What has to happen

[Basil Cat]

Good points. UK will stay with Stoops b/c it's just easier for now. The one think 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 be our team to 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.

All great points. I will add MB loves the reputation of sticking with his coaches. He also doesn’t want to hire coaches (no one does) , but I think deep down he knows it’s not his strong suit. MS has held the fan base in check until recently, so I’m sure he wants a resolution quickly. May even inspire him to “pony up” his fundraising efforts.

 

[BlueRaider22]

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

Maybe, maybe not. If UK drops the UL game and we draw someone like Arkansas, it might be considered a wash and the record may not change much for that year. If we draw someone like OU and keep UL it might change the record. But still, if Stoops goes from winning 7-10 games per year to 6-9 per year on average we'd still be moving the needle forward given our cruddy history. It's sad, but true.

But, of course, this is still hypothetical at this point.











And general FYI for those that may think that I'm 100% for Stoops and think that he can't do wrong. That's false. I too get tired of not being able to break the next ceiling above us........and I'm not convinced that can/will do it. However, I also have to acknowledge what he is doing long term.

 

[TheJuddDome]

Maybe, maybe not. If UK drops the UL game and we draw someone like Arkansas, it might be considered a wash and the record may not change much for that year. If we draw someone like OU and keep UL it might change the record. But still, if Stoops goes from winning 7-10 games per year to 6-9 per year on average we'd still be moving the needle forward given our cruddy history. It's sad, but true.

But, of course, this is still hypothetical at this point.











And general FYI for those that may think that I'm 100% for Stoops and think that he can't do wrong. That's false. I too get tired of not being able to break the next ceiling above us........and I'm not convinced that can/will do it. However, I also have to acknowledge what he is doing long term.

All great points. I will add MB loves the reputation of sticking with his coaches. He also doesn’t want to hire coaches (no one does) , but I think deep down he knows it’s not his strong suit. MS has held the fan base in check until recently, so I’m sure he wants a resolution quickly. May even inspire him to “pony up” his fundraising efforts.

I think CM Newton had right idea when he hired Mumme. Although Mumme eventually had his problems of course and didn’t care about defense. At UK, need to hire an innovative coaching mind that can bring notoriety to the program either with personality, playing style, or whatever. Got to have something to distinguish the program and bring attention to the program and move the needle; that will help with NIL as well. The current vanilla approach will not get us over the hump.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Maybe, maybe not. If UK drops the UL game and we draw someone like Arkansas, it might be considered a wash and the record may not change much for that year. If we draw someone like OU and keep UL it might change the record. But still, if Stoops goes from winning 7-10 games per year to 6-9 per year on average we'd still be moving the needle forward given our cruddy history. It's sad, but true.

But, of course, this is still hypothetical at this point.











And general FYI for those that may think that I'm 100% for Stoops and think that he can't do wrong. That's false. I too get tired of not being able to break the next ceiling above us........and I'm not convinced that can/will do it. However, I also have to acknowledge what he is doing long term.

Calling out that .534 winning percentage for stoops. Nowhere close to 7-10 games per year average, not even 6-9 wins per year. I don't believe in the fairy tale of counting out the first 2 or 3 years, but even then not a whole lot better. That being said first uk coach with a winning record in decades, albeit against 3 cupcakes and historically down sec east, ill give him that.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Calling out that .534 winning percentage for stoops. Nowhere close to 7-10 games per year average, not even 6-9 wins per year. I don't believe in the fairy tale of counting out the first 2 or 3 years, but even then not a whole lot better. That being said first uk coach with a winning record in decades, albeit against 3 cupcakes and historically down sec east, ill give him that.

That's your right, I suppose. But every coach no matter what sport or level should be given a grace period at first.

Though leaving out his first 3 yrs to get it going, he is averaging about 8 wins a yr bouncing mostly from 7-10 wins. And .500 in SEC play.

 

[Nuke99m]

I went back 4 years and looked what the recruiting rankings in the east were and how many 4/5 stars each team recruited. I know this doesn't include the portal but look at the numbers. If you throw in the west, Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Auburn are all ahead of us.

TEAM	RANKING EACH YEAR	5 STARS	4 STARS
UGA	2,3,3,1	15	59
UT	12,12,35,8	2	36
FLA	13,18,10,7	5	44
UK	27,14,34,21	1	31
USC	17,26,74,18	3	19
MIZZ	13,37,19,54	1	16
VANDY	46,33,36,49	0	6

 

[MTsandfly]

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)

Thanks for providing this!

 

[BelfryKYCatFanatic]

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

I disagree with this one. While our fanbase is ok, there's far and away much, much better than ours. There's probably at least 50 or so better Football Fanbases much better than ours. We aren't even close to Bama, UGA, Penn State, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, OSU, Notre Dame, FSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and the list goes on.

Your other points were good.

 

[RobEStacy]

Problem with just saying we need more NIL, is what type of player are you getting. Most really high 5star players are going to be looking out for there NFL days. They are going to go to a college team that prepares them for the NFL,regardless of what NIL is offered. This mirrors how UK Basketball has been for ages.

So the low 5 star and 4star players are left. Those are the ones NIL shopping. At that point it's a crap shoot as to the level of effort and consistency your going to get. Those headhunting for NIL deals most likely don't have football as there #1 priority. If they did, and were good enough, they would be at Bama, Georgia... Ect.

It will take a innovated coach with a hip gimmick system to attract those that normally would not come here. Or, find a couple diamonds in the rough like Allen, CRod, Snell and so forth and make a splash nationally and continue that for a few years.

 

[grevey35]

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?

If UK is to ever be a consistent powerhouse it will surely require Ky HS FB to produce a ton more high level talent. The next step would be a 90,000 seat stadium probably. I think we have a coach that has done extremely well with the situation. Too bad a portion of our fans are trying to run him off.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

More 4 star OL and DL. Have to be able to stop the run and run the ball against the GA's, TN's and AL's. DL the best we have ever had in size, quality and numbers. Still not enough if you want to be like the top programs.

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Don't think it matters as much about recruiting. Old way of thinking. NIL and the portal need to be at least half the focus if we want to compete. Pulling in big stars in the recruiting game when they can transfer or not work out... better off to spend money and effort on proven guys in the portal and simplify your system to plug n play, can't teach pro style in one off season every year to new players

 

[Edgarman]

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?

Next year the 12 team playoff starts. Next year may be our best chance to make playoff before the SEC goes to a nine (9) game confernce schedule, especially with OK & TX coming in. We will get Bama more often on our schedule and either TX or OK every year. Guys things are going to become much much more difficult to even be bowl eligible, much less making playoff. The SEC will get two teams in playoff each year and maybe 3 teams ever now and then. We have GA, BAMA, LSU, TN, and aTm to leap oveer to make playoffs. What are the odds?

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

Next year the 12 team playoff starts. Next year may be our best chance to make playoff before the SEC goes to a nine (9) game confernce schedule, especially with OK & TX coming in. We will get Bama more often on our schedule and either TX or OK every year. Guys things are going to become much much more difficult to even be bowl eligible, much less making playoff. The SEC will get two teams in playoff each year and maybe 3 teams ever now and then. We have GA, BAMA, LSU, TN, and aTm to leap oveer to make playoffs. What are the odds?

Not a chance. Next year will be an absolute sh*t show. I predict 4 wins.

 

[Edgarman]

Not a chance. Next year will be an absolute sh*t show. I predict 4 wins.

if you think next year will be a sh*t show, what are your thoughts when the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule. We will be forced to give up one of the cupcake warm up games. I read the SEC will force everone to play at least one P5 out of conference game. I assume the will be UL for us. The love of the $ will force us to have a much much tougher schedule. Personally, the 3 early cupcakes we have been playing to inflate our record has killed us when we play teams that have a pulse. A team does not improve playing teams that couldn't beat your jock strap.

 

[bigbluedon]

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?

What if a bigger gig wasn’t available? Why would he leave?

 

[FltDoc]

All great points. I will add MB loves the reputation of sticking with his coaches. He also doesn’t want to hire coaches (no one does) , but I think deep down he knows it’s not his strong suit. MS has held the fan base in check until recently, so I’m sure he wants a resolution quickly. May even inspire him to “pony up” his fundraising efforts.

Its obviously not his strong suit, so he should get started early..... 2 year plan to bring the next head coach AND assistants to UK

 

[MTsandfly]

I disagree with this one. While our fanbase is ok, there's far and away much, much better than ours. There's probably at least 50 or so better Football Fanbases much better than ours. We aren't even close to Bama, UGA, Penn State, Michigan, Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon, OSU, Notre Dame, FSU, Auburn, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and the list goes on.

Your other points were good.

I guess fan support was maybe the wrong term. I was thinking about the way we travel, our passion for our athletes and the way, like me, many fans live and die with how we do. Yes, other programs do buy more tickets and have just as much love for their teams. My Blue goggles got a little foggy on that one.

 

[BelfryKYCatFanatic]

I guess fan support was maybe the wrong term. I was thinking about the way we travel, our passion for our athletes and the way, like me, many fans live and die with how we do. Yes, other programs do buy more tickets and have just as much love for their teams. My Blue goggles got a little foggy on that one.

I live and die with Basketball games....the whole season...when we lose its disappointment for 2-3 days.

Football, has been disappointing the majority of my life so I'm actually kind of numb to it.

Us old folks can remember being the SEC Doormat. We were everyone's Homecoming game.

I remember sitting at the very top of Commonwealth Stadium on a cold rainy November night watching Tennessee beat us like a drum. (Yes, this was before the ends of the stadium were bowled in).

 

[3632]

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.

I agree. They aren't guys that are going to burn it til they are 65, etc. In fact, in multiple ways, it feels like he has settled in here and will ride it til he's done. Many staff coaches now are 'friends' and the woman he has dated for a few years now is local. Marrow married local. Doesn't mean they wouldn't leave if they could but seems like he's gotten really comfortable and I'm not totally sure that is the best thing from a being driven standpoint. I'm not saying he doesn't want to win but like coaches always challenge their players, everybody wants to win but are you willing to be uncomfortable to do what it takes.

 

[Docpath1972]

I simply do not believe we ever will consistently and maybe ever win enough games to smell a 12 team playoff. The SEC bringing in two more heavyweights and probably going to a 9 game conference schedule will guarantee more losses. And as I have previously posted the hatred/envy of SEC football nationally will never allow a three loss SEC team in the playoffs before a one or two loss team fro another conference. The other conference simply have enoughbad teams to guarantee success for a good number. Look at UofL’s schedule this year. Once you get to the end of the year difficulty of schedule makes little difference

 

[trueblujr2]

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.

Really? Did Leary lost the UT game for us? or was it the defense? Did leary cost us the UGA and Missouri games or did receivers dropping passes right and left and the OLine Committing drive killing penalties? granted Leary hasn't been what we've all expected by any means, but the losses aren't on all on his shoulders.

 

[3632]

Would NIL help? Sure but it's not the catch all easy answer. I mean, you have to make the right decisions with what you have. As far as taking steps forward recruiting, Stoops' appeal in some ways to people is his stodgy/sturdiness but the style of play isn't exactly 'attractive' and there isn't charisma there either. I'm not blasting him for that or anything but if people are looking at 'how do we recruit up?' it's not like style of play helps there and historically his players have come on the defensive side so difficult to pitch things offensively to difference makers. There is also more money that could be spent on recruiting by the ad. But they have to make that decision.

 

[trueblujr2]

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.

Saban is not the best example. He proves my point. He left Toledo after one season to be a DC in the NFL. His first four years at Michigan State weren't all that spectacular. His 5th season was more successful and yep, he up and left for LSU. After 5 years at LSU he decided to give the NFL a shot again. point being, one thing we can't complain about from Stoops is his loyalty. I don't think he's being complacent, he's doing the best he can with the resources he has at his disposal, and that can be frustrating for a mid-level SEC program like us, when you have the biggest heavy hitters in College football to deal with yearly.

Yeah, it would be great to land the next hotshot coach and put together a couple of great seasons where we're on the cusp, then they up and leave for a bigger job, setting us back again.

Investing in a top shelf marketing and fundraising department for the program to handle NIL and generate $$$ would be a good step to help elevate recruiting.

 

[trueblujr2]

All great points. I will add MB loves the reputation of sticking with his coaches. He also doesn’t want to hire coaches (no one does) , but I think deep down he knows it’s not his strong suit. MS has held the fan base in check until recently, so I’m sure he wants a resolution quickly. May even inspire him to “pony up” his fundraising efforts.

Stoops isn't a case of Barnhart sticking with him, it's a case of Stoops sticking with UK. Stoops has done nothing to deserve being fired. If Barnhart were to fire the winningest coach in program history, who has elevated the program higher than it's pretty much ever been, Who do you think is going to want to take the job?

 

[maroon79]

What if they fire Stoops and hire Joe Rockhead like State did, or any myriad of other coaches like Bama did -remember their Mike run? Tyrone Williangham? Will Muschamp? Dan Mullen? The list goes on and on for failure

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

if you think next year will be a sh*t show, what are your thoughts when the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule. We will be forced to give up one of the cupcake warm up games. I read the SEC will force everone to play at least one P5 out of conference game. I assume the will be UL for us. The love of the $ will force us to have a much much tougher schedule. Personally, the 3 early cupcakes we have been playing to inflate our record has killed us when we play teams that have a pulse. A team does not improve playing teams that couldn't beat your jock strap.

I think uk needs to consider switching to acc or big 12

 

[maroon79]

That will never happen

UK was a founding member

 

[Nuke99m]

That will never happen

UK was a founding member

The OP asked what needs to happen to go to the next level. While it's not going to happen, changing conferences would be a step in the right direction. Look at UL. They are probably going to the Orange Bowl this year. They will get a recruiting boost because of it. What would UL's record be with our schedule this year?

 

[R.O.T.Muckinfush]

That will never happen

UK was a founding member

So was Tulane and Sewanee. Big whoop

 

[trueblujr2]

If UK is to ever be a consistent powerhouse it will surely require Ky HS FB to produce a ton more high level talent. The next step would be a 90,000 seat stadium probably. I think we have a coach that has done extremely well with the situation. Too bad a portion of our fans are trying to run him off.

I disagree, Plenty of states out there don't produce much in the way of high level talent, yet are home to some pretty tradition rich programs. Oregon doesn't produce hardly any, Oklahoma is about on par with Kentucky, So is South Carolina and they have Clemson. Wisconsin has a pretty tradition rich program but rarely produces more than 2-3 blue-chips a year. Nebraska used to be a juggernaut, how much talent have they produced historically? I could go on,

This is from 2020, but by and large this reflects the general trend in where the high level 4 & 5 star talent is concentrated. Sure,, some years produce more or less than others in some states but it's never a huge fluctuation from year to year.

https://www.bannersociety.com/2020/2/4/21111828/college-football-recruits-by-state

Point is, we have to recruit nationally, make some inroads in some new areas, or just not be defined by boundaries. Just find the best players that fit what you're trying to do as a program regardless of where they're from and sell them on coming here. That will take finding ways to improve our NIL status.

 

[gamalielkid]

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?

Stoops is our coach as long as he wants to be here and Mitch is AD. If Mitch retires then that story changes. Mitch has proved he is loyal to his coaches.

Go Big Blue!

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

I live and die with Basketball games....the whole season...when we lose its disappointment for 2-3 days.

Football, has been disappointing the majority of my life so I'm actually kind of numb to it.

Us old folks can remember being the SEC Doormat. We were everyone's Homecoming game.

I remember sitting at the very top of Commonwealth Stadium on a cold rainy November night watching Tennessee beat us like a drum. (Yes, this was before the ends of the stadium were bowled in).

I’ll never understand your first line. I’ve never related to it. Unfortunately a lot of past ADs have and our football results are reflected in that.

 

[bigblueinsanity]

That's on Stoops.

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

Big part of that were the key injuries in the Georgia game. Wallace, silver, and Geiger all went out for two games. All tried to play vs UT and ranged from moderate efficacy to low. Wallace noticably played very conservative and tentative and unintentionally tried to avoid contact on that injured shoulder. It was by far the biggest reason UT had such success on the ground.

Jmo but we need to either 1) get back to recruit 3* and develop or 2) better learn how to manage expectations of 4* players (we now find ourselves netting) in the portal era.

Stoops' radio interview before the UT game said the team had several meetings about players putting to rest all their personal issues. What are those? It's almost surely the touch sheet that posted about ad nauseam since the first time I heard coen mention it in camp. We just can't have players holding our program hostage over touches. Preportal stoops would've never stood for that, just like he kicked bossman out of the building when he quit before end of season.

 

[BelfryKYCatFanatic]

I’ll never understand your first line. I’ve never related to it. Unfortunately a lot of past ADs have and our football results are reflected in that.

I'm a die-hard Basketball Fan. I get aggravated with one Basketball loss, should I expect them to win them all? No, but I do.

Football on the other hand, has always been disappointing to me until Coach Brooks and Coach Stoops brought winning back to UK Football. It has brought expectations that we should make a Bowl Game every season, that's something that UK Football fans have never had until now. Anything less than a Bowl Game is a failure.

Here are some of the traditional power programs that we have defeated with Brooks\Stoops:

Clemson
Penn State
Florida State
Florida
Tennessee
LSU
Iowa

Just trying to bring some positivity to the board. The season it not over. We can still finish 3-1 and make a Good Bowl and possibly make it to 9-4.

I really hope we do to shut some of you all up TBH.

 

[BlueRaider22]

Really? Did Leary lost the UT game for us? or was it the defense? Did leary cost us the UGA and Missouri games or did receivers dropping passes right and left and the OLine Committing drive killing penalties? granted Leary hasn't been what we've all expected by any means, but the losses aren't on all on his shoulders.

This was asked and answered/explained previously in this thread.

 

[truebluewildcat]

We have the facilities, resources, money, and are putting them to football more than ever.

Overall, I think we have the coach and staff.

What we need is very specific...a QB and offense oriented around that QB.

I've said before in other threads that what we need now is what we had during Brooks era...and ironically what we needed then is what we have now.

Brooks was a defensive guy, but he let Joker and Sanders do their thing. They both could recruit, develop, game plan, and execute on offense. Specifically passing game.

CMS can recruit and develop a solid defense. He and Eddie can even put together a nice ground game. Neither one can recruit nor develop passing game.

LC was an acknowledgement of that so now it's just a matter of letting him take full control, get his QB and skill positions in there and allowing them to let it rip.

 

[3632]

So was Tulane and Sewanee. Big whoop

Yeah stuff like that might have mattered a few years ago but every day forward it matters less. D1 athletics and certainly p5 is produce or move on. UK brings some value in basketball but fb drives the bus. We aren’t in any danger or anything but to blow off the reality that at some time in the future we could be on the outside of something would be shortsighted. Who is to say in 10 years there won’t be a super duper league with only the biggest and best 20 teams. Spend a half an hour listening to market analysts that cover broadcasting/streaming companies and you will quickly realize that there is a bunch more change coming for the way broadcasting is going to operate in 5+ years. Since that is the driver I expect that to mean continued change in athletics

 

[trueblujr2]

I'm a die-hard Basketball Fan. I get aggravated with one Basketball loss, should I expect them to win them all? No, but I do.

Football on the other hand, has always been disappointing to me until Coach Brooks and Coach Stoops brought winning back to UK Football. It has brought expectations that we should make a Bowl Game every season, that's something that UK Football fans have never had until now. Anything less than a Bowl Game is a failure.

Here are some of the traditional power programs that we have defeated with Brooks\Stoops:

Clemson
Penn State
Florida State
Florida
Tennessee
LSU
Iowa

Just trying to bring some positivity to the board. The season it not over. We can still finish 3-1 and make a Good Bowl and possibly make it to 9-4.

I really hope we do to shut some of you all up TBH.

You say Brooks/Stoops brought winning "back" to UK. I've been going to games since the 70's as a kid when Fran Curci was roaming the sidelines and have had my own season tickets for 30 years. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable of UK's history even before I started attending games. Sure we've had some very brief periods of winning, a season or two here and there, but not even since Bear Bryant roamed the sidelines had we ever won in any sort of regular fashion. and the couple of times we thought we were on the precipice, (Curci, Mumme) we got slammed with NCAA penalties. Even under Claiborne, we were the epitome of mediocre with a whole bunch of 5 and 6 win seasons. So I would challenge and say Brooks/Stoops brought a NEW winning culture to UK and higher expectations as a result. But it's hard to bring winning "back" to UK when it was really never here in the first place.

 

[BelfryKYCatFanatic]

You say Brooks/Stoops brought winning "back" to UK. I've been going to games since the 70's when Fran Curci was roaming the sidelines. As a kid and have had my own season tickets for 30 years. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable of UK's history even before I started attending games. Sure we've had some very brief periods of winning, a season or two here and there, but not even since Bear Bryant roamed the sidelines had we ever won in any sort of regular fashion. and the couple of times we thought we were on the precipice, (Curci, Mumme) we got slammed with NCAA penalties. Even under Claiborne, we were the epitome of mediocre with a whole bunch of 5 and 6 win seasons. So I would challenge and say Brooks/Stoops brought a NEW winning culture to UK and higher expectations as a result. But it's hard to bring winning "back" to UK when it was really never here in the first place.

Did Joker or Curry win 8, 9 or 10 games?