Vicky Graff Photo
I have known former Kentucky football player David Hopewell, an Alabama native, for almost 50 years now. He was part of Kentucky’s Peach Bowl team in 1976 and also the 10-1 season in 1977 for coach Fran Curci.
He’s also been a die-hard Kentucky football fan since his playing career ended and has been a successful insurance agent in Harrodsburg. He even had two sons play football at Kentucky.
Hopewell called WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk after my co-host, former UK all-SEC running back Anthony White, questioned whether coach Mark Stoops had raised expectations so high that UK fans were maybe being a bit unrealistic about what might be coming this season after a 4-8 finish in 2024.
“We raised the expectation back in 1976 and 19744. We set the standard,” said Hopewell. “That was the goal from there on out and nothing short of that. And Larry’s heard me say this hundreds of times. The expectation to me was always a national championship. We wanted to win a national championship.
“Now I just want to win an SEC championship because that will make us a winner in the SEC and in the national championship (playoff). Yes, he (Stoops) is paid enough to be a top 10 program.
“If we can’t get in the top 10, if we can’t be in contention for a national championship, it’s time for change. Period. I appreciate what he’s done, what Mark has done, and I’m grateful that the expectation was raised like that, but can he can we take it further? We’ve got to take it further.”
Hopewell is not a fickle fan. For as long as I have known him, he’s insisted that Kentucky could and should compete for a national title even if many UK fans were thrilled if UK could get to six or seven wins and play in a bowl game.
“I’m getting too old myself now to just want to sit by and say, ‘Yes, I’m happy with five wins, six wins.’ I’ve never been happy with five or six wins,” Hopewell said.
Hopewell and White agreed that they always wanted to go undefeated when they played and that should be the UK mindset now because that would help UK potentially make the college football playoff.
Hopewell always doesn’t like the idea that Stoops’ contract would prevent a coaching change if UK has another 4-8 season.
“We don’t have the money to buy somebody out, We don’t have enough money. What would hurt us to keep him?” Hopewell said. “I remember when Nick Saban was hired at the University of Alabama, and people gasped at how much money they paid him then. Within six months their A Fund doubled their income, doubled it in six months.
“And he hadn’t done anything, had never played a game yet, but the expectation was changed and look what happened.”
Hopewell still believes Kentucky is located in a great spot for recruiting and obviously plays in the nation’s best conference.
“And when we do this, we are gonna be national chimps and we will walk around so happy and proud,” Hopewell said. “Now now that I’ve gotten some of this off my chest, I was just getting ready to I was just getting ready to walk in the big house (church). I want y’all to pray for me because y’all need to practice and I certainly need the prayers.
“My blood pressure is gonna go down as soon as I walk out of here. You (White) did stir the pot this morning, brother, and I appreciate you,” Hopewell said. We got to have a championship here before I pass away and only the good Lord knows how long that might be.
“We got to do it. We sit in the best conference, in the best seat. Kids from the North want to come to us, kids from the South want to come to us. We got a great place.”
5 Responses
Couches should be paid a baseball salary and the paid a set amount for each win which could be put a a sliding scale. Each year should be renewed without a promise of compensation for losing. Job security should be based on previous win lose record which would be negotiable. No but out.
I agree I’m 42 and started watching Kentucky during the Bill Curry years. 10 wins felt great but I feel the Same way I want more!
David Hopewell is one of the most respected members of the UK football family in my opinion. His contributions to this program as a player and ever since is well known. When he speaks, UK fans, and many others, listen.
I agree that expectations for UK football should be set high. I believe my fan expectations over the years has floated up and down with the health of the program, so my expectations waned after Mr. Hopewell’s playing days until Coach Brooks showed us a new way to lead the program and then Coach Stoops arrived as the culture of this program was making a major change reflecting higher expectations by the UKAA for the first time in my tenure as a fan that began in the 1960s.
As Coach Stoops’ recruiting and coaching took root my expectations soared. Expectations to win the East Division and play in Atlanta became achievable for the first time. I believe a fan expectation for a SEC Championship is appropriate.
This fan does not see a problem with fan expectations.
However, this fan sees the program in a multi-year decline. I see a problem with expectations within the program, with the coaches and players.
You are right about Hopewell
My dad talked about hopewell. I remember the Anthony white years. Best receiving/running back maybe to ever wear a Kentucky jersey. Probably right behind Randall Cobb and Lynn Bowden. Best 3 players who could run and receive. My mount Rushmore would be Cobb Bowden White. Running backs Boom Williams Moe Williams and Benny Snell. Receivers Burton Cobb Yeast tight ends Tamme Whalen Conrad..Offensive lineman Kinnard Warford Still. Tomorrow ill have my all defensive 3