Other SEC coaches on Stoops

[satcheluk]

Even then, 6 wins after being the head coach for 13 years isn't exactly a good look for Stoops. We should be past just hoping for 6 wins.

How did you feel about Joe Paterno having a losing record 4 out of 5 years 20 years in before turning it around and getting it back to expectations?

 

[screwduke1]

How did you feel about Joe Paterno having a losing record 4 out of 5 years 20 years in before turning it around and getting it back to expectations?

We aren't really comparing Stoops to Paterno are we? Paterno was obviously a sick mofo...but coaching wise he would coach circles around Stoops.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

This "down" year 6 teams finished the season ranked, they screwed Georgia out of the playoff, and Bama lost to Clemson in the title game. 9 teams finished the season with 8 or more wins.

College Football Standings - 2018 Southeastern Conference Standings - ESPN

Visit ESPN for the complete 2018 NCAAF season Southeastern Conference standings. Includes winning percentage, home and away record, and current streak.

www.espn.com

This year the "down" SEC put 2 teams in the championship game, with Georgia besting Bama for the first time.

College Football Standings - 2021 Southeastern Conference Standings - ESPN

Visit ESPN for the complete 2021 NCAAF season Southeastern Conference standings. Includes winning percentage, home and away record, and current streak.

www.espn.com

Both years UK finished 2nd in the SEC East. Part of the reason that part of the SEC was down is that UK was up, and yall still refuse to eat the crow you deserve for saying it wouldn't happen.

Not one real UK fan gives a single sht if ingrates "don't see UK going to another bowl game" because NONE OF THEM sniffed anywhere close to the seasons we had those 2 years. Unless people are fertilizing fields, no one is buying that sht from them.

No fan with a brain complains about BOTH ticket prices and NIL.
No fan with a brain says the AD sucks even when the school wins championships they previously hadn't or has the best seasons they've had in 40 yrs.
No fan with a brain throws shade at their own staff DURING the first 10 win season in 4 decades, much less TWO SEASONS.
We could go on for days with what brainless "fans" might say ...
But quite a few UK fans on this board and elsewhere manage to do exactly that EVERY YEAR. All they do is bch and moan, but what they don't know about football and the heart of being a competitor could fill up the oceans.

What these very same fans deserve is for them to keep btching, and for UK to finish 2nd in the conference, and for this staff to announce they're leaving for another SEC gig before THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. That would be perfect for them. (But even that is too good for them, and there are enough AWESOME UK fans that don't sht on every staff every year that don't deserve to see that happen.)

I have said multiple times if UGA had kept Mark Richt, imo the finest man in college athletics, a good coach who was dealing with private health issues UK would have taken control of the East. CMS teams were just too physical for a Richt led team. But UGA hired Kirby and we went from a finesse team to a physical team.

 

[satcheluk]

This is where it boils down to for me.

1. I think Stoops could do fine on defensive side of ball....We have talent he's been pretty solid on D in many years.
2. I even think Stoops could get back to top tier rush attack offensively...

But here is where I lose all confidence. Bush Hamden looks inept to me....and he was bad at Mizzou which UK fans are completely overlooking. To run him back out there is basically signal to SEC D....UK will try to run the ball and throw short entirely......so just stack the box and watch UK be a 3 and out machine. I don't see the Oline able to smash mouth like Benny/CRod days....and I think the middle of that D is very untested....I don't see UK holding up well in 2025. And we need a year to see if Boley/Saunders are the real deal at QB....but will Stoops be alive in 2-3 years..

Bush Madan is not inept or he wouldn't have gotten Boise St to produce at such a high level. He came in late and was handed a roster that didn't match what he was trying to do and the offensive line/QB combo failed. This is the year we can see if this is going to work out. It's only year two to put together a complimentary roster, but we should/need to see significant improvement and a clear identity forming.

Boise State (2023, Mountain West, Group of 5)​

• PPG: 32.1 (32nd in FBS; FBS avg: ~27.8; MW avg: ~26.5)
• YPG: 436.1 (26th in FBS; FBS avg: ~390; MW avg: ~380)
• Context: FBS’s 6th-ranked rushing offense (214.9 YPG) led by Ashton Jeanty (1,347 yards, 19 TDs). QB Taylen Green added 436 rushing yards, 9 TDs. Team went 8-6, won MW Championship, scored 30+ points in 9 straight games. ‽web:5,7,21
• Vs. Peers: Well above FBS/MW averages in PPG and YPG. Outperformed Group of 5 peers (e.g., Fresno State: 30.5 PPG), though weaker vs. Power 5 (19.0 PPG in 3 games).

Kentucky (2024, SEC, Power 5)​

• PPG: 20.2 (119th in FBS; FBS avg: ~27.5; SEC avg: ~29.0)
• YPG: 304.2 (121st in FBS; FBS avg: ~385; SEC avg: ~400)
• Context: QB Brock Vandagriff struggled (1,593 passing yards, 10 TDs, 10 INTs). Offense balanced but ineffective (153.9 rushing, 150.3 passing YPG). Team went 4-8, used 44.1% 12 personnel. Poor QB play and injuries hindered output. ‽web:1,9
• Vs. Peers: Far below FBS/SEC averages in PPG and YPG. Lagged behind SEC peers like Ole Miss (36.6 PPG) and Georgia (31.3 PPG), reflecting scheme and talent mismatches.

 

[satcheluk]

If it goes like most experts think, it will be his last in Lexington. I do not believe we win any more than last year. Hope I am wrong but we have just not done anything. We are living on scraps mostly. If we just play hard it would be an improvement. But not enough to save the team.

There is close to zero chance he is fired before 2028 season due to his buyout being $32mm now and dropping about $4mm per year.

 

[satcheluk]

Nobody, in the current iteration of cfb, has continuity.

Over the last three years (2022–24), Power 4 football teams likely retained an average of 50–55 scholarship players per year (~59–65% of 85), or 70–80 total players (~58–67% of 120, including walk-ons), based on returning production (~55–60%) and transfer trends (~12–15 losses). This estimate accounts for graduations, NFL departures, and portal activity.

 

[satcheluk]

Guys, the schedule is hard for everyone. It is not the schedule that is hurting us, it is the product the staff is putting on the field. The only difference we have with Tennessee is we play them and they play us. All the hard teams we play, they do as well. Same with GA, FL and even Vandy. We have become the breather week for these teams and we view these teams as a loss before we kickoff. Folks, it is COACHING, RECRUITING, and LACK of NIL funds compared to other SEC schools. For some stupid reason we give way too much to our basketball prrogram. I would rather win one SEC football game compared to winning 10 SEC basketball games. Basketball is a drain on our football program. Basketball is a secondary sport for 95% of schools. Bama fans would rather go winless in basketball over losing one single football game. Why is that not the expectation here at Kentucky?

You realize you can fact check yourself, right?

Kentucky’s 2024 SEC schedule ranked 4th–6th hardest among 16 SEC teams, per CBS Sports (4th), 247Sports (5th), and Sporting News (6th), with an FBS SOS rank of 10th (CFN). It was tougher than most peers (e.g., Missouri, Texas A&M, LSU) due to matchups with Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss, plus four hostile road games, but less grueling than Florida, Oklahoma, and Georgia, which faced more ranked opponents.

 

[blue cincy]

There is close to zero chance he is fired before 2028 season due to his buyout being $32mm now and dropping about $4mm per year.

Could be. One thing for sure, he has another bad season here and he will only get coaching job at a lower level or back as coordinator. I wish I was not so down on the guy because he came in with so much momentum and fire. I just have not seen the fire in 2 years. Too comfortable is my guess. Hope he gets some mojo back, if not it is going to be another long season. I think he lost last years team before the season began. Just a feeling I have on that.

 

[Chad Rock]

That's probably true, but what's the alternative? Cheer for a different team? Give up on college football altogether? I've been following UK since John Ray and have suffered through many years of bad football. I don't now nor have I ever believed we could rise to a consistently top 15 program. Too many factors against us and we play in the toughest conference in football. I don't see that changing. So, I'll keep watching knowing that our ceiling is pretty low on this new Era. No excuse to not compete with VU and SC but I have no expectation of challenging GA, TN, AL, TX, OK, LSU, etc.

I had not thought much about what you stated here but my answer is yes, I am pretty much giving up on being the UK fan I was. I won't cheer for another team but I will continue watching what is left of original college football before it completely goes to mini-pro - but I am close to giving up on it and just focusing on golf.

Other than coming here occasionally to see what views you and others have, I have just lost interest. Gave up 2 of my season tickets and the only reason I kept 2 is because my daughter wanted them and is paying for them. I thought we had some momentum during the 2016-2021 years but like UK football has always been, when it seems to be doing good, something comes along and knocks it back down to misery standards - in the case, it is nil/tp...

 

[Girthang]

... your head is so far up Stoops behind it's ridiculous. Oh well, maybe in 10 more years you'll figure it out.

That, too, is horsesht.

Stoops stopped making his bed for a couple years. Took the easy path. Caved to fan expectations. Got arrogant. Now he's paid for it. If he doesn't get his sht straight, he'll lose his job. I won't cry about it. Won't move the needle on my barometer. He's delivered more than what anyone here expected, so I'm grateful.

He's got at least a season to prove he can do the job again, but I think he's chosen the wrong offense to do it. I feel bad for him that he's gone the wrong direction (imo and by all indications) offensively for 3 and now committed to 4 years. Coen being a stain screwed him royally, but Coen onward was his call and he's owned it.

I don't stick my head up other people's behinds.
I dont worship people.
I don't put my heart in their hands.
I look at how they play.
I look at matchups, thanks to a good friend of mine who taught me how to see the game, and I look at big picture issues. How does it all relate game to game on the schedule....


I'll give you 20 years. When did you call or figure anything relative to our football team that proved right? Name one decent season you called right before it started? Did you get the first 10 win season under Stoops right? Did you call the first vic over UF in the Swamp? The follow up win in the Swamp?

Maybe you called that first 9 (reg) and 10 win season before it started and I missed it. I apologize for that part if you did. But saying someone you don't know and whose football posts you haven't read has their head up someone's behind because you don't like where a post hits you doesn't EVER get you an apology from the person for calling out your bullsht.

Next time try not to take it personally and just reply to the points. Especially the ones you need to admit you had wrong. This team DID compete when you claimed incorrectly that "the SEC was down." You should own up to that.

 

[Girthang]

Could be. One thing for sure, he has another bad season here and he will only get coaching job at a lower level or back as coordinator. I wish I was not so down on the guy because he came in with so much momentum and fire. I just have not seen the fire in 2 years. Too comfortable is my guess. Hope he gets some mojo back, if not it is going to be another long season. I think he lost last years team before the season began. Just a feeling I have on that.

Agreed. He clearly had his eyes elsewhere for a few years. Both personally and on the job.

That's the lack of discipline we've seen in his team's a little over the years and saw it bear a bumper crop last two years. He's lost the floor he worked so hard to set, and that drops the ceiling a bit unless he has a 4 win plus SEC result. That's gonna be tough to do

 

[Girthang]

We aren't really comparing Stoops to Paterno are we? Paterno was obviously a sick mofo...but coaching wise he would coach circles around Stoops.

Paterno sat in the middle of practically a football paradise with no oversight and barely managed 1 title with talent UK still has yet to match on a single roster. He had great recruits pouring through his door and besides that 1 national title what he produced is a scandal bigger and sicker than most any I can think of in college football. He didn't have ANY of the scrutiny or the deficits that Stoops has here at UK, so the comparison is paw paws to pineapples.

I don't see how people can even type his name in any positive light after what he knew and allowed to happen, and I use to respect him as a coach at one time.

 

[Phil_The_Music]

That, too, is horseshit.

Stoops stopped making his bed for a couple years. Took the easy path. Caved to fan expectations. Got arrogant. Now he's paid for it. If he doesn't get his sht straight, he'll lose his job. I won't cry about it. Won't move the needle on my barometer. He's delivered more than what anyone here expected, so I'm grateful.

He's got at least a season to prove he can do the job again, but I think he's chosen the wrong offense to do it. I feel bad for him that he's gone the wrong direction (imo and by all indications) offensively for 3 and now committed 4 years. Coen being a stain screwed him royally, but Coen onward was his call and he's owned it.

I don't stick my head up other people's behinds.
I dont worship people.
I don't put my heart in their hands.
I look at how they play. I look at matchups, thanks to a good friend of mine who taught me how to see the game, and I look at big picture issues. How does it all relate game to game on the schedule....


I'll give you 20 years. When did you call or figure anything relative to our football team that proved right? Name one decent season you called right before it started? Did you get the first 10 win season under Stoops right? Did you call the first vic over UF in the Swamp? The follow up win in the Swamp?

Maybe you called that first 9 (reg) and 10 win season before it started and I missed it. I apologize for that part if you did. But saying someone you don't know and whose football posts you haven't read has their head up someone's behind because you don't like where a post hits you doesn't EVER get you an apology from the person for calling out your bullsht.

Next time try not to take it personally and just reply to the points. Especially the ones you need to admit you had wrong. This team DID compete when you claimed incorrectly that "the SEC was down." You should own up to that.

Damn dude. You need to relax. Im not taking anything personally whatsoever. You are the one writing novels trying to defend yourself. I've seen plenty of your football posts. It's the only area where I consistently disagree with you because yeah, you go off on these crazy rants fairly often defending Stoops. I don't even get your point about me predicting winning seasons. I've never claimed to be some great predictor. I can say that I used to be "overly optimistic." So I probably did think we could win 10 games when we did. I've also thought we could win 10 when we didn't get half of that. And that's kind of my point. Stoops has had really talented teams and underachieved because of bone headed moves he made as a coach. And he still makes the same mistakes. Hell he just gave our oline coach a raise. Lol. I don't need to make a prediction. I can look at his history and tell you he's just not a great coach. And it's going to take a great coach to ever win at the next level here. But you seem to think he can do it. I guess time will tell which one of us is right.

 

[Girthang]

Damn dude. You need to relax.

Lol. I'm very relaxed, thanks. Nice day off.

Im not taking anything personally whatsoever. You are the one writing novels trying to defend yourself.

You should pick up your first novel soon, so you can "calm down" your hyperbole. I'll try to limit my posts to a paragraph or sentence for each reply to make it manageable....

I've seen plenty of your football posts. It's the only area where I consistently disagree with you because yeah, you go off on these crazy rants fairly often defending Stoops. I don't even get your point about me predicting winning seasons.

Of course. You made a blowhard comment not meant to be taken seriously. My bad for addressing it with facts.

I've never claimed to be some great predictor. I can say that I used to be "overly optimistic." So I probably did think we could win 10 games when we did.

You'd know if you did.

I've also thought we could win 10 when we didn't get half of that.

I appreciate the admission.

And that's kind of my point.

That's also my point.

Stoops has had really talented for UK teams and underachieved

Yeah. Kentucky has struggled with winning AFTER winning in everything but cheerleading and basketball.

because of bone headed moves he made as a coach.

Yep. Those suck.

And he still makes the same mistakes. Hell he just gave our oline coach a raise.

Which isn't a boneheaded move if you want to attract a good coach when this one leaves.

Lol. I don't need to make a prediction.

Definitely a good decision.

I can look at his history and tell you he's just not a great coach.

Wow. That's amazing. How did you do that?! We were just going to ask the guy who hasn't got a clue how the football team will do, EXACTLY what he thinks of the coach! It's like you're a prophet or something

And it's going to take a great coach and a great recruiter and a more supportive fanbase and one that doesn't btch about nearly the lowest ticket prices in the conference and doesn't discount what current and former coaches have done here and better facilities and more money spent on the football recruiting budget to ever win the SEC here AT UK.

Fify

But you seem to think he can do it.

I didn't actually say that in any way shape or form, which is why I fify'd your above comment. When I actually type it out is how you know I've "said" it.

I guess time will tell which one of us is right.

Time has already told (although as I admitted, I had help). You missed the last 23 years. Been more right by a bunch than I've been wrong.

.....

If people went back and could read the posts of people in the 90s 2000s and during the last 1.5 years of Joker as HC and read what people said they wanted, compared to the sht they spewed during Brooks time and now, they would be so embarrassed at our "fans" that comment on football that they might never post.

What they said they wanted desperately. What they said they "would settle for" or be ecstatic with... and then read the venom they've spewed here the whole time Brooks and Stoops were coaching here, it paints a really sad portrait of many fans. They just have no sense of reality and no self-awareness when it comes to UK and football.

UK is behind the 8ball on so many "levels" since people want to talk "levels."

A friend of mine posted for years that it would take a decade of UK success to build potential for an SEC Title. We've had 2 years of success and enough bowl games to get us noticed. We've competed at a high level off an on.

We're still years away from that "next level" because that "next level" now is an SEC Championship appearance. Already did 2nd in the East 2x.

We'll never get it with so many changes at key coaching positions (If Butch is the answer, I'll admit I was wrong a year ago when he was hired.), plus trying to be like other SEC teams (unless we can somehow outbid the UTs, UGA, Bama, B1G, etc for a full starting lineup and some backups of NFL draftees), plus not paying more for tickets and NIL as a fanbase.

Now we're back to a rebuilding year, so it's likely we'll be looking for another coach next year. Unless this is a great coaching staff and can get us to 7 or 8 wins next season with 4 wins in the SEC. If they can't do that, I'm guessing it pushes our timeline out too far to sustain success enough to reach a championship calibre under this staff.

What we need to hope for is a great comeback with a bowl win next season, and a 10 win season the year afterward so that we either make the next step or our current coach lands a better gig, and we can get someone young and proven that sees the potential Stoops saw here AND WANTS TO STAY HERE. That's always gonna be the problem though. This is not Alabama or even Georgia. It's not even Purdue or Notre Dame really when you're talking football.

Timing is everything and we're too busy beating a dead horse as a fanbase to take advantage. During and after the first 10 win season there should've been a parade and a massive celebration. We were too busy bashing our coach and calling it a fluke.

Not sorry if anyone feels bad for it being said.

 

[Phil_The_Music]

Lol. I'm very relaxed, thanks. Nice day off.



You should pick up your first novel soon, so you can "calm down" your hyperbole. I'll try to limit my posts to a paragraph or sentence for each reply to make it manageable....



Of course. You made a blowhard comment not meant to be taken seriously. My bad for addressing it with facts.



You'd know if you did.



I appreciate the admission.



That's also my point.



Yeah. Kentucky has struggled with winning AFTER winning in everything but cheerleading and basketball.



Yep. Those suck.



Which isn't a boneheaded move if you want to attract a good coach when this one leaves.



Definitely a good decision.



Wow. That's amazing. How did you do that?! We were just going to ask the guy who hasn't got a clue how the football team will do, EXACTLY what he thinks of the coach! It's like you're a prophet or something



Fify



I didn't actually say that in any way shape or form, which is why I fify'd your above comment. When I actually type it out is how you know I've "said" it.



Time has already told (although as I admitted, I had help). You missed the last 23 years. Been more right by a bunch than I've been wrong.

.....

If people went back and could read the posts of people in the 90s 2000s and during the last 1.5 years of Joker as HC and read what people said they wanted, compared to the sht they spewed during Brooks time and now, they would be so embarrassed at our "fans" that comment on football that they might never post.

What they said they wanted desperately. What they said they "would settle for" or be ecstatic with... and then read the venom they've spewed here the whole time Brooks and Stoops were coaching here, it paints a really sad portrait of many fans. They just have no sense of reality and no self-awareness when it comes to UK and football.

UK is behind the 8ball on so many "levels" since people want to talk "levels."

A friend of mine posted for years that it would take a decade of UK success to build potential for an SEC Title. We've had 2 years of success and enough bowl games to get us noticed. We've competed at a high level off an on.

We're still years away from that "next level" because that "next level" now is an SEC Championship appearance. Already did 2nd in the East 2x.

We'll never get it with so many changes at key coaching positions (If Butch is the answer, I'll admit I was wrong a year ago when he was hired.), plus trying to be like other SEC teams (unless we can somehow outbid the UTs, UGA, Bama, B1G, etc for a full starting lineup and some backups of NFL draftees), plus not paying more for tickets and NIL as a fanbase.

Now we're back to a rebuilding year, so it's likely we'll be looking for another coach next year. Unless this is a great coaching staff and can get us to 7 or 8 wins next season with 4 wins in the SEC. If they can't do that, I'm guessing it pushes our timeline out too far to sustain success enough to reach a championship calibre under this staff.

What we need to hope for is a great comeback with a bowl win next season, and a 10 win season the year afterward so that we either make the next step or our current coach lands a better gig, and we can get someone young and proven that sees the potential Stoops saw here AND WANTS TO STAY HERE. That's always gonna be the problem though. This is not Alabama or even Georgia. It's not even Purdue or Notre Dame really when you're talking football.

Timing is everything and we're too busy beating a dead horse as a fanbase to take advantage. During and after the first 10 win season there should've been a parade and a massive celebration. We were too busy bashing our coach and calling it a fluke.

Not sorry if anyone feels bad for it being said.

Man you're just an unhinged loon who isn't worth discussing anything with. I'll leave you be so you can get back to kissing Stoops ass and let you rant like an idiot to someone who might care. Good day to you.

 

[vhcat70]

I don't believe there is an accurate up-to-date ranking of NIL support out there as schools aren't releasing that info (to my knowledge).

However, This article from 2023 is about the USA & Knight Commission which lists the financial support from boosters from 2005-2022. Kentucky was 36th/50 (14 out of 16 in the SEC). Note Vanderbilt wasn't included because they are private - I have no idea where they stand on NIL support but I'm guessing it's lower.

I highly doubt much has changed since then that would drastically raise Kentucky's ranking. As much as I prefer football over basketball, I think we need to ask ourselves if we can realistically compete in both sports or go all in on one (which would be basketball imo).

Thank you. Much as I suspected. Seeing LV received 50% more from donors than we did is sickening but confirms that there's more wealth to spread around there than anywhere/everywhere else in Ky.

 

[sieken]

Thank you. Much as I suspected. Seeing LV received 50% more from donors than we did is sickening but confirms that there's more wealth to spread around there than anywhere/everywhere else in Ky.

And Adidas money. They help a great deal for a small handful of schools.

 

[Bereacat420]

You realize you can fact check yourself, right?

Kentucky’s 2024 SEC schedule ranked 4th–6th hardest among 16 SEC teams, per CBS Sports (4th), 247Sports (5th), and Sporting News (6th), with an FBS SOS rank of 10th (CFN). It was tougher than most peers (e.g., Missouri, Texas A&M, LSU) due to matchups with Georgia, Texas, and Ole Miss, plus four hostile road games, but less grueling than Florida, Oklahoma, and Georgia, which faced more ranked opponents.

I seen a few different SOS rankings. Almost all had Mizz, TN, TX and OM as the weakest schedules in the conference. The teams you mentioned UGA, Bama, UK were mostly in the top 10 SOS in the nation. Mizz had the schedule to make the playoff and whiffed (around 50-60th overall). The schedule isn’t getting better for UK anytime soon

 

[3632]

We aren't really comparing Stoops to Paterno are we? Paterno was obviously a sick mofo...but coaching wise he would coach circles around Stoops.

Not only that it’s 40 years ago. To say things are different now…

 

[screwduke1]

Paterno sat in the middle of practically a football paradise with no oversight and barely managed 1 title with talent UK still has yet to match on a single roster. He had great recruits pouring through his door and besides that 1 national title what he produced is a scandal bigger and sicker than most any I can think of in college football. He didn't have ANY of the scrutiny or the deficits that Stoops has here at UK, so the comparison is paw paws to pineapples.

I don't see how people can even type his name in any positive light after what he knew and allowed to happen, and I use to respect him as a coach at one time.

Yeah I don't like that Paterno was even brought up (albeit was about coaching...not the absolute sick garbage he did while at PSU)

 

[Girthang]

Man you're just an unhinged loon who isn't worth discussing anything with. I'll leave you be so you can get back to kissing Stoops ass and let you rant like an idiot to someone who might care. Good day to you.

Lol
Weak.ass.sht. but I get it.

You can't defend a single point, complain about long posts, and Stoop to name calling/personal attacks, and then declare the relaxed guy who addressed your points a line at a time for your preferred reading level is "an unhinged loon."

Thanks for proving and stating you don't care or know what you were talking about. It's refreshing. The insults need work, but it's a good effort from someone in an emotional state. If I'd known disagreeing with you, stating facts, and posting links to data was going to trigger these responses, I'd have not quoted your post. (I won't take any of it personally, and won't put you on ignore for it, not that you care.)

You're just one of a hundred that spouted the same bs that's repeatedly seen here. Doesn't matter how many times it's addressed. It gets the same response it did before during and after 2018, because no one can hear it. That's why they just block my posts as you will. Lol. SsdY as a UK Football fan. I was warned about it before I chose to be one.

Good night to you, sir.

 

[satcheluk]

Could be. One thing for sure, he has another bad season here and he will only get coaching job at a lower level or back as coordinator. I wish I was not so down on the guy because he came in with so much momentum and fire. I just have not seen the fire in 2 years. Too comfortable is my guess. Hope he gets some mojo back, if not it is going to be another long season. I think he lost last years team before the season began. Just a feeling I have on that.

I would argue you allowed recency bias to cloud your expectations. UK football has averaged about 4 wins a season for 40 years and he built a winner in a place than no one thought it could happen, then he has two 10 win seasons in a span of 4 years and every football noob loses their minds and thinks we're ready to kick the door in to the upper echelon. That's naive, at best. His last three seasons he's had two above our historical avg(albeit disappointing given the trajectory we thought we were on) and one losing season that matches UK's historical avg. Clearly last season was a disaster and the season before a disappointment, but still a bowl game. If people think we should win 8-10 every season without ever laying an egg are either new to the sport or fools.

 

[satcheluk]

I seen a few different SOS rankings. Almost all had Mizz, TN, TX and OM as the weakest schedules in the conference. The teams you mentioned UGA, Bama, UK were mostly in the top 10 SOS in the nation. Mizz had the schedule to make the playoff and whiffed (around 50-60th overall). The schedule isn’t getting better for UK anytime soon

It certainly is getting better this year, arguably worse and since they haven't finalized anything beyond we'll just have to wait and see, though the whispers of our 3 permanent opponents if we got to a 9 game SEC slate seem to be on the easier side.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

BigBlueInsanity, I understand your position but over time all schools essentially will have the same difficulty of a schedule. Yes Texas has had two years of a less than a brutal schedule but with rotation they will be playing, GA, Bama, TN, FL and other tough teams. I would love to see the percent of NIL money going to football for each SEC school compared to the percent going to basketball. I really believe we have allowed basketball to bleed our football program over the past 50 years. I don't understand the logic of putting so much emphasis on a second level sport as we do. Football finances the Athletic Department.

Yes the schedule changes every two years. These first two years are murderous for UK.

There is an nil ranking all right: wins and losses.

 

[blue cincy]

I would argue you allowed recency bias to cloud your expectations. UK football has averaged about 4 wins a season for 40 years and he built a winner in a place than no one thought it could happen, then he has two 10 win seasons in a span of 4 years and every football noob loses their minds and thinks we're ready to kick the door in to the upper echelon. That's naive, at best. His last three seasons he's had two above our historical avg(albeit disappointing given the trajectory we thought we were on) and one losing season that matches UK's historical avg. Clearly last season was a disaster and the season before a disappointment, but still a bowl game. If people think we should win 8-10 every season without ever laying an egg are either new to the sport or fools.

No, We have 1 10 win season. The other was taken away. Due to mistakes by athletes not coaches. But it is the same.

Other than that, I do not look at the past or the early past. I look at each year. This year, I do not see enough here to expect big changes. Hope I am so wrong. But our QB is not great, OLine is not top tier, D will drop off a bit but could get better. We will struggle to score points or move the ball. Our defense will need to carry us and with teams like Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee and others we will not have a great chance of winning games. Heck Toledo (if we do not start out dominate) can beat this team.

That is how I feel right now. Again, I HOPE I HAVE THE MOST INCORRECT VIEW OF A TEAM THAT HAS EVER BEEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

 

[dvillecatfan]

Solid thread

 

[BlueTick2]

No, We have 1 10 win season. The other was taken away. Due to mistakes by athletes not coaches. But it is the same.

The score board at the end of those games says different.

 

[Blouman]

In this new environment, we're probably never putting up 10 wins again.

We will win 10 games again. The only Variable is TIME!

 

[UKNothinButNet]

This is where it boils down to for me.

1. I think Stoops could do fine on defensive side of ball....We have talent he's been pretty solid on D in many years.
2. I even think Stoops could get back to top tier rush attack offensively...

But here is where I lose all confidence. Bush Hamden looks inept to me....and he was bad at Mizzou which UK fans are completely overlooking. To run him back out there is basically signal to SEC D....UK will try to run the ball and throw short entirely......so just stack the box and watch UK be a 3 and out machine. I don't see the Oline able to smash mouth like Benny/CRod days....and I think the middle of that D is very untested....I don't see UK holding up well in 2025. And we need a year to see if Boley/Saunders are the real deal at QB....but will Stoops be alive in 2-3 years..

I agree, he has been inept on offense since he’s been here. Even in our best years we struggled to score. The defense is always forced to take the load. No traction on OC staff or QBs.

 

[Rembrandt90]

I agree, he has been inept on offense since he’s been here. Even in our best years we struggled to score. The defense is always forced to take the load. No traction on OC staff or QBs.

Here once again is this myth that Stoops is running the offense. All of UK's OCs since Shannon Dawson insist it isn't true. Coen in particular insisted it wasn't true. But you guys don't believe them because it doesn't fit your preferred narrative.

There have been some good offensive seasons in the Stoops era. Last season wasn't one of those because our OL was inept, our inexperienced QB couldn't make decisions, and our playmakers fumbled the football too often. Since Gran, there hasn't been any OC continuity until now, and it will be interesting to see if that makes a difference. It should.

I'm certainly not suggesting the offense hasn't been a culprit. It has. I'm only fixing the responsibility where it belongs. As the HC, Stoops is ultimately responsible for how the team plays. But Stoops hasn't been running the offense. The lack of OC continuity has hurt the program a lot. Anyone who has played organized football should understand this.

 

[satcheluk]

Yes the schedule changes every two years. These first two years are murderous for UK.

There is an nil ranking all right: wins and losses.

The two year same schedule fluke was a temporary occurrence that they enacted because they believed the 9 game schedule was imminent, so they just took the lazy approach and ran it back one more time. It will not continue any longer.

 

[satcheluk]

No, We have 1 10 win season. The other was taken away. Due to mistakes by athletes not coaches. But it is the same.

Other than that, I do not look at the past or the early past. I look at each year. This year, I do not see enough here to expect big changes. Hope I am so wrong. But our QB is not great, OLine is not top tier, D will drop off a bit but could get better. We will struggle to score points or move the ball. Our defense will need to carry us and with teams like Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee and others we will not have a great chance of winning games. Heck Toledo (if we do not start out dominate) can beat this team.

That is how I feel right now. Again, I HOPE I HAVE THE MOST INCORRECT VIEW OF A TEAM THAT HAS EVER BEEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

Saying he didn't win 10 games, after he did on the field, when the wins were taken away by the NCAA for things that had nothing to do with him is an intellectually lazy argument. Come back with criticism of his coaching and we can talk.

 

[blue cincy]

Saying he didn't win 10 games, after he did on the field, when the wins were taken away by the NCAA for things that had nothing to do with him is an intellectually lazy argument. Come back with criticism of his coaching and we can talk.

I do not need to argue with this point. In my mind / my belief is that he (not any of his doing) he did not get that 10 win season. It is plain and simple. The wins were removed, just like Rupp in the 50s when his guys got caught. Had nothing to do with UK or Rupp. DID not count and does not matter.

 

[satcheluk]

I do not need to argue with this point. In my mind / my belief is that he (not any of his doing) he did not get that 10 win season. It is plain and simple. The wins were removed, just like Rupp in the 50s when his guys got caught. Had nothing to do with UK or Rupp. DID not count and does not matter.

We're talking about Stoops' performance not historical win totals. Nothing like ignoring inconvenient facts to support your ill conceived thesis.

 

[blue cincy]

We're talking about Stoops' performance not historical win totals. Nothing like ignoring inconvenient facts to support your ill conceived thesis.

This is no notion, this is no theory or thesis. This is just me saying what it is to me. I am not asking for support or followers to ride along and hate on Stoops or anything like that. It is what it is. We officially and he officially (by the books) has 1 (10 win) season. If you look at anything that is all. Stoops can play Cal if he wants and try to account for that year but I think Stoops has put in to bed as well.

I hope my read for this year on Stoops and this team is all wrong. I hope I eat crow. But I am not going to get all excited for the upcoming season. I will not head to Commonwealth to tailgate or attend a game this year. I probably will not watch a live game this year on the tube. I will just wait till the you tube highlights come out later that day.

 

[satcheluk]

This is no notion, this is no theory or thesis. This is just me saying what it is to me. I am not asking for support or followers to ride along and hate on Stoops or anything like that. It is what it is. We officially and he officially (by the books) has 1 (10 win) season. If you look at anything that is all. Stoops can play Cal if he wants and try to account for that year but I think Stoops has put in to bed as well.

I hope my read for this year on Stoops and this team is all wrong. I hope I eat crow. But I am not going to get all excited for the upcoming season. I will not head to Commonwealth to tailgate or attend a game this year. I probably will not watch a live game this year on the tube. I will just wait till the you tube highlights come out later that day.

I can't debate someone's feelings and convenient use of cherry picking data to support those feelings.

 

[Ky grandpa]

AM I being punked??? I thought for a while I was on rafters... Stoops will get it done... That is for the Stoops lovers... We will lose 10 games, that is for the other right kind minds...

I really hope we win over 5 games... I want to see UK have a good FB team who wins more every year that it losses...

GBB

 

[Girthang]

AM I being punked??? I thought for a while I was on rafters... Stoops will get it done... That is for the Stoops lovers... We will lose 10 games, that is for the other right kind minds...

I really hope we win over 5 games... I want to see UK have a good FB team who wins more every year that it losses...

GBB

Well said! If we tank, that sucks, but we try again next year with a new coach. If we do great, that's great, the staff will have earned it.

GBB INDEED!

 

[UKAlum84]

No amount of coaching can produce results on the field without factoring into the talent of the team.

I think, under stoops coaching, we've failed to recruit guys who can make plays and also we just do not understand how to develop quarterbacks....Those are my 2 glaring issues with his teams over the years.

Then again we are in the same conference as bama and georgia.....perennial favorites to win national titles.

He's an average coach....compared to saban and smart.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

One of those coaches thinks Vandy will duplicate or improve upon what it did last year. That prediction is interesting. If true, that could hurt Stoops more than anything else.