Coach Stoops made the bold move to hire Liam Coen two years ago. After this season he probably needs to do the right thing again - and hire some other new coaches. Because of his good hiring in the past, Coach Stoops has had to replace good coaches. He has done an over all good job. But, he is human and he hires humans - so sometimes they all don't work out the way we expect. I think we may have a really good OC on staff right now - maybe as good of one as you can get - but the perception now is he is not the right guy. His resume from the past indicates he can get the job done - he did it before and was very successful! But his image is tarnished - and it may be very hard to make it work because of that image.
Coach Stoops and this coach are very good coaches, men and very honorable and great for the program. Probably the only way to keep this coach and make it work out correctly would be to do the unthinkable to most people - make the change today! The only way for people to see this is the right coach is to make it now so the players, the fans and the recruits and players of the future can see this guy can coach a fun, exciting and winning offense that wins games! Yes, I am talking about Eddie Gran as our offensive Co-ordinator!
Before you go crazy - why did we change from Eddie? It was perception and he was doing exactly what Coach Stoops asked of him. We needed an image change at the time. Now, forget about Eddie Gran's style from the past at UK, look at the Eddie Gran OC who ran the Cincinnati offense before he came to UK. It was an evenly balanced exciting passing attack! Eddie changed to mesh with the concepts of Coach Stoops. Eddie has stayed loyal and has watched Liam Coen and now Rich Sangarello as well. Eddie has been a very successful OC - and he could have even greater success here again. Remember, Eddie Gran also was the OC that was here for Coach Stoops first 10 win season! Make the change now - with 3 games and a bowl game left. Let everyone see what Eddie can do as an OC with the QB, the receivers and the running backs we have now! Those 4 games could make a very smooth transition for the future!
Finally, here is some info that most people don't know or remember. When Eddie was OC at Cincinnati it has a very exciting passing attack. His offenses finished 47, 25 and 11th in the country his three years at UC! Look at our offense this year - where is it? 100th??? They attacked primarily from the shotgun and passed the ball all over the field! Eddie changed his attack to match what Coach Stoops wanted at the time and matched the team's idenity and personnel. He coached under some coaching legends as well. He has been a coach at Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee and Cincinnati and UK. He was successful everywhere he has been. Eddie is still only 57 years old. He loves UK and Lexington. He seems like the right guy at the right time at the right place.........
Go Big Blue!