to bring Leach back, but didn't. Ain't happening now, either.

 

[donngottie]

It could happen if the same people that got in mb ear about cal do the same with leach. He's the perfect fit for uk football! Bottom line is HE WILL WIN WHEREVER HES AT! If we want more of the same then hire someone else... wanna get serious about football Mike leach is the guy! I still have some hope in stoops tho. He's still learning as a head coach and I like that he's running the defense now. Not sold on gran yet.

 

[CatsPaws270]

LOL! Here we go again. This is like a broken record. The hirings of Morriss, Brooks, Joker, and Stoops prove that Kentucky has never had an interest in hiring Mike Leach. Or Petrino. Or any of the other bizarre personalities that get touted on this chat board every October and November. I'm not here to explain again why Leach is a bad idea, or why Stoops probably won't be fired this year. Both of those things are true, but don't need to be repeated. It's enough just to know that Kentucky has had numerous opportunities to bring Leach back, but didn't. Ain't happening now, either.

MB did not want Cal, but the decision was taken out of his hands. I think that happens this time as well...IF Stoops fails of course which may or may not happen

 

[sluggercatfan]

I don't agree that we'll 'never' have the talent defensively to compete in the SEC. While they have been few and far between, we have had defenses that were above average in the SEC and absolutely were competitive. While the game overall is more wide open, don't kid yourself. A team like Bama or last year's Florida team will always be in the game because their defense is so good. Leach cares nothing for defense. All he cares about is his offense.

I don't want to settle for 'entertaining'. If I were a Michigan fan, winning 14-7 last week would've been plenty entertaining. Think UofL would trade an entertaining loss to Clemson for an ugly win? I don't see Leach being able to be much better than .500 here. I'd like to think we aspire to something better as fans. Sure, that's a first step. But, with Leach, imo, it's also the ceiling.

You know what Mike Leach cares about, he cares about the most important thing in college football and that is putting points on the scoreboard because if you cannot score then you cannot win... something that Mark Stoops does not believe in just like you and you're both wrong

 

[Blue Decade]

It could happen if the same people that got in mb ear about cal do the same with leach. He's the perfect fit for uk football! Bottom line is HE WILL WIN WHEREVER HES AT! If we want more of the same then hire someone else... wanna get serious about football Mike leach is the guy! I still have some hope in stoops tho. He's still learning as a head coach and I like that he's running the defense now. Not sold on gran yet.

LOL! You have an inaccurate understanding. The stuff about people getting in Barnhart's ear and forcing his hand is just a fairy tale spun by disillusioned boosters with a greatly exaggerated sense of self importance. KSR picked up on it, but that doesn't make it the truth. Barnhart is actually 1 of the most secure athletics directors in the country, and he calls the shots. Barnhart and Capilouto have a close working relationship. I can tell you that much for a fact. Leach would be a very serious implosion risk at Kentucky. There is absolutely no evidence at all that Leach can be a successful SEC HC. It would be the kind of reckless hire that could blow up a program that just spent $200 million on upgrades. Talking specifically about Leach, no SEC athletics director in his right mind would take that kind of a risk. But you are right about Stoops still learning to be a HC. There are no guarantees that Stoops will succeed, but he will be back in 2017 unless this team totally collapses. And as of now, the team is actually making some progress. But I don't know if Stoops has enough quarterbacks or defensive ends to get it done. Seriously.

 

[sluggercatfan]

As long as Barnhart is the AD, Mike Leach has no shot as UK's next coach. I love Mike Leach but I realized that he will never be the UK Coach.

Then it is time to take and change the guy who gets to pick the coach!!!

 

[sluggercatfan]

It could happen if the same people that got in mb ear about cal do the same with leach. He's the perfect fit for uk football! Bottom line is HE WILL WIN WHEREVER HES AT! If we want more of the same then hire someone else... wanna get serious about football Mike leach is the guy! I still have some hope in stoops tho. He's still learning as a head coach and I like that he's running the defense now. Not sold on gran yet.

"Not sold on Gran yet"...so it's Gran's fault just like it was NB's and Dawson's last year...come on people WAKE UP!

 

[donngottie]

Ive not really formed an opinion on gran yet after just four games. I like some of the stuff he's running and I dislike other things. I'd like to know our run/pass ration on first downs? I really liked brown but not Dawson. Problem with us fans is we always blame the qb, head coach or coordinators. Our lack of quality line play is what has killed us. Under brooks we had one of the best defensive fronts I've seen at uk. Jarmon, Pryor, and Jenkins were great players! Coordinators are handcuffed on playcalling on both sides of the ball without quality line play so u have to try and use some gimmicks.

 

[51stFan]

No doubt that there would be many worse options than Leach. Why would he want to come here at this point in his career?

Washington State is considered by many to be the worst P5 job in America. Facilities, location. etc... is second rate. Winning 9 games there is hard to do.

 

[donngottie]

Exactly what kind of a RISK would leach be? Help me understand that part. Only problem he's had in his career is a kids parent who happened to work for ESPN. Texas techs facilities were crap and leach gets blamed for doing the right thing for a player with a concussion. I could care less about mb relationship with the school president. As of right now he hasn't done very well with football hires. If Stoops doesn't work out you gotta have the stones to make the right hire not the splash hire or politically correct one.

 

[smruss0]

Why not go after EWU's Beau Balwin, the same EWU coach that beat Leach's Cougs this year and beat Oregon last year. Leach is not walking through the door again at UK!

 

[WildcatofNati]

Why not go after EWU's Beau Balwin, the same EWU coach that beat Leach's Cougs this year and beat Oregon last year. Leach is not walking through the door again at UK!

Someone like that guy would be an interesting choice, and it's someone that we might be able to actually get, unless he wants to stay where he is. But many people, who have already fired Stoops, would prefer to continue carrying on about getting Tom Herman or to continue bellyaching about ships that have already sailed (Petrino, Leach).

 

[TBCat]

Then it is time to take and change the guy who gets to pick the coach!!!

You got it. I don't give a damn what MB what's in a football coach. He's already proven his incompetency.

 

[Shavers48]

LOL! You have an inaccurate understanding. The stuff about people getting in Barnhart's ear and forcing his hand is just a fairy tale spun by disillusioned boosters with a greatly exaggerated sense of self importance. KSR picked up on it, but that doesn't make it the truth. Barnhart is actually 1 of the most secure athletics directors in the country, and he calls the shots. Barnhart and Capilouto have a close working relationship. I can tell you that much for a fact. Leach would be a very serious implosion risk at Kentucky. There is absolutely no evidence at all that Leach can be a successful SEC HC. It would be the kind of reckless hire that could blow up a program that just spent $200 million on upgrades. Talking specifically about Leach, no SEC athletics director in his right mind would take that kind of a risk. But you are right about Stoops still learning to be a HC. There are no guarantees that Stoops will succeed, but he will be back in 2017 unless this team totally collapses. And as of now, the team is actually making some progress. But I don't know if Stoops has enough quarterbacks or defensive ends to get it done. Seriously.

the most ridiculous part of this silly post is that EVEN IF barney had hired Leach when he was available, there's NO way we
could be in any worse shape than we are now, and would have spent far less on HC salary from that time to now.

 

[WildcatofNati]

Washington State is considered by many to be the worst P5 job in America. Facilities, location. etc... is second rate. Winning 9 games there is hard to do.

Fair point, though I don't know what is all that bad about Pullman, Washington. It's in the Pacific Northwest; how bad can that be? But, if Washington State is the worst P5 job, where does UK rank? It's not easy to win 9 games here, either, and it's a place where most coaches have a difficult time succeeding. It's called a "coaches graveyard". That's not entirely accurate, but it's not completely out of left field, either.

 

[smruss0]

Someone like that guy would be an interesting choice, and it's someone that we might be able to actually get, unless he wants to stay where he is. But many people, who have already fired Stoops, would prefer to continue carrying on about getting Tom Herman or to continue bellyaching about ships that have already sailed (Petrino, Leach).

Well said!! I get it, we want a homerun hire, but I just don't see it happening. Lots of other coaches to choose from that would want to come to UK.

 

[smruss0]

Fair point, though I don't know what is all that bad about Pullman, Washington. It's in the Pacific Northwest; how bad can that be? But, if Washington State is the worst P5 job, where does UK rank? It's not easy to win 9 games here, either, and it's a place where most coaches have a difficult time succeeding. It's called a "coaches graveyard". That's not entirely accurate, but it's not completely out of left field, either.

I was at the WSU game this weekend in Pullman, best game I've seen WSU play since Leach came to town. Nothing wrong with the city besides it' surrounded by big wheat farming country(rolling hills), not what one pictures when thinking of the Pacific NW.

 

[smruss0]

Washington State is considered by many to be the worst P5 job in America. Facilities, location. etc... is second rate. Winning 9 games there is hard to do.

Facilities now on par with UK! Completed last year to help keep Leach. No longer the worst facilities in PAC 12 football.

 

[wildcatdon]

LOL! You have an inaccurate understanding. The stuff about people getting in Barnhart's ear and forcing his hand is just a fairy tale spun by disillusioned boosters with a greatly exaggerated sense of self importance. KSR picked up on it, but that doesn't make it the truth. Barnhart is actually 1 of the most secure athletics directors in the country, and he calls the shots. Barnhart and Capilouto have a close working relationship. I can tell you that much for a fact. Leach would be a very serious implosion risk at Kentucky. There is absolutely no evidence at all that Leach can be a successful SEC HC. It would be the kind of reckless hire that could blow up a program that just spent $200 million on upgrades. Talking specifically about Leach, no SEC athletics director in his right mind would take that kind of a risk. But you are right about Stoops still learning to be a HC. There are no guarantees that Stoops will succeed, but he will be back in 2017 unless this team totally collapses. And as of now, the team is actually making some progress. But I don't know if Stoops has enough quarterbacks or defensive ends to get it done. Seriously.

blue you make good points from time to time but you are dead wrong here about Leach being a big risk. the kind of drama you posted above is nothing but rants because you don't want him.. No need to worry ,Stoops will be back next year anyway.

 

[bluecat78]

I would take him in a heartbeat. Meetch will never do it.

Barnyard is a better name.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

I like him - but his performance at WSU would've resulted in this board calling for his head multiple times had he had the same type of results here.

Loss to Portland State a year after blowing them out. Loss to Eastern Washington. Blowout losses to rival every year.

His offense putting up 42 points in a loss to EWU would not make you feel any better about that L.

The case for Mike Leach: case closed.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Washington State is considered by many to be the worst P5 job in America. Facilities, location. etc... is second rate. Winning 9 games there is hard to do.

Their stadium holds 32k..

 

[Anon1660081258]

I am not interested in building our program around Mike Leach's Flying Circus. Let's establish the identity of being a very tough defensive team, and go from there. I will be entertained when we look like a serious football team, not a football lab experiment.

 

[Blue Decade]

the most ridiculous part of this silly post is that EVEN IF barney had hired Leach when he was available, there's NO way we
could be in any worse shape than we are now, and would have spent far less on HC salary from that time to now.

You are quick to get nasty, but nothing you said is true.