57 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

This is a concept many haven’t grasp, likely due to their excitement. 

I'm glad I'm not the only one being skeptical, and he very well just may be the next "boy wonder"...in a few years, UK is just hoping to keep him. I HOPE LIKE NO OTHER HE IS THAT.

So, this is in NOWAY directed towards Stein...none....this is something I've wondered for years?

Is UK basketball hiring (head type) assistants from other schools, and by no means do I think that Kentucky Football is a 'blue blood' like it is in Basketball.

But why aren't current head coaches that have PROVEN they can win (any at all) at programs that either have been, or on the surface, are uphill climbs ever in the conversation? It only comes down to one of two theories for me (or both).

1- UK Admins care for football when compared to basketball? Couldn't be further apart.

2- UK Football, amongst current head coaches, is considered career suicide (these type of guys below are contacted, but with NO interest)

PJ Fleck- Minnesota

6-11 win seasons except for two ('17 first year and '20 Covid shortened) of his 9 seasons. If you can RECRUIT any talent at all to a place where it's WINTER 9 months out of the year, WIN with that talent and in  the Big 10 at that? You can coach. Not to mention his success before Gopher Land at Western Michigan. Plus the personality, energy, etc. to boot?

Tim Polesek- North Dakota State

I don't care if FCS or not, there are PLENTY of FBS and even bottom half P4 school's across the country that don't want any part of that smoke. Whatever is in the coaching water to make MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA the  perineal power they are? Is legit. See Fleck being able to recruit and win in the Big 10 at Minnesota? Even moreso there, where it's winter 10 months out of the year. 

Gary Annesse- Ferris State (D2)

Want to go out on a limb, in terms of D2 HFC making the jump straight to P4? That guy.  See Fleck & Polesk? See Annesse.   Ferris State is where Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambless was.  Annesse has won 3 of the last four D2 National titles. Offensively? They score so much, the lights have to be replaced mid year. One week they might throw for 400+, the next? Rush for 400+. Then go 250 and 250 the next week...well on their way to dropping 50+ spots like it's 2nd nature.

Oregon has been winning and lighting the scoreboard up the last 25 years, no matter who is in charge and/or calling plays & that didn't happen until Uncle Phil decided to make the Ducks his own personal project and assuring that they'd have 9, 578 uniform combinations + each player's closet essentially being their own, personal Nike Outlet Store.

Ohio State? Obviously has won even more, and for longer, despite who the HC/Coordinators are.

Being a HC/Coordinator at college football bluebloods, and expecting that to translate to one that...well, isn't...Is no different than would be in KYHSFB, whereas, it SHOULD be the other way around. I'm looking for the guy(s) that have won ANY AT ALL in the places that shouldn't. 

3 minutes ago, Calico Jack said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one being skeptical, and he very well just may be the next "boy wonder"...in a few years, UK is just hoping to keep him.

All I know is this.....UK basketball isn't hiring (head type) assistants from other schools, and by no means do I think that Kentucky Football is a 'blue blood' like it is in Basketball.

But why aren't current head coaches that have PROVEN they can win (any at all) at programs that either have been, or on the surface, are uphill climbs.

PJ Fleck- Minnesota

6-11 win seasons except for two ('17 first year and '20 Covid shortened) of his 9 seasons. If you can RECRUIT any talent at all to a place where it's WINTER 9 months out of the year, WIN with that talent and in  the Big 10 at that? You can coach. Not to mention his success before Gopher Land at Western Michigan. Plus the personality, energy, etc. to boot?

Tim Polesek- North Dakota State

I don't care if FCS or not, there are PLENTY of FBS and even bottom half P4 school's across the country that don't want any part of that smoke. Whatever is in the coaching water to make MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA the  perineal power they are? Is legit. See Fleck being able to recruit and win in the Big 10 at Minnesota? Even moreso there, where it's winter 10 months out of the year. 

Gary Annesse- Ferris State (D2)

Want to go out on a limb, in terms of D2 HFC making the jump straight to P4? That guy.  See Fleck & Polesk? See Annesse.   Ferris State is where Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambless was.  Annesse has won 3 of the last four D2 National titles. Offensively? They score so much, the lights have to be replaced mid year. One week they might throw for 400+, the next? Rush for 400+. Then go 250 and 250 the next week...well on their way to dropping 50+ spots like it's 2nd nature.

Oregon has been winning and lighting the scoreboard up the last 25 years, no matter who is in charge and/or calling plays & that didn't happen until Uncle Phil decided to make the Ducks his own personal project and assuring that they'd have 9, 578 uniform combinations + each player's closet essentially being their own, personal Nike Outlet Store.

Ohio State? Obviously has won even more, and for longer, despite who the HC/Coordinators are.

Being a HC/Coordinator at college football bluebloods, and expecting that to translate to one that...well, isn't...Is no different than would be in KYHSFB, whereas, it SHOULD be the other way around. I'm looking for the guy(s) that have won ANY AT ALL in the places that shouldn't. 

It seems like a lazy hire to me. If rumors are to be believed, Stein was basically begging for the job. There’s something to be said for someone wanting the job, sure, but that can’t be the main factor. 

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

It seems like a lazy hire to me. If rumors are to be believed, Stein was basically begging for the job. There’s something to be said for someone wanting the job, sure, but that can’t be the main factor. 

I swear I hope he's the ONE, and that goes two fold.

1- For UK football.

2- Most importantly, for HIM. He's obviously got something about him. His time as the OC at UTEP and what THEY did while he was there resonates more with me than his two years at Oregon (see original post and how they have lit it up, all while winning, regardless of who the HC's/OC's have been).

I know most don't see it through that set of lenses either ? (what UTEP was doing his two years there vs his time at Oregon).

1 minute ago, Calico Jack said:

I swear I hope he's the ONE, and that goes two fold.

1- For UK football.

2- Most importantly, for HIM. He's obviously got something about him. His time as the OC at UTEP and what THEY did while he was there resonates more with me than his two years at Oregon (see original post and how they have lit it up, all while winning, regardless of who the HC's/OC's have been).

I know most don't see it through that set of lenses either ? (what UTEP was doing his two years there vs his time at Oregon).

People see Oregon and immediately see shiny fancy thing with fun offense and ignore the obvious differences in the situations.

As for Stein, even if this crashes and burns and he’s out after three or four years, he’s still young enough to get something afterwards.

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

People see Oregon and immediately see shiny fancy thing with fun offense and ignore the obvious differences in the situations.

As for Stein, even if this crashes and burns and he’s out after three or four years, he’s still young enough to get something afterwards.

Worlds that COULD NOT BE FURTHER APART.  Bingo.

The 'get off my lawn types' might scoff at the joke, yet truth, about "Uncle Phil" & Nike headquarters being just down the street being a key cog in Oregon going from bottom dweller 35+ year ago to what they are now, but that's their choice.

Heck, Oregon is the one place that even if they DIDN'T do NIL, they'd still be a factor year in year out.

"So, I'll get minimal to no NIL, buttttttttt we have 15 helmets, 10+ jersey's, 10+ pants, just as many or more custom cleats & my personal closet every year I'm there is going to look I just walked out of a Nike Outlet store with a no limit credit card? Alright. Cool. Where do I sign? ?

This is true for him, good point. I hope he is even better than what's largely expected

8 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

Not just the SEC, he hasn't been seriously considered for any other P4 job. 

He may turn out to be a very successful HC, but it's a huge gamble for a team like UK. 

Just yesterday you said it was a "fantastic hire."

9 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

Just yesterday you said it was a "fantastic hire."

You missed the sarcasm.

2 hours ago, Calico Jack said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one being skeptical, and he very well just may be the next "boy wonder"...in a few years, UK is just hoping to keep him. I HOPE LIKE NO OTHER HE IS THAT.

So, this is in NOWAY directed towards Stein...none....this is something I've wondered for years?

Is UK basketball hiring (head type) assistants from other schools, and by no means do I think that Kentucky Football is a 'blue blood' like it is in Basketball.

But why aren't current head coaches that have PROVEN they can win (any at all) at programs that either have been, or on the surface, are uphill climbs ever in the conversation? It only comes down to one of two theories for me (or both).

1- UK Admins care for football when compared to basketball? Couldn't be further apart.

2- UK Football, amongst current head coaches, is considered career suicide (these type of guys below are contacted, but with NO interest)

PJ Fleck- Minnesota

6-11 win seasons except for two ('17 first year and '20 Covid shortened) of his 9 seasons. If you can RECRUIT any talent at all to a place where it's WINTER 9 months out of the year, WIN with that talent and in  the Big 10 at that? You can coach. Not to mention his success before Gopher Land at Western Michigan. Plus the personality, energy, etc. to boot?

Tim Polesek- North Dakota State

I don't care if FCS or not, there are PLENTY of FBS and even bottom half P4 school's across the country that don't want any part of that smoke. Whatever is in the coaching water to make MINOT, NORTH DAKOTA the  perineal power they are? Is legit. See Fleck being able to recruit and win in the Big 10 at Minnesota? Even moreso there, where it's winter 10 months out of the year. 

Gary Annesse- Ferris State (D2)

Want to go out on a limb, in terms of D2 HFC making the jump straight to P4? That guy.  See Fleck & Polesk? See Annesse.   Ferris State is where Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambless was.  Annesse has won 3 of the last four D2 National titles. Offensively? They score so much, the lights have to be replaced mid year. One week they might throw for 400+, the next? Rush for 400+. Then go 250 and 250 the next week...well on their way to dropping 50+ spots like it's 2nd nature.

Oregon has been winning and lighting the scoreboard up the last 25 years, no matter who is in charge and/or calling plays & that didn't happen until Uncle Phil decided to make the Ducks his own personal project and assuring that they'd have 9, 578 uniform combinations + each player's closet essentially being their own, personal Nike Outlet Store.

Ohio State? Obviously has won even more, and for longer, despite who the HC/Coordinators are.

Being a HC/Coordinator at college football bluebloods, and expecting that to translate to one that...well, isn't...Is no different than would be in KYHSFB, whereas, it SHOULD be the other way around. I'm looking for the guy(s) that have won ANY AT ALL in the places that shouldn't. 

With how quickly this hired happened after firing Stoops. Basically shows they didn’t really reach out to many people at all. Which I’m not a fan of. I get needing to be quick with signing period coming. However, it’s even more important making sure you get the right hire. Which maybe he would have still been the guy they liked the best. However, I definitely would have liked to seen them open it up a bit more. 
 

They did the coach in waiting thing with Joker taking over after Brooks, instead of opening it up to try to find the best guy. That didn’t work out well. Then in this case, seems like they already had Stein as the guy they wanted, without opening it up much. So that part is a little frustrating. However, as others have said maybe this will work out great and they found the next great young coach. 

4 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

However, as others have said maybe this will work out great and they found the next great young coach. 

Right, sometimes you have to give the young guy with limited experience a chance. 

37 minutes ago, TheDeuce said:

You missed the sarcasm.

Gotcha.

1 hour ago, theguru said:

Right, sometimes you have to give the young guy with limited experience a chance. 

Absolutely! 

14 hours ago, All State Baseball said:

Oregon Co-Defensive Coordinator Chris Hampton is coming with Stein to UK to be the defensive coordinator. 

If true (I have no reason to doubt you, this is just the first time I have seen this), this is HUGE. Hampton I believe was 2025 recruiter of the year. Not to mention the fact the he and Stein have familiarity working with one another. This is a VERY big addition to come with Stein.

General Manager and Recruiting Coordinator on boardm

 

9 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

General Manager and Recruiting Coordinator on boardm

 

I like it! I also like the OC he is bringing on board! Now who he gets to run the defense will be huge! I know the Co-DC for Oregon was mentioned. If not, I would like to see him go after an experienced DC somewhere. I know we are starting to see more colleges get former NFL Head Coaches/DC's to come be coordinators in college. A name I would throw out there, to see if he has any interest would be Mike Zimmer. He has his nice big ranch in Walton-Verona, and would bring great experience to this young staff. 

I would say it is probably a small chance, as he took this year off of football and may just be done coaching. However, maybe this year off has lit a fire in him and possibly would be interested in returning to coach. 

16 minutes ago, futurecoach said:

I like it! I also like the OC he is bringing on board! Now who he gets to run the defense will be huge! I know the Co-DC for Oregon was mentioned. If not, I would like to see him go after an experienced DC somewhere. I know we are starting to see more colleges get former NFL Head Coaches/DC's to come be coordinators in college. A name I would throw out there, to see if he has any interest would be Mike Zimmer. He has his nice big ranch in Walton-Verona, and would bring great experience to this young staff. 

I would say it is probably a small chance, as he took this year off of football and may just be done coaching. However, maybe this year off has lit a fire in him and possibly would be interested in returning to coach. 

I think it would be a tough sell for any NFL coach to take a position that would require them to recruit, regardless of the school.