Yeah, doesn't really matter that much but recent Team rankings vs Transfer U-----

[Real Deal 2]

Not a bad post, but I have a major correction to make, you must have been listening to ESPN too much-----Strong wasn't getting elite players out of Florida (Miami), hurtt was. You remember him, the NROTY at the U and at UL, pretty obvious how he did it at the U (and the $5,000 "loan" wasn't to pay his light bill), but how in hell did he do it at UL a thousand miles from the beaches? A $5,000 "loan" is pretty easy to arrange considering the money to be made in football now, huh, jurich? If you can read this post you should be able to figure it out, but of course if you are a UL fan, who cares, just win baby.

If you can follow the dotted line it should be pretty obvious why Strong couldn't take the TU job when he was MUCH more suited for it unless he took hurtt with him, same reason jurich couldn't afford to fire him when he was censured by the NCAA (instead of banning him like he should have been) and couldn't recruit. How is Butch doing at the other big cheater without hurtt's help?

It really doesn't make much difference if Clint Hurtt or Strong was getting players, UL had them on their roster so to say Strong was not a good recruiter is neither proof. Bottom line is Strong and his tenure recruited a higher athlete than Bobby Petrino. Bobby was lucky Ga kicked a couple of kids off team and Grantham had relationship, the kid from TCU was a major risk in the domestic abuse realm.

I go by what Bobby has done, leaves UL and they fall apart personnel wise, leaves Ark and they fall apart personnel wise. I don't care what any UL fan says or if we are using Hurtt as reason they recruited better. Bobby did not and does not recruit like Strong. Sorry, you will see this after next year, the only hope is an epic transfer ala 5-6 guys. Could happen. The talent pool is going to go down, all you have to do is look at Petrino's track record. Not throwing stuff against wall, proof in 2 schools.

 

[Michigan Fan]

Well Petrino did end up starting 6 Freshmen most of the year this year on Offense...McNeil, Christian, Thomas and Crum most of the year on the OLine/TE position...started a True Freshmen at WR in Jaylen Smith and a True Freshmen at QB...not to mention many times on offense you had 8 Freshmen in the lineup with Samuels and Peete at WR. On defense started a player as a Sophomore in Trumaime Washington and Freshmen G.G. Robinson got a lot of playing time in the Bowl game as a true freshmen on the DL and played well with Freshmen Javier Alexander in the secondary-(JMO he is our most talented CB)

 

[ajgcardman]

Not sure if you're being sarcastic or not, but the man stayed flustered last year.

If you had his offensive line, you'd stayed flustered all season as well. [winking]

Put a true freshman QB and several freshmen WRs behind them, and its really quite impressive that they were "average" offensively (should have been horrific), and won 8 games. I'd be really surprised if they "don't" take a considerable step forward on that side of the ball next year. And with all the returnees on defense, they will likely be better in '16 than they were in his first two years. And that means a return to the top-25.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Why do we take shots at UL recruiting? Coaching? Beat them every once in awhile and I'll be the first to fire away. We shouldn't talk about anyone's coaching. Ours wasn't up to most high school standards!

We had a disappointing year, so let's avoid the truth about other teams. Got it.

 

[Beatle Bum]

Two UL starters were actually suspended?? It must've been an Aaron Hernandez type of crime then.

Hearns was a starter?

 

[Michigan Fan]

Hearns was a starter?

Hearns was in the 2 Deep rotation not a starter...he switched out with Vatuvei and Bailey/Robinson with Rankins at the other DE spot

 

[PushupMan]

It really doesn't make much difference if Clint Hurtt or Strong was getting players, UL had them on their roster so to say Strong was not a good recruiter is neither proof. Bottom line is Strong and his tenure recruited a higher athlete than Bobby Petrino. Bobby was lucky Ga kicked a couple of kids off team and Grantham had relationship, the kid from TCU was a major risk in the domestic abuse realm.

I go by what Bobby has done, leaves UL and they fall apart personnel wise, leaves Ark and they fall apart personnel wise. I don't care what any UL fan says or if we are using Hurtt as reason they recruited better. Bobby did not and does not recruit like Strong. Sorry, you will see this after next year, the only hope is an epic transfer ala 5-6 guys. Could happen. The talent pool is going to go down, all you have to do is look at Petrino's track record. Not throwing stuff against wall, proof in 2 schools.

Of course, there's another explanation for why the team's fall apart ... But it doesn't fit the story line you are hoping will happen, so it gets ignored.

And of course that explanation is that Bobby Petrino is just so good of an offensive football coach that removing him from his Arkansas and Louisville teams was a disaster waiting to happen. Steve Kragthorpe (without the real Tulsa coaching talent, Todd Graham) and John L. Smith on an interim basis without a real offensive coordinator are the real reasons for the terrible on field results, not any deficiency in Petrino's recruiting.

 

[Real Deal 2]

Of course, there's another explanation for why the team's fall apart ... But it doesn't fit the story line you are hoping will happen, so it gets ignored.

And of course that explanation is that Bobby Petrino is just so good of an offensive football coach that removing him from his Arkansas and Louisville teams was a disaster waiting to happen. Steve Kragthorpe (without the real Tulsa coaching talent, Todd Graham) and John L. Smith on an interim basis without a real offensive coordinator are the real reasons for the terrible on field results, not any deficiency in Petrino's recruiting.

********
You can go back and read Tom Jurich's quotes at the time that previous staff recruited kids who were iffy, grade wise, reaches in terms of discipline and decorum. Not me brother, but your vaunted AD.
Ark was terrible because Bobby Petrino did not recruit very well, John L Smith said as much that the cupboard was bare, AD did, Bielema did as well. Said it was not a very good roster. They were going away BP's last year coaching.

He is a great offensive mind but he is not going to recruit to a high level, never has and never will. He will take some transfers and this will pan out and some times it won't, think you will see a major drop off after next year, you will see how good he was at recruiting those 2 seasons and when the Grantham transfers leave.

I will take my chances with Petrino's recruiting than Strong. He was ten times the recruiter., just a different type athlete Strong was bringing in.
IMO

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

As much as it pains me to say it. The recruiting difference between UK and UL is just about nothing when you add in the yearly criminal transfers. Very equal. And the fans here who are criticizing Petrino's coaching yet speaking highly of stoops and what he's doing. Come on now. Recruiting is close to the same difference is Louisville has a coach who can coach. Our coach isn't good at coaching, he can recruit but he just can't coach. He's in over his head as far as being a head coach goes. Let's see stoops beat petrino first then let's talk til then petrino has pretty much owned stoops coaching wise. Our fans seem to hang there hats on recruiting rankings to an extreme extent. Yall won the game but we won the recruiting battle so ha! Not even in the same galaxy as far as coaching ability goes. No one who watched our team this year and the way the games were managed could possibly be optimistic and inspired by stoops coaching. Just no there's no reason for optimism as far as his coaching goes. Talent yes. But I expect more of the same when it comes to clueless coaching decisions and hella excuses for those decisions from stoops this coming season.

 

[jauk11]

We had a disappointing year, so let's avoid the truth about other teams. Got it.

Yes, we had a VERY disappointing year IMO, and also lost to Transfer U again, that had at the least a good year with a bowl win over an SEC team.

The point is that despite that we are still out recruiting them AND they currently have FIVE decommits to our one. I doubt if we catch them there, not that we want to.

 

[mbc82584]

I literally can't figure out the point of the OP. Is our recruiting so historically good for UK we should be competing, or is it just not good enough to compete?

Where did Vandy's classes rank leading up to last year?

What about EKU and Louisana who both almost beat us?

UK fans are colored by how a single recruiting class can turn the tide...in basketball. I get that. But as a loyal football fan I'm tired of the prospect of beating some of the big dogs, on the field, is perpetually a joke...much less us EVER making an appearance in Atlanta.

 

[sluggercatfan]

Yes, we had a VERY disappointing year IMO, and also lost to Transfer U again, that had at the least a good year with a bowl win over an SEC team.

The point is that despite that we are still out recruiting them AND they currently have FIVE decommits to our one. I doubt if we catch them there, not that we want to.

I would much rather flip the scales on them 11... Would much rather outplay them and win on the field and let them win the recruiting battles

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

I would much rather flip the scales on them 11... Would much rather outplay them and win on the field and let them win the recruiting battles

A recruiting battle that we're not even winning when you include the transfers that equal everything out. Louisville is pulling in the same amount of talent as us they just have coaches much better at developing the talent. A lot of people here just want to find something to hang there hat on. Regardless if stoops coaching ability is 2nd to everyone as long as we win the recruiting battles some of our fans are gonna practically guarantee success. Even though muschamp at Florida, who had all the talent in the world, still sucked because he can't coach. To some of our fans coaching ability doesn't matter as long as we're getting the recruits. Recruits equal to louisvilles.

I know we've never gotten these kind of recruits before so I understand why fans are getting excited but at the same time the only reason fans are guaranteeing success is because this kind of recruiting is something they've never seen. So to them success will come with the recruits. But at every big time school around the country that recruits well regularly, sometimes a bad hire is made like Charlie weiss at ND, muschamp at Florida, and even though those coaches had GREAT, ELITE talent, they still sucked. And I really don't think stoops is half the coach muschamp and Weiss is. I just don't see why we should guarantee success over our recruiting. Too many examples of schools getting elite level recruits yet still end up being a bad team. And judging by stoops coaching ability I don't see why it's so gauranteed that it's going to be any different with us. Maybe its the cheesy slogans such as ALL IN, and WHY NOT stoops comes up with that gets the fans confident not really sure, i really don't understand the gauranteed success some of our fans are predicting. First thing's first and our coach needs to learn how to be a head coach before we make any gaurantees.

 

[jauk11]

As much as it pains me to say it. The recruiting difference between UK and UL is just about nothing when you add in the yearly criminal transfers. Very equal. And the fans here who are criticizing Petrino's coaching yet speaking highly of stoops and what he's doing. Come on now. Recruiting is close to the same difference is Louisville has a coach who can coach. Our coach isn't good at coaching, he can recruit but he just can't coach. He's in over his head as far as being a head coach goes. Let's see stoops beat petrino first then let's talk til then petrino has pretty much owned stoops coaching wise. Our fans seem to hang there hats on recruiting rankings to an extreme extent. Yall won the game but we won the recruiting battle so ha! Not even in the same galaxy as far as coaching ability goes. No one who watched our team this year and the way the games were managed could possibly be optimistic and inspired by stoops coaching. Just no there's no reason for optimism as far as his coaching goes. Talent yes. But I expect more of the same when it comes to clueless coaching decisions and hella excuses for those decisions from stoops this coming season.

Stoops is still learning as a head coach, and he had better accelerate his learning curve. But I don't think many will deny he is a hell of a defensive coach, and especially with the DBs, where we should be greatly improved for several years, FIVE four star DBs available and two or three of them won't even be starters. Stoops AND UK also shelled out the money (do you remember Brown being retained as "Co-DC", LOL, in order to save his buyout?) to upgrade two of our obvious weaknesses, OC and QB coach------as well as adding two very good recruiters. And the coming upgrade in our OL is going to be unbelievable, IMO. We also already have the raw talent at ALL the other positions on offense, IMO, and Couch is the last 5.9 (above) QB that we have had, and they have done a good job of bringing in a couple of backups in case they are needed.

I have to agree with you about the yearly criminal transfers evening out things to a large extent, And BP is recruiting better than I expected, and I think the biggest reason is that it is becoming pretty well known that with jurich heading the program they will do anything to win, including making sure that the criminals as well as the criminally inclined will be unlikely to get in trouble there short of murder------well, if they are a five star that might be ok.

But I think they are on a very dangerous path that may blow up at any time, the Minardi hall atrocity might be the spark, maybe the NCAA will even look into how all those players kicked out of other schools become Rhodes Scholars once they enroll at the city college.

 

[TrollCat_rivals128405]

R the rumors true that Fitzpatrick is flipping back to UL?

 

[Michigan Fan]

R the rumors true that Fitzpatrick is flipping back to UL?

Louisville "might" get a official visit this weekend....we shall see.

 

[jauk11]

I literally can't figure out the point of the OP. Is our recruiting so historically good for UK we should be competing, or is it just not good enough to compete?

Where did Vandy's classes rank leading up to last year?

What about EKU and Louisana who both almost beat us?

UK fans are colored by how a single recruiting class can turn the tide...in basketball. I get that. But as a loyal football fan I'm tired of the prospect of beating some of the big dogs, on the field, is perpetually a joke...much less us EVER making an appearance in Atlanta.

The point is that UK's recruiting has been atrocious forever and especially since our last probation cost us so dearly, a small bump in the road for Bama. Joker's senior class from 07 had NINETEEN two star commits, that averaged a robust 5.1xxx, after only our fourth SEC break even SEC season in thirty years (38 now). That was caused in large part by mitch's abysmal support for football which lasted until the strike cost UK millions. And coaching was NOT the main problem, talent was, although Brooks (a great coach but lacking in recruiting, but who can blame him woth his support) in particular found a lot of diamonds in the rough, see 5.3 Trevathan among many others. Joker actually might have recruited better on paper but the coaching and RETENTION was way down. Still, his first year he upset top ten USC with TWO four stars while USC had THIRTY EIGHT four star commits the prior four years AND a five star------and he came within THREE points of NC Auburn with Cam Newton.

And to answer your question, YES, UK recruiting, particularly since probation helped destroy us (mitch deserves a lot of credit for that also, IMO). And then the really dumb part of your post, no, it isn't basketball and one class will not cure our woes (if it would 14 would have almost done it) but this is NOT just one class, Stoops did an amazing job in 13 coming in late, arguably had our best class ever in 14, rescued our class with some even better replacements (performance wise) when defections hit in 15, and has a great class going now, particularly in regards to our needs.

The DBs to make us our best ever there, SEC level and more, are already here (FIVE four star DBS, and two even better lower rated ones apparently)and a lot of OL talent is returning along with OUTSTANDING additions that should make us among the nation's best in a couple of years. We already have outstanding talent at the skill positions, just need to play like it, and talent wise not since Couch have we had a 5.9 talent at QB, along with an exciting JC prospect just in case. Then you have the AD shelling out the bucks to try to solve the coaching problems at OC and the QB coach. Some untimely defections hurt us also, Couch not coming through like expected (coaching???) and losing Krok (and Tubman, IMO) really hurt. Not many defects overall though, and only ONE this class so far compared t UL's FIVE.

The talent IS being assembled, and not just in one year, now we need more experience (growing by the day) and better coaching, and most think the new hires will bring a big improvement, but the whole staff is still growing and learning to work together.

Very important to stay the course for at least a couple more years, IMO, and watch what our recruiting does when we have some wins to go with a great recruiting staff that has done an amazing job when you consider our record----already better than Transfer U that has had a LOT more success.

And IF Stoops does fail, he will leave us a talent base that will attract high quality candidates instead of making them run away.

 

[jauk11]

I would much rather flip the scales on them 11... Would much rather outplay them and win on the field and let them win the recruiting battles

Who wouldn't------but it is coming.

 

[gg4uk]

True, but if you don't have a QB you don't have a team IMO. That position is so important. If not for the QB position uofl would not have beaten UK the last two years.

Like others, I think Petrino is no where as good as he was during his last uofl tenure. Without Jackson this year, not sure you even make a bowl game and you certainly don't win the bowl game you played. Jackson is a stud and uofl is lucky to have him. He will have to learn to throw though but regardless in college he will still be tough to defend.

You can't really have it both ways. Petrino is not nearly as good very simply because he doesn't have a solid stable QB like he had with Brian Brohm. Just because Jackson is able to beat UK it doesn't make him a good QB. Petrino may or may not be as good as his previous self. But, with 100% certainty I know the UL QB situation was influx each of the last two years.

 

[PushupMan]

********
You can go back and read Tom Jurich's quotes at the time that previous staff recruited kids who were iffy, grade wise, reaches in terms of discipline and decorum. Not me brother, but your vaunted AD.
Ark was terrible because Bobby Petrino did not recruit very well, John L Smith said as much that the cupboard was bare, AD did, Bielema did as well. Said it was not a very good roster. They were going away BP's last year coaching.

He is a great offensive mind but he is not going to recruit to a high level, never has and never will. He will take some transfers and this will pan out and some times it won't, think you will see a major drop off after next year, you will see how good he was at recruiting those 2 seasons and when the Grantham transfers leave.

I will take my chances with Petrino's recruiting than Strong. He was ten times the recruiter., just a different type athlete Strong was bringing in.
IMO

Those "iffy" kids included 5 players who are still in the NFL starting for their teams in 2015: Breno Giacomini (NYJ), Harry Douglas (Tennessee Titans), William Gay (Pittsburgh Steelers), Gary Barnidge (Cleveland Browns) and Eric Wood (Buffalo Bills). All recruited and signed by Bobby Petrino while at Louisville (and while we were playing in freaking CUSA).

So don't hold your breath while you believe the crap spewed by athletic directors and replacement coaches as they attempt to pacify the fan base when a hire (or lack of one) blows up in their faces. And yes, that even includes Tom Jurich.

 

[andreIGUODOLLAsigns4UK]

Stoops is still learning as a head coach, and he had better accelerate his learning curve. But I don't think many will deny he is a hell of a defensive coach, and especially with the DBs, where we should be greatly improved for several years, FIVE four star DBs available and two or three of them won't even be starters. Stoops AND UK also shelled out the money (do you remember Brown being retained as "Co-DC", LOL, in order to save his buyout?) to upgrade two of our obvious weaknesses, OC and QB coach------as well as adding two very good recruiters. And the coming upgrade in our OL is going to be unbelievable, IMO. We also already have the raw talent at ALL the other positions on offense, IMO, and Couch is the last 5.9 (above) QB that we have had, and they have done a good job of bringing in a couple of backups in case they are needed.

I have to agree with you about the yearly criminal transfers evening out things to a large extent, And BP is recruiting better than I expected, and I think the biggest reason is that it is becoming pretty well known that with jurich heading the program they will do anything to win, including making sure that the criminals as well as the criminally inclined will be unlikely to get in trouble there short of murder------well, if they are a five star that might be ok.

But I think they are on a very dangerous path that may blow up at any time, the Minardi hall atrocity might be the spark, maybe the NCAA will even look into how all those players kicked out of other schools become Rhodes Scholars once they enroll at the city college.

I agree with everything when it comes to jurich and the dirty win at all costs program he runs. It's the University of 2nd and 3rd chances for a reason. It's practically ruined the value of an athletic scholarship from that university because of all the people that should probably be behind bars instead are in classrooms and playing football. Nothing clean about the program he runs that's a fact.

And I agree with you 100% that stoops is a great defensive coach. Which does help a lot but only to an extent since he doesn't really run the entire show on defense. He definitely has his nose in on that side of that ball but mostly it's Elliot's defense. Who I honestly think has done a decent job considering how bad of a position the offense puts them in. I do agree that our DBs for the future is a very very bright spot for our team. By far our best position group. But where the battle is won more times than not in the SEC is the trenches. Until we establish a defensive line that can get pressure on the QB it really hurts the value of our DBs because it's not like they can cover forever while a qb just stands in the pocket and waits for someone to get open. Our defensive line hasn't gotten any pressure on the QB since stoops has been here. Bud and smith did a decent job but honestly there senior season they didn't even bring that much pressure and that's 2 NFL defensive ends. Idk why that is either maybe it's the position coach but we've brought no pressure from our DLine in a while. I'm pretty sure we ranked near last place in the SEC in QB sacks during bud and smiths senior year, could be wrong but if my recollection is correct they finished near the bottom. Which makes no sense to me.

Losing kobe smith IMO was a HUUGGEE blow to our DL. We absolutely need Matt Elam to get his act together and learn technique I can't think of a player that's ever needed a redshirt year more than him. I would even argue that he's the most important player on this years team outside of the QB position (I really hope the staff is stressing his importance to this years team too) and if he ends up being a bust, this being his make or break year. Then it's gonna hurt we need someone who can get a push up the middle and we need D ends that can get to the QB. We don't have that many quality NT/DTs. I like the potential of pringle but it's still a huge question mark.

If we can somehow start winning the battle in the trenches against a quality team here and there then I think stoops can maybe turn it around. But there were many times this past season. Where inferior opponents with way less talent on the line than us made us look silly. We gave QBs zero pressure this season and we couldn't stop anyone from hitting our QBs. IMO brumbaugh and schlarman are very very bad coaches from what I've seen during there time here and have to go because someone has to get the blame for the production at those 2 positions groups. And I can't blame it on talent either because we would play horrible teams and still both of our lines would get blown up. I do like the talent we have on the OL now Tate leaviit was a huge get, but i still question schlarman even with the upgrade in talent. And the DL doesn't look much if any improved this coming season. I think brumbaugh (both actually) should've been gone yesterday and he's still here.

This is where I think stoops demise as the HC here is going to come from. Lack of production at DL Position, and how stoops consistently shoots himself in the foot with bad coaching decisions and zero adjustments during games on an every game basis. Many times I also feel like our team would just show up for a game with zero emotion, zero fire and very bad preparation (most important quality a head coach can have IMO. The importance of game preparation and motivation can't be underestimated). This is an area that I've honestly seen zero improvement from since year 1. To me that's very alarming. I actually think this season he was at an all time high with the horrible coaching errors which is not a good trajectory at all IMO. I just don't think this aspect of the game will ever be something he's competent at because if he hasn't improved in this area after 3 years. Why should we expect vast improvement after more time? This is why I kind of compare him to muschamp with less talent. He should've shown most of his improvement in that area during his last 3 years here and I saw regression. And back to the lack of DL production I would argue that the DL is the most important position group in the SEC. If you don't have a DL then you ain't gonna win. If you can't stop the run and put pressure on a QB then you will lose way more times than not. And right now our DL isn't looking too hot unless some players overachieve.

Just pretty much explaining why I'm on the side of the fence I'm on when it comes to stoops not trying stir up anything just one man's opinion on the team. Just because that's what I think though doesn't mean I don't root for us to win every game which many people here try to act like I don't for some reason just because I don't have as much faith in this staff as them. But that's not the case I would love for stoops to prove me wrong and force me to eat crow and I hope he does. I want to see us win as much or more than the next guy here. I constantly yell at my tv during away games and I stay yelling at every home game that I invest a lot of money in when i think about how much money I've spent on season tickets over the years (since brooks first year). Was going to cancel them had Dawson stayed. I was hopeless as long as he was here. The one thing that give me hope is Dawson's departure. That was a nice sigh of relief I tell you what.

 

[Beatle Bum]

R the rumors true that Fitzpatrick is flipping back to UL?

He never flipped, just decommitted to reopen recruiting. By then, UM had their WRs or had them in sight (McDoom).

 

[Michigan Fan]

Those "iffy" kids included 5 players who are still in the NFL starting for their teams in 2015: Breno Giacomini (NYJ), Harry Douglas (Tennessee Titans), William Gay (Pittsburgh Steelers), Gary Barnidge (Cleveland Browns) and Eric Wood (Buffalo Bills). All recruited and signed by Bobby Petrino while at Louisville (and while we were playing in freaking CUSA).

So don't hold your breath while you believe the crap spewed by athletic directors and replacement coaches as they attempt to pacify the fan base when a hire (or lack of one) blows up in their faces. And yes, that even includes Tom Jurich.

Wood and Barnidge will be playing this weekend in the Pro Bowl...both were basically not really recruited out of HS.

 

[Anjiejo]

I agree with everything when it comes to jurich and the dirty win at all costs program he runs. It's the University of 2nd and 3rd chances for a reason. It's practically ruined the value of an athletic scholarship from that university because of all the people that should probably be behind bars instead are in classrooms and playing football. Nothing clean about the program he runs that's a fact.

And I agree with you 100% that stoops is a great defensive coach. Which does help a lot but only to an extent since he doesn't really run the entire show on defense. He definitely has his nose in on that side of that ball but mostly it's Elliot's defense. Who I honestly think has done a decent job considering how bad of a position the offense puts them in. I do agree that our DBs for the future is a very very bright spot for our team. By far our best position group. But where the battle is won more times than not in the SEC is the trenches. Until we establish a defensive line that can get pressure on the QB it really hurts the value of our DBs because it's not like they can cover forever while a qb just stands in the pocket and waits for someone to get open. Our defensive line hasn't gotten any pressure on the QB since stoops has been here. Bud and smith did a decent job but honestly there senior season they didn't even bring that much pressure and that's 2 NFL defensive ends. Idk why that is either maybe it's the position coach but we've brought no pressure from our DLine in a while. I'm pretty sure we ranked near last place in the SEC in QB sacks during bud and smiths senior year, could be wrong but if my recollection is correct they finished near the bottom. Which makes no sense to me.

Losing kobe smith IMO was a HUUGGEE blow to our DL. We absolutely need Matt Elam to get his act together and learn technique I can't think of a player that's ever needed a redshirt year more than him. I would even argue that he's the most important player on this years team outside of the QB position (I really hope the staff is stressing his importance to this years team too) and if he ends up being a bust, this being his make or break year. Then it's gonna hurt we need someone who can get a push up the middle and we need D ends that can get to the QB. We don't have that many quality NT/DTs. I like the potential of pringle but it's still a huge question mark.

If we can somehow start winning the battle in the trenches against a quality team here and there then I think stoops can maybe turn it around. But there were many times this past season. Where inferior opponents with way less talent on the line than us made us look silly. We gave QBs zero pressure this season and we couldn't stop anyone from hitting our QBs. IMO brumbaugh and schlarman are very very bad coaches from what I've seen during there time here and have to go because someone has to get the blame for the production at those 2 positions groups. And I can't blame it on talent either because we would play horrible teams and still both of our lines would get blown up. I do like the talent we have on the OL now Tate leaviit was a huge get, but i still question schlarman even with the upgrade in talent. And the DL doesn't look much if any improved this coming season. I think brumbaugh (both actually) should've been gone yesterday and he's still here.

This is where I think stoops demise as the HC here is going to come from. Lack of production at DL Position, and how stoops consistently shoots himself in the foot with bad coaching decisions and zero adjustments during games on an every game basis. Many times I also feel like our team would just show up for a game with zero emotion, zero fire and very bad preparation (most important quality a head coach can have IMO. The importance of game preparation and motivation can't be underestimated). This is an area that I've honestly seen zero improvement from since year 1. To me that's very alarming. I actually think this season he was at an all time high with the horrible coaching errors which is not a good trajectory at all IMO. I just don't think this aspect of the game will ever be something he's competent at because if he hasn't improved in this area after 3 years. Why should we expect vast improvement after more time? This is why I kind of compare him to muschamp with less talent. He should've shown most of his improvement in that area during his last 3 years here and I saw regression. And back to the lack of DL production I would argue that the DL is the most important position group in the SEC. If you don't have a DL then you ain't gonna win. If you can't stop the run and put pressure on a QB then you will lose way more times than not. And right now our DL isn't looking too hot unless some players overachieve.

Just pretty much explaining why I'm on the side of the fence I'm on when it comes to stoops not trying stir up anything just one man's opinion on the team. Just because that's what I think though doesn't mean I don't root for us to win every game which many people here try to act like I don't for some reason just because I don't have as much faith in this staff as them. But that's not the case I would love for stoops to prove me wrong and force me to eat crow and I hope he does. I want to see us win as much or more than the next guy here. I constantly yell at my tv during away games and I stay yelling at every home game that I invest a lot of money in when i think about how much money I've spent on season tickets over the years (since brooks first year). Was going to cancel them had Dawson stayed. I was hopeless as long as he was here. The one thing that give me hope is Dawson's departure. That was a nice sigh of relief I tell you what.

What is more important is the fact he got a oc with experience and a good qb coach to boot.. He addressed several issues with one hire! Experience,ingame adjustments,leadership,discipline,accountability.. Think he can focus more on game management and def with gran at oc... Also gran imo is a very good assistant that will help with gameday management and ST...
You look at great coaches.. Very one have very good assistants..
Sabin.= Smart,kiffin.. I know some dont like kiffin and he may be a jerk. But he is a good offensive coach..
Fulmer= John chavis.. Spurrier=bob stoops. At usc he didnt have the staff support he was used to imo..
meyer=UH coach forget his name. Mullen..

There are a few.there are many more.
Take mumme. Leach was a great assistant along with guy morris imo.
Mumme needed to find that dc to do what stoops hired gran/hinshaw to do!!

So a coach needs to surround himself with the right assistants and i like who stoops added this off season.
This is why i think he will be a success.
He gets it! He understands what the team needed to get to the next level.
Now lets see if he put the right pieces together. I think he did but the proof will be on display this fall!!
If it doesn't work with stoops there is one thing that we did the past 5 years.. Filled our roster with quality players which will attract a better coach the next go around!

 

[sluggercatfan]

Those "iffy" kids included 5 players who are still in the NFL starting for their teams in 2015: Breno Giacomini (NYJ), Harry Douglas (Tennessee Titans), William Gay (Pittsburgh Steelers), Gary Barnidge (Cleveland Browns) and Eric Wood (Buffalo Bills). All recruited and signed by Bobby Petrino while at Louisville (and while we were playing in freaking CUSA).

So don't hold your breath while you believe the crap spewed by athletic directors and replacement coaches as they attempt to pacify the fan base when a hire (or lack of one) blows up in their faces. And yes, that even includes Tom Jurich.

Think

Yes OLD BG is the one that BP taught how to give UK fans the bird (with children around) and he passed it on to Benedict...real class bunch there

 

[Beatle Bum]

True. But we're not talking about UofL. Since hiring Schnellenberger in 1985, other than taking over from Kragthorpe (and to a lesser extent Cooper) new Card coaches have not exactly taken over a mess.

Peace

Petrino left more of a mess the first time he left than is described in your post. Krag handled that mess poorly, but there were real problems.

 

[hmt5000]

Leo did an article on it at the time and some former players said it was not uncommon for guns to be brought into the locker room. Tom wasn't just making excuses. UL had to run off some guys who were too violent.

 

[tigers47548788]

 

[PushupMan]

Think

Yes OLD BG is the one that BP taught how to give UK fans the bird (with children around) and he passed it on to Benedict...real class bunch there

I remember that - it happened before the 2007 game. Not exactly the classiest response, to be sure, but he did have provocation. UK fans threw beer bottles and other projectiles at the team bus when Louisville pulled up outside Commonwealth.

UK got the last laugh on that day, when Stevie got loose.

Also - none of that changes my point, which is that Petrino has a proven track record of finding and developing players that contribute to highly successful teams. That won't be changing anytime soon.

 

[hmt5000]

Can I use all the bs excuses that ul fans used for pitino on this one?

 

[tmuck]

I remember that - it happened before the 2007 game. Not exactly the classiest response, to be sure, but he did have provocation. UK fans threw beer bottles and other projectiles at the team bus when Louisville pulled up outside Commonwealth.

UK got the last laugh on that day, when Stevie got loose.

Also - none of that changes my point, which is that Petrino has a proven track record of finding and developing players that contribute to highly successful teams. That won't be changing anytime soon.

Link? And that should get you banned!


Maybe he can take you guys to more "Banjo Bowls" down the road. Remember, the one your fans made fun of UK going to a few years ago?

 

[JimmyJimmy]

Even though Texas A&M started a new QB they were not devoid of talent according to Rivals they were 6th to 15th from 2012 to 2015 in recruiting...Louisville in that same time period was 32nd to 52nd...

A&M was the ninth best team in the SEC last year. They started off prety good when they came into the SEC (like Missouri) but they are fading as they adjust to a tougher conference.

 

[JimmyJimmy]

You may not like him, but he was 43-9 here the first time and he had Arkansas preseason top 5.

He was 43-9 playing a weak schedule. Playing a better schedule the last two years he is 16-10. Being in a division with Clemson and Florida State I doubt the Cards are ever better then 3rd in their division. And the seasons they have to play the better teams from the other division they won't even be that.

 

[JimmyJimmy]

Bobby is not going to recruit like Strong, I said that from the beginning. Strong was getting elite level kids out of Fla. and elsewhere. I mean those were all his kids that were drafted in the NFL last year. No way will Bobby recruit to that level. Go look at UL when John L's recruits and Bobby's first classes left, Kragthorpe got a lot of that mess. Go look at Ark, the guy before him signs good classes, Bobby adds some skill guys and QB. He leaves and the next 2-3 years they were terrible in personnel. I see a real pattern, he leaves all these programs in shambles personnel wise.

Bobby is not going to recruit to a Strong level, Strong had major talent.
Difference is that Grantham had relationship with a lot of those Ga kids that transferred in and the malcontent transfers is still how they make up for not recruiting to a C. Strong level. Petrino is not a strong recruiter.
I am glad as a UK fan that Petrino is getting talent. Transfers have saved him.
You can only take so many kids who have beaten their girl or been booted for dope and domestics.
That is on UL and Bobby.
IMO

Seriously, if you were a parent with a higher set of moral standards your not going to let your kid play for him. The higher rated kids with good backgrounds or a solid family behind them have so many more options available to them then Looserville.

Im sure a lot of parents take into consideration the overall environment on the campus their kids will be living in and say no when it comes to U of L and who they employ to run their sports programs.

If it is all about sports and business then he can real in the talented kids who's supporting cast does not care about all his personal indiscretions. He gets a diamond in the ruff (Jackson) but overall he can't bring in the talent to overtake the elite teams in the ACC.

Thus, they will always be a middle of the pack conference team if that.

 

[Beatle Bum]

It is embarrassing to see that. Also embarrassing that you think that some defense for other bad behavior. How many times was this posted on a UL board when Rick flipped off UK fans in Rupp this year? Wrong is wrong.

 

[Beatle Bum]

He was 43-9 playing a weak schedule. Playing a better schedule the last two years he is 16-10. Being in a division with Clemson and Florida State I doubt the Cards are ever better then 3rd in their division. And the seasons they have to play the better teams from the other division they won't even be that.

He lost to Rich Brooks when at Arkansas. Now that we know that better players do not make better teams, better coaches do, we learn rich is better than Bobby. Interesting.

 

[WildCard]

adding on to my last post. what are the ul recruits that UK fans downgrade like ul fans do ours?? go back the last few years if you can. not talking about the true sleepers but the "reputation" guys. i liked caban, hearns, mcneil, bonnafon (as a wr), culver, and probably a few others. but if you read their board, we dont have a single player they'd take.

Sorry; I just now saw your above post. I find this a tricky question. I'm not sure which UofL commits are downgraded by UK fans. You and a number of others seem to have a fair opinion about UofL recruits. Conversely I can't imagine any UofL fan not impressed with UK's O-line haul the past 2 years. Pure BS if Card fans say they they are unimpressed. I would take GAA, Young, Jackson and Leavitt in a heartbeat. Will they be stars? I don't know.

But they certainly have potential to be very good players (EDIT).

Unfortunately, the very nature of ALL fan site message boards is that someone will grab a single post from a single wacko rival fan and attempt to paint that entire fan base with that single post. I try to look through that kind of crap.

That said, I think the most legitimate (?) UofL fan critique of UK's recruiting results from what may be the somewhat overhyped OH pipelines.

It is no secret that at all that Stoops and Co. have made OH a real recruiting priority. And it is no secret that OH has far more prospects than does KY. But the real question is exactly how good is the talent coming through these pipelines in terms of making UK better? Consider this year....

11 of 24 current 2016 commits are from OH (let's say 10; I don't consider kickers in recruiting rankings the same way I consider other positions). However, only Bannerman holds an offer from one (MI St) of the Big 4 OH recruiters (tOSU, MI, ND and MI St) and I think those schools only had a few offers out to UK's big 2014 OH class. The entire 2016 OH group of 10 has only 29 FBS offers as follows:

Pitt (6)
IU (4)
NE, PU, WVA, UofL (2 each)
MD, MN, WSU, Duke, VPI, WF, BC; IA, IL, 'Cuse and MI St (1 each)​

Despite the difficulty in acquiring accurate offer information I place as much, maybe more, emphasis here as I do on independent talent evaluation. There are a few solid programs there but I'm inclined to think BBN believes they are on par with most of those school.

The recruiting challenge for UK and UofL is identical. Neither is going to (consistently) out recruit the powers at the top of their respective conferences. For schools like UofL and UK cracking the winner's circle initially requires you to do more with less until you can attract more. Which brings us to the question that pretty much has to be answered by Stoops and Co. this year; can they do more with what they have on campus? You can't keep kicking that can down the road like it has been done for the past 50+ years. At some point success is going to measured by racking up some 7+ wins in regular seasons. All JMO.

Peace

 

[Beatle Bum]

Sorry; I just now saw your above post. I find this a tricky question. I'm not sure which UofL commits are downgraded by UK fans. You and a number of others seem to have a fair opinion about UofL recruits. Conversely I can't imagine any UofL fan not impressed with UK's O-line haul the past 2 years. Pure BS if Card fans say they they are unimpressed. I would take GAA, Young, Jackson and Leavitt in a heartbeat. Will they be stars? I don't know.

But they certainly have potential to be very good players (EDIT).

Unfortunately, the very nature of ALL fan site message boards is that someone will grab a single post from a single wacko rival fan and attempt to paint that entire fan base with that single post. I try to look through that kind of crap.

That said, I think the most legitimate (?) UofL fan critique of UK's recruiting results from what may be the somewhat overhyped OH pipelines.

It is no secret that at all that Stoops and Co. have made OH a real recruiting priority. And it is no secret that OH has far more prospects than does KY. But the real question is exactly how good is the talent coming through these pipelines in terms of making UK better? Consider this year....

11 of 24 current 2016 commits are from OH (let's say 10; I don't consider kickers in recruiting rankings the same way I consider other positions). However, only Bannerman holds an offer from one (MI St) of the Big 4 OH recruiters (tOSU, MI, ND and MI St) and I think those schools only had a few offers out to UK's big 2014 OH class. The entire 2016 OH group of 10 has only 29 FBS offers as follows:

Pitt (6)
IU (4)
NE, PU, WVA, UofL (2 each)
MD, MN, WSU, Duke, VPI, WF, BC; IA, IL, 'Cuse and MI St (1 each)​

Despite the difficulty in acquiring accurate offer information I place as much, maybe more, emphasis here as I do on independent talent evaluation. There are a few solid programs there but I'm inclined to think BBN believes they are on par with most of those school.

The recruiting challenge for UK and UofL is identical. Neither is going to (consistently) out recruit the powers at the top of their respective conferences. For schools like UofL and UK cracking the winner's circle initially requires you to do more with less until you can attract more. Which brings us to the question that pretty much has to be answered by Stoops and Co. this year; can they do more with what they have on campus? You can't keep kicking that can down the road like it has been done for the past 50+ years. At some point success is going to measured by racking up some 7+ wins in regular seasons. All JMO.

Peace

This year, UL fans have seen their recruits go to traditional powers or be courted by those powers and, I believe you will agree, have seen that as some justification of their coaching staff's ability to identify talent.

Last year, UK lost a lot of recruits. Who did they lose to? MSU, VTech, OSU, NC St., Auburn. Did UL fans acknowledge that those loses were demonstrative of UK's staff's ability to recruit or identify talent?

Not that I witnessed.

So, I view your assessment with a lack of real interest.

 

[SanAntonioCat_rivals376502]

I loved Charlie, but Bridgewater made Charlie look better than he actually was. Charlie was a defense minded coach that preferred a clock control offense, that kept us in games and it also kept the opposition in games. I prefer Charlie as a person but Petrino as a coach. Strong also never coached us in the ACC, thus our schedule is tougher now.

And, this is why Charlie has one year left in Austin to win or slide back to being a defensive coordinator at his next stop.

 

[NoDef]

Petrino is one of the better coaches in college football. If he wasn't there is no way he would be worth the risk of being hired by a P5 school. Those types of schools (even uofl) do not take that type of baggage if you cannot coach. Stoops is recruiting at unseen levels for UK standards, if he can turn into a "good" coach we will take this thing to another level. Regardless of whether you like Petrino or not the man is still coaching at a major university because he is a great offensive mind.