The Case for Mike Leach

[CatsPaws270]

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.

 

[sluggercatfan]

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.

Amen brother...my guy with what is out there. He has beaten Oregon two years in a row and we could sure do a lot worse...oh wait , we already have!! Would sure love to see him here now with all the facilities to work with. Love the idea of Mike Leach.

 

[Catfanlou_rivals54997]

I was for him each time when we chose RB, Joker, and Stoops. My comments to people in power at UK Fell on deaf ears.

My guess is that if you total up all costs involved in those three hires that UK Athletics would have raised about another fifty million over those years if ML had been hired when Joker was. . Could be more because in addition to season tickets, mandatory K fund contributions, royalties on apparel ,concessions etc. fans that are "connected" to the University because of sports give more to academics as well.

Smart schools like Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, LSU and darn it UL recognize this . Unfortunately , we don't . We simply look at the large amount of SEC money generated because some UK administrator years ago thought we should join the SEC. And the powers that be think they are responsible for it and we're in hog heaven just trying to be mediocre.

Never has a school tested the loyalty of football fans more than UK over the years.

 

[Kattopper]

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

 

[CB3UK]

I just like his personality. Straight shooter and a prick. I think its hilarious. Id be for him still, but he would have to get a rock solid DC.

 

[Woodrow24]

I just like his personality. Straight shooter and a prick. I think its hilarious. Id be for him still, but he would have to get a rock solid DC.

Yeah he is a straight shooter for sure. I like how he wins games that he shouldn't but he also loses games he shouldn't to. If we have an opening he would be a good hire. Mitch will probably make another bad hire though.

 

[51stFan]

One thing with Leach is that you know he will move the chains. You wont have to worry about hiring the right coordinator on that side of the ball to he successful.

 

[Big John Stud]

Art Briles

 

[Black Diamond Cat]

AS I have stated before on Mike Leach, he could get it done. Wins at places other coaches have struggled !

 

[EastLansingCat]

Art Briles

I'm all for that but bet he ends up in a better situation like LSU, Houston, etc.

 

[sluggercatfan]

One thing with Leach is that you know he will move the chains. You wont have to worry about hiring the right coordinator:football: on that side of the ball to he successful.

!!!!!!!!!!-##[smoke]:football:[thumb2][thumb2]:clap::clap::sunglasses::sunglasses:

 

[gamecockcat]

He's a good coach but not the guy I'd want. Too much emphasis on offense and not enough on defense. Never recruited well but his system does produce offensive results. I never thought Mummeball would consistently get us to the next level and still don't. I'd rather get a successful MAC HC than Leach. JMHO

 

[CatsPaws270]

He's a good coach but not the guy I'd want. Too much emphasis on offense and not enough on defense. Never recruited well but his system does produce offensive results. I never thought Mummeball would consistently get us to the next level and still don't. I'd rather get a successful MAC HC than Leach. JMHO

Not trying to knock your opinion, but I do have a question I would like you to expand upon.

What makes a successful MAC HC more appealing to you than a successful proven winner P5 coach?

 

[LeonThe Camel]

The concern is can he do it here. He is a western guy.

He also has some age to him which could be good or bad. Good in that he may not want to move around too much more. He is 55. Bad in that he may be content unless a 5 star opportunity comes along.

 

[gamecockcat]

Not trying to knock your opinion, but I do have a question I would like you to expand upon.

What makes a successful MAC HC more appealing to you than a successful proven winner P5 coach?

First, they'd probably be younger - at least I would want them to be younger. Second, they would play a more 'balanced' brand of football, i.e., not try to win every game 55-52 with the defense having to hang on in the last seconds. Personally, I don't trust that the style Leach plays would work that well in the SEC. Even the Pac 12 tends to play less physical, more wide open football than the SEC. I don't have any faith that it would at best work better than 6-6 or 7-5 consistently (a huge improvement but surely not what we want out of our next hire - a ceiling that 'low'). Third, MAC takes their football very seriously and have produced some damn fine P5 coaches (Meyer, Kelly, Saban, Butch Jones and many others). Maybe we luck out and find the next Meyer? Fourth, a MAC coach would be much less expensive than Leach at this stage in his career. Fifth, the 'right' MAC coach could recruit better than Leach, imo, whose weirdness would hamper his efforts (never been a good recruiter).

While I may be in the minority, I believe the above are all defensible reasons to look for a hot MAC HC vs. Mike Leach.

 

[Shavers48]

I have said I would never resume buying season tickets as long as barney was still AD. one exception would be hiring Leach. I'm instantly back.

 

[truebluewildcat_rivals34254]

Count me in.

He can bring back Mumme and Bassett if he wants to and they can all resume their swashbuckling ways...

piss on the ncaa, it'll take them 5 years to find lexington on the map anyway. If anything ever comes up the AD can form an "investigative committee", dilly dally around and then find a soccer coach and tutor to hold responsible.

have cms leave behind his miami rolodex and see if it has the numbers for clint hurtt and nevin shapiro...

i'll gladly take a few years of winning and bowls in exchange for a slap on the wrist and forfeiture of half dozen non revenue sports scholarships.

Worst case scenario NCAA gets real involved and recommends harsh punishments for Furman.

The days of them head hunting for a big boy trophy scalp are over. The big money making programs in the big money making conferences are finally starting to realize who butters who's bread, and they are behaving accordingly.

 

[BlueRunner11]

Im in favor but Mitch can't control him therefore it'll never happen. Plus he says potty words and Mitch no likey.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

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.

Mike Leach is not coming to Kentucky. Great coach, loose cannon. Not what Mitch wants. On the other hand, never say never.

 

[shutzhund]

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.

Nice post and excellent points. But Leach won't be here this next year or maybe ever. So many reasons and start with Barney.

 

[mtn cat1]

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.

Your assessment both past & present are far too logical!!!! We had a previous opportunity and did not act upon it! (Equivalent to the opportunity when our ALL American TE Howard Schellenberger wanted to come here!!!) While I'm not suggesting that we "throw-out the baby with the the bath water", I'm willing to see how this season plays-out!

One thing that I would dearly love see occur is for fans, (all fans), to up their expectations of our FB Program! I'm suggesting an expectation of 7 wins per season, at a minimum with an ocassional 6 win season in a down year! I REALIZE THAT SOME WOULD BE CONTENT WITH A 6 WIN SEASON! However, if we don't expect more than we have received for all these many years, we will never attain success!!!

Lest I be labeled a "negative Nancy" let me enthusastically (sp) state that I was a a big Stoops supporter from the get go. That having been stated, I think that any rational fan can agree that he has demonstrated on more than a few circumstances that he did(does) not exhibit HC attributes! Recent events demonstrate he is making great strides in the right direction, defensively speaking!!!! Let this season play-out & make judgements at that time!

 

[gojvc]

Art Briles

Agree that Briles is my first choice. But I could definitely get behind a Mike Leach hire.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I wouldn't mind Leach at all but I understand what he is as a coach and what he would bring.

First, there is something to say about stability. Leach wins consistently and he doesn't bolt for program after program after program. If you are looking for someone to take UK to a bowl game every yr for 10 yrs he'd do it.

Second, there's what Leach is as a coach and what he could be. And by his own admission those two will never meet. In the time between being at TTU and WSU he was on satellite radio.....and I listened to him 4 days a wk for as long as he was on the radio. He said on multiple occassions that he doesn't care about defense. He has said that no good DC will ever want to be on his staff because he funnels all resources into the offense....recruiting, practice time, etc. The only thing he asks of the defense, "is to give his offense a minute to rest."

Because of this philosophy he will never be the coach he could be. At TTU he basically won 6-8 games/yr. He's getting WSU to the point where they win 6-8 games/yr. What do you think he'd do at UK? He'd likely get us to where we'd win 6-8 games/yr. If he cared more about defense he would win more.

So, if you think UK can be a program that wins 9, 10, 11+ games/yr fairly consistently then Leach will disappoint you. If you understand what Leach brings to the table....and you're ok with that.....then he'll be one of the safest bets we could land.

 

[morgousky]

First, they'd probably be younger - at least I would want them to be younger. Second, they would play a more 'balanced' brand of football, i.e., not try to win every game 55-52 with the defense having to hang on in the last seconds. Personally, I don't trust that the style Leach plays would work that well in the SEC. Even the Pac 12 tends to play less physical, more wide open football than the SEC. I don't have any faith that it would at best work better than 6-6 or 7-5 consistently (a huge improvement but surely not what we want out of our next hire - a ceiling that 'low'). Third, MAC takes their football very seriously and have produced some damn fine P5 coaches (Meyer, Kelly, Saban, Butch Jones and many others). Maybe we luck out and find the next Meyer? Fourth, a MAC coach would be much less expensive than Leach at this stage in his career. Fifth, the 'right' MAC coach could recruit better than Leach, imo, whose weirdness would hamper his efforts (never been a good recruiter).

While I may be in the minority, I believe the above are all defensible reasons to look for a hot MAC HC vs. Mike Leach.

You'd just hire another guy that would be lucky to win 6 games in year 5.

Leach would produce higher that that in some years. We wouldn't be great every year, but when he has upperclassman we could expect no less than 8 wins. Good change at competing for an sec east title here and there if the cards are right. He'd be a great hire for our transition.

Don't agree at all with your opinion.

 

[STUCKNBIG10]

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.

 

[mhroe1984]

I'd take Leach in a heartbeat! Kentucky needs an offensive minded coach who can light up the scoreboard. Stoops appears to be 100% dead set on grinding it out and that's just not who we should be in my opinion. If we're gonna lose, I'd rather go down in a blaze of glory and get beat 49-45 rather than 42-10.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

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.

 

[ekywildcat_rivals26726]

Would take him in a heartbeat. Defense may win championships, but an exciting offense is what puts butts in the seats.

 

[51stFan]

Would take him in a heartbeat. Defense may win championships, but an exciting offense is what puts butts in the seats.

True, but with that being said I think it would be extremely hard to get the type of defensive talent in here to ever be good enough to smash mouth our way to 9-10 wins.

 

[Ctroberts1024]

He's got big connections in Florida and Texas. Which are the two best states for talent IMO. Wide open offense that will attract some major talent.

Not to mention, we will become an anomaly in the SEC because no one else will run an offense like us.

The guy is a proven winner and I would love to have him.

 

[Deeeefense]

The problem with an Air Raid guy like Leach is it's hard to see how he succeeds in the SEC. The top and upper mid tier teams in this league almost always have top 25 defenses. If that type of system could succeed here, it would already have been done. Not saying the other P5 conferences don't rely on defense, just not to the extent that the SEC does. Without a decent defense and a reliable running game you just can't get too far in this league.

If you go back to the 2014 season through this season to date Leach has posted a 14-15 record overall, 9-10 in the conference. If you can't post a winning record in the Pac10, why would anyone think he could have more success at Kentucky in the SEC?

 

[WildcatofNati]

Assuming we are looking to hire a coach after this season, which is doubtful, I have a question about Leach as a potential hire. Isn't he coaching at Washington State? Not a powerhouse elite program but UK football isn't, either. Is he noticeably unhappy where he is at? Exactly why is assumed that this guy is going to leap at an opportunity to make a lateral move at best? Without Falk coming with him?

 

[TBCat]

Would take him in a heartbeat. Defense may win championships, but an exciting offense is what puts butts in the seats.

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.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

The problem with an Air Raid guy like Leach is it's hard to see how he succeeds in the SEC. The top and upper mid tier teams in this league almost always have top 25 defenses. If that type of system could succeed here, it would already have been done. Not saying the other P5 conferences don't rely on defense, just not to the extent that the SEC does. Without a decent defense and a reliable running game you just can't get too far in this league.

If you go back to the 2014 season through this season to date Leach has posted a 14-15 record overall, 9-10 in the conference. If you can't post a winning record in the Pac10, why would anyone think he could have more success at Kentucky in the SEC?

Kevin Sumlin runs the air raid, even when Manziel was there, he just had the ability to scramble. Of course being in Texas makes it much easier to get defensive guys when they're in your back yard.

 

[51stFan]

The problem with an Air Raid guy like Leach is it's hard to see how he succeeds in the SEC. The top and upper mid tier teams in this league almost always have top 25 defenses. If that type of system could succeed here, it would already have been done. Not saying the other P5 conferences don't rely on defense, just not to the extent that the SEC does. Without a decent defense and a reliable running game you just can't get too far in this league.

If you go back to the 2014 season through this season to date Leach has posted a 14-15 record overall, 9-10 in the conference. If you can't post a winning record in the Pac10, why would anyone think he could have more success at Kentucky in the SEC?

First let me say that I don't think MB is letting Stoops go. I do think that it takes a Leach type to win here. Not going to smash mouth your way to wins with less talent. For one Leach is great at exploiting weaknesses.. His team rushed for 280 just last week. He has won at lower level P5 schools and that to me is a lot better than bringing in some coordinator that couldn't get a job anywhere else.

 

[jnewc2_rivals30628]

1. Mitch would never do it because:
a) he's not a nice enough guy
b) Mitch chooses guys who are better recruiters than they are coaches, that's not the case with Leach

2. Despite what you think of Washington State, that's still basically a lateral move coming to Kentucky..I see zero reason he would do it unless he's fed up with the administration there..the advantages of UK over WSU would be minimal at best and not worth the headache unless he's just completely miserable where he's at

3. Not sold that he'd be any better than Stoops, this is a man's conference and I think with so many teams running variations of the Air Raid now I think a lot of teams and coaches have caught up to him

 

[Shavers48]

The problem with an Air Raid guy like Leach is it's hard to see how he succeeds in the SEC. The top and upper mid tier teams in this league almost always have top 25 defenses. If that type of system could succeed here, it would already have been done. Not saying the other P5 conferences don't rely on defense, just not to the extent that the SEC does. Without a decent defense and a reliable running game you just can't get too far in this league.

If you go back to the 2014 season through this season to date Leach has posted a 14-15 record overall, 9-10 in the conference. If you can't post a winning record in the Pac10, why would anyone think he could have more success at Kentucky in the SEC?

he is adapting, using pistol formation and will run the ball. they had almost 300 yds rushing against Oregon. I'd take 14-15 here going back to 2014 and
certainly 9-10 in conf.

 

[Deeeefense]

Kevin Sumlin runs the air raid, even when Manziel was there, he just had the ability to scramble. Of course being in Texas makes it much easier to get defensive guys when they're in your back yard.

But Sumlin got in some trouble down there when they had a lousy defense. He upgraded the coordinator, and started controlling the ball more on offense, and Texas A&M is now ranked 20th in Defense this week in the S&P.

Historically Leach has never had a defense and likely never will with that style of play. Although Wash State is having a decent season so far (after getting upset by a FBS team in week 1) they still rank 102nd. in defense.

 

[Deeeefense]

he is adapting, using pistol formation and will run the ball. they had almost 300 yds rushing against Oregon. I'd take 14-15 here going back to 2014 and
certainly 9-10 in conf.

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.

 

[CatsFanGG24]

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.