Hello HOB. I'll be following along with the coach's weekly radio show and sharing the major talking points here for those of you who may not be able to listen along but would like to read what he had to say. Show starts at 6 ET. Stay tuned...
* Stoops is a bit late to the show. It's 6:10 and Tom Leach is just talking about the history of the Governor's Cup. Leach says Stoops is on an important recruiting call and will join them shortly. They're taking one of their commercial breaks early to buy him some time.
* The Monday team meeting was good. Guys are disappointed they didn't play better at Texas. Didn't get the job done there, but it was easy to flip the script and get people ready to get to work on Louisville.
* Cutter Boley showed a lot by making that big throw on his second play after being sacked on his first snap, Stoops said. Each possession after that moved into Texas territory. Eager to see what he can do starting a game.
* Stoops says he relies on Eli Cox a lot for the temperature of the team. He got up and spoke in front of the team today to talk about how important it is to close strong against Louisville. A lot of respect for Louisville, but it's about us this week, and we want to finish strong. This is a big one.
* Caller wants to know what the staff is going to do after the UofL game to get the program ready to bounce back... First step is figuring out who is back for the 85 scholarship limit. A few guys are going to want to leave, a few guys are going to need to leave. That's gonna start on Sunday right after the Governor's Cup game. Have to get a good picture of the personnel for 2025.
* Asked about BVG... Stoops says he and Brock sat down and talked for a good while on Sunday. He is an unbelievable young man, the ultimate team guy. I just absolutely love everything about him. He's only been here for a year, but he's had a strong impact. I can't say enough good things about him as a person. We had a great conversation, and both of us prefer we leave it between us.
* Asked about having it around the 5-yard line again and not being able to punch it in... We realize it's not good enough. We have to be better about that this week.
* On losing Eli Cox and Marques Cox after this year... We feel like we have four guards who can play. Would like to add another center who can play at a high level next year. With another year, Malachi Wood can be a good tackle, but we need more of them. Gotta have more depth there. I think most people across the country would tell you that. Loves how Malachi is competing. He's been thrown into a tough spot, facing some of the best people in the country as a freshman OT, and he's not letting it get him down. Great attitude to keep working.
* Leach shares a note on UK Volleyball winning another SEC championship. Stoops praises Coach Skinner for the work he's done with the Cats. "Incredible."
* On the new signing day (Dec. 4)... It's been different. So early. And it's been volatile not knowing exactly what number of scholarships it was going to be. It's been all over the map, from 105 to 95 and now back to 85. We'll make it work, but it's certainly challenging.
* Turnover at the OC and OL coaching spots has led to instability, Stoops said, and we have to get that turned in the other direction.
* Asked if there are guys who aren't playing this year that could end up being key guys next year, Stoops says without a doubt. They like the talent they have at a lot of spots. OT remains one where they aren't so sure. It's a must to go out and get some help in the portal.
* Asked about where Cutter has improved the most since coming here from HS... Stoops says overall strength is a big one. He really took some shots at Texas, and Stoops told him they wanted to do some things to keep him away from that, but Cutter said, "No, it feels good." Ha. Felt good to get hit and get the rust off him because he's used to playing ball and it's different when you come to college and sit.
* Stoops estimates they have scouted about 300 OL this year in the portal/recruiting process.
* We know that we fell short in certain areas and didn't live up to our standard or expectations. None of us want to live in this world that we were in this year. I want to be solution-based and solution-minded. It's motivating. I don't ever want to be here again.
* On being at his best with a chip on his shoulder.... Grew up with a fighting mentality in a tough town. When you're backed into a corner, you have to come out swinging. Going down is not an option.
