Finally Tim Couch Elected to College Football Hall of Fame

Tim Couch waves to fans at Kroger Stadium. (Vicky Graff Photo)

It probably should have happened sooner but it eventually had to happen and now it has — former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

“I’m honored and humbled,” Couch said in a news release announcing his honor.  “This is an unbelievable honor, I’m blown away by it.  I’m really excited for the celebration this year, representing Kentucky and doing my best to do that.”

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be Dec. 10 in Las Vegas where Couch will join tackle Bob Caine (1947-50), quarterback Vito “Babe” Parilli (1949-51), end Steve Meilinger (1951-53), tackle Lou Michaels (1955-57) and defensive end Art Still (1974-77) as former UK players in the Hall of Fame. Former UK coaches Paul “Bear” Bryant and Jerry Claiborne are also Hall of Famers.

Couch was a sensation at Leslie County High School and picked Kentucky over Tennessee. After a frustrating freshman season under coach Bill Curry that had Couch ready to transfer, UK fired Curry and hired Hal Mumme and his “Air Raid” offense was perfect for Couch in the 1997-98 seasons.

Couch threw for 398 yards and four touchdowns in a season-opening win over Louisville in 1997 and two games later threw for seven touchdowns in a win over Indiana to put the Air Raid offense on the national map. Couch also threw for 355 yards and four scores including the game-winning TD in overtime to Craig Yeast against Alabama.

Couch threw for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns in 1997 but the most impressive statistics was that average attendance at UK increased by 40,000 fans per game that led to the eventual expansion of Commonwealth Stadium.

The talented quarterback was even better in 1998 when he led UK to a 7-4 record and berth in the New Year’s Day Outback Down. Kentucky opened the season by scoring 68 against Louisville and also won 39-36 at No. 21 LSU. He completed a then NCAA record 72.3 percent of his season while throwing for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-American, SEC Player of the Year and Heisman Trophy finalist.

After throwing for 8,435 yards and 74 touchdowns, Couch opted to bypass his senior season at UK to enter the NFL draft where the Cleveland Browns made him the No. 1 overall pick. He broke seven NCAA records, 14 SEC records and 26 school records at UK.

The Leslie County alumni club has already started work to have a statue of Couch ready to unveil during the 2024 high school season to honor him and showcase the program’s heritage.