What has to happen

[MTsandfly]

For us to take the next step? New coach? More NIL funding? New facilities? New AD?

Very, very, very few programs have the fan support that we do. Our fans are rabid, loyal and begging for better. Stoops has done his job to this point. The better records and consistent appearances in bowl games are a welcome change from what we had 10 years ago. It’s been a process and I for one appreciate the growth but feel that maybe Stoops and staff have hit their ceiling. In my mind, this program is thirsting for some new blood. New coach, new AD, new ideas around how to better enable NIL are all needed. But, right now, we’re stagnant. Something(s) needs to change if we’re to break out of our current situation and take the next step forward.

Thoughts?

 

[Rush2112 UK]

For us to take the next step? New coach? More NIL funding? New facilities? New AD?

Very, very, very few programs have the fan support that we do. Our fans are rabid, loyal and begging for better. Stoops has done his job to this point. The better records and consistent appearances in bowl games are a welcome change from what we had 10 years ago. It’s been a process and I for one appreciate the growth but feel that maybe Stoops and staff have hit their ceiling. In my mind, this program is thirsting for some new blood. New coach, new AD, new ideas around how to better enable NIL are all needed. But, right now, we’re stagnant. Something(s) needs to change if we’re to break out of our current situation and take the next step forward.

Thoughts?

We'd need more NIL funding (Stoops has publicly acknowledged this) and/or a dynamic coach who could take top 25-30 level classes and get top 10-15 results.

I don't know what's going to happen with NIL. By all accounts, we're lagging. I'd like to see a whiz-bang coach here, but that's a pipe dream because (1) there's no way to make a case to fire Stoops (it would be a PR disaster of epic proportions), and (2) if he quit tomorrow, we'd have Barnhart in charge of finding a replacement.

Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere, and I doubt we can permanently crash the top 15-20 recruiting club as things stand now. And, with Texas and Oklahoma coming in next year, things will only get tougher. Barring some unforeseen boon, it's possible- or even likely- that the Stoops Era's best days are behind it.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

We'd need more NIL funding (Stoops has publicly acknowledged this) and/or a dynamic coach who could take top 25-30 level classes and get top 10-15 results.

I don't know what's going to happen with NIL. By all accounts, we're lagging. I'd like to see a whiz-bang coach here, but that's a pipe dream because (1) there's no way to make a case to fire Stoops (it would be a PR disaster of epic proportions), and (2) if he quit tomorrow, we'd have Barnhart in charge of finding a replacement.

Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere, and I doubt we can permanently crash the top 15-20 recruiting club as things stand now. And, with Texas and Oklahoma coming in next year, things will only get tougher. Barring some unforeseen boon, it's possible- or even likely- that the Stoops Era's best days are behind it.

This nails it.

Excellent post.

 

[maroon79]

We need UKs pro athletes to ante up

Come on Z, Randall, Bud help us out

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Everyone other than Vandy in the SEC has elite fan support, that's not an edge for anyone in the SEC. Facilities are nice and on par with rest of the conference. Have to upgrade the recruiting, top 10.

As for as Stoops goes, no inside information, just his history. I think he steps away before 60, his brother did, I think I read here that his father passed away coaching. He can pitch a fit on the sideline. I think he retires in the next 2-3 years. He has a distillery I believe, has made alot of money.

 

[law1127]

Less time at Jeff Rubys, more time getting the intensity level up all over the program! New defensive strategy, more aggressive!

 

[Cals_Prairie_Dog]

One word: consistency. We absolutely, without question, need to stop giving away games at home. We need to keep the coaching staff together and stop the revolving door when it comes to coordinators. We need to stop with stupid, self inflicted penalties and bad plays on both sides of the ball. Lastly, win a frickin‘ game after a bye week.

 

[secrules3]

Bench the guys not getting the job done. I don't care if it's JJ, Leary, Walker, Brown, Key, Wallace or anyone else. Play you're azz off or sit the bench. This is the SEC not kiddie land.

 

[Nuke99m]

Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting. When a team recruits more 5 stars in one season than you have on your entire team it doesn't matter who is the coach. You may catch fire one year with a two star you make in to a 5 star but we play with a different deck of cards. What is our average ranking in recruiting and our ranking in the SEC every year?

 

[PensacolaBlue]

Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting. When a team recruits more 5 stars in one season than you have on your entire team it doesn't matter who is the coach. You may catch fire one year with a two star you make in to a 5 star but we play with a different deck of cards. What is our average ranking in recruiting and our ranking in the SEC every year?

Yup. We have to recruit better.

 

[maroon79]

It’s about the Jimmie’s and the Joes

 

[MTsandfly]

We'd need more NIL funding (Stoops has publicly acknowledged this) and/or a dynamic coach who could take top 25-30 level classes and get top 10-15 results.

I don't know what's going to happen with NIL. By all accounts, we're lagging. I'd like to see a whiz-bang coach here, but that's a pipe dream because (1) there's no way to make a case to fire Stoops (it would be a PR disaster of epic proportions), and (2) if he quit tomorrow, we'd have Barnhart in charge of finding a replacement.

Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere, and I doubt we can permanently crash the top 15-20 recruiting club as things stand now. And, with Texas and Oklahoma coming in next year, things will only get tougher. Barring some unforeseen boon, it's possible- or even likely- that the Stoops Era's best days are behind it.

Great post!!!

 

[CB3UK]

The answer will always be recruiting.

 

[FirewithFire]

Better recruiting is a pipe dream without a major boost in NIL.

Five star recruits in football are rare as hens teeth, and they ain't coming to UK. Most of the four stars go to the usual suspects. Teams like Bama average 18 per year.

That leaves three stars to fill out the rosters. Stoops seems to think he can live in the transfer portal. Maybe, maybe not.

Vince Marrow is considered to be a top ten recruiter in the nation. In 2022 UK was #14, #5 in SEC, with a whopping 12 four stars. That's a lot. In 2023 UK was #32 in recruiting with 8 four stars. In 2024 they are rated at #22 with 7 four stars. That will go down.

In 2022 Florida was #18. In 2023 Florida was #13. In 2024 they are at #2 right now. How do they look? Recruiting is great, but if your coach can't utilize the talent then what good does it really do?

Mid level teams like UK have to teach fundamentals, because eventually you will run into better teams that lack them, or feel they don't need to observe them because they feel superior. That is when you pull out Ws that should have been Ls. Rich Brooks made his career doing that. If Stoops could just correct that one little thing it would fix a great many problems.

Point is that recruiting isn't going to help shit unless it is boosted into the hypersphere with huge sums of NIL to compete with GA, AL, ND, OR, and such. That is not going to happen.

 

[YardCat]

We need UKs pro athletes to ante up

Come on Z, Randall, Bud help us out

We need the professionals to come together and put UK on the Big Boy path to success.
What about Stoops, can he pony up some of that 9million

 

[creeksman]

I don’t think recruiting is the issue. We have a roster that should’ve won the Mizz and UT games. Stoops needs to get better at winning the competitive games against good teams. Can’t have players routinely committing penalties, dropping passes and missing tackles. Can’t mis-manage the clock and the 2-minute offense/defense at the end of every half. Fixing those things is the next step, and that’s the ceiling. We will never enter the UGA/Bama tier. We could be right below it though. Could make a 12-team playoff with better discipline, execution and game coaching.

 

[maroon79]

We need the professionals to come together and put UK on the Big Boy path to success.
What about Stoops, can he pony up some of that 9million

Again- my understanding is that he cannot per NCAA rules

 

[rolaid]

Never will happen under this staff - got to have a Coach with a edge that plays to win - is aggressive in all facets - wants to go out and win the game by being ultra aggressive and not setting back hoping opponents make several unforced turnovers

 

[Bluesbrother]

We'd need more NIL funding (Stoops has publicly acknowledged this) and/or a dynamic coach who could take top 25-30 level classes and get top 10-15 results.

I don't know what's going to happen with NIL. By all accounts, we're lagging. I'd like to see a whiz-bang coach here, but that's a pipe dream because (1) there's no way to make a case to fire Stoops (it would be a PR disaster of epic proportions), and (2) if he quit tomorrow, we'd have Barnhart in charge of finding a replacement.

Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere, and I doubt we can permanently crash the top 15-20 recruiting club as things stand now. And, with Texas and Oklahoma coming in next year, things will only get tougher. Barring some unforeseen boon, it's possible- or even likely- that the Stoops Era's best days are behind it.

"Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere". THIS ... and Barnhart is the root problem for what you said here. Barnhart needs to retire. Like you said, because of Barnhart's insane contract, we are going to have a difficult time getting rid of Stoops because of the Barnhart's unreasonable generosity. We need a dynamic new coach with vision. You need to have the right coaches and talented coaches want to be a part of a dynamic coaching staff and "dynamic" isn't a good word to describe Stoops. The right combination of coaches who know how to coach to win will attract the players. UK has everything needed to succeed in this conference ... except the right coaches. I don't "hate" Stoops ... although he's made significant improvement overall, he just can't seem to consistently deliver what he promises which will prevent him from consistent success. Just my opinion.

 

[trueblujr2]

Recruiting, Recruiting, Recruiting. When a team recruits more 5 stars in one season than you have on your entire team it doesn't matter who is the coach. You may catch fire one year with a two star you make in to a 5 star but we play with a different deck of cards. What is our average ranking in recruiting and our ranking in the SEC every year?

How do you do that though? with marginal NIL support, how do you compete with Bama, UGA, Texas, OSU, among others? We can dream of that day all we want, but how do you sell a kid already pre-determined to go to a traditional power, with all the money and resources in the world? Who's that recruiter who's going to sell that at UK?

Actually the playoffs expanding will help teams like us. Sure the big gunners will generally still come out on top when the playoffs are said and done, but a 12 team playoff at least gives us more of a fighting chance at making it. Arguments could have been made for us in 2018 if it were at 12 teams then. Hopefully playoff expansion will allow us to sell the possibility to more kids. I don't know the answer. We have more talent on our Roster than just about any time in our programs history. It's on a solid foundation. But even if Stoops were to leave on his own and we set out to search, who is going to be the guy to take us to that next level? What coach out there will do that and maintain the loyalty Stoops has shown?

 

[trueblujr2]

"Unfortunately, I think we're stuck. Stoops isn't going anywhere". THIS ... and Barnhart is the root problem for what you said here. Barnhart needs to retire. Like you said, because of Barnhart's insane contract, we are going to have a difficult time getting rid of Stoops because of the Barnhart's unreasonable generosity. We need a dynamic new coach with vision. You need to have the right coaches and talented coaches want to be a part of a dynamic coaching staff and "dynamic" isn't a good word to describe Stoops. The right combination of coaches who know how to coach to win will attract the players. UK has everything needed to succeed in this conference ... except the right coaches. I don't "hate" Stoops ... although he's made significant improvement overall, he just can't seem to consistently deliver what he promises which will prevent him from consistent success. Just my opinion.

Name a "dynamic coach with a vision" that would come here and take us to that next level and not leave for a bigger gig after the first sign of success?

 

[sambowieshin]

For us to take the next step? New coach? More NIL funding? New facilities? New AD?

Very, very, very few programs have the fan support that we do. Our fans are rabid, loyal and begging for better. Stoops has done his job to this point. The better records and consistent appearances in bowl games are a welcome change from what we had 10 years ago. It’s been a process and I for one appreciate the growth but feel that maybe Stoops and staff have hit their ceiling. In my mind, this program is thirsting for some new blood. New coach, new AD, new ideas around how to better enable NIL are all needed. But, right now, we’re stagnant. Something(s) needs to change if we’re to break out of our current situation and take the next step forward.

Thoughts?

UofL raised about 50k from this at one game. UK needs to get more creative with its ability to raise money for NIL.

UofL planning 'Flash Giving' promotion during Notre Dame game, asking fans to donate to NIL collective

UofL said the "Flash Giving" promotion will take place during the first timeout of the second quarter.

www.wdrb.com

 

[BlueRaider22]

Short answer: A QB.

Honestly. If Leary had panned out like we hoped/thought he would've, we'd be sitting at 7-1 right now and ranked in the top 15........en route to potentially 10-2 or better. A 12 team playoff would be in reach with this kind of production. That would be next level.

And Leary was considered to be the best QB transfer option.....which we got with UK's current NIL level.







Don't get me wrong, I still want more NIL money, better jimmy's/joes, better coaching, etc.......but let's not complicate this by saying that we have to do 10,000 things before we advance our station.

 

[Blueaz]

For us to take the next step? New coach? More NIL funding? New facilities? New AD?

Very, very, very few programs have the fan support that we do. Our fans are rabid, loyal and begging for better. Stoops has done his job to this point. The better records and consistent appearances in bowl games are a welcome change from what we had 10 years ago. It’s been a process and I for one appreciate the growth but feel that maybe Stoops and staff have hit their ceiling. In my mind, this program is thirsting for some new blood. New coach, new AD, new ideas around how to better enable NIL are all needed. But, right now, we’re stagnant. Something(s) needs to change if we’re to break out of our current situation and take the next step forward.

Thoughts?

I did a poll on this on HOB
50% or so thought we had to have a new coach (about half of that with a new AD)
20% or so thought it can never happen at UK
30% or so thought Stoops could do it (about half with a new AD)

 

[Blueaz]

Short answer: A QB.

Honestly. If Leary had panned out like we hoped/thought he would've, we'd be sitting at 7-1 right now and ranked in the top 15........en route to potentially 10-2 or better. A 12 team playoff would be in reach with this kind of production. That would be next level.

And Leary was considered to be the best QB transfer option.....which we got with UK's current NIL level.







Don't get me wrong, I still want more NIL money, better jimmy's/joes, better coaching, etc.......but let's not complicate this by saying that we have to do 10,000 things before we advance our station.

Kentucky football, the land of "ifs and buts"

 

[creeksman]

If Leary had panned out like we hoped/thought he would've, we'd be sitting at 7-1 right now

Leary did not lose the UT game. Taking the ball out of his hands on the game's most pivotal series may have, though.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Leary did not lose the UT game. Taking the ball out of his hands on the game's most pivotal series may have, though.

Correct, but if he'd been playing that way the entire year thus far the entire team would've been likely played better at UGA (still wouldn't probably be a loss), UM, and UT.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Correct, but if he'd been playing that way the entire year thus far the entire team would've been likely played better at UGA (still wouldn't probably be a loss), UM, and UT.

It's not Learys fault the defense gave up 38 to Missouri and 33 to UT and is giving up 32.8 per game n sec play.

Problems are way bigger than qb play.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Kentucky football, the land of "ifs and buts"

Yup, but so is everyone.

My point is like this.

Auburn in 2009 - went 8-5 with Chris Todd at QB
2010 - 14-0 and won a NC with Cam Newton
2011 - 8-5 Trotter/Mosely

While certainly Cam Newton is a rare exception given the extreme level of play.....but there are countless examples of how a QB can change a team.

 

[BlueRaider22]

It's not Learys fault the defense gave up 38 to Missouri and 33 to UT and is giving up 32.8 per game n sec play.

Problems are way bigger than qb play.

4 of the last 6 yrs UK has had a top 25 ranked defense. No, it's not Leary's fault that the defense has played poorly this yr but let's not pretend that the defense is some sort of problem child. Most of Stoops' tenure we've had really good defenses and really good rushing attacks. What we haven't had is a passing game.

 

[entropy13]

I don’t think recruiting is the issue. We have a roster that should’ve won the Mizz and UT games. Stoops needs to get better at winning the competitive games against good teams. Can’t have players routinely committing penalties, dropping passes and missing tackles. Can’t mis-manage the clock and the 2-minute offense/defense at the end of every half. Fixing those things is the next step, and that’s the ceiling. We will never enter the UGA/Bama tier. We could be right below it though. Could make a 12-team playoff with better discipline, execution and game coaching.

Recruiting is definitely an issue, but I absolutely agree that the other issues you mentioned are very important as well, and can be addressed more easily, at least theoretically. Those issues and recruiting are also related to one another in the sense that if you have less elite talent on your roster, it's harder to recover from or gloss over the types of errors and penalties you mentioned.

Specifically w/r/t recruiting, Kentucky in many ways starts from behind because our home state recruiting base doesn't produce a whole lot of Division 1/FBS-level talent. Stoops has alleviated that to a degree by looking to Ohio and other parts north where he and his staff have connections. That's really a big deal, and while we're still middle or lower-middle of the pack SEC in terms of talent, the gap between us and other programs has been closed to a great extent (we were always at the bottom with Vandy, with a noticeable difference between us and the programs right above us).

To take recruiting to another level, we'd somehow have to make major inroads in other talent-rich states and recruit on a truly national level. I just don't see that happening, frankly.

The good thing about recruiting is that now there's the portal, and talent has become spread somewhat more evenly across FBS. Stoops and co. have done a good job with the portal generally. Absolutely killing it in the portal is one way for a program like Kentucky to have the occasional special year.

Anyway, the above was more verbose than intended. Fixing most of the mental errors, penalties, and coaching gaffes would lead to us winning more games against peer opponents. With a weak recruiting base and lack of a national profile, Kentucky will need to absolutely lock down what little in-state talent there is and also take the best it can from Ohio. From there, the staff must be ruthless in the portal. The best we can realistically expect would be to have competitive talent with an elite playmaker or two at key positions, to play as clean a game as possible, and then to hope that translates into the occasional special year (i.e., NY6 bowl and playoff appearance). We got close to that in 2018 and 2021.

 

[vhcat70]

For us to take the next step? New coach? More NIL funding? New facilities? New AD?

Very, very, very few programs have the fan support that we do. Our fans are rabid, loyal and begging for better.

Thoughts?

UK is #25-30 in football attendance. So if very, very, very few is 25, I agree.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

4 of the last 6 yrs UK has had a top 25 ranked defense. No, it's not Leary's fault that the defense has played poorly this yr but let's not pretend that the defense is some sort of problem child. Most of Stoops' tenure we've had really good defenses and really good rushing attacks. What we haven't had is a passing game.

That's on Stoops.

I just meant this specific season the D has not been good other than the cupcakes and FL game.

 

[law1127]

Stadium size.?

 

[sluggercatfan]

UofL raised about 50k from this at one game. UK needs to get more creative with its ability to raise money for NIL.

UofL planning 'Flash Giving' promotion during Notre Dame game, asking fans to donate to NIL collective

UofL said the "Flash Giving" promotion will take place during the first timeout of the second quarter.

www.wdrb.com

How about 50 50s?

 

[Bluesbrother]

Name a "dynamic coach with a vision" that would come here and take us to that next level and not leave for a bigger gig after the first sign of success?

I don't have a clue who that might be but he's out there. Nick Saban's first head coaching job was at Toledo. They all have to start somewhere. The facilities and fanbase are here. My point is that I don't see Stoops moving the needle any more than what he done thus far. If you want to believe that Stoops is that guy, that's fine. I just don't. I don't hate the guy, but he's been here 11 years, and it seems we've settled comfortably into the habit of making excuses for his shortcomings while paying him as though he were a top ten coach nationally. He's not. Throughout his tenure here, his has been one of "one step forward and two steps back". For me, that's a little concerning. I honestly hope he proves me wrong. I'm a UK alum going back many football seasons, so I know our history.

 

[BlueRaider22]

I don't have a clue who that might be but he's out there. Nick Saban's first head coaching job was at Toledo. They all have to start somewhere. The facilities and fanbase are here. My point is that I don't see Stoops moving the needle any more than what he done thus far. If you want to believe that Stoops is that guy, that's fine. I just don't. I don't hate the guy, but he's been here 11 years, and it seems we've settled comfortably into the habit of making excuses for his shortcomings while paying him as though he were a top ten coach nationally. He's not. Throughout his tenure here, his has been one of "one step forward and two steps back". For me, that's a little concerning. I honestly hope he proves me wrong. I'm a UK alum going back many football seasons, so I know our history.

I think it's a rock and a hard place. Stoops "IS" moving the needle every single season that we are over .500 and going to bowl games. But he doesn't appear to be moving the needle as far as competing for SEC or national titles. So, the question becomes do you stick with Stoops and acknowledge that little by little he is erasing our putrid past.....and hope he finally improves even though he may not? Or do you choose to make a change.......knowing whether you make a bad or good hire that is brief that you can erase all of the momentum made over the last decade?

 

[Soupbean]

I don’t think recruiting is the issue. We have a roster that should’ve won the Mizz and UT games. Stoops needs to get better at winning the competitive games against good teams. Can’t have players routinely committing penalties, dropping passes and missing tackles. Can’t mis-manage the clock and the 2-minute offense/defense at the end of every half. Fixing those things is the next step, and that’s the ceiling. We will never enter the UGA/Bama tier. We could be right below it though. Could make a 12-team playoff with better discipline, execution and game coaching.

I do think we're a few points behind in our in game strategies and coaching decisions sometimes so fix that and we win a couple more each year which makes a huge difference. And for some reason this year we've lost the energy battle too (with exception of the UF game). Stoops needs to work on that as its a number one difference maker in pick em games.

 

[vhcat70]

I think it's a rock and a hard place. Stoops "IS" moving the needle every single season that we are over .500 and going to bowl games. But he doesn't appear to be moving the needle as far as competing for SEC or national titles.

Moving to 9 SEC games per season should help to stop moving the needle.

 

[Bluesbrother]

I think it's a rock and a hard place. Stoops "IS" moving the needle every single season that we are over .500 and going to bowl games. But he doesn't appear to be moving the needle as far as competing for SEC or national titles. So, the question becomes do you stick with Stoops and acknowledge that little by little he is erasing our putrid past.....and hope he finally improves even though he may not? Or do you choose to make a change.......knowing whether you make a bad or good hire that is brief that you can erase all of the momentum made over the last decade?

Good points. UK will stay with Stoops b/c it's just easier for now. The one thing Stoops has done is shown BBN improvement and the fanbase has responded in a loud positive way. The University has shown that it is willing to step up and pay these coaches for a program we can all get behind. UK has shown it's willing to give the coach ample time to install his system, recruit and win. The only question, for me, is the coach and his system. I still have doubts Stoops is that guy. You can never stop trying to improve and no one expects perfection. I honestly have no problem with losing some games. BBN has always been loud and supportive. Too often under Stoops, we've been left puzzled and disappointed, after 11 years, which is concerning. I just want to see our team be prepared, execute and cut out the coaching and preparation miscues because he's paid way too much for that to happen. It's time for Stoops to take off the training wheels. Big results start with taking care of the small details and taking nothing for granted.