Any hope for Stoops?
- Thread starter RedLotCat
- Start date
Sure. Sometimes there is addition by subtraction. There are a whole world of possibilities out there. Ya never know. I thought Marrow was more than solid could be I was wrong.
Might be seeing the last run of some desperate coaches. Throw in the transfer portal which kind of turns every team into the replacements and who can tell?
Look, I've been hard on my opinions about Stoops for a while....but the guy is gonna be here this year and I ain't about to say I hope the team tanks so he leaves.
Might be seeing the last run of some desperate coaches. Throw in the transfer portal which kind of turns every team into the replacements and who can tell?
Look, I've been hard on my opinions about Stoops for a while....but the guy is gonna be here this year and I ain't about to say I hope the team tanks so he leaves.
The fans will be gone 2 games into the season if he can't pull out a W for the Ole Miss game.
The season only gets harder and that will mark the billionth loss in a row to another SEC school at home.
Win that game and he will live to fight another day.
Lose it ....and the fans will be done imo.
The season only gets harder and that will mark the billionth loss in a row to another SEC school at home.
Win that game and he will live to fight another day.
Lose it ....and the fans will be done imo.
If the line can protect Calzada, and the offense improves, yes there is hope.
Few successful Coaches have managed to recover momentum after losing it ten (+) years into their tenure, but if we’ve struck unexpected gold in the portal, a whole lot is “possible.”
Few successful Coaches have managed to recover momentum after losing it ten (+) years into their tenure, but if we’ve struck unexpected gold in the portal, a whole lot is “possible.”
Going to be tough. My main support for keeping stoops was our core staff is the best chance of punching up in this mediocre nil situation.
He just lost one of those core people and the sec did us no favors with this schedule. Its going to be really tough sledding.
So far recruiting is about the same so maybe vince wasnt the loss i feared. However im still concerned he was responsible for the big board that helped us with early identification. We will see.
In truth we all need stoops to succeed. Hiring another coach into the toughest conference (top to bottom) and handcuffing them with mediocre nil is a tough situation. Unless its summrall, i don't know why any known quantity would be interested.
He just lost one of those core people and the sec did us no favors with this schedule. Its going to be really tough sledding.
So far recruiting is about the same so maybe vince wasnt the loss i feared. However im still concerned he was responsible for the big board that helped us with early identification. We will see.
In truth we all need stoops to succeed. Hiring another coach into the toughest conference (top to bottom) and handcuffing them with mediocre nil is a tough situation. Unless its summrall, i don't know why any known quantity would be interested.
We can certainly be better. Last year was a train wreck, but usually Stoops has fielded teams that are at least competitive. We did clear out the roster and bring in a bunch of guys with proven success at lower levels - I like that more than guys who transferred out of other P4 programs for lack of playing time (wide receiver is an exception here and I'm concerned about that room having 3 transfers who have failed to produce at their previous teams). Unfortunately I think best case scenario for this season is 6-6 with the brutal schedule but if we can fight our way to 6 wins and not get embarrassed in the losses Stoops will earn himself more time.
Long term? I don't know. It's only gonna be harder to get and retain top talent. The schedule is harder than it's ever been and while we could get a better draw than this year we'll not be getting the kind of schedules we got for a while. A big part of our success was having multiple offensive linemen turn out to be NFL caliber guys - can that happen again? Honestly I'm not optimistic. I think we can get back to some 6, 7 win seasons but I don't know that Stoops is going to get back to the 8-10 win level. But then, nobody else had in decades and it'll be hard for anybody else to come in and do it either.
Long term? I don't know. It's only gonna be harder to get and retain top talent. The schedule is harder than it's ever been and while we could get a better draw than this year we'll not be getting the kind of schedules we got for a while. A big part of our success was having multiple offensive linemen turn out to be NFL caliber guys - can that happen again? Honestly I'm not optimistic. I think we can get back to some 6, 7 win seasons but I don't know that Stoops is going to get back to the 8-10 win level. But then, nobody else had in decades and it'll be hard for anybody else to come in and do it either.
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A pessimist would say yep, he's done. no hope for the season, get him out of here. And on some level those folks have legitimate arguments.
An Optimist would say yeah, there's some hope. Maybe the bad apples were sent packing and we have a renewed energy. We will take a wait and see approach to the season.
I'm usually on the optimist side going into each season. I've tried to be that way as I've been going to games most my life. 31 years as a season ticket holder but going to games since the late 70's with my Dad and while I was in school there.
In the end, I think from a fan standpoint, it's going to take 7 wins to renew any sort of hope or faith in Stoops. That's a very tall task and will require a couple of pretty big upsets to happen. but if he can get us back to a bowl game, then maybe somebody out there will take a flyer on him and allow him to move on, much in the way Tubby Smith and Calipari left. That would be the ideal scenario. I've been pretty supportive of Stoops throughout his time here, but how last year ended has me believing it's time to move on.
I'm not predicting success.
But nothing written in stone. There's hope.
I'm not going to be one of those weird AHoles who roots for failure. Who runs to the keyboard when things go wrong or argues against anything positive.
But nothing written in stone. There's hope.
I'm not going to be one of those weird AHoles who roots for failure. Who runs to the keyboard when things go wrong or argues against anything positive.
Agree. It’s so quiet over there. Makes me think they are ultra determined and focused.
One thing is for sure Stoops is a fighter. I’m thinking 6-6, which with this schedule would be good
Pretty sorry state of affairs when some fans on this board want Stoops to lose. They would rather UK lose then be wrong on their opinion.
He will retire at the end of the season. He's done! I will stick by these beliefs.
I think it's very possible we lose the first game.
Everyone knows why the team has slipped. Too many other interests for him. No one wants to talk about it but everyone around town knows. When you are running an SEC program you can't be sidetracked by a bourbon business or other personal things. It is that program 365! He let go of the wheel and now it is trying to rekindle the magic!
Watch a game thread on here sometime. The only time we see Rafters ppl posting here is when we're losing. SonofSaul was a prolific one I remember.
Yes, there is hope.
Stoops runs a ball control type of offense and a flex defense that are designed to keep him in games right up until the end. That type of strategy gives less talented teams the ability to win big games. We have all seen it work over the last thirteen years. The problem is that ball control requires precise execution and Stoop's teams have some of the worst discipline that I have ever seen. We have all witnessed that lack of discipline lead to huge loses over the last thirteen years.
He picked up some decent players, on paper, during the offseason. The pieces, on paper, fit into his scheme. The problem is that no one really knows what we actually have. Depth is a concern as well.
Until I see that he has consistently solved the perpetual issues that plague his teams I can't really believe this season will be much better than the last. That said, I do think he does enough to keep his job, complements of his massive contract, unless he himself retires.
Stoops runs a ball control type of offense and a flex defense that are designed to keep him in games right up until the end. That type of strategy gives less talented teams the ability to win big games. We have all seen it work over the last thirteen years. The problem is that ball control requires precise execution and Stoop's teams have some of the worst discipline that I have ever seen. We have all witnessed that lack of discipline lead to huge loses over the last thirteen years.
He picked up some decent players, on paper, during the offseason. The pieces, on paper, fit into his scheme. The problem is that no one really knows what we actually have. Depth is a concern as well.
Until I see that he has consistently solved the perpetual issues that plague his teams I can't really believe this season will be much better than the last. That said, I do think he does enough to keep his job, complements of his massive contract, unless he himself retires.
I cannot see him being around much longer. This year and if really bad, gone. Or next year. I do not think VM was a good coach, but is a great recruiter. I see that hurting CMS. But do not like the style, heck me are almost up the middle, up the middle, up the middle, punt again. He is so old school trying to not lose a game instead of just trying to poor it on. His defense is good but not program changing more that what we have seen.
We'll see what happens.
On the pessimistic side, one year ago, the 2024 UK team looked like a team with some real ability to do something good, and the 2025 UK team looked to be in for a rebuilding year after that. So, as it happened, we sucked in 2024, and then, aside from the inevitable losses on defense, which was why 2025 was looking like a rebuilding year, we also lost Brown and Key, and our expected staring 2025 quarterback wasn't what we hoped for last year, and is gone this year, anyway. So, that's bad.
On the optimistic side, as bad as this looks now, nothing in Stoops career here looks as bad as it did in September 2016, on the hot seat going into the season, then losing to Southern Miss, getting absolutely destroyed by an OK but not great Florida team, and beating a terrible midmajor but only after getting totally outplayed in the first half.
So, he has already pulled himself off a super hot seat once before. I guess it can happen again? Not optimistic, but, who knows.
On the pessimistic side, one year ago, the 2024 UK team looked like a team with some real ability to do something good, and the 2025 UK team looked to be in for a rebuilding year after that. So, as it happened, we sucked in 2024, and then, aside from the inevitable losses on defense, which was why 2025 was looking like a rebuilding year, we also lost Brown and Key, and our expected staring 2025 quarterback wasn't what we hoped for last year, and is gone this year, anyway. So, that's bad.
On the optimistic side, as bad as this looks now, nothing in Stoops career here looks as bad as it did in September 2016, on the hot seat going into the season, then losing to Southern Miss, getting absolutely destroyed by an OK but not great Florida team, and beating a terrible midmajor but only after getting totally outplayed in the first half.
So, he has already pulled himself off a super hot seat once before. I guess it can happen again? Not optimistic, but, who knows.
Optimistic. We have some quality WR. I think the RB’s will be better. If Calzada can be average then we have a chance to move the ball. Honestly I expect the defense to be plain bad. We return bad players and the new guys have no SeC experience and many no upper level experience. I see this as a recipe for cake that won’t raise.
Realistically speaking I see one win between Sept 13 - Nov 14 (against EMU). How will the fanbase react after 6 straight losses and no wins in 2 months?
Man you guys love hearing yourselves talk. We should go with a Mascot change. The UK Parrots 🦜.
People believe what they want to believe. Lots of posters here want to believe UK's football team will fail and every UK employee from President Capilouto down to Stoops' secretary will be fired. Every factoid of negative news brings these unhappy folks charging out of the woodwork. Classic herd behavior.
At the risk of pissing off the good folks in the MAC ... that is where Stoops belongs. Stoops is not going to lose because fans are wishing for that to happen. He's going to lose because he can't recruit talent to play for HIM. There is no future for this program in this conference with Stoops leading it. UK fans want some respect because they sure as hell deserve it considering the support they provide. Mark ain't Bob but that didn't stop our AD from hiring him. Stoops is a terrible administrator and a mediocre head coach, at best. Going forward, he and UK will be crushed in this conference and claiming he is now MOTIVATED is disgusting as the program literally falls apart. If losing early and often will get him out of Lexington sooner, then UK's future would be a bit brighter. Any way you want to spin it ... IT'S A REBUILD. Do you want Stoops in charge of the rebuild? I don't.
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As upset as I am that we are here and how we got here, I do think if anyone can get this righted it is the staff we have on hand. The defensive staff is really good and I fully expect them to be much improved this year. Offensively can we show some improvements and be able to sustain some drives.
We shall see!
We shall see!
... and the reason he let go of the wheel? I would say because he's just not that smart. It's the same reason he's a poor manager of people and a poor administrator. He's too consumed by the money and forgot (if he ever really knew) about staying in the details of doing his job better year after year. Naw ... he didn't do any of that because he's just not gifted enough to multi-task so somethings gotta suffer and in this case it was UK football ... the very thing that provided the alternate opportunities. Just a really stupid thing to do but now BBN is expected to believe he's "motivated"? Motivated to do what? Why after 12 years does he feel it's necessary to tell BBN that he's motivated? Motivated to "fix" everything he fv*ked up? He's a mitigated disaster and a huge embarrassment. JMO.
Yup. It's coming.
Mitch can never tear off the band-aid until it's top late.
Joker
Calipari
and now Stoops.
I am actually excited to see what happens with all of the changes. I don't want to speciuate, but with certain personnel changes happening, I'm curious how that might change things.
Having a super talented team doesn't do much good if there is bad chemistry. But a lesser talented team with great chemistry and unselfishness and discipline can do more than the more talented teams.
I am afraid the shelf life for Stoops has hit. On the other hand, as someone else posted, he seems to respond when his back is against the wall. Hoping last year woke him back up.
Going to be interesting with all of the new faces and changes... just a little more than two months to go.
Having a super talented team doesn't do much good if there is bad chemistry. But a lesser talented team with great chemistry and unselfishness and discipline can do more than the more talented teams.
I am afraid the shelf life for Stoops has hit. On the other hand, as someone else posted, he seems to respond when his back is against the wall. Hoping last year woke him back up.
Going to be interesting with all of the new faces and changes... just a little more than two months to go.
And your a perfect example of the bash and trash Stoops that want UK to lose so your agenda is correct. Stoops has brought more success to UK FB than any coach in UK history. How easy it is to forget all those 0-10-1 and 2-9 type seasons. Some people act like UK FB has been a powerhouse FB program with multi championship seasons. Stoops has been the best coach at UK history. Most wins, multi 10 win seasons. Most bowl games. If Stoops is let go maybe we can get another coach with such great success like those in the past, Charlie Bradshaw, John Ray, the great Bill Curry, Guy Morris or Joker Phillips. With our deep pockets of NIL money (lol) I'm sure great coaches will be lining up to come to UK. 🤣😂
Excellent post. He became full of himself and thought he had arrived. That's about the same time he trashed Beamer. Beamer has kicked his ass ever since he was dumb enough to publicly make those comments. He should have put his head down and worked harder after the 10 win season. If the coaches at UGA and Bama are putting in 60 hours a week, the UK coaches better be putting in 80 hours a week.
Got it. You don't give two shits about the FB program and are just too happy to lay down and wallow in the mediocrity happy to convince yourself that all is well when EVERYONE knows it's not. Call me what you want ... don't care but what I'm saying is true and you crying about it changes nothing. If Stoops was half of what you believe, he would BUILD on his small successes year after year to build a program whose success could be sustained moving forward. THAT HASN'T HAPPENED, because HE JUST CAN'T DO IT and it's plain to see, if you're willing. Apparently, his closest friend and coaching associate, concerned about his own career, had had enough and moved down the road to now coach against Stoops ... NOT A GOOD LOOK and pretty damn telling.
Haven't missed a game in more than 55 years. You don't know jack sht.
Welcome to the ignore club.
