What I have heard....
- Thread starter Ollie
- Start date
Unless something changes, I would think Brad White is in line for that .
I would think Jon Sumrall would be in that discussion as well. He had a great year at Troy, won coach of the year, and would be my choice as Stoops replacement as of now.
Jon Sumrall has to be in that discussion.
LOL . Do you think this is the same guy ? I don’t remember that posters name .
I've been told White has zero interest in being a head coach. Loves D coaching.
There was no "huge committee" to hire Stoops. Barnhart enlisted just Tim Couch, who at the time was in CFB media announcing games, and 1 other person outside of UK. And he had those 2 guys just quietly vet candidates for the job, analyze who would work at a place like UK. Barnhart did the interviews of Stoops & Mike McEntire, & hires Stoops because he sold him on recruiting Ohio.
The legend of Barnhart not picking or hiring Calipari is more believable
There was no "huge committee" to hire Stoops. Barnhart enlisted just Tim Couch, who at the time was in CFB media announcing games, and 1 other person outside of UK. And he had those 2 guys just quietly vet candidates for the job, analyze who would work at a place like UK. Barnhart did the interviews of Stoops & Mike McEntire, & hires Stoops because he sold him on recruiting Ohio.
The legend of Barnhart not picking or hiring Calipari is more believable
If you look at Liam Coen's twitter page, it used to say something along the lines of LA Rams Offensive Coordinator on the bio line. Right now it just says football coach instead. That is a new change.
Heard Brian Brohm’s name mentioned on the radio by a prominent sports columnist.
He also has given Cal a lifetime contract and Stoops an extension in the middle of a disappointing season
There is a case to be made today that the lifetime contract for Cal was a mistake. At the time it was given, most people didn't think it was a mistake. This season or not, Stoops has earned every single raise and extension he has gotten. He has taken UK football to places no one thought possible. Down years happen but Stoops deserved the extension he got this year.
I didn't agree with Cal's contract simply because I'm not sold on Cal's ability to win championships. As a general rule though, I don't think contract extensions should be evaluated on a single year's performance. In other words, the idea that a contract shouldn't be extended during a down year is just not true. A contract extension should be based on the AD's confidence in the coach and what he thinks he can accomplish going forward. Every program has down years. It doesn't change whether the AD believes in the coach or not.
Hello @bluesuave - this is honest Bob..
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At the time Stoops was hired, the other candidate being considered was apparently Mike MacIntyre who had just completed a 10-2 season for San Jose St. MacIntyre was hired by Colorado where he coached for 6 years posting a winning record his 4th season, going 10-4. After compiling an overall 30-44 record he was next hired as head coach @ FIU in 2022 where he posted a 4-8 record (2-6 in conference). He has had a winning record a total of 2 times in his career as a head coach and has a career record of 50-73. On the other hand, Mark Stoops has also had two 10 win seasons, but has had 6 winning records (all in the SEC) and an overall record of 66-58. It appears MB made the right decision with that hire.
He hired Gillispie and Joker also. Had to be forced in a corner to push for Calipari and is known to give hugely one-sided contracts. Combine that with his lack of forward-thinking, stance on alcohol, and stance on nil - no, I emphatically dont want Barney hiring the next coach.
I always thought Bill Curry would have been a much better AD than football coach.
Wasn't Sonny Dykes in the running too? He's definitely had some lows and highs.
Not to cast aspersions at the OP, but I'm going to take the "I'll believe it when I see it" approach to Coen coming back for an encore stint as UK FB OC. For the record I'm totally fine if this comes to pass.
From what I have heard Cohen leaving UK was a very last minute decision. He was all set to coach his second year at UK but Rams put that call in and it was a tough decision. I believe his wife is from Los Angeles and they just had a baby this past year so I don’t know how much that could keep him in LA. But I’m pretty sure he loved being in Kentucky and like I say the way I understand it really had no plans of leaving the first time. So will be interesting to see what happens.
The current projection of Sumrall may indicate that he won’t be available when the time comes. Somebody will hire him before stoops retires.
Well his name has been on the short list the past two openings. Wonder if he actually ever got an interview?
To go back to an older discussion point in this thread - Rich Brooks decided to promote Joker to be head coach in waiting. Barnhart didn't have to go along with it when Brooks retired - but that would have been a damn hard thing to do.
Sooooo, how does the Coen thing work if it does happen? Rams are 3-8, with SIX games left to play. Guess he could resign anytime, but depends on his contract. Or would McVey release him when the Rams are eliminated from playoffs? Technically Coen really isn't needed in Lexington till Jan, doesn't need to be at the Bowl. Damn sure hope he could do some recruiting up to Dec signing day.
If he's here and wants it, I think you're right. However summrall would be a home run here.
Based on his love of UK though, there is a good chance he leaves wherever he is to come here at that time. I do believe there would be a select few top tier jobs he wouldn't leave for UK though.
If Coen is the guy, he may not need to be here physically. People do need to know that he is the guy though especially players we are recruiting out of HS or the portal. The public doesn't necessarily need to know but others certainly do.
I remember Neil Brown getting all the "future UK coach" 5-6 years ago. I think many/most UK fans would not be happy with hiring him today.
I want to see Sumrall continue winning at Troy, take a mid-tier P5 job in another P5 conference and win there. Nothing would make me happier than to see Sumrall do well at another P5 school, then come to UK after Stoops retires!!! I really like what Sumrall can potentially bring to table in a few years. But ... I do want the next coach to have P5 experience. Too many coaches can win on Troy's level and flop in P5.
Again, I fully expect Sumrall to win wherever he goes, but I think UK is at level now where we will attract coaches that are winning at other P5 schools. The SEC, plus coaching salary that being part of SEC allows, will attract good coaches that are winning in P5.
Napier's tenure at Fla will be a good experiment with "can't fail coach" going from "Ragin Cajuns" to SEC football. Napier was great coach at last stop and winning at Fla is much easier than winning at UK. Next year will be critical for Napier.
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Would agree that Sumrall would be a top choice to replace Stoops. But 6-8 years down the road...who knows? And don't forget, Mike Hartline and Maxwell Smith are just starting their coaching careers, laying their foundations and building their resumes. Lot can happen in 6-8 years.
Hahaha so very true, everything said right now about Sumrall is the exact same as Brown 5 yrs ago.. at the same job!!
Troy only had four 30+ pt games with 4 sub 20pt games. It's first year and they won 10 game so that gets a mulligan. Certainly someone to follow. NB's offense never was the same after he left TT.
I sure hope you know what you are talking about. Nothing will satisfy this board, but getting Coen back is the quickest and most direct way to fix our offense and find a capable quarterback in the portal. There are other guys out there who could do the job, but most of them will be tied up until the bowl season or the NFL season is over. Coen might be willing and able to leave the Rams almost right away.
Also his picture shows him wearing a UK cap and his son is sporting a UK shirt
