I just wanted to put my two cents in, regarding UK Football Coach Rich Brooks. I was one of the doubters when he was hired back in 2003 and was critical of Barnhardt at the time as well. Both have been very good thus far for UK athletics and I'm glad their here. I am really amazed at what Coach Brooks has been able to accomplish while at UK. Lets be honest, even though we UK fans have always rooted for the cats in football, who actually thought the program would be where it is today? Recruiting has been better than I ever dreamed it would be, and naming Joker as the Head Coach in waiting was a brilliant move in my opinion. This should provide prospective recruits some assurance that there will be a smooth transition whenever Brooks chooses to step down. Again, I just wanted to put my two cents in and say thanks Coach Brooks.

 

GO CATS!!

Edited September 11, 200818 yr by Baseballguy

I didn't think Brooks was the right man and I was wrong. He deserves the credit, for the turn around, staff and enthusiasm for the Football program.

I didn't think Brooks was the right man and I was wrong. He deserves the credit, for the turn around, staff and enthusiasm for the Football program.

 

Same here. Good job Coach Brooks. :thumb:

I didn't think Brooks was the right man and I was wrong. He deserves the credit, for the turn around, staff and enthusiasm for the Football program.

 

I remember having some nice debates with you about that.

 

I didn't expect Brooks to have this much success at this point...and more importantly, I didn't think he'd have the program overall in as good of shape as it seems to be.

I can't say I ever thought Brooks was the man to hire but once he was here I have always defended his chance to prove what he could do. All I ever heard from some on here was how stupid they were for letting Morris get away. And how Brooks was so awlful. I tried to preach to have patience and see what he could do with time and recruiting. Boy am I glad it turned out for the good.

I remember having some nice debates with you about that.

 

I didn't expect Brooks to have this much success at this point...and more importantly, I didn't think he'd have the program overall in as good of shape as it seems to be.

Nor did I. You were right, I was wrong.

Nor did I. You were right, I was wrong.

 

Occasionally, I am...:lol:

 

Check out my 2007 NFL Predictions...:scared:

 

Or, even worse, my 2008 picks...I picked the Bengals to win the AFC North. And, the Chargers to go 15-1. And the Falcons to go 0-16...

 

In my defense, I should have waited until right before the season to post those picks. I most likely would have backed way off on Cincy and downgraded the Chargers after Merriman's injury. :lol:

I thought it was a Last resort hire, and he would be gone in 2 Years....Thank You Rich

 

You made me a believer

I did not know much about him, but like any UK coach, I supported him 110%. While I was in his corner the entire way, in the back corners of my mind, I have to admit that I had some lingering doubts. But it seemed like he and his staff were getting some good recruits and that his players respected him and played hard. I thought he deserved the chance to bring in the players he wanted and get the program through a very difficult period of time. I respected the fact that he took the job that almost noone really wanted and was willing to take the slings and arrows during the rebuilding process. Let's be honest here, UK was not a traditional football power by any stretch before the sanctions, then the probation, limited scholarships, recruiting restrictions, and not a lot of talent coming in. I should have had no doubts at all when a few friends of mine in Oregon kept singing his praises. 'We named the field at Oregon for the man because he took the worst program in the Pac 10 and made us a contender. Just give him time and he will do it the right way' they said.

 

The fact that he has turned the program without the slightest hint of inpropriety speaks volumes about the man. If I ever had a son good enough to play at that level, I would consider it an honor for them to play at UK for Coach Rich Brooks.

 

Thanks Coach for all that you have done. If UK continues to progress, I would be in favor of changing the name of the field from CM Newton Field to Rich Brooks Field. :thumb:

I'm with woodsider on this one. While I wasn't crazy about the choice I felt like whoever they brought in deserved at least 5 years to get things turned around. I am proud to say I was one of the few to defend him when people accused him of throwing the players under the bus with some of his comments. Mainly that we didn't have SEC caliber players when he arrived. All the man did was tell the truth, and that still seems to be one of his strong points. If you've ever heard him speak at a coaches clinic you can sure tell he has some NFL in his background, because he cusses like a sailor, and no that does not offend me. I agree the man has done an outstanding job.

I'm with woodsider on this one. While I wasn't crazy about the choice I felt like whoever they brought in deserved at least 5 years to get things turned around. I am proud to say I was one of the few to defend him when people accused him of throwing the players under the bus with some of his comments. Mainly that we didn't have SEC caliber players when he arrived. All the man did was tell the truth, and that still seems to be one of his strong points. If you've ever heard him speak at a coaches clinic you can sure tell he has some NFL in his background, because he cusses like a sailor, and no that does not offend me. I agree the man has done an outstanding job.

Exactly. He had a pass in my book until at least 2 years removed from the probation.

I just wanted to put my two cents in, regarding UK Football Coach Rich Brooks. I was one of the doubters when he was hired back in 2003 and was critical of Barnhardt at the time as well. Both have been very good thus far for UK athletics and I'm glad their here. I am really amazed at what Coach Brooks has been able to accomplish while at UK. Lets be honest, even though we UK fans have always rooted for the cats in football, who actually thought the program would be where it is today? Recruiting has been better than I ever dreamed it would be, and naming Joker as the Head Coach in waiting was a brilliant move in my opinion. This should provide prospective recruits some assurance that there will be a smooth transition whenever Brooks chooses to step down. Again, I just wanted to put my two cents in and say thanks Coach Brooks.

 

GO CATS!!

 

I am so glad you like many others have finally come around. We are lucky to have Coach Brooks at UK and as far as I am concerned he can stay as long as he wants. I have always said he is exactly what the program needed. Hats off to Mitch on this one.

I did not know much about him, but like any UK coach, I supported him 110%. While I was in his corner the entire way, in the back corners of my mind, I have to admit that I had some lingering doubts. But it seemed like he and his staff were getting some good recruits and that his players respected him and played hard. I thought he deserved the chance to bring in the players he wanted and get the program through a very difficult period of time. I respected the fact that he took the job that almost noone really wanted and was willing to take the slings and arrows during the rebuilding process. Let's be honest here, UK was not a traditional football power by any stretch before the sanctions, then the probation, limited scholarships, recruiting restrictions, and not a lot of talent coming in. I should have had no doubts at all when a few friends of mine in Oregon kept singing his praises. 'We named the field at Oregon for the man because he took the worst program in the Pac 10 and made us a contender. Just give him time and he will do it the right way' they said.

 

The fact that he has turned the program without the slightest hint of inpropriety speaks volumes about the man. If I ever had a son good enough to play at that level, I would consider it an honor for them to play at UK for Coach Rich Brooks.

 

Thanks Coach for all that you have done. If UK continues to progress, I would be in favor of changing the name of the field from CM Newton Field to Rich Brooks Field. :thumb:

Very well stated. I kept telling my buddies that he had taken an Oregon program that was a bottom feeder in the PAC 10 to a Rose Bowl championship in a relatively short time.

Very well stated. I kept telling my buddies that he had taken an Oregon program that was a bottom feeder in the PAC 10 to a Rose Bowl championship in a relatively short time.

 

Correct! The fact is that he left the Oregon program in MUCH better shape than he found it. It appears he will do the same at UK.

I am a believer in Coach Brooks now. Thanks for proving me wrong! GO Cats!!