10 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

That would be very generous of Stoops.

Not if he wanted it to happen just as much as BBN did.

The writing was on the wall when Stoops #2 guy left for an in state rival. It wasn't a matter of if, but when Stoops was parting ways with Kentucky. 

As for the next head coach, I've got no clue. Still really disappointed Kentucky waited so long and whiffed completely on the chance to get Sumrall. 

54 minutes ago, sportsfan41 said:

The writing was on the wall when Stoops #2 guy left for an in state rival. It wasn't a matter of if, but when Stoops was parting ways with Kentucky. 

As for the next head coach, I've got no clue. Still really disappointed Kentucky waited so long and whiffed completely on the chance to get Sumrall. 

Playing + coaching here, he wasn't coming. Florida seemingly being the "Toxic Ten" that they are, is/was the better job. 

I don't know who will take, either. I'm with you.

Like others, I keep seeing Stein and Hartline. But are those guys really going to leave being a coordinator at the Top 10 programs both of them are at just for a bigger payday & the chance to run their own, while always in the bottom half of the conference, P4 program.....who just fired the school's all time winningest coach (who still finished with a losing record- that is ZERO shade being thrown from me by the way- and, up until the 2024 season was ready to build a statue of the man)?

Then there is Dan Mullen. He's seen the SEC life-hindsight 20/20- he probably wishes he'd never left Stark-Vegas. So, does he want to get back to the SEC, take another job almost identical to it, knowing that 6-8 wins, with the occasional 9, maybe 10 win season(s) in the current landscape of the SEC (even tougher than his MS St/FLA days + a 9 game conference schedule) is likely the 'pinnacle' for the program? Or stay at UNLV, make my $4 Million a year and KNOW that, despite being in a G5 conference, the likelihood of making a, or even multiple CFP's is FAR GREATER than at UK?

Rhett Lashlee? ZERO chance. 

Gus Malzahn? A name I haven't seen thrown out, but I think would be a person of interest. On both sides.

 

What about Neal Brown?  Offensive guy, who knows ball.  Understands the landscape as well as anyone.  WVU and UK have many of the same issues and he won there (somewhat).

If I am a hot shot coordinator, I would steer clear of UK at this point.  There is a good chance the AD who hires you will be leaving sooner than later...

I think Neal would be a solid choice (not the flashy homerun) he would have been leaving Troy...but someone who is still young and has been there and done that with the experience to show for it.

24 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

If that wouldn't be the most "about right" move ever.

Kentucky, firing the winningest coach in program history, cemented from an embarrassing loss to its instate rival...Louisville.

....only to HIRE the guy that, wait for it......Louisville "fired".

Just now, Calico Jack said:

If that wouldn't be the most "about right" move ever.

Kentucky, firing the winningest coach in program history, cemented from an embarrassing loss to its instate rival...Louisville.

....only to HIRE the guy that, wait for it......Louisville "fired".

I saw that floating around and thought it was funny. 

I think ole Satt's contract is getting ready to be up, so he's likely doing his usual testing of the waters because it's not going well in Cincy, just like he did at Louisville. 

9 minutes ago, okie1 said:

What about Neal Brown?  Offensive guy, who knows ball.  Understands the landscape as well as anyone.  WVU and UK have many of the same issues and he won there (somewhat).

If I am a hot shot coordinator, I would steer clear of UK at this point.  There is a good chance the AD who hires you will be leaving sooner than later...

I think Neal would be a solid choice (not the flashy homerun) he would have been leaving Troy...but someone who is still young and has been there and done that with the experience to show for it.

I'll GLADLY eat crow on this, but I have NO IDEA where the thought that they are going to get one of those comes from as is? (Not saying you!)

UK has ONLY hired THREE HFC's in it's history that were current D1 HC's.

Bear Bryant (Maryland)

Fran Curci (Miami-FL)

Jerry Claiborne (Maryland)

...so, I guess another moral of the story/history? If want to target a current HC? 

Look at the ACC?!?

3 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

I saw that floating around and thought it was funny. 

I think ole Satt's contract is getting ready to be up, so he's likely doing his usual testing of the waters because it's not going well in Cincy, just like he did at Louisville. 

Oh I love it...love it. 

Crazy thing is, him playing out as the next hire is MUCH more likely than the majority of names I've seen...IMO. 

3 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

I hope they hire Will Stein.

He had a great career at UK and was a key part of the 2015 38-1 team, but I don't think I'd hire him for the football job.

5 minutes ago, Calico Jack said:

Oh I love it...love it. 

Crazy thing is, him playing out as the next hire is MUCH more likely than the majority of names I've seen...IMO. 

UK is in a tough spot, for sure. 

Brian Hartline - Likely about to be the OC of the back to back National Champions at Ohio State. Does he want to walk away from that to coach at Kentucky? He certainly will have better opportunities ahead of him. But let's say he does take it... He'll be recruiting the exact same areas Stoops did (Ohio) and he won't beat out Ohio State for the top talent in that area, just like UK didn't with Stoops. So I'm not sure that's as much of a home run as it may seem, but probably the "best" of the options I've seen. 

Will Stein - Rumors are he wants the job, but his recruiting hasn't been all that great at Oregon, and he'll have a fraction of the resources at UK as he does at Oregon. 

Mullen - Feels like a big time "Meh" hire to me. And why leave UNLV where you have a MUCH better shot at an at-large bid as a G5 than you'll ever have at Kentucky. 

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

UK is in a tough spot, for sure. 

Brian Hartline - Likely about to be the OC of the back to back National Champions at Ohio State. Does he want to walk away from that to coach at Kentucky? He certainly will have better opportunities ahead of him. But let's say he does take it... He'll be recruiting the exact same areas Stoops did (Ohio) and he won't beat out Ohio State for the top talent in that area, just like UK didn't with Stoops. So I'm not sure that's as much of a home run as it may seem, but probably the "best" of the options I've seen. 

Will Stein - Rumors are he wants the job, but his recruiting hasn't been all that great at Oregon, and he'll have a fraction of the resources at UK as he does at Oregon. 

Mullen - Feels like a big time "Meh" hire to me. And why leave UNLV where you have a MUCH better shot at an at-large bid as a G5 than you'll ever have at Kentucky. 

No doubt.

If I'm Hartline? I'm sitting right where I am & wait for next year or the year after jobs. Truthfully, if Hartline was looking to be a HC in a MUCH BETTER situation? I think we'd in the VERY LEAST heard his name in the mix for the VA TECH job.

Stein? See Hartline. Granted, being from here + family ties...can't put a price tag on the things he'd have here in those capacities compared to out in Eugene. Although, I'd say 'Uncle Phil' helps make it as close to feeling home as it could be despite being on the other end of the country.

Mullen? Same thoughts. I think he could be the biggest "name" hire if UK is trying to bring in a current HFC for only the 4th time in history.

 

Here is something people aren't thinking about....but, with Memphis, South Florida and Tulane being open? In terms of success? Having that chance to WIN and make a run at the CFP? ALL three are better jobs. 

25 minutes ago, Calico Jack said:

Here is something people aren't thinking about....but, with Memphis, South Florida and Tulane being open? In terms of success? Having that chance to WIN and make a run at the CFP? ALL three are better jobs. 

IMO this is particularly true for Stein. 

They are after Chip Kelly. 

UK is talking to Stein today.