Since this is the hot topic right now, and so many are convinced that Stoops should/will be fired, let's hear who you think will be the next Kentucky coach? 

So that we can reference what jobs are already open, our Coaching Carousel thread is linked below. 

 

It won't matter. Unless whoever it is comes in and kills it, they won't be here long. There will be a new AD and University President within next couple of years and they'll want their own guy in that job.

That said, I think UK hires a place holder like Dan Mullen. Safe hire, is an offensive mind and respected QB coach.

Kentucky Football has only made three hires who were CURRENTLY head coaches at schools.

Bear Bryant who was at Maryland.

Fran Curci who was at Miami (FL).

Jerry Claiborne who, like Bear, was also at Maryland.

I'll never say never, however, THIS time around would not be the 4th, especially with all of the GOOD jobs that are open right now. In a normal coaching change cycle, Kentucky is a hard sell for a proven, established, (big) name. But, throw in Florida, Penn State, Arkansas (yes, Arkansas is considered a better job), LSU, Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech (and, likely more to come, namely Florida State)?

It's going to be even harder.

23 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

There will be a new AD and University President within next couple of years and they'll want their own guy in that job.

This is an interesting point and will certainly make things more difficult. 

It will be one of:

1. Jon Sumrall

2. Will Stein

3. Dan Mullen

The first two have UK connections and Barnhart has a connection to Mullen.

I cannot believe all of you BGPers have not mentioned the favorite for every coaching job in Kentucky......

CHUCK SMITH 

IYKYK 

Will Muschamp.   Every SEC school should suffer what Florida and South Carolina suffered.

Kids these days can’t handle Chuck Smith when he gets angry.

7 hours ago, TribeTime said:

It will be one of:

1. Jon Sumrall

2. Will Stein

3. Dan Mullen

The first two have UK connections and Barnhart has a connection to Mullen.

I would really like for Sumrall to land at UK, so he probably won't. 

When do the Nick Saban was seen looking at horse farms rumors start?

Brian Hartline, Will Stein, Jon Sumrall, Dan Mullen one of these four. 

I'd actually be fine with Mullen.  He seems to do better at programs with fewer resources.  I still think Florida cut him loose too soon and when they did they didn't get an adequate replacement in Napier.

Anybody think that with all of the firings in the SEC and around the country UK may not be in a hurry to let Stoops go? There are a lot of openings more desirable at this time if you are trying to lure a big name.

Dan Mullen got canned bc of his losses to Ky as much as anything else. I agree he’d be a solid hire due to his offensive acumen. As well as 9068 said there are a ton of big time openings that the up and comers maybe eyeing more than UK. Whoever it is I hope they take the Stoops desire and intensity and work on time management, discipline on the field (coaches and players), and not going off of analytics and just read the situation for what it is I.e. Georgia last year and Texas in OT this year.

3 hours ago, 9068 said:

Anybody think that with all of the firings in the SEC and around the country UK may not be in a hurry to let Stoops go? There are a lot of openings more desirable at this time if you are trying to lure a big name.

I just don't see a world where you can bring Stoops back.  He's lost the fanbase and if he's retained you could lose players like Boley and people will just vote with their wallets and not show up to games next year.  Can't imagine NIL donors will open their pocketbooks either.

I'd also say that UK is probably not going to make a big splash with the next hire.  Yes, lots of big programs will have openings but I'd argue those candidates weren't going to consider UK anyway.  Exception might be someone like Sumrall.  But there will be a TON of heat on Mitch Barnhart if nothing is done this offseason.