This man has been a part of UK Football longer than some of you have been alive. This post by him is spot on and worth the read. Speedy recovery Mr. Gabriel, we hope to see you back on the sidelines next season.
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Posted by Dick Gabriel of the UK Sports Network
This week's news about Mark Stoops and Texas A&M has, once again, touched off a discussion about his merits as UK coach and, not surprisingly, they seem to be divided generationally.
There will always be people who judge you by your most recent game or season - that's the nature of sports.
But I have to smile about people who profess to be UK fans who scoff at what Stoops has accomplished (and yes, I'm a member of the UK Sports Network, so take this for what it's worth).
People need to remember just two things: When Stoops arrived, Kentucky had hit rock bottom, losing to Vanderbilt, in a blowout, in a Commonwealth Stadium that was nearly empty by game's end. And this, not long after a run by Rich Brooks who had led his team what at the time seemed like an amazing run of four straight bowl games.
And now Stoops has produced twice as many bowl teams and a pair of 10-win seasons, not to mention a couple of times flirted with the SEC East title. But many fans, who weren't around for the Bad Old Days, dismiss that to fortunate scheduling for a guy who is one of 10 highest-paid coaches in the country.
And while admitting the past two seasons have seen the Wildcats fall short of expectations, there is one thing his harshest critics must accept - he's doing it at an unprecedented time of wealth in the SEC. Top "football" schools have never spent more on coaches, facilities and recruiting. If a program is backing up right now, it's not for lack of trying or interest. Competition in this conference has never been keener.
And still, some folks expect Kentucky to overtake and pass the Georgias and Alabamas of the world. The same people find abhorrent a similar notion when it comes to basketball - no team should EVER blow past Kentucky when it comes to hoops, even though it would take fewer players than it does in football.
Stoops has raised the talent level at UK, without question. But talent is not exactly dropping off within the teams he's trying to chase down. Always remember this: In the end, it's talent that matters.
That's why we choose up sides in the schoolyard.
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Posted by Dick Gabriel of the UK Sports Network
This week's news about Mark Stoops and Texas A&M has, once again, touched off a discussion about his merits as UK coach and, not surprisingly, they seem to be divided generationally.
There will always be people who judge you by your most recent game or season - that's the nature of sports.
But I have to smile about people who profess to be UK fans who scoff at what Stoops has accomplished (and yes, I'm a member of the UK Sports Network, so take this for what it's worth).
People need to remember just two things: When Stoops arrived, Kentucky had hit rock bottom, losing to Vanderbilt, in a blowout, in a Commonwealth Stadium that was nearly empty by game's end. And this, not long after a run by Rich Brooks who had led his team what at the time seemed like an amazing run of four straight bowl games.
And now Stoops has produced twice as many bowl teams and a pair of 10-win seasons, not to mention a couple of times flirted with the SEC East title. But many fans, who weren't around for the Bad Old Days, dismiss that to fortunate scheduling for a guy who is one of 10 highest-paid coaches in the country.
And while admitting the past two seasons have seen the Wildcats fall short of expectations, there is one thing his harshest critics must accept - he's doing it at an unprecedented time of wealth in the SEC. Top "football" schools have never spent more on coaches, facilities and recruiting. If a program is backing up right now, it's not for lack of trying or interest. Competition in this conference has never been keener.
And still, some folks expect Kentucky to overtake and pass the Georgias and Alabamas of the world. The same people find abhorrent a similar notion when it comes to basketball - no team should EVER blow past Kentucky when it comes to hoops, even though it would take fewer players than it does in football.
Stoops has raised the talent level at UK, without question. But talent is not exactly dropping off within the teams he's trying to chase down. Always remember this: In the end, it's talent that matters.
That's why we choose up sides in the schoolyard.