So realistically what will happen?

[TNCatfanforever]

This will be a losing season and no bowl game most likely. Fans are getting tired of year in year out disappointments. We recruit middle of the road SEC players and have no chance of ever seeing the playoffs but have one of the highest paid coaches in America with a long term contract. Is there any hope left for UK football. Dedicated and loyal ticket holders deserve better. Fans everywhere deserve better.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Best hope is Stoops leaves on his own and we hire a coach for about half his bloated annual salary (similar to Popes down from Cals n bball) and that extra 4 million a year is better put elsewhere to help improve the program.

I'm still not sure UK will be able to raise enough NIL to ever be a top tier sec program. I said on another thread we will all die without seeing them win one sec or national title. The playoff is more of a Grey area for me as I expect it to keep on expanding. Maybe we sneak in one season if it goes to 24 teams but don't see it with 12.

 

[JHannibalSmith]

Our lazy, moronic AD has us in yet another horrible situation where the coach has ALL the leverage & the school is handcuffed by the coach’s awful contract & insane buyout. MB doesn’t have the balls to fire anyone. So, our only hope is that Stoops leaves on his own or we take matters into our own hands & force him to coach in an empty stadium next season.

But, MB needs to go, himself. ASAP. His contracts aren’t just bad. They hold the school hostage & set the programs back, years. It’s insane to me that he hasn’t had to answer for them & has free reign to continue the madness. Just one contract this damaging should be enough to lose a job.

 

[Rockfly78]

No one has really answered your question. I’m not sure I can either. But it’s very close to 50/50 that stoops puts his head down and really goes to work to fix this shit for next season…..or he decides to move on/retire.

 

[TNCatfanforever]

No one has really answered your question. I’m not sure I can either. But it’s very close to 50/50 that stoops puts his head down and really goes to work to fix this shit for next season…..or he decides to move on/retire.

That would be the best option at this point. Got to have a dynamic QB from the portal and a much more creative OC.

 

[Aces Fan]

Realistically what will happen is that Stoops won’t change anything and he will coach the next 2 years. Nothing I have seen has shown he thinks he has a philosophy problem. He is coaching the same way today that he did on day one.

 

[The-Hack]

No one has really answered your question. I’m not sure I can either. But it’s very close to 50/50 that stoops puts his head down and really goes to work to fix this shit for next season…..or he decides to move on/retire.

I think with the buyout issue at 36-40 million, he’s here at least until the end of next season.

Two oddly related occurrences fast approach: Kirk Ferentz will turn 70 this year, and will likely establish the Big Ten record for total wins, by season’s end. Neither are guarantees of his retirement, but might bring it about. Stoops haters think Iowa would pass on him, but just like the Calipari situation, the view from the outside is different.

Stoops retains national respect for elevating a program higher than well-respected Coaches Brooks and Claiborne elevated it.

 

[assistbyhawkins]

I think with the buyout issue at 36-40 million, he’s here at least until the end of next season.

Two oddly related occurrences fast approach: Kirk Ferentz will turn 70 this year, and will likely establish the Big Ten record for total wins, by season’s end. Neither are guarantees of his retirement, but might bring it about. Stoops haters think Iowa would pass on him, but just like the Calipari situation, the view from the outside is different.

Stoops retains national respect for elevating a program higher than well-respected Coaches Brooks and Claiborne elevated it.

I have a hard time believing the view from the outside is different considering Stoops was literally laughed out of Texas A&M. Honestly, one of the most embarrassing things I have seen a coach endure.

But, its very obvious that the TAM boosters were correct in running him off, considering TAM is in first place in the SEC and Stoops has a losing record.

 

[Rockfly78]

I think with the buyout issue at 36-40 million, he’s here at least until the end of next season.

Two oddly related occurrences fast approach: Kirk Ferentz will turn 70 this year, and will likely establish the Big Ten record for total wins, by season’s end. Neither are guarantees of his retirement, but might bring it about. Stoops haters think Iowa would pass on him, but just like the Calipari situation, the view from the outside is different.

Stoops retains national respect for elevating a program higher than well-respected Coaches Brooks and Claiborne elevated it.

Coaching candidates are always more popular than the current coach, the backup qb is always better than the starter, and greatness is always around the corner. You made a good point, the view from the outside is different than ours. It’s not crazy to think that there’s a program out there that would love to have stoops. It is crazy to me that TAM was ready to hire him just a few months ago.

 

[thebluestripes]

This will be a losing season and no bowl game most likely. Fans are getting tired of year in year out disappointments. We recruit middle of the road SEC players and have no chance of ever seeing the playoffs but have one of the highest paid coaches in America with a long term contract. Is there any hope left for UK football. Dedicated and loyal ticket holders deserve better. Fans everywhere deserve better.

I know were youre coming from but the football fans that keep supporting bad football don't deserve any better than the basketball fans that continued to support cals downward spril of
ukbb.
Its all about incentives, and theres no inentive to make football better as long as the fans keep showing up.

 

[HalHR2500]

Best case scenario-Iowa job opens up, and Stoops takes it

He wants to leave, and tried last year

Its Time for a fresh voice

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I have a hard time believing the view from the outside is different considering Stoops was literally laughed out of Texas A&M. Honestly, one of the most embarrassing things I have seen a coach endure.

But, its very obvious that the TAM boosters were correct in running him off, considering TAM is in first place in the SEC and Stoops has a losing record.

If UK fans want a new coach that's fine, but comparing ATM's roster to UK's isn't comparing apples to apples. That controversial class that had the highest point totals ever are now Jr's and in their real money year. Yes they had a few transfer out but still an elite roster.

 

[wildcat_bigd]

He stays and nothing is different except the preseason hype, rinse and repeat

 

[gamalielkid]

If UK fans want a new coach that's fine, but comparing ATM's roster to UK's isn't comparing apples to apples. That controversial class that had the highest point totals ever are now Jr's and in their real money year. Yes they had a few transfer out but still an elite roster.

No Doubt about that Grumpy. But 12 years and the slide has been pretty consistent over the last 3 years. Coen wanted out very badly - and we can see why. Kentucky will never be a Georgia, Bama type program - because we didn;t put money in the program the last 50 years. But we can build a competitive team - Stoops has proven that. After reviewing the game tonight, I was in attendance last night, it wasn't as bad as I thought in reality. I have said and many others as well - the strength of our program early was the offensive line was capable - we have been in a slide ever since we lost John Schlarman. We haven't developed a strong line. I think we are a competitive offensive line away from being a really good team right now. But how long will we get decent players in other areas if our offensive line doesn't improve? The defense can only take not getting support so long until it will start to go down also. We need new blood and fire in the program.

Go Big Blue!

 

[Thecycle27]

Stoops is a good coach. It is just a brutal schedule. Changing a coach at any point is 50-50 especially in the SEC. Are you really sure the next guy will work? Are you really sure they can recruit at the same level? They have landed some dudes on the defensive side.

They miss on the next guy it can be a long way back. There is no room for error.

I do think the Tulane coach would be as close to a plug and play as they could get but keep in mind they lost to Oklahoma. At the end of the day it is about players. Not sure the new coach could recruit any better.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

No Doubt about that Grumpy. But 12 years and the slide has been pretty consistent over the last 3 years. Coen wanted out very badly - and we can see why. Kentucky will never be a Georgia, Bama type program - because we didn;t put money in the program the last 50 years. But we can build a competitive team - Stoops has proven that. After reviewing the game tonight, I was in attendance last night, it wasn't as bad as I thought in reality. I have said and many others as well - the strength of our program early was the offensive line was capable - we have been in a slide ever since we lost John Schlarman. We haven't developed a strong line. I think we are a competitive offensive line away from being a really good team right now. But how long will we get decent players in other areas if our offensive line doesn't improve? The defense can only take not getting support so long until it will start to go down also. We need new blood and fire in the program.

Go Big Blue!

i won't get into UK needing a new coach that's for UK supporters to decide. But I will say this, CMS did what it took to keep his teams in games by running the offense he did, he created an environment of playing with a chip on its shoulder, all needed in the beginning, but as talent has gotten better I don't think he can or is not willing to adapt to better talent and a more aggressive offense. I am not trying to be negative towards CMS, I just believe if there is a CMS downfall it is him not adapting to UK's talent level and today's tendencies.

 

[dallasg23]

No one has really answered your question. I’m not sure I can either. But it’s very close to 50/50 that stoops puts his head down and really goes to work to fix this shit for next season…..or he decides to move on/retire.

He has said he will put his head down and fix things like 10 of 12 years he has been here. I wouldn’t put too much hope into that possibility. It would be a destruction of the offense and a 3/4 rebuild of the defense with changes in scheme. Not going to happen

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

That would be the best option at this point. Got to have a dynamic QB from the portal and a much more creative OC.

I agree with getting the dynamic QB from the portal, but to get a roven dynamic QB from the portal is expensive, non proven ones appear to be 7 figures. But look what it has done for Miami, has them undefeated, don't think he would be with UKs schedule but he doesn't have to play UKs schedule.

 

[BlueTick2]

That would be the best option at this point. Got to have a dynamic QB from the portal and a much more creative OC.

Every college team in America is looking for that same "dynamic QB," you speak of.

 

[gamecockcat]

I'm interpreting 'dynamic' to mean mobile, capable of making plays with his legs and arm, able to create on the fly. Not a sit-in-the-pocket and throw lasers all over the field, which could be construed to be dynamic. I doubt, unless the kid grows up in our back yard like Couch, we'll consistently get the HS QB with NFL measurables to come to UK. But, I think there are a whole bunch of HS QBs who aren't NFL size who could be very effective in an RPO/short pass/pin-and-pull/creative system. I literally do not care if we ever put a QB into the NFL if we can win 8+ games consistently (mirrors one of my biggest complaints about Cal - he cared more about getting kids to the NBA than developing good college players/systems and winning college games). The Miami QB is a great example - probably not 'ideal' NFL size, doesn't play in an NFL system but, dang, sure wins a lot of college football games, which, I believe, is the goal, is it not?

 

[3632]

I'm interpreting 'dynamic' to mean mobile, capable of making plays with his legs and arm, able to create on the fly. Not a sit-in-the-pocket and throw lasers all over the field, which could be construed to be dynamic. I doubt, unless the kid grows up in our back yard like Couch, we'll consistently get the HS QB with NFL measurables to come to UK. But, I think there are a whole bunch of HS QBs who aren't NFL size who could be very effective in an RPO/short pass/pin-and-pull/creative system. I literally do not care if we ever put a QB into the NFL if we can win 8+ games consistently (mirrors one of my biggest complaints about Cal - he cared more about getting kids to the NBA than developing good college players/systems and winning college games). The Miami QB is a great example - probably not 'ideal' NFL size, doesn't play in an NFL system but, dang, sure wins a lot of college football games, which, I believe, is the goal, is it not?

It is. It’s also true that the ‘nfl system’ thing meaning sit in the pocket etc is fading out. They’re having to adjust their offenses a degree to fit the qb’s that are coming into the league now.

 

[WyleECoyote]

That would be the best option at this point. Got to have a dynamic QB from the portal and a much more creative OC.

Yeah cause changing QBs and OC's has helped us so much the last 4 years. Until the head coach changes, nothing is going to change, whether that head coaching change is in philosophy or the person in the seat, the head coach has to change.

 

[Blueaz]

No one has really answered your question. I’m not sure I can either. But it’s very close to 50/50 that stoops puts his head down and really goes to work to fix this shit for next season…..or he decides to move on/retire.

You really think he "goes to work and can fix this shit for next season"?
1. I don't think he is capable
2. I don't think he really cares that much, he is enjoying his bourbon and $$$ too much. Pride is the only reason.

 

[catlogic15]

And Vandy totally rebuilt their program in two years.

 

[Chuckinden]

I don't know what Stoops buyout is, but when I googled it, this is what came up.

What is Mark Stoops' buyout at Kentucky? If Stoops leaves UK for another position prior to June 30, 2025, he will owe Kentucky $3.5 million. After June 30 next year, the buyout decreases to $3 million.

 

[BigBlue1992]

People keep saying Stoops situation is the same as Cal’s. It is not. This one is actually more dangerous for UK. And for one simple reason - Calipari had a legacy at stake, Stoops does not.

Literally nobody outside of UK fans will remember Mark Stoops. Now his brother Bob is a legend but Mark will soon be forgotten.

I’m afraid for that reason he may force UK to fire him to get the buyout. The biggest question of all - will he be able to endure the pressure of yet another failed season? I don’t think he can but for 40 million he might make an exception.

 

[bigbluedon]

Every college team in America is looking for that same "dynamic QB," you speak of.

And lots of them have one. Some are even winning with just a good quarterback.

 

[rick64]

When at best you can only recruit middle of pack talent in the SEC, then you're going to have a tough road to hang with the big dogs like GA, Bama, etc. So you have to be exceptional at developing the talent you have, out execute on the field, out scheme your opponent, land top tier talent in the portal, etc. Sadly Stoops and his staff doesn't do any of those things very well.

 

[Blueaz]

When at best you can only recruit middle of pack talent in the SEC, then you're going to have a tough road to hang with the big dogs like GA, Bama, etc. So you have to be exceptional at developing the talent you have, out execute on the field, out scheme your opponent, land top tier talent in the portal, etc. Sadly Stoops and his staff doesn't do any of those things very well.

coach discipline
expect disciplined, unselfish play
Must always play a "B" game (coaching and playing) to have a chance....

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Both stoops and UK are in hard spots. Stoops hired a bad fit at oc but, as he said after the game, they had too much turnover there of late. Thats true of course, but you dont say that unless you know Bush is a problem.

Uk is in a hard spot because stoops is unfirable and it takes a special coach to succeed here in this iteration of the sec. Anything but a great hire sends us back to the stone age.

What everyone needs is for stoops to get the offense figured out. Bush isnt the guy. However stoops isnt wrong about the turnover. He needs to hire someone else but it needs to be the right guy. Otherwise all his progress is gone.

 

[Blueaz]

Both stoops and UK are in hard spots. Stoops hired a bad fit at oc but, as he said after the game, they had too much turnover there of late. Thats true of course, but you dont say that unless you know Bush is a problem.

Uk is in a hard spot because stoops is unfirable and it takes a special coach to succeed here in this iteration of the sec. Anything but a great hire sends us back to the stone age.

What everyone needs is for stoops to get the offense figured out. Bush isnt the guy. However stoops isnt wrong about the turnover. He needs to hire someone else but it needs to be the right guy. Otherwise all his progress is gone.

well, Stoops has put us back to the bronze age... Joker/Stone age, might just be a season or two away.
But, let's see if he can get back at least to the iron age...that seems to be the expectations for many

 

[Rockfly78]

You really think he "goes to work and can fix this shit for next season"?
1. I don't think he is capable
2. I don't think he really cares that much, he is enjoying his bourbon and $$$ too much. Pride is the only reason.

Everyone is misunderstanding what I was saying.......If he comes back that will be what he says. I sure hope he can pull it off if he's here next year.

 

[3632]

And Vandy totally rebuilt their program in two years.

Their DC background coach has talked about the offensive hires he made in the offseason. He recognized he needed to change both recruiting and offensive philosophy so he went and hired Kill and made him assistant head coach and brought in an experienced OC, Beck. He has saluted Kill's general expertise and experience and how he has learned to 'step back' and how much he has learned from Kill. He turned that side of the ball over to them. It's a contrast to the stoops consistency of hiring guys that aren't really in a career position yet to have the gravitas to challenge the hc with their own ideas of how to go about things.

 

[FirewithFire]

Iowa is a far flung ray of hope. Teams don't want to replace a looser with a looser. I'd say Stoops will be right here next year sucking up those big Mitch bucks.

I doubt very seriously that he will fix anything because he can't, or he would have already. Add to that, most of his team graduates or moves on after this season. The future doesn't look to bright right now.

In a much darker scenario, fans finally have enough and stop attending games ala Joker. That would have massive unpredictable effects.

 

[WyleECoyote]

Bad time for UK Athletics to being telling fans to Pony Up for tailgating haha.

 

[TTTblue24]

I’m pretty sure stoops buyout is around 40 mill or atleast thought I saw this posted after the South Carolina debacle so if true…….he’s going nowhere unless he chooses to but we are good at churning through the offensive coordinators so that’s where my money is if anything changes lol.

 

[Cobb4uk]

This will be a losing season and no bowl game most likely. Fans are getting tired of year in year out disappointments. We recruit middle of the road SEC players and have no chance of ever seeing the playoffs but have one of the highest paid coaches in America with a long term contract. Is there any hope left for UK football. Dedicated and loyal ticket holders deserve better. Fans everywhere deserve better.

None of us know, but he probably surprises everyone and has a better record next year than expected. Most willl calm down, except for the normal ones wanting a new coach. With NIL, the whole football world has changed, and no one knows where it's going. The biggest issue I have is our OL coach, he left Bama they also have major OL problems. My understanding was that the OC selects the OL coach, so they have the talent to their offensive style, that wasn't what happened here. I'll be surprised if there sren't dome coaching changes prior to next year.

 

[Blueaz]

Everyone is misunderstanding what I was saying.......If he comes back that will be what he says. I sure hope he can pull it off if he's here next year.

I get that...but with Stoops I think it is

"Wish/Hope in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one fills up quicker."​

 

[Bluesbrother]

This will be a losing season and no bowl game most likely. Fans are getting tired of year in year out disappointments. We recruit middle of the road SEC players and have no chance of ever seeing the playoffs but have one of the highest paid coaches in America with a long term contract. Is there any hope left for UK football. Dedicated and loyal ticket holders deserve better. Fans everywhere deserve better.

Start with the AD.

 

[Larry00]

I’m gonna look at it from a “rest of this year” scenario. We sit at 3-4, with 5 games remaining.

Of those 5, we start off with Auburn this coming weekend at home, and Auburn is just as bad, if not worse than us, so that could very well be a win, if we play similar to earlier. We then go to UT…ass whipping. Then we have a buy week before coming home to Murray State. We realistically could be 4-5 here, so we should end up at 5-5 after this game. Then we travel to Texas…ass whipping. So we come home against Louisville, maybe at 5-6, needing that win for 6 and bowl eligibility. They have a high powered offense, but overall their defense is awful, and they’re especially horrible against the run, and a running QB, which fits right into Mark’s 3 yards and a cloud of dust scheme. Say we win this and end up 6-6…we go to yet another low-tier, crappy bowl game, and we end up winning that and finish 7-6.

Big question is…THEN WHAT??? Will they do something about a change, or will that buy him yet another year of mediocrity?