Musing

[Matt Dillon]

I'll preface this by saying I'm usually wrong, but I have a strong feeling that this is Stoops last season as the UK fb coach. I also feel like Sumrall has been contacted and he is torn between staying at Tulane, coming to UK or taking a better offer.

[EKYCat]

I think if this is Stoops last season it will likely be a divorce similar to Cal. Personally, I can't see Barnhart firing the guy. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that had Cal not expressed interest in Arkansas, he'd still be our coach.

I can see Sumrall having a tough decision but ultimately choosing a school who will make a serious attempt at winning football games. That ain't UK, in my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I believe it's his last as well. I do not know how it will play out, but it feels like he doesn't even want to be here. If that's the case, then he should negotiate.

[Jaxcat]

I think Stoops might be able to get Va Tech into the mid- to upper tier in the ACC. But that's the ceiling. Certainly on that list, there are names I would be more inclined to get excited about than Stoops.

[WeWant9]

Stoops reached his ceiling at UK, and is on a very steep decline. I assume he still wants to coach, but if he is back at UK there will be hardly any support or enthusiasm towards the program. I do not see him taking any program to the playoffs ever, but a fresh start might get his juices going again (especially outside of the SEC).

Sumrall will be the belle of the ball this offseason. UK will have to really show a commitment to NIL, facilities, etc to get him over some of the more high-profile jobs.

[EKYCat]

Stoops reached his ceiling at UK, and is on a very steep decline. I assume he still wants to coach, but if he is back at UK there will be hardly any support or enthusiasm towards the program. I do not see him taking any program to the playoffs ever, but a fresh start might get his juices going again (especially outside of the SEC).

Sumrall will be the belle of the ball this offseason. UK will have to really show a commitment to NIL, facilities, etc to get him over some of the more high-profile jobs.

Agree totally about Sumrall. A quick list of openings/potential openings that UK will have to compete with:

1. Penn State
2. Florida
3. Virginia Tech
4. Auburn
5. Florida State
6. Wisconsin

Those are all schools who will be more committed to and more capable of producing a winning product than our beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

[Los Gatos]

Sumrall will be the belle of the ball this offseason. UK will have to really show a commitment to NIL, facilities, etc to get him over some of the more high-profile jobs.

Bingo! I can't see Sumrall (or any other high profile coach) coming to UK unless Barnyard is willing to give fb significantly more NIL money.

[bthaunert]

I agree that Stoops will be let go at the end of the season. But no way Sumrall is thinking about staying at Tulane after this season. He's gone. Too many good jobs with openings not for him to go for it. UK or not, I'd bet a lot of money he's not on Tulane's sideline next year.

[Trueblujr]

I'll preface this by saying I'm usually wrong, but I have a strong feeling that this is Stoops last season as the UK fb coach. I also feel like Sumrall has been contacted and he is torn between staying at Tulane, coming to UK or taking a better offer.

If that is the case, nothing would be announced publicly and in fact it would all be denied if questioned about it until after the season is over. Regardless if Stoops is fired before the lend of the season or not. I think Sumrall would come here in a heartbeat, kinda like Pope, so I don't think there would be any apprehensions of him leaving Tulane. as for a better offer? We pay Stoops over $9 million, we can compete salary wise if we want him bad enough.

[Trueblujr]

I think Stoops might be able to get Va Tech into the mid- to upper tier in the ACC. But that's the ceiling. Certainly on that list, there are names I would be more inclined to get excited about than Stoops.

The thing about VT is that with every new vacancy, they have increased competition and they drop a rung in the higher profile job pecking order. other than maybe Shane Beamer possibly wanting to go to his Alma Mater, their options could reduce them to settling for Stoops.

[Trueblujr]

Agree totally about Sumrall. A quick list of openings/potential openings that UK will have to compete with:

1. Penn State
2. Florida
3. Virginia Tech
4. Auburn
5. Florida State
6. Wisconsin

Those are all schools who will be more committed to and more capable of producing a winning product than our beloved Kentucky Wildcats.

add:
Arkansas
Oklahoma St.
UCLA
Oregon St.

And possibly (if coaches move)
Ole Miss
South Carolina (only if Beamer goes to VT)

[Davidmack]

Bad season to be looking for a coach. So many historic programs to go against.

[Matt Dillon]

I think if this is Stoops last season it will likely be a divorce similar to Cal. Personally, I can't see Barnhart firing the guy. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that had Cal not expressed interest in Arkansas, he'd still be our coach.

I can see Sumrall having a tough decision but ultimately choosing a school who will make a serious attempt at winning football games. That ain't UK, in my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

Much like coach Pope, he's an alum. Also, good coaches have the self-confidence that they can win anywhere.

[Matt Dillon]

I believe it's his last as well. I do not know how it will play out, but it feels like he doesn't even want to be here. If that's the case, then he should negotiate.

I agree 100%. He could negotiate and still walk away with a lot of money. If he stays, and has another season anything like this one, what support and good will is left will be gone. Also, another season like this one would make it very difficult for him to find another job.

[Majoga]

AMusing:

A common theme out in the ether is that we could afford to pay out Stoops' contract over time. If this is true, lets keep him and demote him to waterboy and hire someone else. At the very least, we'd find out what sort of dude he really is, and probably in short order. Either accept the deal and prove he only cares about the money (which he should already have a ton of), destroying his reputation and legacy. Or, find another job on his own.