Two ESPN Articles on Kentucky Football Published Today

[YaketySax]

"How many people do you know that come into the SEC that are six feet below ground?" Stoops said. "Out of 14 schools, we were six feet below that. At that time, with no transfer portal, with no immediate eligibility, if you fixed it in a year or two, they're probably going to investigate you."

...

"We would not be where we are if it weren't for the patience of our administration," Marrow said. "We've been here 10 years, and Florida's had three or four coaches, South Carolina had three, Tennessee had a bunch. I don't see a lot of administrations like [Kentucky's]. They actually gave Mark time to build and change this culture."

...

"Last year, defensive coordinator Brad White turned down an offer from LSU to stay with Stoops.

"Part of your pitch when you're talking to a young man is, 'Listen, if we're going to ask you to bypass looking at logos, we need to do the same,'" White said. "It's got to be about, where are your core values? Where are you anchored? It's good for continuity. It allows the players to have something to grasp on to and then take ownership."




Rich Scangarello was sitting in the San Francisco 49ers' team hotel meeting room last season on the eve of their game against the Arizona Cardinals.

The LSU-Kentucky game was on the big-screen TV in the room, and Scangarello and others from the 49ers' organization, including general manager John Lynch and assistant GM Adam Peters, were watching while waiting for meetings to start. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis was putting on a show, throwing for three touchdowns and running for two more in a 42-21 win.

Scangarello, then the 49ers' quarterbacks coach, turned to Peters and said, "Who is this quarterback? He's pretty good. I need to make sure he's on my radar going into the offseason."

Little did Scangarello know the offseason would lead to his hiring as Levis' offensive coordinator at Kentucky, and it didn't take Scangarello long to figure out what kind of talent he was inheriting in Levis, who has gone from a backup at Penn State to one of the NFL's hottest draft commodities seemingly in a flash.

 

[FtWorthCat]

"We would not be where we are if it weren't for the patience of our administration," Marrow said. "We've been here 10 years, and Florida's had three or four coaches, South Carolina had three, Tennessee had a bunch. I don't see a lot of administrations like [Kentucky's]. They actually gave Mark time to build and change this culture."

This is the key quote. Next time someone tries to run Barnhart down, keep this in mind.

 

[YaketySax]

Lane Kiffin going for the reverse jinx

 

[jauk11]

"We would not be where we are if it weren't for the patience of our administration," Marrow said. "We've been here 10 years, and Florida's had three or four coaches, South Carolina had three, Tennessee had a bunch. I don't see a lot of administrations like [Kentucky's]. They actually gave Mark time to build and change this culture."

This is the key quote. Next time someone tries to run Barnhart down, keep this in mind.

He hates to make any necessary changes, look at some of the other sports. He probably knew more than anyone what a difficult job restoring football at UK after a decade of starvation was going to be, and what other decent coach was going to volunteer for the job------like Stoops did.

 

[YaketySax]

He hates to make any necessary changes, look at some of the other sports. He probably knew more than anyone what a difficult job restoring football at UK after a decade of starvation was going to be, and what other decent coach was going to volunteer for the job------like Stoops did.

Wait, you don't like Mitch Barnhardt??? I never knew.

 

[jauk11]

Wait, you don't like Mitch Barnhardt??? I never knew.

Then you haven't been paying attention. Sounds like you might like our AD. The one that did NOTHING extra for football his first DECADE here, while the OTHER SEC programs were investing in the money cow. Which led directly the destruction of our football program, the two TWO OOC nobody win seasons AND the loss of about 20,000 season ticket holders. "They sposed to be SEC".

What in hell was he supposed to do with all the money the OTHER SEC programs that DID pay attention to what was happening in college sports were sending our way. How much did the FIVE seasons without a bowl game contribute to that?

And Stoops asked for the job, our AD didn't find him, Stoops found us and the opportunity. And how did Stoops do with the talent here his first year------the identical TWO win season Joker had, AFTER adding three four stars.

Thanks for wasting some more of my time, but don't let me OR the facts stop your worship of your hero. What a joke.

 

[CatPatrick13]

Then you haven't been paying attention. Sounds like you might like our AD. The one that did NOTHING extra for football his first DECADE here, while the OTHER SEC programs were investing in the money cow. Which led directly the destruction of our football program, the two TWO OOC nobody win seasons AND the loss of about 20,000 season ticket holders. "They sposed to be SEC"

There is something true here.... Mitch has been dragged into the revival of the Football program. Just as he has had to be dragged into NIL, and someday will be dragged into selling beer to us peasants sitting anywhere but the Club boxes.

 

[WildcatofNati]

Then you haven't been paying attention. Sounds like you might like our AD. The one that did NOTHING extra for football his first DECADE here, while the OTHER SEC programs were investing in the money cow. Which led directly the destruction of our football program, the two TWO OOC nobody win seasons AND the loss of about 20,000 season ticket holders. "They sposed to be SEC".

What in hell was he supposed to do with all the money the OTHER SEC programs that DID pay attention to what was happening in college sports were sending our way. How much did the FIVE seasons without a bowl game contribute to that?

And Stoops asked for the job, our AD didn't find him, Stoops found us and the opportunity. And how did Stoops do with the talent here his first year------the identical TWO win season Joker had, AFTER adding three four stars.

Thanks for wasting some more of my time, but don't let me OR the facts stop your worship of your hero. What a joke.

Jauk, I think he was being sarcastic when he said he "never knew" you didn't like Barnhardt. Believe me, man, we are all VERY aware that you're no fan.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

"We would not be where we are if it weren't for the patience of our administration," Marrow said. "We've been here 10 years, and Florida's had three or four coaches, South Carolina had three, Tennessee had a bunch. I don't see a lot of administrations like [Kentucky's]. They actually gave Mark time to build and change this culture."

This is the key quote. Next time someone tries to run Barnhart down, keep this in mind.

There is nothing at all wrong with saying Mitch mad ethe right decision to be patient while also criticizing him for other things.

That said, his patience is a little overrated. Iirc stoops won 4 or 5 games pretty quick. That was already historically plenty good enough for UK football. Add in the major recruiting upswing and it was really obvious we had the right man.

So ya he was patient but no need in acting like it was some huge leap of faith

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Kind of surprised the first top 25 poll I saw for 2023 we aren't in it. Teams like Troy and UTSA made it. Our defense alone to me will be very very good again and I expect a much better offense.

 

[maroon79]

Why do Cat fans always freak out about that?

It’s not where you start but where you finish is what matters

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Why do Cat fans always freak out about that?

It’s not where you start but where you finish is what matters

Not freaking out, just surprised who put that together apparently did not study our roster compared to some of the others.

 

[maroon79]

Come on now, you guys know by now that the Cats ain’t never get no love from no one especially the 4-letter

 

[secrules3]

Lane Kiffin going for the reverse jinx

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That Kiffin is a sly fox.

What's the number to his call in show again?

 

[Cobb4uk]

Kind of surprised the first top 25 poll I saw for 2023 we aren't in it. Teams like Troy and UTSA made it. Our defense alone to me will be very very good again and I expect a much better offense.

If it's poll is from ESPN they never get anything right.

 

[JHB4UK]

If we win our bowl game (and maybe if we don't), we will have smart CFB media guys saying UK with Leary & our WRs & Coen should be top 25, in the 20-25 range. Starting QB means so much, how many schools in 23 have as accomplished and experienced one as UK will?

 

[mebeblue2]

He hates to make any necessary changes, look at some of the other sports. He probably knew more than anyone what a difficult job restoring football at UK after a decade of starvation was going to be, and what other decent coach was going to volunteer for the job------like Stoops did.

if by volunteering you mean getting paid more than he had ever made in his life then i agree
MB interviewed several coaches, he chose Stoops because he felt like he was the man for the job...........he was correct

BTW UK went far longer then a decade of starvation
we went several decades

 

[flyingkat]

For some real fun go back to when CM Newton hired Bill Curry over Howard Schnellenberger....Mitch has his issues, but if you look at how previous ADs have mismanaged this program over the years Mitch comes out way ahead....

 

[YaketySax]

I have no idea why this September post got a second wind but I’m cracking up all over again

 

[seccats04]

For some real fun go back to when CM Newton hired Bill Curry over Howard Schnellenberger....Mitch has his issues, but if you look at how previous ADs have mismanaged this program over the years Mitch comes out way ahead....

And yet we named the football field in his name, a basketball coach.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

Comparing Kentucky to Kentucky of the past is not the way to grow.

We need to compare to our direct competition and imo we have an ad that isn't willing to go all in to win bigger than we ever have at Kentucky

With portal, super conferences, 12 team playoffs.. this is our time to go all in.

 

[flyingkat]

And yet we named the football field in his name, a basketball coach.

I liked CM, but this was a travesty only exceeded by taking Commonwealth off the name of the Stadium....

 

[Basil Cat]

Lane Kiffin going for the reverse jinx

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I really enjoy watching Kiffin teams lose. Definition of a snake

 

[YaketySax]

I really enjoy watching Kiffin teams lose. Definition of a snake

Lost their last four games and five of their last six (the win was a three point win vs a bad TAMU). Good on him for signing that extension in November.