UK can get a big time coach.

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

For sure. Obvious current staff has run its course, but give credit to admin and Stoops for building this thing up with facilities and willingness to pay. UK can go out and get a big name imo. Not the same job that Stoops took over. Maybe Sumrall is the guy but you think outside the box a little and interview several top guys, at least talk to them.

 

[bthaunert]

I think it depends on what you think a big time coach is. Being in the SEC or BIG is a massive advantage nowadays. If you look at the ACC and Big12, there might be someone out there. Here are probably the 3 best that UK could land:

Matt Campbell is having a good year at Iowa State and has very strong Ohio connections, but he’s had some very mediocre years at ISU.

Chris Klieman is having a pretty good 3rd year in a row at Kansas State. Crushed it at the FCS level with 4 national championships in 5 years and has gone 10-4, 9-4 and currently 7-1 in the last 3 years.

Rhett Lashlee at SMU is in his 3rd year and has gone 7-6, 11-3 and currently 7-1 in his 3 years there. Offensive guy for those that want that side of the ball.

 

[blue cincy]

We could get a big time coach, but not sure we would even try. Does not seem to be in Mitch playbook.

Plus could he (mitch) keep Vince to pull in recruits. No matter what it would be a step back. Just normal change would make some guys leave anyway. Probably about 25 to 30% of the team each and every year thinks about moving to greener pastures. Coach change might bump that to 40 to 45%.

No matter, we need a change, Stoops needs a change. Next year ticket sales will be down and down big right now.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

I think it depends on what you think a big time coach is. Being in the SEC or BIG is a massive advantage nowadays. If you look at the ACC and Big12, there might be someone out there. Here are probably the 3 best that UK could land:

Matt Campbell is having a good year at Iowa State and has very strong Ohio connections, but he’s had some very mediocre years at ISU.

Chris Klieman is having a pretty good 3rd year in a row at Kansas State. Crushed it at the FCS level with 4 national championships in 5 years and has gone 10-4, 9-4 and currently 7-1 in the last 3 years.

Rhett Lashlee at SMU is in his 3rd year and has gone 7-6, 11-3 and currently 7-1 in his 3 years there. Offensive guy for those that want that side of the ball.

Big time as in proven winner at P5 level.
I like Cris Klieman. Lashlee is an up and comer as well. I think

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is a possibility. Things are stale in stillwater and a change may do him good.

Pat Narduzzi at Pitt can flat out coach.

Bill O'Brien Boston College. - nfl, Penn st... etc... etc

Curt cignetti: what a baller this guy is

Jon Sumrall - young up and comer at G5 level, alumni, stoops protege . de facto pick of the deep state ( mitch and his flunkies), could be a good one but is he best available? How many alumni work out when they come home? ( Joker)

Dan Mullen, did well at Florida and had Missi St. At #1. Dood can flat out coach. Unfairly ousted at florida

Unrealistic :
but you still talk to Chris Peterson, Nick Saban, urban meyer, bill bellicheck just to show you are confident about hiring the best available and discuss with them how they built their respective programs and who they would suggest.

You talk to some nfl guys as well, interviewing successful coordinators. However you do it, you build buzz, need to get the boosters and fans fired up to donate NIL

 

[TOMCATS1990]

Oregon OC would be high on my list runs a fun style of offense that could land some BIG TIME recruits. Will Stein ex Louisville QB

 

[TTTblue24]

If not sumrall, what about kingsbury (?sp) from the commanders?? Someone me mentioned him before, I know he flamed out before but he runs an exciting offense and may could recruit some gunslingers. We can’t line up and smash mouth anymore so gotta gimmick on occasion, but just a name to keep in mind.

 

[Rockfly78]

If Kentucky makes a big time hire it’s not in spite of Stoops, it’s because of him.

 

[paulcalhoun]

If Kentucky makes a big time hire it’s not in spite of Stoops, it’s because of him.

The !989 SEC coach of the year fresh off a 10-1 regular season and Alabama's first SEC title since '81 was considered a big time hire. I'm not so sure how attractive the job is if the demand and the job security means consistent 10 win seasons and playoff births or hit the road. The current slide we are on aside it will not be so simple to outdo Stoop's as so many assume.

 

[JASUN74]

I honestly don’t care who’s available when the time comes, John Sumrall is 100% my first choice and call. He would do an amazing job here and really get Kentucky to the next level in my opinion.

 

[rick64]

We know UK can pay top 10 money even though they’re not getting top 10 results.

 

[Mike-McD]

If Kentucky makes a big time hire it’s not in spite of Stoops, it’s because of him.

Tell that to Texas A&M's boosters and fans. LOL

 

[Crystalglass]

I love that Sumrall is widely considered to be the most sought after G5 coach and will almost certainly be an SEC coach in the next 1-3 years even if it’s not UK, but since he coached under Stoops and Mitch likes him he actually is already a bust.

 

[YardCat]

Barney isn’t going to hire a Big name coach to replace Stoops. He doesn’t want the drama of having a Diva coach like Cal was at UK. I see him picking a up younger coach without baggage that he can work with and take the program to new heights.

 

[bigbluedon]

Big time as in proven winner at P5 level.
I like Cris Klieman. Lashlee is an up and comer as well. I think

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is a possibility. Things are stale in stillwater and a change may do him good.

Pat Narduzzi at Pitt can flat out coach.

Bill O'Brien Boston College. - nfl, Penn st... etc... etc

Curt cignetti: what a baller this guy is

Jon Sumrall - young up and comer at G5 level, alumni, stoops protege . de facto pick of the deep state ( mitch and his flunkies), could be a good one but is he best available? How many alumni work out when they come home? ( Joker)

Dan Mullen, did well at Florida and had Missi St. At #1. Dood can flat out coach. Unfairly ousted at florida

Unrealistic :
but you still talk to Chris Peterson, Nick Saban, urban meyer, bill bellicheck just to show you are confident about hiring the best available and discuss with them how they built their respective programs and who they would suggest.

You talk to some nfl guys as well, interviewing successful coordinators. However you do it, you build buzz, need to get the boosters and fans fired up to donate NIL

I have been a Chris Peterson fan since his days at Boise State

 

[ArtLaibsGhost]

I would take Narduzi over Summerall every day and twice on Sunday, same with Klieman. Why so many are insisting on a Stoops protege just blows my mind.Also would talk to Signetti before Summerall.

 

[Bluegrass79]

Jimbo Fisher!!!

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

[bthaunert]

I would take Narduzi over Summerall every day and twice on Sunday, same with Klieman. Why so many are insisting on a Stoops protege just blows my mind.Also would talk to Signetti before Summerall.

I've been a big Sumrall guy since he first year here. He just has "it". For me, if you go the G5 route or coordinator route, you go with Sumrall. I don't think there is any other coach out there, at that level, that makes more sense than Sumrall. This guy is going to be targeted by quite a few P4 programs. If there is a proven winner at the P4 level, then I can understand the hesitation.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

I love that Sumrall is widely considered to be the most sought after G5 coach and will almost certainly be an SEC coach in the next 1-3 years even if it’s not UK, but since he coached under Stoops and Mitch likes him he actually is already a bust.

If he wants to win anything that matters as a head coach in the sec I'd imagine he takes a job like Florida where he would get more NIL and better players.

 

[Crystalglass]

If he wants to win anything that matters as a head coach in the sec I'd imagine he takes a job like Florida where he would get more NIL and better players.

Why would Florida want him?! He’s just a Stoops flunky that Mitch wants to hire so he can get a good deal and not have to do a long search! /s

But seriously, why are guys like Gundy and Narduzzi so highly thought of in this thread? Gundy has a good résumé, but his last 6-7 years (in a much weaker conference) are pretty similar to Stoops* + he’s from Oklahoma, played at OSU, and has coached there for 20 years. He ain’t coming anyway.

Narduzzi is having a great year this year, but has averaged 7 wins over 9 years with 1 10 win season in another lackluster conference. What is obviously better at than Stopps based on wins and losses?


*Gundy is 52-26 since 2018, Stoops is 47-28

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Barney isn’t going to hire a Big name coach to replace Stoops. He doesn’t want the drama of having a Diva coach like Cal was at UK. I see him picking a up younger coach without baggage that he can work with and take the program to new heights.

Well sounds like the ego problem is at the top of the food chain then.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Jimbo Fisher!!!

Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I like this idea

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

I would take Narduzi over Summerall every day and twice on Sunday, same with Klieman. Why so many are insisting on a Stoops protege just blows my mind.Also would talk to Signetti before Summerall.

This... 100 million times over. We don't necessarily have to go for an up and comer. Not saying Sumrall shouldn't be considered, he's a good young coach, but it is more of a heart decision than a head decision if you loook at him and only him. Multiple other coaches should be talked to and given a shot. Logically there are more than likely better options available.

 

[bthaunert]

Why would Florida want him?! He’s just a Stoops flunky that Mitch wants to hire so he can get a good deal and not have to do a long search! /s

But seriously, why are guys like Gundy and Narduzzi so highly thought of in this thread? Gundy has a good résumé, but his last 6-7 years (in a much weaker conference) are pretty similar to Stoops* + he’s from Oklahoma, played at OSU, and has coached there for 20 years. He ain’t coming anyway.

Narduzzi is having a great year this year, but has averaged 7 wins over 9 years with 1 10 win season in another lackluster conference. What is obviously better at than Stopps based on wins and losses?


*Gundy is 52-26 since 2018, Stoops is 47-28

With any coach, you have to look at trends imo. Narduzzi, while not someone I would go after, went 11-3, 9-4, 3-9 and is 7-0 right now. So, 30-16/17-10 since 2021. I don't care what Narduzzi (or any coach) did 5 and 6 years ago. What has he done the past 3 or 4 seasons. It was the same way with Cal. I don't care that Cal won it all in 2012 or made the final four four times, I care that he sucked his last 4 years.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic about Sumrall being a "Stoops flunky"...what does him working under Stoops have to do with anything he's done in the past 3 years as a HC?

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

With any coach, you have to look at trends imo. Narduzzi, while not someone I would go after, went 11-3, 9-4, 3-9 and is 7-0 right now. So, 30-16/17-10 since 2021. I don't care what Narduzzi (or any coach) did 5 and 6 years ago. What has he done the past 3 or 4 seasons. It was the same way with Cal. I don't care that Cal won it all in 2012 or made the final four four times, I care that he sucked his last 4 years.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic about Sumrall being a "Stoops flunky"...what does him working under Stoops have to do with anything he's done in the past 3 years as a HC?

Re read the post please. I said he was a stoops protege and Mitch and all his flunkies.... the powers that be like him. I didn't say he was a Stoops flunky.

 

[Crystalglass]

With any coach, you have to look at trends imo. Narduzzi, while not someone I would go after, went 11-3, 9-4, 3-9 and is 7-0 right now. So, 30-16/17-10 since 2021. I don't care what Narduzzi (or any coach) did 5 and 6 years ago. What has he done the past 3 or 4 seasons. It was the same way with Cal. I don't care that Cal won it all in 2012 or made the final four four times, I care that he sucked his last 4 years.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic about Sumrall being a "Stoops flunky"...what does him working under Stoops have to do with anything he's done in the past 3 years as a HC?

The first paragraph was sarcasm (“/s”). I very much like the idea of hiring him

I get the trend idea…to an extent. Talking about Narduzzi (Gundy, to an even greater degree), you’re referencing a guy who’s been a head coach at the same place for almost 10 years and is almost 60 years old himself. Looking at the totality of his career is probably a better indicator of what type of HC he would be here than a a smaller sample size.

11, 9, 3, and let’s just say 10 wins this year averages out to 8 wins a year, a 1 win per year improvement over his career average. If you hire Narduzzi you’re going to get somewhere between 7 and 8 wins a year on average (best case scenario). I just don’t see how that corresponds with the level of enthusiasm he has on this board all of a sudden

 

[bigbluedon]

Anyone hear how that meeting went yesterday?

 

[BurgLife]

If not sumrall, what about kingsbury (?sp) from the commanders?? Someone me mentioned him before, I know he flamed out before but he runs an exciting offense and may could recruit some gunslingers. We can’t line up and smash mouth anymore so gotta gimmick on occasion, but just a name to keep in mind.

I mentioned him before in a thread.... I like him a lot.... not sure if he would take the job or not but the list of QB's he has coached cannot be denied. He would be my first phone call but I know many others don't like him as much. Let me preface with this... Football is the ultimate team game, but.... QB is the single most important position on the field IMO... they are the defacto leader of the team... and IMO we should hire someone who can develop QB's in both skill and leadership.

Having said that.... I do like Sumrall....think he does develop quality leaders.... but wouldn't be my first call.

 

[bthaunert]

Re read the post please. I said he was a stoops protege and Mitch and all his flunkies.... the powers that be like him. I didn't say he was a Stoops flunky.

That reply wasn't to your post, it was to someone's else post.

 

[bthaunert]

I mentioned him before in a thread.... I like him a lot.... not sure if he would take the job or not but the list of QB's he has coached cannot be denied. He would be my first phone call but I know many others don't like him as much. Let me preface with this... Football is the ultimate team game, but.... QB is the single most important position on the field IMO... they are the defacto leader of the team... and IMO we should hire someone who can develop QB's in both skill and leadership.

Having said that.... I do like Sumrall....think he does develop quality leaders.... but wouldn't be my first call.

His dreadful record as a HC scares me. I get the intrigue from the OC perspective.

 

[trueblujr2]

Big time as in proven winner at P5 level.
I like Cris Klieman. Lashlee is an up and comer as well. I think

Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State is a possibility. Things are stale in stillwater and a change may do him good.

Pat Narduzzi at Pitt can flat out coach.

Bill O'Brien Boston College. - nfl, Penn st... etc... etc

Curt cignetti: what a baller this guy is

Jon Sumrall - young up and comer at G5 level, alumni, stoops protege . de facto pick of the deep state ( mitch and his flunkies), could be a good one but is he best available? How many alumni work out when they come home? ( Joker)

Dan Mullen, did well at Florida and had Missi St. At #1. Dood can flat out coach. Unfairly ousted at florida

Unrealistic :
but you still talk to Chris Peterson, Nick Saban, urban meyer, bill bellicheck just to show you are confident about hiring the best available and discuss with them how they built their respective programs and who they would suggest.

You talk to some nfl guys as well, interviewing successful coordinators. However you do it, you build buzz, need to get the boosters and fans fired up to donate NIL

Wouldn't mind the first two you listed being in consideration if you're making a list.

Not sure Gundy would be worth the look. Bit of a loose cannon, but has a solid record. his controversies might be a few too many for Mitch. Would be a lateral or possibly downward move for Gundy. just depends on if he wants to coach in the SEC.

Don't know enough about Narduzzi.

Bill O'Brien would be an underwhelming hire. Hasn't done much at the college level (very Stoops like records) and was mediocre in the NFL.

Only knock on Cignetti is his age (64), and he's now at a Big 10 program. not sure he'd leave IU for UK so soon since he appears to be building something there.

Sumrall is the likely first to be asked. Fans largely seem on board with him. he has all the makings of a solid up and comer. Just because he's a former Alum in no way makes him a comparison to Joker. Joker was giftwrapped the job after being named Coach in waiting and had never lead a program of his own at any level, so throwing him into the fire in the SEC was a horrible fit. Sumrall is light years ahead of Joker, and would likely craw here if asked. I would compare it more to the Mark Pope hire, than the Joker hire, and if Neal Brown gets canned at WVU, he would make a great OC for Sumrall. Just sayin'.

Mullen is still pretty young and would have a lot of years left, but feel like he wouldn't be able to take us much further than Stoops has. He definitely deserves another shot at coaching somewhere and could prove us all wrong, but I think the biggest knock on him was recruiting and that's something that's only gotten harder in the new era of NIL. He'd really have to build a staff capapble of picking up his slack in that regard.

You can call any of those other guys you mentioned, but they ain't coming. Saban is in his 70's and got out partly because of the NIL mess. Peterson isn't leaving the west coast, Belichick is 72 as well. Why would he even consider it. Tom Brady made him the name he was. Only halfway realistic one would be Urban Meyer, but way too much baggage for Mitch with that one.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Wouldn't mind the first two you listed being in consideration if you're making a list.

Not sure Gundy would be worth the look. Bit of a loose cannon, but has a solid record. his controversies might be a few too many for Mitch. Would be a lateral or possibly downward move for Gundy. just depends on if he wants to coach in the SEC.

Don't know enough about Narduzzi.

Bill O'Brien would be an underwhelming hire. Hasn't done much at the college level (very Stoops like records) and was mediocre in the NFL.

Only knock on Cignetti is his age (64), and he's now at a Big 10 program. not sure he'd leave IU for UK so soon since he appears to be building something there.

Sumrall is the likely first to be asked. Fans largely seem on board with him. he has all the makings of a solid up and comer. Just because he's a former Alum in no way makes him a comparison to Joker. Joker was giftwrapped the job after being named Coach in waiting and had never lead a program of his own at any level, so throwing him into the fire in the SEC was a horrible fit. Sumrall is light years ahead of Joker, and would likely craw here if asked. I would compare it more to the Mark Pope hire, than the Joker hire, and if Neal Brown gets canned at WVU, he would make a great OC for Sumrall. Just sayin'.

Mullen is still pretty young and would have a lot of years left, but feel like he wouldn't be able to take us much further than Stoops has. He definitely deserves another shot at coaching somewhere and could prove us all wrong, but I think the biggest knock on him was recruiting and that's something that's only gotten harder in the new era of NIL. He'd really have to build a staff capapble of picking up his slack in that regard.

You can call any of those other guys you mentioned, but they ain't coming. Saban is in his 70's and got out partly because of the NIL mess. Peterson isn't leaving the west coast, Belichick is 72 as well. Why would he even consider it. Tom Brady made him the name he was. Only halfway realistic one would be Urban Meyer, but way too much baggage for Mitch with that one.

Seems like there is always an excuse not to hire the best available with mitch... gotta be his guy... Pope's success is yet to be determined, could have had Donavan, you go after the best full on and use the other guy as your backup plan, imo.

 

[FirewithFire]

It is just a murder show for any coach in the SEC. If I was a coach I'm not sure I would take a job in this conference. Whoever comes here had better be able to evaluate hidden talent. If they can't then they shouldn't even apply.

Not sure why people like Mullen. If you can't win at Florida with all their resources then there is zero chance you can win here.

Klieman and Campbell are a bit old at 57. Pat Narduzzi us 58. Cignetti is 63. There is going to a bit of a rebuild process (2-3 seasons) after Stoops so you should plan for the future.

Stein at Oregon would be great but he is already on every major program's radar.

I really like Lashlee at SMU, but SMU is serious about rebuilding. He is paid around 3-4M a year and I'm pretty sure SMU would match any offer for the guy. Still would be great. Their OC Casey Woods might be an easier poach.

Mack Leftwich at Texas State is interesting. Not sure about his HC ability but his offense if fun.

I still want Sumrall. He wins wherever he goes. Won at Troy and now he is winning at Tulane. He can recruit, evaluate, understands UK, and I like his philosophy as well. Here is an interview where he talks about his influences.

Tulane Green Wave's Jon Sumrall Among the Most Elite Coaches in College Football

In his first season at the helm for the Tulane Green Wave football program, head coach Jon Sumrall has proven to be one of the most elite coaches in the country

www.si.com

 

[mrschwump]

I think it depends on what you think a big time coach is. Being in the SEC or BIG is a massive advantage nowadays. If you look at the ACC and Big12, there might be someone out there. Here are probably the 3 best that UK could land:

Matt Campbell is having a good year at Iowa State and has very strong Ohio connections, but he’s had some very mediocre years at ISU.

Chris Klieman is having a pretty good 3rd year in a row at Kansas State. Crushed it at the FCS level with 4 national championships in 5 years and has gone 10-4, 9-4 and currently 7-1 in the last 3 years.

Rhett Lashlee at SMU is in his 3rd year and has gone 7-6, 11-3 and currently 7-1 in his 3 years there. Offensive guy for those that want that side of the ball.

I like Campbell/Klieman, would probably take Klieman now but 5 years ago would've taken Campbell first.

Narduzzi's father Bill was Curci's DC before he took the Youngstown job and won a lower division NC.

Gundy's a fruitcake, stay away from him. Lashlee's and all O no D guy. Have to have balance if you want to win big.

Pass on Cignetti, hard pass on Mullen.

When it comes down to it for me there's only one and that's Sumrall. Checks all the boxes.

 

[Crystalglass]

Seems like there is always an excuse not to hire the best available with mitch... gotta be his guy... Pope's success is yet to be determined, could have had Donavan, you go after the best full on and use the other guy as your backup plan, imo.

What evidence is there we could have Donovan? I only say that because I’m sure if Stoops leaves and we hire Sumrall the myth of “Saban wanted the job but Mitch didn’t even return his call” will be spread far and wide