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Quick shoutout to UK for giving Mark Stoops the proper time to build his program.

Posted on 9/16/18 at 3:50 pm
Posted by redbird4state
Jawja
Member since Sep 2014
221 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 3:50 pm
In an age where "Win now or else" is the overwhelming sentiment of SEC athletic directors, UK instead chose to be patient with their investment and it's finally starting to pay off.

Have Mark's results to date been outstanding? No.
Have there been times where things looked pessimistic? Yes.
Have Mark's results improved steadily over the years, though? YES.

Granted it's still early in the season, but just one look at UK's football program today reveals a stable, competitive program that wasn't there 5 years ago.

After three straight losing seasons to start his career, no one would've blamed UK for canning him. Hats off to the admin for sticking with their pick because they believed he was right for the program.

I also think this reveals a silver lining to having a fanbase with realistic expectations: A football program with a steady foundation is easier to build.
Posted by redbird4state
Jawja
Member since Sep 2014
221 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:00 pm to
quote:

realistic expectations


Tennessee and Arkansas fans, please pay attention to this part.
Posted by LSUtoOmaha
Nashville
Member since Apr 2004
26574 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:01 pm to
It also took that long because Joker Phillips was so bad.
Posted by BluegrassBelle
RIP Hefty Lefty - 1981-2019
Member since Nov 2010
98913 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:06 pm to
The reality was, for anyone who wasn’t one of those basketball-only mouth breathers, that everybody knew you can’t turn around a football program in a short time. It takes multiple recruiting classes to come to fruition. This is probably the first year since he’s been at UK we’ve had legitimate depth. Kudos to Barnhart for having that patience.

Like you said, he’s frustrating at times. But he’s also a first time HC in a tough league on a learning curve.
Posted by redbird4state
Jawja
Member since Sep 2014
221 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:11 pm to
quote:

This is probably the first year since he’s been at UK we’ve had legitimate depth.


Exactly. And unlike other sports, depth takes a lot more time to build in college football. This is especially true if the incoming coach is replacing a total hack.

It's frustrating as hell as a fan to admit it may take a few years - but more often than not it's worth it.
Posted by MSHawg1
Bad-assistan
Member since Jun 2018
5046 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:13 pm to
quote:

Mississippi State fan


quote:

realistic expectations



Getting lectures by MSU about realistic expectations. Now this is funny
This post was edited on 9/16/18 at 4:14 pm
Posted by redbird4state
Jawja
Member since Sep 2014
221 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:17 pm to
quote:

Getting lectures by MSU about realistic expectations. Now this is funny


We stuck with a coach for nine years who never won a division championship.

I'd say we have realistic expectations.
Posted by Hopsondawg22
MS Delta
Member since Sep 2017
1232 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:19 pm to
Where is the humor in that, baw?
Posted by Roger Klarvin
DFW
Member since Nov 2012
46505 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:21 pm to
The problem is he’ll probably be looking for that next job while the iron is hot so to speak. Kentucky has a ceiling that isn’t very high.

I’ll also add we really don’t know how good they are yet. They were in a dogfight at home with an 0-3 Central Michigan team that got THROTTLED by hapless Kansas 1 week later. Florida might not make a bowl this year with Georgia, USC, LSU, MSU, Vandy and Missouri looming.
Posted by thatguy45
Your alter's mom's basement
Member since Sep 2017
18879 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:37 pm to
Keeping Stoops this long was a good move.
I understood why Barnhart got him in the first place: Ohio. Fertile territory, and has been paying in spades.
Team is much better than they were. We don't ask for much, just respectability
Posted by Kentucker
Cincinnati, KY
Member since Apr 2013
19351 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:45 pm to
Arky's program is shite this year. UK's program was far lower than that when Stoops was hired. It's been a long climb back to the middle of the SEC. Hopefully Stoops will stay around for a while. UK will certainly make anybody that wants to lure him away pay a premium price.
Posted by Kentucker
Cincinnati, KY
Member since Apr 2013
19351 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:54 pm to
quote:

They were in a dogfight at home with an 0-3 Central Michigan team that got THROTTLED by hapless Kansas 1 week later.


The same hapless Kansas that put up 55 against Rutgers yesterday? Do you even football?

The CMU game was our opener and the Chips got 13 points off turnovers. Terry Wilson had two of those dropped balls. Cats rolled in the second half.

Dogfight? No. You didn't watch the game so you're just spouting feces.
Posted by piggilicious
Member since Jan 2011
37295 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 4:56 pm to
Yeah because losing the past two games and not being happy about it is being unrealistic. Thinking you may win 4 at the beginning of the season is unfrickingreasonable. Geez we are so crazy.
This post was edited on 9/16/18 at 4:59 pm
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
118893 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 5:00 pm to
I want to feel like this post is a dig, but maybe not. I'll play along like it isn't.

It's no secret that UK's football history is overall below average with some high points and the greatest coach in the history of the game (till Saban came along) running the program for several years of success, followed by a long time of wondering in the wilderness. Spotty success followed, but nothing consistent.

I liked the Stoops hire when it occurred and he has been given plenty of time to produce, and we are now seeing the fruits of that. The entire team has quality depth at most all positions, and the starters are SEC caliber players. It seems like 4 years is a terribly long time to start seeing some success, but Stoops is also a first time head coach, so a learning curve for everyone.

Where can we go? Hard to tell. Georgia looks to be growing into a Bama challenger, so I guess being behind them would be a good place to be, and that is where we find ourselves after 3 weeks of the season (or tied with them if you consider 1-0 an accomplishment). I think overall this is the best UK can hope for in football. With where we are now, I think UK can be a challenger for the forseeable future. The talent is there, and the investment has been made. I hope Stoops can get us to 9+ wins this year and forward.
Posted by TigersOfGeauxld
Just across the water...
Member since Aug 2009
25057 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 5:01 pm to
quote:

The reality was, for anyone who wasn’t one of those basketball-only mouth breathers, that everybody knew you can’t turn around a football program in a short time. It takes multiple recruiting classes to come to fruition. This is probably the first year since he’s been at UK we’ve had legitimate depth. Kudos to Barnhart for having that patience. Like you said, he’s frustrating at times. But he’s also a first time HC in a tough league on a learning curve.


That recruiting room at Kroger Field is paying off.

Posted by MasCervezas
Ocean Springs
Member since Jul 2013
7958 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 5:08 pm to
quote:

Getting lectures by MSU about realistic expectations. Now this is funny


dumbass
Posted by thatguy45
Your alter's mom's basement
Member since Sep 2017
18879 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 6:18 pm to
quote:

dumbass

No what's dumb is thinking you're going to own everyone except Bama
Posted by olgoi khorkhoi
priapism survivor
Member since May 2011
14835 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 7:13 pm to
quote:

Have Mark's results to date been outstanding? No.
Have there been times where things looked pessimistic? Yes.
Have Mark's results improved steadily over the years, though? YES.


You interviewing yourself was informative and entertaining.
Posted by LouisvilleKat
Member since Oct 2016
18190 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 7:20 pm to
OP your screen name is really puzzling. In one sense I like Miss State fans generally, red birds though are our in state rival as you should remember from the bowl game. I'm teetering between well that's nice of you to say and triggrred
This post was edited on 9/16/18 at 7:22 pm
Posted by TonyMontana
Member since Jul 2017
1169 posts
Posted on 9/16/18 at 7:23 pm to
You made Saturday so hilarious for me.

Thank you.

North Texas just scored again

"Maine". Who cares? That was 15 years and 3 coaches ago. North Texas was yesterday. Arkansas sucks, and you're getting worse each week. Suck it.
This post was edited on 9/16/18 at 7:24 pm
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