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  • blueheretic
    Senior Member
    • Jul 2025
    • 779

    #1

    HC Candidates

    Asked ChatGPT to put together likely success of candidates that are being bandied about.


    Here’s a sober, Kentucky-specific stack-rank—who’s most likely to win at UK (fit + track record + NIL/portal era + SEC realities), down to least. 1) Dan Mullen (UNLV HC)best blend of SEC proof + QB offense


    Why it fits UK: proven SEC winner (MSU bowls x8; UF 3 straight top-15s), QB developer, scheme adapts to talent, and he’s re-established in 2025 by flipping UNLV to 10–2 and a MW title game in year one. He knows how to recruit the Southeast and manage big-boy schedules; give him UK’s current NIL/portal resources and he can build an efficient offense fast. 2) Bob Chesney (James Madison HC)serial program builder


    He’s won everywhere (D-III ? D-II ? FCS ? FBS) with only one losing season in 16 years; JMU is 20–5 in FBS under him. The risk is Power-2 jump scale, but UK historically thrives with system builders who maximize 3-star rosters; Chesney’s profile screams process + culture + discipline. 3) Ryan Grubb (Alabama OC; ex-Washington OC, ex-Seahawks OC)elite pass-game architect


    Back-to-back top offenses at Washington (Penix ? 1st-rounder), then NFL OC, now running Bama’s attack. If UK wants to modernize offense and portal-recruit QBs/WRs, Grubb is a plug-and-play system CEO on that side of the ball. (Head-coach leap risk, but upside is real.) 4) Will Stein (Oregon OC; Louisville native)young star with KY roots


    OC for a CFP-caliber Oregon, track record of QB efficiency and explosives; rising rep as a play-caller and recruiter, plus Kentucky ties (Louisville/Trinity). Timeline could be tricky with Oregon’s playoff run, but upside and cultural fit are strong. 5) Glenn Schumann (Georgia DC)SEC defense, organization, talent eval


    Smart’s right-hand man built elite, replicable defensive structures and knows SEC recruiting rhythms cold. Biggest question is offensive staff hiring and NIL/portal roster construction as a first-time HC—but the floor on defense/organization is high. 6) P.J. Fleck (Minnesota HC)culture + floor raiser


    He wins without blue-chip recruiting—multiple 9+ win years, 11-2 in 2019—so he fits UK’s “efficiency + development” identity. Ceiling concern: Big Ten offenses under him can be sloggy; would need a dynamic OC to recruit SEC skill talent. 7) Sonny Dykes (TCU HC; ex-UK WR coach)portal offense, instant lift potential


    Took TCU to the 2022 title game and bowls at four schools; could juice UK’s offense/portal. Risk: defensive volatility and recent slippage; would require pairing with a strong DC to endure SEC trench play. 8) Kane Wommack (Alabama DC; ex-South Alabama HC)defense-first climber


    Won 10 at South Alabama; now coordinating Alabama’s defense. Fits the SEC toughness brief; unknown is HC offense hire and recruiting brand power as the face of a P2 program. 9) Neal Brown (Texas special assistant; ex-WVU, ex-UK OC)familiar, steady, limited upside


    Deep UK ties; Sun Belt title at Troy; but WVU tenure finished 37–35. Stabilizer more than accelerator—fine floor, smaller ceiling in the current SEC arms race. 10) Collin Klein (Texas A&M OC; ex-K-State OC)ascending play-caller


    Big 12 title OC at K-State; helped A&M’s rise under Elko. Intriguing upside, but only a couple years as primary OC—projection risk to P2 HC. 11) Brian Hartline (Ohio State OC)A+ recruiter; HC unknowns


    Elite WR recruiter/developer and expected play-caller in 2025, but little HC build evidence yet. If UK wants a recruiting brand jolt, he brings it; if it wants day-one roster management + in-game HC chops, others are safer. 12) Tommy Rees (Browns OC; ex-ND/Alabama OC)young, sharp, still early


    Credited with Milroe’s turnaround at Bama; now an NFL OC. HC projection is still speculative and Cleveland’s 2024 offense struggled (injuries were real). More time seasoning likely. 13) Gerad Parker (Troy HC; ex-ND OC; UK alum)local ties, limited résumé


    Nice steps at Troy (back to SBC title game), but overall FBS HC sample is small and mixed; would be a culture fit, not a slam-dunk result fit right now.
    Why this order works for Kentucky
    • Tradition/identity: UK succeeds when it’s efficient, well-coached, and portal-savvy—not when it tries to out-five-star Georgia/Alabama.
    • Resources: Good, not SEC-top-three. You want coaches who win on development, QB play, and scheme—and who can retain a core via smart NIL, not just splash.
    • Experience vs. upside: Mullen/Chesney/Grubb/Stein/Schumann give you different paths to a step-function improvement without requiring Alabama-level budgets.
    "How dare you hold me to a standard!"

    ~ American Football Coaches
  • Pobilly
    Senior Member
    • Oct 2014
    • 5167

    #2
    If Mitch is making the decision then he will have a short list already complied of about 2 or 3 candidates.

    Proverbs 25:24

    Comment

    • Jaxcat
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2025
      • 546

      #3
      Would Stein hold out to succeed Brohm as it's likely he gets a better job in the next couple of years, assuming he keeps UofL winning?

      Not sure an AL/GA/OR coordinator is going to step down to be HC at UK where it's nearly impossible to win 8+ games. If they are good at their job at their much more visible school, one would think a better P4 HC position would open up in the next season or two. Or the NFL comes calling. HC at UK, unless they really knocked it out of the park, would most likely dim their chances of continuing to climb the ladder. JMHO

      Comment

      • The-Hack
        Junior Member
        • Jul 2025
        • 33

        #4
        I’m thinking Mullen, Chesney and Hartline, in that order.

        Mullen had one ten-win season at a talent poor Miss State, but developed good-to-great college QB’s at all his stops. Hire an ace recruiter, retain Boley, and throw some left-over millions (are any left) for NIL.

        He had a winning record in the Egg Bowl, and pitched 6-2 in State Bowl appearances.

        He has a certain creepy appearance, but many smart folks do.

        His records at State look little more
        accomplished than Stoop’s best run, but he was playing against a STRONG SEC West, during Saban’s best years, and even a Natty and a runner up for Auburn.

        We could do far worse.

        And he DID NOT get fired at his last stop: UNLV has prospered with him.
        Last edited by The-Hack; 1 day ago.

        Comment

        • Trueblujr
          Administrator
          • Nov 2014
          • 1902

          #5
          Originally posted by Jaxcat
          Would Stein hold out to succeed Brohm as it's likely he gets a better job in the next couple of years, assuming he keeps UofL winning?

          Not sure an AL/GA/OR coordinator is going to step down to be HC at UK where it's nearly impossible to win 8+ games. If they are good at their job at their much more visible school, one would think a better P4 HC position would open up in the next season or two. Or the NFL comes calling. HC at UK, unless they really knocked it out of the park, would most likely dim their chances of continuing to climb the ladder. JMHO
          Stein would more than likely use us as a stepping stone, but I don't think it would be to UofL. I think Brohm is there for a while, unless maybe the NFL comes calling for him. I have to think Brian would be in line to succeed Jeff if that was the case. but who knows. I do think Stein would stick here until the right opening came available for him to make a move though. Something to be said about being close to family.

          I think of that list, Mullen would be about the only one who wouldn't use us as a stepping stone. I think he's bounced around enough that he'd want to establish some roots and find a place to make his mark. The only issue with him has always been his recruiting. I think it's what's held him back, It was his downfall at Florida. He's a really good coach that hasn't been able to recruit to a level to make him an elite coach. He would be a steady, consistent, get us to bowl games level coach, have us knocking on the top 25 door regularly, but not sure about getting us to playoff contention. Good hire, I wouldn't be mad at it, but he would definitely need to upgrade his recruiting. Would he be a coach talent wants to flock to? the plus is that he's only 53, you'd think he'd be much older than that considering how long he's been around. so he has a lot of years to really establish himself.
          "It don't make much sense that common sense don't make no sense no more" John Prine

          Comment

          • blueheretic
            Senior Member
            • Jul 2025
            • 779

            #6
            I'm fine with being used as a stepping stone.


            Young and hungry is what we need here.

            Keep getting young and hungry.

            Just an opinion but I think that is what Kentucky needs until such time as someone sticks around to establish Kentucky as an SEC Power. If that is even possible. I think it can be possible in the NIL era.

            It will take strategic hires of charismatic young blood.

            That's one reason that Mullen doesn't particularly appeal to me.

            Again, it's an opinion. I could be way off base.

            I'd like to see young, hungry and offensive minded with imagination. None of that three yards and a cloud of dust down the center nonsense until such time as Kentucky can recruit BIG TIME dudes for that skill set.

            Stoops wanted to be Kirby Smart. He couldn't quite pull it off at Kentucky. We need offense to fill those seats and win games that we shouldn't.
            "How dare you hold me to a standard!"

            ~ American Football Coaches

            Comment

            • bthaunert
              Senior Member
              • Jul 2025
              • 106

              #7
              Originally posted by The-Hack
              I’m thinking Mullen, Chesney and Hartline, in that order.

              Mullen had one ten-win season at a talent poor Miss State, but developed good-to-great college QB’s at all his stops. Hire an ace recruiter, retain Boley, and throw some left-over millions (are any left) for NIL.

              He had a winning record in the Egg Bowl, and pitched 6-2 in State Bowl appearances.

              He has a certain creepy appearance, but many smart folks do.

              His records at State look little more
              accomplished than Stoop’s best run, but he was playing against a STRONG SEC West, during Saban’s best years, and even a Natty and a runner up for Auburn.

              We could do far worse.

              And he DID NOT get fired at his last stop: UNLV has prospered with him.
              I've heard/seen a couple times about UNLV prospering under him. People don't realize UNLV went 11-3 last year and was playing in the MW title game, where the winner was going to the CFP. While he's having a good year, Barry Odom is the one that made that program prosper and Mullen is continuing that this year.

              Mullen is a very meh hire for me. I feel like his floor is probably higher, but I think his ceiling is lower than guys like Stein and Hartline.

              Comment

               

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              HC Candidates

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