Kudos to CMS

[PensacolaBlue]

This off-season was looking bleak after a disappointing 2022 and major question marks for the program needing to be worked out. I believe we were at a crossroads. We had major holes to fill at key positions with no high level recruits on the horizon. Not to mention barely having a top 50 class YTD. Were we going to lose our star receivers? Were there going to be coordinator changes, and if so, would we be able to attract anybody decent? Could we compete in the portal against big name teams? The word was we were behind with NIL. Traditionally, UK would never come up as a destination for big time players.

Although there are still questions about our Oline, secondary, etc., CMS has far exceeded my expectations since the end of the regular season. Really amazing work and this is coming from one of his bigger critics of late. Also kudos to our boosters for stepping up big time.

Again, there is a long way to go, but I’m not sure things could be going much better than they are currently.

 

[SaltyCat22]

That Florida game going in at 4-0 is gonna be off the hook. UF is gonna need all 214 assistants to prepare.

 

[JHB4UK]

Despite what some think, the guy ain't satisfied & just wants to cash checks and put out 7-5/6-6 minor bowl seasons. Getting Coen 2 yrs ago was a gamble. Cutting Scan after 1 yr & getting Coen back plus Leary is another gamble trying to get us to the upper echelon.

 

[seccats04]

Nice to see that one of our coaches was wise enough to see something wasn't working and took steps to fix it.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Well damn Mark Stoops could have left us. He couldve took money somewhere. No instead he went out and got good players and tries to fix the issues. He's got some big money donors to stick their nose into the game and has sent a message to the rest of sport:.

Kentucky is going to be a player now in the rules that we have in place.

Who's ever donating ...I'm proud of you ..thanks! I do the same if I was paid

 

[Sawnee Cat]

Nice to see that one of our coaches was wise enough to see something wasn't working and took steps to fix it.

I was thinking the same thing. He rolled up sleeves and went to work.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

Kudos are indeed deserved


But

Recruiting hasn't been something that is thought of as a negative.

Great job Stoops.. now just make the same adjustments to in game coaching and we will have a great year.

 

[mrschwump]

Stoops is not done either.

 

[FanofUK]

Agree, he did the right thing giving Scang to the end to fix the issues.

Props to focusing on the program. I really want to make to a CFP game.
Then obviously I would want to win one lol
Also Beating TN yearly would be really nice.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

We need a good Running back, and big uglies to shore up our O line

 

[mrschwump]

We need a good Running back, and big uglies to shore up our O line

Re RB, patience. Cox is an excellent addition to OL.

 

[JHB4UK]

Great job Stoops.. now just make the same adjustments to in game coaching and we will have a great year

Kind of lost in all the shuffle, our new RB coach Boulware has an outstanding reputation as a Special Teams Coordinator

 

[Soupbean]

This off-season was looking bleak after a disappointing 2022 and major question marks for the program needing to be worked out. I believe we were at a crossroads. We had major holes to fill at key positions with no high level recruits on the horizon. Not to mention barely having a top 50 class YTD. Were we going to lose our star receivers? Were there going to be coordinator changes, and if so, would we be able to attract anybody decent? Could we compete in the portal against big name teams? The word was we were behind with NIL. Traditionally, UK would never come up as a destination for big time players.

Although, there are still questions about our Oline, secondary, etc. CMS has far exceeded my expectations since the end of the regular season. Really amazing work and this is coming from one of his bigger critics of late. Also kudos to our boosters for stepping up big time.

Again, there is a long way to go, but I’m not sure things could be going much better than they are currently.

Perfectly said! I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach two weeks ago that we may be quickly losing all the ground we worked so hard to gain. One thing Stoops and Co do is put their head down and work and that always pays off to some degree

 

[panthergram]

Perfectly said! I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach two weeks ago that we may be quickly losing all the ground we worked so hard to gain. One thing Stoops and Co do is put their head down and work and that always pays off to some degree

Yes but he's not competing for league titles...or national titles...and he can't beat Tennessee.

 

[azubuikefan]

Yes but he's not competing for league titles...or national titles...and he can't beat Tennessee.

He beats Tennessee a lot more than anyone else we've had. 🤣😭

 

[JHB4UK]

Don't feed Knoxville trash the response and acknowledgement they desire

 

[Ukgold]

Yes but he's not competing for league titles...or national titles...and he can't beat Tennessee.

true but as a fan it feels like we are moving up. That it could happen in the years to come. Basketball even with all the talent coming in next year I don't feel that way.

 

[wildcatglenn]

He identified major issues and has addressed them. We know someone else that could also benefit from doing that

 

[KYExtemper]

I can have my issues with Stoops at times but, as I noted here last month, the guy has elevated UK football to place where I'm disappointed at going to a bowl game and our matchup.

 

[dvillecatfan]

I can have my issues with Stoops at times but, as I noted here last month, the guy has elevated UK football to place where I'm disappointed at going to a bowl game and our matchup.

Nice post. Agree 100%

 

[The-Hack]

Stoops and staff pull out a huge recruiting win (or two, or tree, or four).

Can't wait for tomorrow.

It's like Christmas time, but in December . . .

Uhhh.

 

[screwduke1]

He has absolutely killed it in the portal. No question. Plus hiring Coen back was a big win in of itself.

 

[Girthang]

This is what he has done every year, whether people forget it in the middle of the season or not. Nothing new. He's always trying to upgrade and takes the best available to do so.

Try to remember what you said today the next time we face some adversity. It will go a long way in helping the program's momentum if everyone is on board.

 

[backinky2018]

Agree with OP. Kudos to stoops. We're not out of the woods with our NIL issues, but Stoops has found a way to replenish positive momentum with Liam, Leary, Vandy RB, etc.

 

[jimmybuffet123]

Extremely impressive work in the transfer portal, especially with “no OC”

Way better haul from the transfer portal than Cal