Coaches hot seat

[Jaxcat]

Think we can add Kelly (LSU), Napier (FL), Freeze (AU) to Stoops' name on the list. Maybe Lincoln Riley (USC), Dabo (Clemson) and Norvell (FSU), also.

I know he's been mentioned for the Va Tech job, but is Beamer (SC) in trouble? They looked bad yesterday.

[TrueblueCATfan]

Stoops should be at the Top of the List

[CrimsonCats]

FSU is now in a similar situation to us. I don’t think it’s even a question anymore that they want Norvell out based on the product on the field, but do they have $59 million to buy him out? We might find out soon.

[Jaxcat]

^It's $59 million? Yikes. And IU has obviously ignored others' predicaments, marrying Cignetti for 8 years at $11.5/year. It's madness.

Is FSU an anomaly or is it indicative that you can't build/sustain excellence through the portal? You HAVE to have good recruiting and development in order to sustain a high level. They have talent on that team but there are times when it appears they're not on the same page or there is miscommunication or a bad coaching decision. It somewhat reminds me of UK BB teams with 3-4 NBA draftees OAD getting beat by a less talented but greatly more experienced (especially with each other) team. Team chemistry is underrated, imo. All the talented individuals in the world still need time to become accustomed to playing with the players around them. It doesn't take but a play or two to completely change the course of a game many times.

With so many big name programs shopping for a HC, it's hard for me to imagine Sumrall coming to UK, even if we do show Stoops the door. FSU would be a great job for Sumrall. He's got recruiting ties to the area, ACC is easier to win than the SEC, FSU has tons of money, support, history, extremely fertile local recruiting, etc. Florida, should they fire Napier, has the same intangibles. Why come to UK with a host of disadvantages vs either of those two programs. Throw in Penn St, LSU, maybe SoCal and you've got some serious blue blood programs that will talk with Sumrall. Think UK comes in dead last in a race with many of those programs.

[Jaxcat]

Evidently, Napier is gone from FL, so that domino has fallen.

[Sjslhill]

Colorado State college just got let go.

[Jaxcat]

A friend mine who is a huge LSU fan said rumors are rampant that Kelly's days are drawing to a close. They won't put up with 3+ losses annually. He's never really fit in personality-wise, either.

Sumrall would hardly have to relocate if LSU came after him. He'd kill it there, I believe.

[Trueblujr]

Have to wonder, with Texas losing to Florida and winning but being largely outplayed by us, along with the failing Arch Manning thing, if Steve Sarkisian's seat isn't pretty warm at this point. They came into the season with lofty expectations, playoff certainty and a number one ranking in some polls.

[bigblue4life]

A friend mine who is a huge LSU fan said rumors are rampant that Kelly's days are drawing to a close. They won't put up with 3+ losses annually. He's never really fit in personality-wise, either.

Sumrall would hardly have to relocate if LSU came after him. He'd kill it there, I believe.

My wife is a Louisiana native and big LSU fan. While she certainly doesn't have insider knowledge, she's pretty much done with Brian Kelly and she tells me most of their fanbase feels the same way; basically confirming what you've stated.

It's crazy how many high-profile job openings there are in CFB right now. Sumrall is definitely going to have other programs approach him. There's really nothing much we can do but engage in wishful thinking and speculation unless and until Barnhart and Stoops make a clear statement on the future of the program. Personally I think a parting of the ways would be mutually beneficial to both Stoops and the UKFB program.

[Trueblujr]

My wife is a Louisiana native and big LSU fan. While she certainly doesn't have insider knowledge, she's pretty much done with Brian Kelly and she tells me most of their fanbase feels the same way; basically confirming what you've stated.

It's crazy how many high-profile job openings there are in CFB right now. Sumrall is definitely going to have other programs approach him. There's really nothing much we can do but engage in wishful thinking and speculation unless and until Barnhart and Stoops make a clear statement on the future of the program. Personally I think a parting of the ways would be mutually beneficial to both Stoops and the UKFB program.

Kelly will land on his feet if he leaves LSU. He could be a candidate at Penn St. or Florida even. I don't think LSU will even have to fire him. If the writing is on the wall, he will just bolt on his own. Don't think he will make a downward move. One thing is certain, this years coaching carousel is going to be wild after last years very mild one.

[Jaxcat]

Have to wonder, with Texas losing to Florida and winning but being largely outplayed by us, along with the failing Arch Manning thing, if Steve Sarkisian's seat isn't pretty warm at this point. They came into the season with lofty expectations, playoff certainty and a number one ranking in some polls.

TX was in the playoffs last year and Sark has done well at TX. While their fanbase is just as delusional as many others, even TX fans can't be ready to part ways just yet I wouldn't think.

Arch may still develop into a really good QB. But, he sure didn't look the part on Saturday night or for much of the season thus far. He's one of those guys who can afford to stay in college and continue to improve and develop, imo. It just goes to show that even a 'can't miss' prospect sometimes just doesn't make the necessary jump at the next level to be a great college player (the same can be said for the jump from college to the NFL, of course). As I was always underwhelmed by Ewers, I believe it was telling that he kept getting the starting nod over Arch even after Arch had been at TX a full year. Since TX spent millions to bring/keep him there, I wonder if those donors are rethinking their contributions to Arch, Inc. now?

[Trueblujr]

TX was in the playoffs last year and Sark has done well at TX. While their fanbase is just as delusional as many others, even TX fans can't be ready to part ways just yet I wouldn't think.

Arch may still develop into a really good QB. But, he sure didn't look the part on Saturday night or for much of the season thus far. He's one of those guys who can afford to stay in college and continue to improve and develop, imo. It just goes to show that even a 'can't miss' prospect sometimes just doesn't make the necessary jump at the next level to be a great college player (the same can be said for the jump from college to the NFL, of course). As I was always underwhelmed by Ewers, I believe it was telling that he kept getting the starting nod over Arch even after Arch had been at TX a full year. Since TX spent millions to bring/keep him there, I wonder if those donors are rethinking their contributions to Arch, Inc. now?

Franklin and Penn St. were in the playoffs last year too, but you see what 3 losses got him. Not saying Texas will fire Sark, but his leash has to be getting shorter and shorter. They still have Georgia, aTm and dare I say Vandy on their schedule. If they don't buck up they could see more losses.

[Matt Dillon]

A friend mine who is a huge LSU fan said rumors are rampant that Kelly's days are drawing to a close. They won't put up with 3+ losses annually. He's never really fit in personality-wise, either.

Sumrall would hardly have to relocate if LSU came after him. He'd kill it there, I believe.

I doubt that Sumrall, being unproven at the SEC level, would be high profile enough for the LSU fans.

[Jaxcat]

Franklin and Penn St. were in the playoffs last year too, but you see what 3 losses got him. Not saying Texas will fire Sark, but his leash has to be getting shorter and shorter. They still have Georgia, aTm and dare I say Vandy on their schedule. If they don't buck up they could see more losses.

Good point. But, Sark has actually beaten a few top 10 ranked teams at TX unlike Franklin at PSU. Strange that his teams, no matter how good, seemed to always come up short in the big matchups.

[dencat]

Have to wonder, with Texas losing to Florida and winning but being largely outplayed by us, along with the failing Arch Manning thing, if Steve Sarkisian's seat isn't pretty warm at this point. They came into the season with lofty expectations, playoff certainty and a number one ranking in some polls.

Sark is pretty safe at Texas. The problem with Texas is the overblown hype surrounding Manning. Everyone and their brother was blowing so much smoke up his butt, there was no way he could have met the expectations. I think he will eventually be a great QB, but it may take a little while before that happens.