Very impressed with coaches Gran and Hinshaw...

[CloverforkCat]

they stepped up to the plate and answered every question thrown at them flawlessly. Gran even responded to a ' will your system work hwere ?' with ' That remains to be seen '. They both expresed great confidence in their system, even down to where Hinshaw is in the booth, and Gran is on the sidelines, processing info that Hinshaw is giving him.
Interesting that although they were hesitant to discuss personel at UK, Coach gran twice mentioned CJ Conrad, and his potential and their familiarity with him. They also were asked about Drew Barker, and they were trying to recruit him at Cincy, but he was a UK recruit all the way.
To me they just seemed confident, but not cocky, about their system, and the prospects of success.

 

[seccats04]

Coach Gran is a very likable guy. I think he'll be a great leader on offense.

 

[JHB4UK]

Wish they would have been hired 12 months ago. oh well, what is past is in the past, lets be happy & excited for the future.

 

[JPFisher]

This is the closest I've ever seen a UK staff to SEC caliber since Brooks, Sanders, Joker, and Brown. Even then, this staff blows that one out of the water on paper.

Good Lord. What year is it?

 

[Snowcats86]

I was very impressed with both of them especially Gran. They have great confidence in their system and I think it will work here. Was glad to here its more of a flexible pro system and that they adapt their system to the personnel. I expect the offense to really take a huge jump next season. Both coaches mentioned Conrad multiple times. He very may turn into the next Travis Kelce (fingers crossed). I dont see the offense costing us games next season like it did this year i.e. Vandy, UF, UofL. Im excited for the future. Also, glad they clarified that Stoops wanted Gran last year but he wasnt ready to move.

 

[kywildhog]

This is a great day for UK football, we finally have the coaches we need to start winning in the SEC!!!

 

[jte123]

I like what hinshaw said about the UC Houston game - Houston defense played right on the line so they threw it a bunch. You gotta play what the defense gives you - hopefully we will have the personnel to execute.

 

[CloverforkCat]

This is a great day for UK football, we finally have the coaches we need to start winning in the SEC!!!

Sure hope that is the case, things seem to be on an upswing !

 

[murpack]

This is a great day for UK football, we finally have the coaches we need to start winning in the SEC!!!

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

 

[kb22stang]

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

#1 - bowl game was without their starting QB, seems like taking a larger sample size might be warranted
#2 - according to the write ups of the press conference, he was hired last year because he said no

 

[JPFisher]

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

Gran's greater body of work speaks for itself.

As far as not getting hired last year, Gran said it was everything to do with timing. He had only been with Tommy T for two years and wanted to stick it out for year three. He turned down Mark. The interest was there last year but it wasn't time. Lincoln Riley went to OU with Brother Bob and we were left with Dawson.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

You guys are painting a nice picture. I hope it turns out to be accurate. Goodness knows we need something to get excited about. I'd like to see UK at least play in a New Year's day bowl before I depart this world. That gives us about 20 years or so I'd guess.

 

[Fast3ddy88]

Gran was Stoops first option the day he walked in the door. Gran just felt dedication to Tubberville with their past.

 

[UKCatNnc]

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

You should read some of the other posts. Your comments seem ill informed. Go Cats!!

 

[Anjiejo]

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

Why wasn't it done last year....
That is actually a good thing!! Gran didnt come because he had just finished his first year as a oc for tubberville. He was loyal enough to stay another year and help cincy go on another winning year. What this tells me is, he will not bolt at the first opportunity for a another sec oc job.. So expect him here for 2-3 years or more..

 

[Beatle Bum]

Stoops was not asked, but I wonder if he wanted Gran as an OC when he hired Brown or if he intended Gran to hold another position.

 

[billoliver40]

Well....guys.....I sure hope that coach Gran and Hinshaw live up to past performance. As far as who coach Stoops wanted or not.....well, every coach someone hires is exactly who they wanted for that position.
If Coach just hired Coach Dawson cause he had to have someone NOW.....well, that probably did filter down to the relationship on the side and the locker room.

I hope this works. All I can say is hiring friends is a risky business. I've thought Coach Eliot should have been gone as well, but there is a package deal in place here.

 

[Rhavic]

Stoops was not asked, but I wonder if he wanted Gran as an OC when he hired Brown or if he intended Gran to hold another position.

Judging by the reports, he asked Gran, Gran declined, then he asked Brown.

That's at least how I read it, and how I heard it when I listened to the presser. It sounded as if last year, Dawson was the option that we settled for because we lost out on Gran. I'm not sure at which point Lincoln Riley fell into the equation, but it's at least nice that we got the preferred option at OC this season.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

This is the closest I've ever seen a UK staff to SEC caliber since Brooks, Sanders, Joker, and Brown. Even then, this staff blows that one out of the water on paper.

Good Lord. What year is it?

Blows it out of the water? What joker did with the talent he had was pretty amazing. We had a high potent offense that was full of 2 and 3 star diamond in the rough players that were great college players like keenan burton, Rafael little, jacob tamme, Derek Locke and dicky Lyons jr. It was incredible the level he got those players play at and just the fact he found those players was pretty epic. Brooks was a master motivator. He undoubtedly at this point is a way better head coach than stoops (I know he's only coached 3 years but thats the point, brooks is proven and stoops is a head coach who makes more in game mistakes than any coach I've ever seen, and plus the fact we never make adjustments no matter what, not even a comparison between the 2). A proven coach who brought success at a school with literally zero recruiting resources compared to what we have today. Imagine what would've happened had we invested in the program then like we did now? Brooks would've stayed longer, we would've gotten way better recruits, and who knows where the program would be today. The joker days may have never even happened had MB fulfilled the promises he made brooks (almost a fireable offense on its own for lying to brooks the way he did. No excuse for it)

I do like what stoops is doing with the offense though. We at least have a chance now. With Dawson we were hopeless. I'm not going to yet call him the savior many are making him out to be for firing someone he should've never hired and replacing him with a good OC. Gotta see success on the field before I believe it and so far stoops have proven to be one of the most inept in game head coaches there ever was. It might be fixable, but I'm really not sure if it is or not IMO, it was pretty atrocious this past season. He's a long ways away before becoming an even almost competent head coach. And this schedule next season is pretty difficult (way more difficult than this previous year). If the QB position isn't much improved next season we will got 4-8 or 5-7. And the heat will be there.

 

[DACats86]

Well....guys.....I sure hope that coach Gran and Hinshaw live up to past performance. As far as who coach Stoops wanted or not.....well, every coach someone hires is exactly who they wanted for that position.
If Coach just hired Coach Dawson cause he had to have someone NOW.....well, that probably did filter down to the relationship on the side and the locker room.

I hope this works. All I can say is hiring friends is a risky business. I've thought Coach Eliot should have been gone as well, but there is a package deal in place here.

Thanks for your opinion.

 

[wildcatdon]

Forgive me if I withhold judgment on Gran. Cincy's offensive performance in their bowl game against San Diego State was horrible. Also if this was such a great hire, why wasn't it done this time last year?

Gran said he wasn't ready to leave last year. It was not Stoops' fault.

 

[wildcatdon]

Where is Sluggercatfan? Stoops said he did not interfere with the offense and that idiot (my words) Dawson had full control...this will scare the crap out of some of these guys on this site..It looks like they were wrong....Oh my God. lol

 

[CB3UK]

You guys are painting a nice picture. I hope it turns out to be accurate. Goodness knows we need something to get excited about. I'd like to see UK at least play in a New Year's day bowl before I depart this world. That gives us about 20 years or so I'd guess.

Penn State in '98 didnt count?

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

Penn State in '98 didnt count?

OK, so maybe only 16 years, but close enough for me. We've had our moments. Problem is they've never lasted.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Judging by the reports, he asked Gran, Gran declined, then he asked Brown.

That's at least how I read it, and how I heard it when I listened to the presser. It sounded as if last year, Dawson was the option that we settled for because we lost out on Gran. I'm not sure at which point Lincoln Riley fell into the equation, but it's at least nice that we got the preferred option at OC this season.

No doubt about last year, but Stoops did not specifically say what job he offered Gran when he first came to UK. Hinshaw and Gran had not yet developed their current scheme.

 

[BlueBarry]

I really like both of these guys. They definitely know what they are doing and with past SEC experience know what they are getting into. I truly feel this was a great hire. That said, I have no idea if it will translate into the change we all desire. Only time will tell. One thing I believe is for sure, we can't do much better than these guys.

 

[Poetax]

Wish they would have been hired 12 months ago. oh well, what is past is in the past, lets be happy & excited for the future.

Yep, we have a whole history of past what ifs.

 

[jauk11]

Blows it out of the water? What joker did with the talent he had was pretty amazing. We had a high potent offense that was full of 2 and 3 star diamond in the rough players that were great college players like keenan burton, Rafael little, jacob tamme, Derek Locke and dicky Lyons jr. It was incredible the level he got those players play at and just the fact he found those players was pretty epic. Brooks was a master motivator. He undoubtedly at this point is a way better head coach than stoops (I know he's only coached 3 years but thats the point, brooks is proven and stoops is a head coach who makes more in game mistakes than any coach I've ever seen, and plus the fact we never make adjustments no matter what, not even a comparison between the 2). A proven coach who brought success at a school with literally zero recruiting resources compared to what we have today. Imagine what would've happened had we invested in the program then like we did now? Brooks would've stayed longer, we would've gotten way better recruits, and who knows where the program would be today. The joker days may have never even happened had MB fulfilled the promises he made brooks (almost a fireable offense on its own for lying to brooks the way he did. No excuse for it)

I do like what stoops is doing with the offense though. We at least have a chance now. With Dawson we were hopeless. I'm not going to yet call him the savior many are making him out to be for firing someone he should've never hired and replacing him with a good OC. Gotta see success on the field before I believe it and so far stoops have proven to be one of the most inept in game head coaches there ever was. It might be fixable, but I'm really not sure if it is or not IMO, it was pretty atrocious this past season. He's a long ways away before becoming an even almost competent head coach. And this schedule next season is pretty difficult (way more difficult than this previous year). If the QB position isn't much improved next season we will got 4-8 or 5-7. And the heat will be there.

What happened here?

One of your posts where I can agree with most of it, although I think you are way too hard on Stoops and UK's future. And I think Stoops will leave the offense AND QB almost entirely in the new hires hands. UK's offensive talent will be both improved and MUCH more experienced next year, except at QB, and I think the QB will be the big beneficiary of both the EIGHTEEN of the twenty returning at the other position AND the new hires.

I think Stoops will concentrate on his area of expertise, defense, and I think we will be improved there also.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

What happened here?

One of your posts where I can agree with most of it, although I think you are way too hard on Stoops and UK's future. And I think Stoops will leave the offense AND QB almost entirely in the new hires hands. UK's offensive talent will be both improved and MUCH more experienced next year, except at QB, and I think the QB will be the big beneficiary of both the EIGHTEEN of the twenty returning at the other position AND the new hires.

I think Stoops will concentrate on his area of expertise, defense, and I think we will be improved there also.

I agree that stoops will likely leave it all in the OCs hands he almost has no choice but to this time around.. But if barker doesn't develop into the QB we hope then we will be in for a long season whether it's stoops fault or not. It cant be emphasized enough how much stoops future is basically in barkers hands at this point. If he doesn't develop. Then we most likely won't succeed as a one dimensional team and that would likely be the straw that breaks the camels back (if he doesn't develop in the next 2 years because stoops will be here at least 2 more years). To win at Kentucky you have to have good quarterback play, I just can't ever see UK winning under any circumstance with poor QB play. We aren't built for power football like a lot of these SEC teams are. Solid QB play is a must this season.

 

[jnewc2_rivals30628]

I think anyone whose viewing these hires from a rational, objective perspective (which is, very, very few of us on here) would have to be skeptical at best on whether they'll succeed when you consider the hires that Stoops has made to date and factor in that Stoops' decision making has seemed to get worse with each passing game and each passing season.

Anyone who is "all in" with these hires at this point just isn't being truthful with themselves and need to take a break from drinking the blue kool aid.

What have you HONESTLY seen in the first three years from Stoops and the staff that he HAND PICKED that gives you such excitement about these guys suddenly coming in and being our saviors?

Come on. I know we have some smart guys on here, but some of you really have to take a step back from letting your emotions and undying love for all things UK override your judgment.

 

[Rhavic]

I think anyone whose viewing these hires from a rational, objective perspective (which is, very, very few of us on here) would have to be skeptical at best on whether they'll succeed when you consider the hires that Stoops has made to date. Anyone who is all in with these hires at this point just isn't being truthful with themselves and need to take a break from drinking the blue kool aid.

What have you HONESTLY seen in the first three years from Stoops and the staff that he HAND PICKED (which in large part has been an utter and complete failure by college football standards of anyone not named Kentucky) that gives you such excitement that these guys are suddenly going to be our saviors? Come on. I know we have some smart guys on here, but some of you really have to take a step back from letting your emotions and undying love for all things UK overshadow your judgment.

I see an upward trajectory. I don't think you realize just how bad of shape Joker left us in. The team got noticeably better last year as well, it's just a matter of the offense being barren thanks to Shannon Dawson's horrendous playcalling.
I like the hires. I don't think it's fair to judge new hires based on the failures of previous hires. If Stoops was competent enough to realize that he needed to fire Dawson, and then he immediately went after Gran (who declined Kentucky whenever Stoops called last year, which led to Stoops getting Dawson), I think we should recognize that Gran is the better option than Dawson as well.

What do you not like about the hire? Is it the ~15 years of experience that Gran has in the SEC? The big numbers on offense? The familiarity that he has with Stoops? His recruiting ability? Surely you can think of something that you don't like about the hire rather than "but.. the last guy!"

Same with Hinshaw. What about Hinshaw makes you have reservations? Dude put a true freshman in at QB at Tennessee, and that QB ended up being very, very good while being coached under Hinshaw. Led to Tennessee having a very solid passing offense. He's a very well spoken individual who really shows his knowledge for the game every time he speaks, and he has a familiarity with our new OC that they've shared for a while now.

They came here with a plan, and they did a solid job of explaining it, as opposed to what Dawson did last year with "no, I have't really used my tight ends in the passing game before".. "No, never ran a wildcat formation either".. "Nope, I'll never run my QB's, no matter how open the field is".

 

[uofkFTW18]

I see an upward trajectory. I don't think you realize just how bad of shape Joker left us in. The team got noticeably better last year as well, it's just a matter of the offense being barren thanks to Shannon Dawson's horrendous playcalling.
I like the hires. I don't think it's fair to judge new hires based on the failures of previous hires. If Stoops was competent enough to realize that he needed to fire Dawson, and then he immediately went after Gran (who declined Kentucky whenever Stoops called last year, which led to Stoops getting Dawson), I think we should recognize that Gran is the better option than Dawson as well.

What do you not like about the hire? Is it the ~15 years of experience that Gran has in the SEC? The big numbers on offense? The familiarity that he has with Stoops? His recruiting ability? Surely you can think of something that you don't like about the hire rather than "but.. the last guy!"

Same with Hinshaw. What about Hinshaw makes you have reservations? Dude put a true freshman in at QB at Tennessee, and that QB ended up being very, very good while being coached under Hinshaw. Led to Tennessee having a very solid passing offense. He's a very well spoken individual who really shows his knowledge for the game every time he speaks, and he has a familiarity with our new OC that they've shared for a while now.

They came here with a plan, and they did a solid job of explaining it, as opposed to what Dawson did last year with "no, I have't really used my tight ends in the passing game before".. "No, never ran a wildcat formation either".. "Nope, I'll never run my QB's, no matter how open the field is".

Yep, these were definitely the right hires. Whether or not we succeed over the next few years remains to be seen, but I think Gran and Hinshaw give us the best chance to be successful.

 

[UKCatNnc]

I see an upward trajectory. I don't think you realize just how bad of shape Joker left us in. The team got noticeably better last year as well, it's just a matter of the offense being barren thanks to Shannon Dawson's horrendous playcalling.
I like the hires. I don't think it's fair to judge new hires based on the failures of previous hires. If Stoops was competent enough to realize that he needed to fire Dawson, and then he immediately went after Gran (who declined Kentucky whenever Stoops called last year, which led to Stoops getting Dawson), I think we should recognize that Gran is the better option than Dawson as well.

What do you not like about the hire? Is it the ~15 years of experience that Gran has in the SEC? The big numbers on offense? The familiarity that he has with Stoops? His recruiting ability? Surely you can think of something that you don't like about the hire rather than "but.. the last guy!"

Same with Hinshaw. What about Hinshaw makes you have reservations? Dude put a true freshman in at QB at Tennessee, and that QB ended up being very, very good while being coached under Hinshaw. Led to Tennessee having a very solid passing offense. He's a very well spoken individual who really shows his knowledge for the game every time he speaks, and he has a familiarity with our new OC that they've shared for a while now.

They came here with a plan, and they did a solid job of explaining it, as opposed to what Dawson did last year with "no, I have't really used my tight ends in the passing game before".. "No, never ran a wildcat formation either".. "Nope, I'll never run my QB's, no matter how open the field is".

Thanks for this post Rhavicc. I continue to be amazed at how difficult is for some posters to accept how bad Joker and his staff left the program; and how difficult is to rebuild a program. I, for one, believe that Gran and Hinshaw will make a significant difference in our offense. I like the way they talk about plans, preparation and execution. I think we will see some good results from the offense next year. Go Cats!!

 

[Beatle Bum]

I think anyone whose viewing these hires from a rational, objective perspective (which is, very, very few of us on here) would have to be skeptical at best on whether they'll succeed when you consider the hires that Stoops has made to date and factor in that Stoops' decision making has seemed to get worse with each passing game and each passing season.

Anyone who is "all in" with these hires at this point just isn't being truthful with themselves and need to take a break from drinking the blue kool aid.

What have you HONESTLY seen in the first three years from Stoops and the staff that he HAND PICKED that gives you such excitement about these guys suddenly coming in and being our saviors?

Come on. I know we have some smart guys on here, but some of you really have to take a step back from letting your emotions and undying love for all things UK override your judgment.

And then there are the national commentators, who have no dog in the UK hunt, who say it was a great hire. And the Cincy people who say the same thing. And others. Shoukd I step back farther than those?

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

I see an upward trajectory. I don't think you realize just how bad of shape Joker left us in. The team got noticeably better last year as well, it's just a matter of the offense being barren thanks to Shannon Dawson's horrendous playcalling.
I like the hires. I don't think it's fair to judge new hires based on the failures of previous hires. If Stoops was competent enough to realize that he needed to fire Dawson, and then he immediately went after Gran (who declined Kentucky whenever Stoops called last year, which led to Stoops getting Dawson), I think we should recognize that Gran is the better option than Dawson as well.

What do you not like about the hire? Is it the ~15 years of experience that Gran has in the SEC? The big numbers on offense? The familiarity that he has with Stoops? His recruiting ability? Surely you can think of something that you don't like about the hire rather than "but.. the last guy!"

Same with Hinshaw. What about Hinshaw makes you have reservations? Dude put a true freshman in at QB at Tennessee, and that QB ended up being very, very good while being coached under Hinshaw. Led to Tennessee having a very solid passing offense. He's a very well spoken individual who really shows his knowledge for the game every time he speaks, and he has a familiarity with our new OC that they've shared for a while now.

They came here with a plan, and they did a solid job of explaining it, as opposed to what Dawson did last year with "no, I have't really used my tight ends in the passing game before".. "No, never ran a wildcat formation either".. "Nope, I'll never run my QB's, no matter how open the field is".

We did not improve last season from year 2. We had a much easier schedule and had the same record with a bunch of returning starters. And the in game coaching all season was as bad as it gets. I don't understand this post.