The Oregon Model

[DaBossIsBack]

After seeing the completion of our new playing surface, I can't help but to make another Oregon comparison. The design of the field is almost exactly like Oregon's. When you combine this with what we are trying to do with our up tempo offense and uniform combinations, things really start to match up. Are Mitch and Stoops really trying to make UK the Oregon of the east?

 

[BigBoyBlueMMA]

Well now - that would not be too bad of a plan would it?

 

[Caveman Catfan]

How many different ways can you lay turf? Is it just the alternating dark and light green color that makes UK similar?

Absent doing the Boise thing, there are limited decisions to make about turf colors and design.

 

[Rhavicc]

How many different ways can you lay turf? Is it just the alternating dark and light green color that makes UK similar?

Absent doing the Boise thing, there are limited decisions to make about turf colors and design.

So glad they didn't do the Boise bs.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

How many different ways can you lay turf? Is it just the alternating dark and light green color that makes UK similar?

Absent doing the Boise thing, there are limited decisions to make about turf colors and design.

Not many. But the alternating of light and dark, the size of the logo, the uniforms, the offense, Barnhart's connection to Oregon, all make me think that we are using Oregon as a model. There may be more similarities that I'm not thinking about right now.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

The size of the logo, that seems to be a big deal to many, is consistent with most programs. I think UL's logo is no wider than 10 yards. I think that is the norm.

 

[Rhavicc]

The size of the logo, that seems to be a big deal to many, is consistent with most programs. I think UL's logo is no wider than 10 yards. I think that is the norm.

Also happy with that. Would be even more pissed about a blue turf field with a 60 yard wide UK logo.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

How many different ways can you lay turf? Is it just the alternating dark and light green color that makes UK similar?

Absent doing the Boise thing, there are limited decisions to make about turf colors and design.

I agree with the Boise thing, that blue field is the 2nd worst field I have ever seen, topped only by the red turf on some other field out west I think. That one is painful to watch on TV. When Boise is in all blue, their home colors I think it gives then an unfair advantage but that's just me. These teams that have odd ball golds as their color can't use a jersey similar in color to the ball, I think a player being able to hide in the field is the same.

And I think the field is sharp, on the photo the checkerboard is hard for me to see but other than that top knotch.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Also, while I would love Oregon results at UK, I think the Air Raid at UK preceded Chip Kelly's offense with the Ducks. Kelly took that offensive mindset to Oregon in 2007, I think.

Maybe they copied the UK model?

 

[BlueRaider22]

Dang.......I read the title and thought it was going to be about these girls

 

[hmt5000]

I thought when we got mitch, that what we've seen the last two years was what he was gonna do from the start. I mean he was at UT and Oregon you would of thought he would of known how important football is in the grand scheme of things. Maybe everything is in place now that wasn't before and probably sanctions hurt him getting a name coach that first go round. But it does appear that Oregon is atleast a little of equation... and Nike needs to throw us some more stuff on the football side.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I know we will never have the disposal of gear that Oregon has, with the whole knight thing and all, but we can still be the "cool" team in this league. We've got a great color scheme and we are willing to get creative with our uniforms. We don't have a traditional look to ascribe to.

 

[jnewc2]

After seeing the completion of our new playing surface, I can't help but to make another Oregon comparison. The design of the field is almost exactly like Oregon's. When you combine this with what we are trying to do with our up tempo offense and uniform combinations, things really start to match up. Are Mitch and Stoops really trying to make UK the Oregon of the east?

Not sure how I feel about us following the "Oregon model".

I guess that explains a lot of Mitch's decisions, but the fact is it's a heck of a lot easier to get away with the Oregon model in the Pac-12 than it is in the tradition-filled SEC.

Personally, I'd rather see us follow the Alabama, LSU, Georgia model, when it comes to most thing football-related (since those are the people we're playing against, after all).

I know when we were shrinking the stadium many would point to Oregon and Baylor as the model that made it okay for us to do so, but the fact of the matter is that those schools are the outlier..not the norm (not to mention the fact that those schools don't play in the SEC where 90,000 seat-stadiums are the norm--and they don't have a fanbase such as UK's that's capable of filling a much larger stadium).

We were 5-7 last season, yet were 30th in the nation in attendance. In 2013, with a 2-10 record, we were 29th in the nation in attendance. Neither Oregon or Baylor were in the top-30 in attendance last season. The fact is that despite those two schools' success, we have a larger football fanbase capable of filling a much larger stadium (even though it might go into hiding when we struggle, which is somewhat often), and we were sold a bill of goods when it came to shrinking our capacity to what will now be the second-smallest in the conference once Ole Miss and Miss. St expand theirs to become bigger than us.

The only things I hope we copy Oregon on are their uniforms and offense. I hope we copy Alabama, LSU and Georgia with stadium size, tradition, defensive focus, recruiting efforts, passion for the sport, boosters, fan support, investment and everything else football-related.

 

[TuckyFan]

I really hope so. Have been wishing for three things for UK football for the longest time and this would be the third to come true. I wanted a top coordiantor to be hired as HC, let him hire a top coordinator for the other side of the ball, and use the Nike contract and weight of UK basketball to bring in uniforms and combinations that would make people take note. Specifically 15-18 year old people. I love it.

BTW, hmt5000....while I have had my opinions on Mitch, I don't believe he's the sole person responsible for UK being slow to buy in on football. UK administrators and their growth plan (how many times has the hospital been renovated/expanded since the expansion to CWS?) has locked down bonding power for ages. Only when they payed the tax of funding an academic building did they get the present renovations. I am glad to see the change, but it's long overdue.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Not sure how I feel about us following the "Oregon model".

I guess that explains a lot of Mitch's decisions, but the fact is it's a heck of a lot easier to get away with the Oregon model in the Pac-12 than it is in the tradition-filled SEC.

Personally, I'd rather see us follow the Alabama, LSU, Georgia model, when it comes to most thing football-related (since those are the people we're playing against, after all).

I know when we were shrinking the stadium many would point to Oregon and Baylor as the model that made it okay for us to do so, but the fact of the matter is that those schools are the outlier..not the norm (not to mention the fact that those schools don't play in the SEC where 90,000 seat-stadiums are the norm--and they don't have a fanbase such as UK's that's capable of filling a much larger stadium).

We were 5-7 last season, yet were 30th in the nation in attendance. In 2013, with a 2-10 record, we were 29th in the nation in attendance. Neither Oregon or Baylor were in the top-30 in attendance last season. The fact is that despite those two schools' success, we have a larger football fanbase capable of filling a much larger stadium (even though it might go into hiding when we struggle, which is somewhat often), and we were sold a bill of goods when it came to shrinking our capacity to what will now be the second-smallest in the conference once Ole Miss and Miss. St expand theirs to become bigger than us.

The only things I hope we copy Oregon on are their uniforms and offense. I hope we copy Alabama, LSU and Georgia with stadium size, tradition, defensive focus, recruiting efforts, passion for the sport, boosters, fan support, investment and everything else football-related.

And just like that, Mr. Agenda shows up.

 

[hmt5000]

Not sure how I feel about us following the "Oregon model".

I guess that explains a lot of Mitch's decisions, but the fact is it's a heck of a lot easier to get away with the Oregon model in the Pac-12 than it is in the tradition-filled SEC.

Personally, I'd rather see us follow the Alabama, LSU, Georgia model, when it comes to most thing football-related (since those are the people we're playing against, after all).

I know when we were shrinking the stadium many would point to Oregon and Baylor as the model that made it okay for us to do so, but the fact of the matter is that those schools are the outlier..not the norm (not to mention the fact that those schools don't play in the SEC where 90,000 seat-stadiums are the norm--and they don't have a fanbase such as UK's that's capable of filling a much larger stadium).

We were 5-7 last season, yet were 30th in the nation in attendance. In 2013, with a 2-10 record, we were 29th in the nation in attendance. Neither Oregon or Baylor were in the top-30 in attendance last season. The fact is that despite those two schools' success, we have a larger football fanbase capable of filling a much larger stadium (even though it might go into hiding when we struggle, which is somewhat often), and we were sold a bill of goods when it came to shrinking our capacity to what will now be the second-smallest in the conference once Ole Miss and Miss. St expand theirs to become bigger than us.

The only things I hope we copy Oregon on are their uniforms and offense. I hope we copy Alabama, LSU and Georgia with stadium size, tradition, defensive focus, recruiting efforts, passion for the sport, boosters, fan support, investment and everything else football-related.

I'll tell u what, when we have over 6 million people in the state and produce more than 20 d1 prospects every year.... I'll agree with you. But you don't build tradition out of thin air and you are not gonna out D bama.... or out athlete LSU or out run Georgia or any of those things with Florida when they get back up. You have to money ball a little in our situation and it worked awesome at oregon... they've played for 2 titles.... even with a small stadium.

 

[DACats86]

When was Mitch at Oregon?

 

[DaBossIsBack]

When was Mitch at Oregon?

80s. Very early in his career.

 

[bthaunert]

When was Mitch at Oregon?

I think people are getting Oregon and Oregon State mixed up. When Mitch was at Oregon, they were one of the worst programs out there. He was at Oregon State prior to UK.

 

[DACats86]

I think people are getting Oregon and Oregon State mixed up. When Mitch was at Oregon, they were one of the worst programs out there. He was at Oregon State prior to UK.

Exactly, and he was at OU before the Nike money started rolling in.

 

[mwatson61]

The size of the logo, that seems to be a big deal to many, is consistent with most programs. I think UL's logo is no wider than 10 yards. I think that is the norm.

Correct, and they have the same alternating color pattern and multiple uni's as well. They all do today. . I think the OP is reaching.

 

[DaBossIsBack]

Exactly, and he was at OU before the Nike money started rolling in.

Does that change the fact that Mitch has a connection to Oregon?

 

[DaBossIsBack]

I think people are getting Oregon and Oregon State mixed up. When Mitch was at Oregon, they were one of the worst programs out there. He was at Oregon State prior to UK.

I clearly said that he was at Oregon very early in his career. I'm not getting OSU and Oregon confused. I am aware of our AD's career path.

 

[shutzhund]

After seeing the completion of our new playing surface, I can't help but to make another Oregon comparison. The design of the field is almost exactly like Oregon's. When you combine this with what we are trying to do with our up tempo offense and uniform combinations, things really start to match up. Are Mitch and Stoops really trying to make UK the Oregon of the east?

All we need is Oregon type players plus an Oregon type schedule. The rest is just fluff.

 

[JHB4UK]

Also, while I would love Oregon results at UK, I think the Air Raid at UK preceded Chip Kelly's offense with the Ducks. Kelly took that offensive mindset to Oregon in 2007, I think.

Maybe they copied the UK model?

Not exactly how it went down by my memory.

The guy who followed Rich Brooks, Mike Bellotti, had a couple of mediocre years while running his pro style offense. To shake things up he went out & hired Gary Crowton in '05, and installed a wide open passing spread system. Crowton was hired away by LSU (and of course like morons did not let him do what he did at Oregon, & had him run Mile's awful offense instead) so Bellotti hired Kelly in '07. Kelly changed the spread from more of a passing offense to a Rich Rodriguez/Urban Meyer primarily power running up tempo spread.

Ain't nothing about Chip Kelly's system looks in any way similar to the Hal Mumme Air Raid coaching system.

But it is kind of sad and frustrating and infuriating knowing now that back when Mumme was hired in '97 we were on the right track of how to build an exciting attractive college football program. Years ahead of the time, 10 years later the spread concept would be universally adopted at every level of football, HS, college, and pros. Tom Brady & Peyton Manning operate out of the shotgun 90% of the time throwing the ball in the flats & intermediate levels.

CM Newton almost stumbled on the right answer for our football program to explode like Oregon has....he was just too stupid and halfway retired to not insist on Hal hiring competent defensive staff, or a recruiting coordinator who would follow NCAA rules. Mumme knew how to hire offensive coaches, amazing to see how many names on his UK staff moved on later to be stars.

 

[Caveman Catfan]

Not exactly how it went down by my memory.

The guy who followed Rich Brooks, Mike Bellotti, had a couple of mediocre years while running his pro style offense. To shake things up he went out & hired Gary Crowton in '05, and installed a wide open passing spread system. Crowton was hired away by LSU (and of course like morons did not let him do what he did at Oregon, & had him run Mile's awful offense instead) so Bellotti hired Kelly in '07. Kelly changed the spread from more of a passing offense to a Rich Rodriguez/Urban Meyer primarily power running up tempo spread.

Ain't nothing about Chip Kelly's system looks in any way similar to the Hal Mumme Air Raid coaching system.

But it is kind of sad and frustrating and infuriating knowing now that back when Mumme was hired in '97 we were on the right track of how to build an exciting attractive college football program. Years ahead of the time, 10 years later the spread concept would be universally adopted at every level of football, HS, college, and pros. Tom Brady & Peyton Manning operate out of the shotgun 90% of the time throwing the ball in the flats & intermediate levels.

CM Newton almost stumbled on the right answer for our football program to explode like Oregon has....he was just too stupid and halfway retired to not insist on Hal hiring competent defensive staff, or a recruiting coordinator who would follow NCAA rules. Mumme knew how to hire offensive coaches, amazing to see how many names on his UK staff moved on later to be stars.

The analogy of Air Raid to Kelley's offense (the offensive mind that was most influential at Oregon) was made by the OP. If that analogy fails, then his point fails. If it is successful, then it is relevant that UK had Mumme before Oregon became hot. Belotti created a solid team. When Chip came from the east coast and jumped a division to be OC, the Ducks became annual national players. Belotti saw Chip's star and made him HC.

 

[bthaunert]

I clearly said that he was at Oregon very early in his career. I'm not getting OSU and Oregon confused. I am aware of our AD's career path.

When he was at Oregon, they were terrible and he was just a regional fundraiser, so had zero to do with day to day functions of the athletic department. You mentioned that his connections to Oregon make you feel we're using the Oregon model. He has such minimal connections to Oregon, it makes zero sense that would be the case. If there is any connection to Oregon, it was while he was the AD at Oregon State and he witnessed firsthand the success down the road in Eugene as it was the Ducks most successful 4 years stretch to date for their program.

 

[railroadkat_1]

Also happy with that. Would be even more pissed about a blue turf field with a 60 yard wide UK logo.

Amen brother!

 

[DaBossIsBack]

When he was at Oregon, they were terrible and he was just a regional fundraiser, so had zero to do with day to day functions of the athletic department. You mentioned that his connections to Oregon make you feel we're using the Oregon model. He has such minimal connections to Oregon, it makes zero sense that would be the case. If there is any connection to Oregon, it was while he was the AD at Oregon State and he witnessed firsthand the success down the road in Eugene as it was the Ducks most successful 4 years stretch to date for their program.

Hmmm that's funny. I wonder why he would consult with Rich Brooks during his first football head coach search? If he had such a minimal connection and all.

 

[bthaunert]

Hmmm that's funny. I wonder why he would consult with Rich Brooks during his first football head coach search? If he had such a minimal connection and all.

Mitch was at Oregon for less than a year back in 1983. He obviously knew Rich from when he was there. Knowing a coach and being involved in the day to day operations are 2 different things. We will agree to disagree on his time at Oregon having an influence on anything. Go Big Blue!

 

[JHB4UK]

You are misremembering if you think Oregon was not nationally highly ranked and a participant in the old BCS prior to Kelly's arrival as OC and then promotion to the big chair

 

[jauk11]

The size of the logo, that seems to be a big deal to many, is consistent with most programs. I think UL's logo is no wider than 10 yards. I think that is the norm.

Oh my God, I hope jurich doesn't read your post, you know how he is about that "mine is bigger than yours" thing.

 

[footballfanatic77]

Not sure how I feel about us following the "Oregon model".

I guess that explains a lot of Mitch's decisions, but the fact is it's a heck of a lot easier to get away with the Oregon model in the Pac-12 than it is in the tradition-filled SEC.

Personally, I'd rather see us follow the Alabama, LSU, Georgia model, when it comes to most thing football-related (since those are the people we're playing against, after all).

I know when we were shrinking the stadium many would point to Oregon and Baylor as the model that made it okay for us to do so, but the fact of the matter is that those schools are the outlier..not the norm (not to mention the fact that those schools don't play in the SEC where 90,000 seat-stadiums are the norm--and they don't have a fanbase such as UK's that's capable of filling a much larger stadium).

We were 5-7 last season, yet were 30th in the nation in attendance. In 2013, with a 2-10 record, we were 29th in the nation in attendance. Neither Oregon or Baylor were in the top-30 in attendance last season. The fact is that despite those two schools' success, we have a larger football fanbase capable of filling a much larger stadium (even though it might go into hiding when we struggle, which is somewhat often), and we were sold a bill of goods when it came to shrinking our capacity to what will now be the second-smallest in the conference once Ole Miss and Miss. St expand theirs to become bigger than us.

The only things I hope we copy Oregon on are their uniforms and offense. I hope we copy Alabama, LSU and Georgia with stadium size, tradition, defensive focus, recruiting efforts, passion for the sport, boosters, fan support, investment and everything else football-related.

I'm not sure that's possible given that Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee etc have 50-100 years of tradition. Oregon really has about a decade of success. Frankly though I think UK has the capability to look more like a Minnesota than an Oregon.

 

[jauk11]

Interesting, so mitch being at both of those schools seems to have had little to do with their football success?

Actually I read an account of a recruiting weekend at Oregon, about 04 or 05 which might help explain some of their sudden jump in success. Seems like they flew in major prospects from all over the country, several from the Chicago area, some chartered flights and Limos (which caused rules changes by the NCAA) and the sky was the limit on what they did for the recruits, steak and lobster, etc although I didn't read about them renting hotel rooms staffed with prostitutes like Miami and hurtt did.

They spent $156,000 (more that half of UK football's yearly budget six years later) on 25 recruits for a two day weekend, hard to imagine spending over $3,000 a day for two days on them, but it worked, they signed over half of them. When someone said something about all the money spent the man in charge said they weren't spending University money, they had their own budget..

 

[footballfanatic77]

Interesting, so mitch being at both of those schools seems to have had little to do with their football success?

Actually I read an account of a recruiting weekend at Oregon, about 04 or 05 which might help explain some of their sudden jump in success. Seems like they flew in major prospects from all over the country, several from the Chicago area, some chartered flights and Limos (which caused rules changes by the NCAA) and the sky was the limit on what they did for the recruits, steak and lobster, etc although I didn't read about them renting hotel rooms staffed with prostitutes like Miami and hurtt did.

They spent $156,000 (more that half of UK football's yearly budget six years later) on 25 recruits for a two day weekend, hard to imagine spending over $3,000 a day for two days on them, but it worked, they signed over half of them. When someone said something about all the money spent the man in charge said they weren't spending University money, they had their own budget..

That's the benefit of all that Nike money.