I've really never been a fan of the HC In Waiting. I think it's a lot of the problem at Florida State. With that being said, Kentucky was in a bit of a different situation and wanted to provide "stability."

 

Andre Woodson and that class made Phillips look like a pure genius. His play calling seems to be pretty good throughout the game, but when the game is on the line in the fourth, Kentucky's offense has some of the worst play calling ever.

 

With that said, is Joker the right person to take over? And if not, who would you want that is a realistic option?

I guess we'll find out when/if Brooks steps down. Its hard to say how a guy will do as the head man...nobody doubts Charlie Weis' ability as an offensive coordinator, but his job as head coach hasn't lived up to that standard.

The answer is none of us truly know. How does anyone become the head coach everyone covets? He gets his chance and runs with it. Will Joker get his chance and run with it? I certainly hope he does.

No. His play calling baffles me at times.

Like many of you said, no one knows how Joker will do. But I do think that Kentucky could lure a very good up and coming coach here because Brooks was able to pull Kentucky out of the cellar and off of probation. I could see someone like Mike Leach doing very well here, considering he was here for some time.

I've really never been a fan of the HC In Waiting. I think it's a lot of the problem at Florida State. With that being said, Kentucky was in a bit of a different situation and wanted to provide "stability."

 

Andre Woodson and that class made Phillips look like a pure genius. His play calling seems to be pretty good throughout the game, but when the game is on the line in the fourth, Kentucky's offense has some of the worst play calling ever.

 

With that said, is Joker the right person to take over? And if not, who would you want that is a realistic option?

 

No.

Like many of you said, no one knows how Joker will do. But I do think that Kentucky could lure a very good up and coming coach here because Brooks was able to pull Kentucky out of the cellar and off of probation. I could see someone like Mike Leach doing very well here, considering he was here for some time.

 

Would you really want Mike Leach? He's done a nice job at Texas Tech, but I don't want another Hal Mumme-esque coach who only cares about offense. I'd like an upgrade, if possible, and I don't think Leach offers an upgrade from Rich Brooks.

 

Assuming Joker does indeed eventually take over as the head man, that is going to be a tremendously important tenure for UK football...assuming they continue the momentum Brooks has built, when Joker steps in, his coaching tenure will determine whether UK stays competitive and/or continues to progress, or whether we return to SEC bottom feeder. There's no room for error. UK doesn't have the tradition to absorb a poor run by Joker. If that happens, we'll be right back to square one, searching for the next Rich Brooks to build us into a solid football team again. The only difference will be that at least Brooks has proven it possible.

Well, I was one of MANY on here (I digress but wonder how many that are calling for Joker as not the right guy are like me) that did not think Brooks was the right guy either.

Like many of you said, no one knows how Joker will do. But I do think that Kentucky could lure a very good up and coming coach here because Brooks was able to pull Kentucky out of the cellar and off of probation. I could see someone like Mike Leach doing very well here, considering he was here for some time.

 

I would happily take Joker over Mike Leach.

Like many of you said, no one knows how Joker will do. But I do think that Kentucky could lure a very good up and coming coach here because Brooks was able to pull Kentucky out of the cellar and off of probation. I could see someone like Mike Leach doing very well here, considering he was here for some time.

 

This is what I been trying to say for awhile on here. I completely disagree with just giving Joker the job when Brooks retires. I mean Brooks has done a GREAT job with the program considering where it was at when he took over. However is this program really still going up? I don't think so, I think we have basically stayed at this same level, and I don't see us going up anytime soon. We still only win 3 games a year in the SEC, and yes we beat teams like Georgia and Auburn this year, but it wasn't like it was because we went up to their level, it was more them coming down to the level we been at the last 4 years. Georgia is going to bounce back like after last time when we beat them, Auburn is on their way back up, UT is going to be back up here really soon. So the level we are at, just is not going to cut it here in a few years, and honestly where in this program should we believe that we will be taking that next step with what we currently have and do? I know I don't see it.

 

I think with the Job Rich Brooks has done here, that this program really could take that next step and get to that next level when he retires if we go out and try to get the best guy we can for the job. There is no reason to just hand the job for him. Yeah you can say he is a leading candidate and if he really is the best guy for the job after interviews and stuff then fine. However I think this program could bring in some better football coach that could take us to that next level like Petrino did at UL, and Kelly at UC. However if we go with Joker I see us either just staying at this average level that we are at, or going down. I don't see us taking that next step with him, and I been saying that for awhile. People might not like to believe this, but this program really has not gone up any, it just has been staying the same the last 4 years now and I don't see that changing with current staff or if Joker becomes the coach next.

Yes, when the time comes.

Would you really want Mike Leach? He's done a nice job at Texas Tech, but I don't want another Hal Mumme-esque coach who only cares about offense. I'd like an upgrade, if possible, and I don't think Leach offers an upgrade from Rich Brooks.

 

Assuming Joker does indeed eventually take over as the head man, that is going to be a tremendously important tenure for UK football...assuming they continue the momentum Brooks has built, when Joker steps in, his coaching tenure will determine whether UK stays competitive and/or continues to progress, or whether we return to SEC bottom feeder. There's no room for error. UK doesn't have the tradition to absorb a poor run by Joker. If that happens, we'll be right back to square one, searching for the next Rich Brooks to build us into a solid football team again. The only difference will be that at least Brooks has proven it possible.

I agree with your whole post, but especially the bold part. Which leads me to think that's why the coach-in-waiting is a bad idea. With what Brooks has done UK is in a position where they won't have to have a "? mark" at the HC spot. I truely believe if they wanted to open up the checkbook they could land a very big name like BK.

Like many of you said, no one knows how Joker will do. But I do think that Kentucky could lure a very good up and coming coach here because Brooks was able to pull Kentucky out of the cellar and off of probation. I could see someone like Mike Leach doing very well here, considering he was here for some time.

 

Mike Leach? We had that already (with him as an OC under Mumme) and had no where near the amount of success we've had against Brooks. The Air Raid isn't going to win in the SEC, too pass heavy and doesn't stretch the field enough IMO. Leach would be a horrible hire for UK IMO. Mumme ball was fun to watch but it was a losing brand of football, even if they did win a few games.

I agree with your whole post, but especially the bold part. Which leads me to think that's why the coach-in-waiting is a bad idea. With what Brooks has done UK is in a position where they won't have to have a "? mark" at the HC spot. I truely believe if they wanted to open up the checkbook they could land a very big name like BK.

 

Joker has played a key role in UK's current success. There's a chance they wouldn't have been able to keep him, so they made him the head coach-in-waiting.

 

Nobody really knows what Joker will do as a head coach, but I'm content with him as the replacement for Brooks. There's a chance it won't turn out good, but hindsight is 20/20.

Mike Leach? We had that already (with him as an OC under Mumme) and had no where near the amount of success we've had against Brooks. The Air Raid isn't going to win in the SEC, too pass heavy and doesn't stretch the field enough IMO. Leach would be a horrible hire for UK IMO. Mumme ball was fun to watch but it was a losing brand of football, even if they did win a few games.

 

I think with the right defensive coordinator, it could work well. Offense has really stepped up in the league. Auburn started out well with their high octane offense. Florida and the spread hasn't been to shabby. It has more to do with having the atheletes to play what is needed. Mumme didn't have nearly the speed defensively that Brooks has now. It has been almost ten years since the Air Raid.

 

He wouldn't be my first choice, but I think he would be a good choice. He has a winning team at Texas Tech, usually. I'm not asking to push Brooks out now, but I do believe that when it comes time, with the right coach, Kentucky can reach the next level.