Mark Stoops (SEC Photo)
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops joked with SEC Network host Paul Finebaum that he “saved the best for last” when he went on air with him at the SEC Media Days in Dallas Thursday.
Stoops and UK players Deone Walker, Marques Cox and D’Eryk Jackson literally were the last speakers at the four-day, 16-team extravaganza but Stoops did his best to sell his message to media members still in Texas.
Stoops, the longest tenured coach in the SEC, offered praise for his staff — even another new offensive coordinator — in his opening comments.
“Wouldn’t be SEC Media Days if I didn’t have to talk about a new offensive coordinator, so those of you — I’m very excited about Bush Hamdan. He comes to us from Boise. I’ve known Bush for a while, actually talked to him three or four years ago,” Stoops said about his new offensive coordinator after Liam Coen returned as OC for just one year.
“I love the influence. He’s got a background of working with Coach Drink (at Missouri), who I have a tremendous respect for. He’s worked with Coach Sark (at Texas). He’s been around and did a great job at Boise, and very excited about Bush and what he’s going to do.
“Tried to keep as much continuity as I could but also wanted him to be very confident and do the things that he does to put us in a position to be successful.”
Stoops also explained what bringing offensive line coach Eric Wolford, who left UK abruptly two years ago to take a job at Alabama, back has meant.
“Coach Wolf and I worked together many years ago, our first job at the University of South Florida. We were roommates and lived in a dorm and made $12,000 apiece, I think, at that point in time,” Stoops said. “But worked with me for one stay and then went to Alabama for a few years and got him back. I love what Eric brings and the mentality that he has, the toughness, and obviously the recruiting that he brings to it, as well.”
He said long-time defensive coordinator Brad White does an “amazing job” and kept his staff intact.
“Excited about what we have, 10 returning starters on defense and the continuity of our staff, and we’re excited to make a jump,” the UK coach said.
“I think at times last year — we have a high standard of playing very good defense, and there were times last year, much like our team, we were a little bit inconsistent, and we need to improve in that area.”
He also said he feels “very good” about what Jay Boulware is doing with special teams.
