Why is Mark Stoops' Leash Shorter than Rich Brooks' Leash?

There aren't many things more informative about Kentucky Wildcats football than following our own Freddie Maggard on Twitter. When I see Fred admit that there was a perspective that even he had not thought of, I like to take note. Thanks to UK fan Chuck, @AllinUKFan, for pointing out something that I think we all need to remember. Let's take a look at the first three seasons under Rich Brooks and the first three seasons under Mark Stoops: Rich Brooks was 9-25 through his first three years as the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. There may have been some rumblings, but fans and administration kept the faith. The following year for Rich Brooks started with a loss at Louisville, making him 9-26 through three years plus one game. However, he went on to lead the team to an 8-5 record that season, winning the 2006 Music City Bowl over the Clemson Tigers. Mark Stoops was 12-24 through his first three seasons as Kentucky's head coach. This year started with last night's loss to Southern Miss, moving Stoops' record to 12-25 through three seasons plus one game. After last night, any rumblings from the first three years have become outright cries for change. Now, I want to make it very clear that I am not trying to condone what happened last night, because for an SEC program, it should never happen. However, given the situation that both coaches inherited, don't you think that the leash for Mark Stoops should be a little longer than Rich Brooks' leash was? Brooks took over after Guy Morriss led the Wildcats to a 7-5 season. Morriss left UK for Baylor, and Rich Brooks was named head coach. The team won 4 games the next season, followed by 2 wins and then 3. Stoops took over after Joker Phillips coached a 2-10 season. The team won 2 games the following season, followed by 5 wins and then 5 wins again. Neither went to a bowl game in their first three seasons, so why can't Mark Stoops do the same thing Rich Brooks did in his fourth season and beyond? Just some food for thought. Let us know what you think in the comment section.