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With speculation rampant about possible coaching changes for Kentucky football, why not take a look at what coach Mark Stoops had to say after Saturday’s 35-14 loss at South Carolina (knowing that his comments about him not quitting or walking away were posted here on Sunday).
On whether he felt Kentucky showed progress in the loss:
Stoops”: I do… I felt like we, you know, we got better in certain ways today. There were, you know, good periods of time. I think we threw the ball 42 times. Certainly, they’re going to create pressure, and they’re a great defense. With their coverage and with getting pressure on them, I felt like at times today we had some decent time. We got rid of the football on time. We got some completions. I think, in particular, the first half, our completion percentage was a little higher. I wish we had capped it off with at least three there at the end of the half. It would have given us a little momentum. But I thought we made some strides, yeah, and I thought Cutter [Boley] grew up some today.”
On playing complementary football …
Stoops”: Defensively, we couldn’t get off the field in that first half. To your point, that’s both sides. We have to be better, that’s for sure. When the defense is on its heels, we do need to try to possess the ball, score some points, and give us some juice. But defensively, I want to credit them for what they did, and there are things we can do better. They present problems for you. They’re physical inside; they get the ball on the perimeter with the strength of their guys, tackling in space was an issue early. They did a really good job. We need to be better in all phases there.”
On the 3-and-out after the interception …
Stoops”: I guess we should have run, run, run. Truthfully, yeah, not a good possession.”
On attempting 41 passes …
Stoops”: We knew we had to be aggressive, we had to keep them off balance. I thought there were spurts where you saw the run game get 4, 5, 6 yards, and then we were able to throw it too. There were moments in there.”
On running back Seth McGowan’s injury …
Stoops”: He had an injury. Same injury he had before. He kind of just re-aggravated that. We have a bye week coming u, so hopefully he’ll get healthy.”
On missing the field goal before the half …
Stoops: “I don’t think it helped, because we were getting the ball to start the second half. We didn’t have a lot of possessions there in the first half with the way they were driving the ball. So, we needed three there.”
On the play of freshman WR Cameron Miller, who had three catches in the fourth quarter …
Stoops”: Yeah, we’re going to have to. He’s a guy who shows up and makes a really tough catch on fourth down. It’s hard. We’re trying to get some continuity and figure out our guys at the wide receiver position that can make some plays for us. If he keeps on working, we’ll get him some opportunities.”
On if there was anything he sees getting better offensively …
Stoops: “I thought we improved today with the quarterback play and some protection. We need some receivers to continue to elevate and make tough, competitive catches. I thought Cutter did a nice job of giving guys some opportunities. I’d like to see us come up and make some of those plays and score some more points. I think we’re moving in the right direction. I’m not pleased with where we’re at and not scoring enough points, but I think we’re showing some improvement.”
On Jordan Lovett’s injury …
Stoops”: He played through some pain today, so we’ll see where he’s at. He gave it everything he had, but he was banged up and not feeling great.”
22 Responses
Pre game warm ups and post-game meal were apart of the positives.
Don't forget about the bottle of 4 roses in the back of the locker
Good catch
I hate to break it to you Coach Stoops, but a loss is still a loss…pretty or not. The best thing you can do is to quit talking until you win a game again. Will that be this year or next year?
Hearing him say that kinda stuff to me is akin to Transy playing UK in basketball and hitting a couple back to back 3 pointers or stringing together a few plays . Its a total reach and he knows it. I look for him to be on his total best behavior so a " for cause" dismissal will not be in play. Just pay him and be done.
Coach, in my humble opinion Camron Miller has earned a starting slot, work not withstanding. He proved himself on the field of battle when his betters took the easy way out. I'll take that on practice politics any time.
I agree Cameron Miller Dj Miller and Quisenberry should all get playing time. They need to build a chemistry with Boley. These senior receivers might be a little better in practice but they are non existent in the games. This year is over. We need to start preparing for next year. Cj Works and the Smith brothers all need playing time. Brian Robinson and martels Carter. We need all the 2024 class back next year. If so we will be able to actually compete with anyone next year. We will still be a young team but it will set up for 2027 and 2028 to be big. If we could fire Stoops get Sumrall and keep them classes we could compete for a playoff spot next year with Boley being much better.
With you Mr. Know It all
With you RJohn
The best part of the game to the HC is about receiving mega-money for losing.
Please help me understand the magnitude of the buy out. I have heard numbers ranging from $38 to $44 million, to be paid in full within 60 days of the firing.
The amount is secondary for any amount in that range. My questions are:
1) Is this amount of buyout payment about normal, higher than normal, or lower than normal?
2) Is this an amount that the UKAA can afford without altering its program funding over the next 2 to 5 years?
The UKAA budget is in the $150 to $160 million range, the best I can tell. I also have read that the current year will end with a $31 million deficit and the UKAA is getting a loan of $110 million from the UK Board of Trustees for facility improvements.
It seems to me that a $40 million dollar payment to Stoops would be crippling for this program. However, there are some who argue that the $40 million dollars is a drop in the bucket, and the UKAA will not miss a step.
I really don't know which it is, and would like to hear from others on my two questions.
My thought which means nothing, if you enter into a contract on UKs' end wouldn't you be prepared for events like this? Certainly you'd have to realize things could go sideways. Would you enter into a contract you can't afford? Are not all possible scenarios vetted out ?
Great points Grant that apparently were never considered which is mind boggling
My thought which means nothing, if you enter into a contract on UKs' end wouldn't you be prepared for events like this? Certainly you'd have to realize things could go sideways. Would you enter into a contract you can't afford? Are not all possible scenarios vetted out ?
Sorry for double
You would think UK would have a "nest egg" that would hold funds for the buy out of any coach. You would also think that when things started going south for Stoops a few years ago, even more money would be added to the fund each year to cover this very possibility.
I like Barnhart. I think he has done a tremendous job growing other sports that never, ever got attention from ADs in the past and we are competitive in just about every sport. I like that. Now, having said that, if Barnhart has put UK in a position they cannot afford and doesn't have the money, I think that is a fireable offense. I also think anyone who approved such a contract, from the President and Board of Trustees on down, should be removed. Not sure the President of UK or the Board of Trustees ever saw the contract or even approved it and if not, that too should be grounds for their removal.
Hell yeah, we really looked good at times…until you looked at the scoreboard. If they would just get rid of that thing, BBN could enjoy football under Mark Stoops.
You have got to feel bad for the players that have to look at and listen to Stoops everyday. There can't be a more boring, inspirational coach out there. Big Congrats to Mr. Coen last night! Too bad we didn't create a culture he wanted to stay with.
The last coach that hoped the players could "block out the noise" was Joker.
How did that work out?
Joker 2 is now taking over the SEC cellar!
Each and every administrator who had any part in the contract should have to pay 50% of their salary retro-active since the day the contract was signed into action. Then it should continue until $50 million has been collected. Barnie needs to pay up and then be fired.
Looked on the Views this morning and no football. I guess from now to April, it's all basketball.