More portal losses

[bigblueinsanity]

I think Stoops has done a very good job at bringing UK football out of a deep dark hole. I think 2 major decisions has put UK where the program is today, one is believing Coen was going to hang around 2-4 years aa the OC, The 2nd is 2 years in a row he put the program it the hands of portal QBs, 1 coming off a major injury, the other who was a career backup. He lost his gamble and everyone sees the results. Everyone here to a poster was excited about both guys, one hand picked by Coen. When things went south he lost the fans. I am not joining either side on a new coach being needed. Just CMS has done alot of good things for UK football, and it seems all that has been undone by a couple bad decisions.

Iirc both were handpicked by coen. I don't fault stoops for hiring coen the first time. I do the second time.

To hire him the second time, stoops fired two competent people who wanted to be here (scang and yenser) and would still probably be here. Fans gave both those guys very raw treatment but we still won a good deal of games despite having no talented experience on the OL. In fact that was most certainly a worse OL than this last year because it had many of the same guys, just two years younger.

Not only did he fire those guys, he completely stabbed them in the back. Yenser he fired just after extending him. He stabbed those guys in the back to hire two people he knew would be short timers. Coen started leaving mid season. Wolf will be gone first second he gets a decent offer.

For someone yearning for continuity, you definitely cant make those moves. People in the industry pay attention. Plus the turnover is too much.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Says who? You? What’s your qualifications to judge? Piss off

It’s pretty much common knowledge to anyone in hs or college football. I’m not judging, just telling ya how it is.

 

[Fox2monk]

Some family members of the players DO. I know at least 2 or 3 personally, bro.

You know they do or someone connected to them. Everyone in on social media and everyone in this state, heck every other programs know how much traffic this board gets for basketball and even some other football fans come over to talk often. They can google themselves and find these threads.

 

[Fox2monk]

I think Stoops has done a very good job at bringing UK football out of a deep dark hole. I think 2 major decisions has put UK where the program is today, one is believing Coen was going to hang around 2-4 years aa the OC, The 2nd is 2 years in a row he put the program it the hands of portal QBs, 1 coming off a major injury, the other who was a career backup. He lost his gamble and everyone sees the results. Everyone here to a poster was excited about both guys, one hand picked by Coen. When things went south he lost the fans. I am not joining either side on a new coach being needed. Just CMS has done alot of good things for UK football, and it seems all that has been undone by a couple bad decisions.

I don’t mind Stoops staying , but he doesn’t seem committed, he’s made terrible assistant hires and it’s not the same these past 3-4 years. We were on a great trajectory of being a comepetive program who could win 9-10 games and play in a decent bowl every year. That hasn’t been the case since 2021. Maybe he is past his time, maybe flirting with A&M showed he was getting tired of being here. Idk but sometimes new blood is needed.

 

[Lost In FL]

I don’t mind Stoops staying , but he doesn’t seem committed, he’s made terrible assistant hires and it’s not the same these past 3-4 years. We were on a great trajectory of being a comepetive program who could won 9-20 games and play in a decent bowl every year. That hasn’t been the case since 2021. Maybe he is past his time, maybe flirting with A&M showed he was getting tired of being here. Idk but sometimes new blood is needed.

I think you mean 9-10. But 20 would certainly be historic.

 

[Fox2monk]

I think you mean 9-10. But 20 would certainly be historic.

Yeah mistype.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I don’t mind Stoops staying , but he doesn’t seem committed, he’s made terrible assistant hires and it’s not the same these past 3-4 years. We were on a great trajectory of being a comepetive program who could won 9-10 games and play in a decent bowl every year. That hasn’t been the case since 2021. Maybe he is past his time, maybe flirting with A&M showed he was getting tired of being here. Idk but sometimes new blood is needed.

Stoops has not made "terrible assistant hires". But results haven't been satisfactory. No doubt about that. It's all about line of scrimmage, especially on the offensive side. Our OL has been a disaster since shortly after Coach Schlarman passed. When that is solved, and when we get OC continuity, the solution will be in the process of being implemented.

 

[Fox2monk]

Stoops has not made "terrible assistant hires". But results haven't been satisfactory. No doubt about that. It's all about line of scrimmage, especially on the offensive side. Our OL has been a disaster since shortly after Coach Schlarman passed. When that is solved, and when we get OC continuity, the solution will be in the process of being implemented.

I haven’t seen any coaches that have changed much about the program recentlay especially at OC. Maybe that is a Stoops problem.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Looks like silver has some huge opportunities. Count him out as coming back.

Weird because people here told me he wasnt any good.

 

[Crankdatmustard]

Looks like silver has some huge opportunities. Count him out as coming back.

Weird because people here told me he wasnt any good.

Exactly. He played great all Season. Just because he didnt have 30 TFL and 10 sacks folks assume he didnt do much. Not the case in the 3-4

 

[SmokinGun9]

It’s pretty much common knowledge to anyone in hs or college football. I’m not judging, just telling ya how it is.

My apologies. I was in a bad place this day.

 

[gamecockcat]

Brown supposedly has a lot of opportunities, too. I will not be shocked if his new team quickly sours on his inconsistency re: catching the football, his lack of physicality getting off the LOS and breaking tackles, his incessant mouthing, his ego and insistence on getting his touches even to the detriment of the offense, his pedestrian route running ability, etc. He can be a game changer but he didn't show that ability but very infrequently while wearing the Blue and White.

 

[CatPatrick13]

My apologies. I was in a bad place this day.

No Apologies needed..... I hope you are in a better place today.

 

[Jjohnb5393]

Brown supposedly has a lot of opportunities, too. I will not be shocked if his new team quickly sours on his inconsistency re: catching the football, his lack of physicality getting off the LOS and breaking tackles, his incessant mouthing, his ego and insistence on getting his touches even to the detriment of the offense, his pedestrian route running ability, etc. He can be a game changer but he didn't show that ability but very infrequently while wearing the Blue and White.

He will be the #3 WR or rotation piece at WR on a good team …picked up more for his return game . NIL is where he may be disappointed, ultimately

 

[Cat06]

Stoops built the culture at UK initially, but in the past two years it has gone to sh*t. Tell me any program under a single coach that has built up their culture, watched it collapse and then built it up better than before? Has never happened.

This is all on Stoops and he needs to go

 

[YaketySax]

I think 80% of these transfers are good for UK. The roster needs a flushing for a quick turn around next year.

 

[ala_kat2]

Thought Stewart would've been counted on to start next year. Guess not or he doesn't want to get his brains beat in again at UK. Silver is also a surprise as he played plenty. Players know next year could be a steaming pile and they want no part of it.

They’re all just looking for a raise in NIL. There’s not much school loyalty anymore, and many want to play for a winner. Some may stay with UK if we meet their price tag.
College BB and FB players are now paid semi-professionals and it has ruined the sport for me.

 

[docholiday51]

I think 80% of these transfers are good for UK. The roster needs a flushing for a quick turn around next year.

80% may be a bit high but not too much. I don't mind seeing Brown and Key move on. They had big play potential but we rarely saw it and they seemed to be as much of a problem as they were an asset

 

[bigblueinsanity]

I guess Brock is still shopping for takers? Figured hed be gone by now.

Cant imagine hea coming back unless he has zero other options. Then, like chip, not sure theyd even take him back. Hed have to be ok with being a backup and it seemed in the ul game he was not.

 

[Coach Marrow]

Is our team next year going to mainly consist of small school transfers?

Do you think Stoops is trying to turn things around or drive the program into the ground next year and get that buyout money?

 

[SmokinGun9]

Is our team next year going to mainly consist of small school transfers?

Do you think Stoops is trying to turn things around or drive the program into the ground next year and get that buyout money?

In all seriousness you have to look at it. He could be taking us to pre 2012 and leave us with a MAC roster on his way out the door. Nothing would surprise me.

 

[catben]

Is our team next year going to mainly consist of small school transfers?

Do you think Stoops is trying to turn things around or drive the program into the ground next year and get that buyout money?

After the way all of those players we brought in from the bigger schools( except Dumas Johnson and Ray last year) performed, the kids that have proven they can play at the MAC schools may be a much bigger upgrade.

I would imagine we won't see a former MAC kid buying a hotdog at the concession stand DURING a game like the kid from UT that Stoops brought in!!!

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Is our team next year going to mainly consist of small school transfers?

Do you think Stoops is trying to turn things around or drive the program into the ground next year and get that buyout money?

First, alot of guys left to enter the portal yet as many teams' seasons are ongoing.

That said, im certainly not opposed to taking guys from smaller programs. Cignetti won all those games this year with his jmu kids.

We saw what it got us by taking cast offs from larger programs and it was a complete culture drain. Reading the tea leaves, most all those guys felt too hig for uk and caused problems. Im all for a change in direction and getting guys who are glad to be there and ready to work.

 

[Thecycle27]

This is almost impossible for programs like KY to manage. Stoops isn’t wrong when you 11th in the conference in NIL funds. It does matter. They have to manage their payroll and have a high hit rate. Even then they will struggle to get to 7 wins. A legit QB transfer will be 3-4M. That is 20-25 percent of your NIL budget. Then what if that QB isn’t good? The entire season is done.

It doesn’t matter what conference teams are in the spend at the top will always have better rosters. The issue in the SEC is the depth of the teams that are willing to spend 20m. Unless UK figures out how to get there good luck. Louisville is in the same boat however they don’t need 20m—-13M to 15M makes them competitive.

 

[3632]

This is almost impossible for programs like KY to manage. Stoops isn’t wrong when you 11th in the conference in NIL funds. It does matter. They have to manage their payroll and have a high hit rate. Even then they will struggle to get to 7 wins. A legit QB transfer will be 3-4M. That is 20-25 percent of your NIL budget. Then what if that QB isn’t good? The entire season is done.

It doesn’t matter what conference teams are in the spend at the top will always have better rosters. The issue in the SEC is the depth of the teams that are willing to spend 20m. Unless UK figures out how to get there good luck. Louisville is in the same boat however they don’t need 20m—-13M to 15M makes them competitive.

I have seen lists that have us at 18th in the country in NiL and the next 4 teams above us in the sec are in the direct ballpark of where we are. There’s nothing firm out there in regards to NIL numbers. Even if it is 11th we have to stop blaming that we have had enough to go build rosters to compete. I mean UK has never been and never will be a place that is going to line up with better personnel to win. It has to be done with coaching, evaluation, inspiration and running a good ship. If a coach needs the best players on the field to win some games then this isn’t the place for them. It’s always been that way and always will be but it’s not like it doesn’t exist. I watched our 2007 team with all predominantly 2 stars and no depth from recruiting restrictions from classes ranked in the 80’s and 90’s compete pretty darn well when the East was king. Played 8 bowl teams and 3 East teams finished in the top 12. Difficult to live that way consistently but it does show that good coaching can balance out marginal recruiting gaps.

Our easy version of a sec schedule is long gone so I don’t even expect stoops to get to 9 wins ever again if he was here another 5 years. I don’t think he’s capable enough on the innovation side of things or the game coaching side of things to do that but it’s going to take better than what he’s been giving just to get us back to 7 or 6.

 

[YaketySax]

 

[Thecycle27]

I have seen lists that have us at 18th in the country in NiL and the next 4 teams above us in the sec are in the direct ballpark of where we are. There’s nothing firm out there in regards to NIL numbers. Even if it is 11th we have to stop blaming that we have had enough to go build rosters to compete. I mean UK has never been and never will be a place that is going to line up with better personnel to win. It has to be done with coaching, evaluation, inspiration and running a good ship. If a coach needs the best players on the field to win some games then this isn’t the place for them. It’s always been that way and always will be but it’s not like it doesn’t exist. I watched our 2007 team with all predominantly 2 stars and no depth from recruiting restrictions from classes ranked in the 80’s and 90’s compete pretty darn well when the East was king. Played 8 bowl teams and 3 East teams finished in the top 12. Difficult to live that way consistently but it does show that good coaching can balance out marginal recruiting gaps.

Our easy version of a sec schedule is long gone so I don’t even expect stoops to get to 9 wins ever again if he was here another 5 years. I don’t think he’s capable enough on the innovation side of things or the game coaching side of things to do that but it’s going to take better than what he’s been giving just to get us back to 7 or 6.

It isn’t that UK can’t compete they showed that this year. Stood toe to toe with two of the best. The problem for every team in SEC and frankly every conference relatively speaking each game the opposing team has the same resources, good staff’s and good players. To navigate that world to win 9-10 games is extremely challenging. Especially if you don’t have more talent. UK rarely will have more talent. That is the NIL factor. That isn’t an excuse that is a fact.

Now did they completely screw this year up yes they did. But they were probably at best a 7-5 team.

 

[jlkirk]

It isn’t that UK can’t compete they showed that this year. Stood toe to toe with two of the best. The problem for every team in SEC and frankly every conference relatively speaking each game the opposing team has the same resources, good staff’s and good players. To navigate that world to win 9-10 games is extremely challenging. Especially if you don’t have more talent. UK rarely will have more talent. That is the NIL factor. That isn’t an excuse that is a fact.

Now did they completely screw this year up yes they did. But they were probably at best a 7-5 team.

And he has had >10 years and is not improving over the last 5; in fact, he is digressing...thats the issue

 

[bigblueinsanity]

This is almost impossible for programs like KY to manage. Stoops isn’t wrong when you 11th in the conference in NIL funds. It does matter. They have to manage their payroll and have a high hit rate. Even then they will struggle to get to 7 wins. A legit QB transfer will be 3-4M. That is 20-25 percent of your NIL budget. Then what if that QB isn’t good? The entire season is done.

It doesn’t matter what conference teams are in the spend at the top will always have better rosters. The issue in the SEC is the depth of the teams that are willing to spend 20m. Unless UK figures out how to get there good luck. Louisville is in the same boat however they don’t need 20m—-13M to 15M makes them competitive.

Barely anyone can consistently navigate the disaster that is today's cfb. Its legit one year ufa for 82 spots. Its insanity.

Those that will do best will be who can master retention. That will give you an edge. I hope thats what we're shooting for with letting a bunch of divas walk and refocusing. We tried paying divas and we imploded so change on this front is good imo.

To compete, they need to focus on value and especially the OL. Focus on retention and that will be the equalizer over bought talent.

The final piece is fans need to get some realistic expectations. In many threads i see people complain about 7 win seasons. At UK, winning 7 games isnt a bad season. It isnt a great one either, but it's far better than pre-stoops and vs way better competition. Best we can hope for is baseline 5-7 wins with the occasional up or down year. Its just how it is in this new world.