Joker was one year in. I would not reconsider what I posted at that time, wrong or not. I will support Stoops with the same fervor.

 

Remember what I said to start the thread. I was asking if it was a mistake to just give Joker the job, which people on here know I was saying that before he even coached his first game. I think it showed just giving him the job was a mistake. UK football was at a good point when Brooks retired, it was at a point where it had taken a step forward however was stuck on that step. They needed to get a coach who would give them a chance to take that next step. However by keeping with the status quo and keeping Joker allowed them to not be able to take that step.

 

The mistake was just giving him the job without opening it up. If he truly was the best candidate after they opened it up, then that would have been fine. UK messed up big time because this Stoops hire should have been the type of hire they made when Brooks retired. Someone who could have built off what he did, and got the fanbase and the program even more energized and recruiting at a much higher level. Stoops may not work out either, however they went about the right way in finding a coach this time at least.

There will be a similar thread about Stoops next year after UK wins 4 games.

 

Your right there probably will be a thread if they don't win 4 games by someone. However my reasoning for the thread was because I said many times on here before his first game that they made a mistake just giving him the job. Hence the reason why I made the thread again, since so many people during the hire said how it was the right move because UK couldn't get a top assistant or up and coming coach to come here.

Back during Andre' Woodson's Jr/Sr years, Joker looked to be among the top offensive coordinators in the country and I think the UK Athletic Department got scared a top program (Oklahoma was one I believe) would lure Joker away so Mitch probably felt he had to offer the head coach in waiting job to Joker to keep him around. It was after players like Woodson, Burton and others moved on that the truth came out that it was the players who made Joker look so good and I think Mitch felt obligated to keep his promise to Joker. Back when Mitch gave him the offer, I believe most in the football world felt it was a good decision, it just didn't work out.

 

I look at Joker and Bill Curry in similar ways, two really good men who just couldn't get the job done at UK.

Back during Andre' Woodson's Jr/Sr years, Joker looked to be among the top offensive coordinators in the country and I think the UK Athletic Department got scared a top program (Oklahoma was one I believe) would lure Joker away so Mitch probably felt he had to offer the head coach in waiting job to Joker to keep him around. It was after players like Woodson, Burton and others moved on that the truth came out that it was the players who made Joker look so good and I think Mitch felt obligated to keep his promise to Joker. Back when Mitch gave him the offer, I believe most in the football world felt it was a good decision, it just didn't work out.

 

I look at Joker and Bill Curry in similar ways, two really good men who just couldn't get the job done at UK.

To me there is a huge difference between being a good head coach and being a good offensive coordinator. I believe him to be a solid offensive guy, but he is not an organizational leader. Happens all the time in sports. Sports is the biggest victim of the Peter Principle. Meaning people are continously promoted until they exceed their abilities then it is too late.

To me there is a huge difference between being a good head coach and being a good offensive coordinator. I believe him to be a solid offensive guy, but he is not an organizational leader. Happens all the time in sports. Sports is the biggest victim of the Peter Principle. Meaning people are continously promoted until they exceed their abilities then it is too late.

 

 

True, just because Coach John Doe is a great offensive (or defensive) coordinator doesn't automatically mean they will make great head coaches, but as you say,that is the natural ascension coaches make up the ladder. I think the question could be asked, was Joker a great offensive coordinator or did Woodson and company just make him look that good? I'm not sure. As I said, I really like Joker the guy and hoped he could win as a head coach.