I know we (BGPers) are a smart group, so let's figure out (realistically) what needs to be done to fix UK football.

 

Coaching Change? OK Who is the Dream Hire, the Coach Cal of football that Kentucky could actually hire?

How does recruiting improve? Can't even get best players in the state, in most cases, to come to the state university.

Facilities, what does UK need, if anything?

Asst Coaches, does UK spend enough $$$ on Asst coaches to get the kind of talent needed to win in the SEC?

 

 

What are some of the biggest mistakes from the past that has kept UK in the cellar of the SEC year in and year out.

First thing they need to do is upgrade the facilities. It's hard to convince anyone(coach or recruit) to come to UK when they see finer facilities at other schools. Especially at SEC schools.

I think it all starts and ends with the coach. A guy who has cred, an experienced head coach and maybe someone with NFL roots. Has to be able to recruit like crazy, run a system that kids will want to play in (throw the ball and get me NFL ready), demand facility improvements and lead the fundraising effort, demand SEC salaries for assistants, bring on the best strength staff that money can buy, make that guy the assistant head coach. Demand greatness from yourself as a head coach, demand greatness on the recruiting effort, demand greatness from assistants, demand great support from adminisration(the kind that basketball has), demand greatness in physical preparation from players, demand greatness in mental preparation from players, and demand greatness in effort on the field.

 

I have never been a huge Chuckie fan but I do think Gruden is one of the few who might be able to pull this off. Pay him like a basketball coach, give him the support the program deserves, and let him do his thing.

He is a personality and he has all the background you need. Every high school player in the world knows him. He might just stick around to become an SEC legendary coach.

Some problems can be fixed, such as the facilities issue PP92 suggested. He also rightly asserted that this hinders recruitment of players and coaches.

 

Some problems are difficult to overcome, such as the low number of SEC-caliber talent produced by this state at the high school level.

Upgrade facilities, do something to brand UK football. Oregon has uniforms, Bama has Saban and tradition. UK needs something to set itself apart. To me I think it has to be the coach and the style of play. Leach would be a great talker and have a great system that UK fans would love. Something needs to happen that shoots some excitement into the program.

John Gruden!

I like Chukie too, how much would it cost to get him to consider UK? If he came to UK and had a couple of good years wouldn't NFL break the bank to get him back?

 

Facilities? What do you guys mean? Stadium? Nutter upgraded/expanded? Player Lounge? Recruiting room? Weights? Trainers rooms? Where is the short coming at?

I like Chukie too, how much would it cost to get him to consider UK? If he came to UK and had a couple of good years wouldn't NFL break the bank to get him back?

 

Facilities? What do you guys mean? Stadium? Nutter upgraded/expanded? Player Lounge? Recruiting room? Weights? Trainers rooms? Where is the short coming at?

 

I'd have to ask Tee Martin for details. He's the one who said he tried to get recruits to commit before they came to campus for a visit so it must be pretty bad.

I have seen the facilities, they are not that bad.

I know we (BGPers) are a smart group, so let's figure out (realistically) what needs to be done to fix UK football.

 

Coaching Change? OK Who is the Dream Hire, the Coach Cal of football that Kentucky could actually hire?

How does recruiting improve? Can't even get best players in the state, in most cases, to come to the state university.

Facilities, what does UK need, if anything?

Asst Coaches, does UK spend enough $$$ on Asst coaches to get the kind of talent needed to win in the SEC?

 

 

What are some of the biggest mistakes from the past that has kept UK in the cellar of the SEC year in and year out.

 

Well stated thread starter, and a good thread overall.

In fixing the issues, I have to admit I have no idea how good or bad the facilities are. I really can't believe they are as big an issue as others have implied, but if someone could get more specific, I'd likely realize they are lacking in some areas?????

 

Making a great hire as the next coach is a must. Like others, I think Gruden would be great, but think he falls in the unrealistic category. Any other name I can come up with is somewhat of a gamble, which is why Barnhart makes the big bucks. Names I'll throw out there, Petrino, Solich (Ohio U), guy at Nevada (names escapes me).

 

Whoever you hire, someone or someone's on the staff have to be able to recruit the south. You don't have to get the best kids in Fla., Ga., and Texas, but you have to get some sleepers and guys that your coaches see as good projection guys.

 

IMO, while UK is a good football coaching job, it's one of the toughest gigs in the country. I'm not sure how a smart man ever looks at who he has to compete with in his division every year, and thinks "yeah, we can beat them most years."

 

Throw in the teams from the west division, and how do you think you ever have a chance to be better than all of them in the same year?

 

I thought Brooks did a great job at UK, and I'm not sure they ever finished second in their division.

I have seen the facilities, they are not that bad.

They are at best middle of the road for D-1 and way below for SEC.

In fixing the issues, I have to admit I have no idea how good or bad the facilities are. I really can't believe they are as big an issue as others have implied, but if someone could get more specific, I'd likely realize they are lacking in some areas?????

 

Making a great hire as the next coach is a must. Like others, I think Gruden would be great, but think he falls in the unrealistic category. Any other name I can come up with is somewhat of a gamble, which is why Barnhart makes the big bucks. Names I'll throw out there, Petrino, Solich (Ohio U), guy at Nevada (names escapes me).

 

Whoever you hire, someone or someone's on the staff have to be able to recruit the south. You don't have to get the best kids in Fla., Ga., and Texas, but you have to get some sleepers and guys that your coaches see as good projection guys.

 

IMO, while UK is a good football coaching job, it's one of the toughest gigs in the country. I'm not sure how a smart man ever looks at who he has to compete with in his division every year, and thinks "yeah, we can beat them most years."

 

Throw in the teams from the west division, and how do you think you ever have a chance to be better than all of them in the same year?

 

I thought Brooks did a great job at UK, and I'm not sure they ever finished second in their division.

Frank Solich would be a great hire. I meet him over the summer and was very impressed.

Facilities look pretty good to me. Here's a tour of the renovated Nutter Training Facility from this summer.

 

Georgia