The truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Mark Stoops isn't as bad as his detractors say and isn't as good as his defenders say.
Stoops is a good program builder. We've certainly enjoyed an upgrade in recruiting and facilities under his tutelage. That has resulted in six straight bowl appearances and four consecutive bowl victories. He has, for the most part, enjoyed success against several programs UK plays each year, namely South Carolina, Louisville, Vandy, and Missouri. He broke the embarrassing losing streak to Florida and led UK to its first victory in Knoxville since 1984.
Unfortunately, he is simply not an innovator or a great football mind. He's a grinder, and that's obviously not going to change. That is why UK has had several narrow victories against directional schools since 2013. That is why UK has pulled off very few thrilling upsets during this tenure. That is why every year UK has at least one lethargic performance against a team they should have defeated or, in the very least, played competitively. Examples: Mississippi State in 2021, Tennessee in 2018, Louisville in 2017, Vanderbilt in 2015.
One has to think that a coach with a great football mind could've taken a backup quarterback and defeated a mediocre South Carolina team at home. Just manage the game and make enough plays to win.
In summary, there is no denying that he has built the most solid foundation for UK football of any coach in my lifetime. I just wish his in-game coaching and approach to the offensive side of them ball were on par with this program-building skills.
Stoops is a good program builder. We've certainly enjoyed an upgrade in recruiting and facilities under his tutelage. That has resulted in six straight bowl appearances and four consecutive bowl victories. He has, for the most part, enjoyed success against several programs UK plays each year, namely South Carolina, Louisville, Vandy, and Missouri. He broke the embarrassing losing streak to Florida and led UK to its first victory in Knoxville since 1984.
Unfortunately, he is simply not an innovator or a great football mind. He's a grinder, and that's obviously not going to change. That is why UK has had several narrow victories against directional schools since 2013. That is why UK has pulled off very few thrilling upsets during this tenure. That is why every year UK has at least one lethargic performance against a team they should have defeated or, in the very least, played competitively. Examples: Mississippi State in 2021, Tennessee in 2018, Louisville in 2017, Vanderbilt in 2015.
One has to think that a coach with a great football mind could've taken a backup quarterback and defeated a mediocre South Carolina team at home. Just manage the game and make enough plays to win.
In summary, there is no denying that he has built the most solid foundation for UK football of any coach in my lifetime. I just wish his in-game coaching and approach to the offensive side of them ball were on par with this program-building skills.
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