Thoughts On Coaching Search

[The-Hack]

Curiously, feelers were put out to Coach Stein, when Kentucky was 2-5, or many weeks ago.

Reading the tea leaves, the same
feelers might well have gone out to Brian Hartline and Jon Sumrall, but maybe not.

I suspect Sumrall was eliminated in the preliminary stages . . . as I suspect he would have stayed in the hunt by his own choice had any positive feelers been extended in late October.

But it is certainly possible that Sumrall was receiving similar “feelers” from LSU, UF and maybe even Ole Miss, and made the rational choice to pursue a better NIL situation.

I wish I had a friend “on the inside,” who
could whisper to me how Kentucky missed on the Coach many (including me) thought was the Heir Apparent.

And being 62 years old, I’ve been through this movie a lot. This might turn out to be the 4th time in my life we quickly curse our luck in narrowly missing
out on a Kentucky Alum in his relatively youthful prime.

And watching the respective press conferences of Sumrall and Stein, . . . Sumrall sounded like he wanted to run through a wall, and Stein sounded like a first-year 36 year old head coach.

Mmmmmm.

[Jaxcat]

Sumrall would have been given a LOT more rope had he taken the UK job than he'll get from FL fans, some of whom have already expressed disappointment at his hiring on social media. If he'd come to UK, it would have been as the knight on a white horse.

Didn't see either PC, but being able to handle the press is very, very far down on my list of 'Must Have' for a HC. Belichik won 7 SB rings and most of the time he had one word grunts. A lot of guys were awesome, charismatic and very charming and couldn't win football games. So, Stein will have a learning curve. But, his energy and philosophy may just be what the doctor ordered, whether he can string a great quote together at a press conference or not. Frankly, I don't really care. Just win, baby.

[The-Hack]

But, his energy and philosophy may just be what the doctor ordered, whether he can string a great quote together at a press conference or not. Frankly, I don't really care. Just win, baby.

I was implying my subjective observation that Sumrall looked energetic, and Stein, not so
much.

But you’re right: Press conferences are pretty meaningless, but purusing UF Boards, there was an instant turn-about in many UF fans after Sumrall looked and sounded like the Man In Charge, with his characteristic humor and bluntness.

[Old School]

Some former Kentucky players who went on to be college head coaches:

Blanton Collier - Kentucky 1954-1961, Cleveland Browns 1963-1970, SEC Coach of the Year, NFL championship

Charlie McClendon - LSU 1962-1979, 137–59–7, College Football Hall of Fame

Jerry Claiborne - Virginia Tech 1961-1970, Maryland 1972-1981 (undefeated regular season and three ACC championships, three straight undefeated seasons in conference play), Kentucky 1982-1989 (SEC Coach of the Year, 1983), 179–122–8, College Football Hall of Fame

Howard Schnellenberger - Baltimore Colts 1973-1974, Miami 1979-1983, Louisville 1985-1994, Oklahoma 1995, Florida Atlantic 2001-2011, 158–151–3, national championship (despite losing 28-3 to Florida, who beat Kentucky 24-7 in Gainesville), coach of the year

Neal Brown - Troy 2015-2018, West Virginia 2019-2024, North Texas 2025-present, 72-15, Sun Belt Coach of the Year and championship

Tim Beckmann - Toledo 2009-2011, Illinois 2012-2014

Joker Phillips - Kentucky 2010-2012

Doug Martin - Kent State 2004-2010, New Mexico State 2013-2021, took a 1-10 team to its first bowl game in 57 years

Gerad Parker - Purdue 2016, Troy 2024-present

Jon Sumrall - Troy 2022-2023 (conference coach of the year), Tulane 2024-2025, Florida 2025-present, 42-11, two conference championships

Chad Scott - West Virginia 2024

[Matt Dillon]

I've always felt letting Blanton Collier get away was almost as bad as letting the Bear get away. Collier never got the recognition he deserved in my opinion.

[bthaunert]

I've always felt letting Blanton Collier get away was almost as bad as letting the Bear get away. Collier never got the recognition he deserved in my opinion.

I'm too young (born in 1976), but his record wasn't that good at UK and he followed Bear, who was uber successful. He was very successful with the Browns after he left UK. He's an interesting one.

[Pete Hogwallop]

I thought Stein sounded very confident and energetic. I didn't watch the Sumrall press conference.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm too young (born in 1976), but his record wasn't that good at UK and he followed Bear, who was uber successful. He was very successful with the Browns after he left UK. He's an interesting one.

He was 5-2-1 against Tennessee. That makes him tops in my book.

[largebluej]

I'm too young (born in 1976), but his record wasn't that good at UK and he followed Bear, who was uber successful. He was very successful with the Browns after he left UK. He's an interesting one.

Without looking it up, I believe Collier is the last UK coach to end his tenure with a winning record at the school.

[bthaunert]

Without looking it up, I believe Collier is the last UK coach to end his tenure with a winning record at the school.

I think Stoops was 82-80 if you don't take away the vacated wins, but you're probably right if you count those.

[blueheretic]

Here are Kentucky’s head coaches from Bear Bryant onward, with their UK records (overall):

• Bear Bryant (1946–1953): 60–23–5
• Blanton Collier (1954–1961): 41–36–3
• Charlie Bradshaw (1962–1968): 25–41–5
• John Ray (1969–1972): 10–33
• Fran Curci (1973–1981): 47–51–2
• Jerry Claiborne (1982–1989): 41–46–3
• Bill Curry (1990–1996): 26–52
• Hal Mumme (1997–2000): 20–26
• Guy Morriss (2001–2002): 9–14
• Rich Brooks (2003–2009): 39–47
• Joker Phillips (2010–2012): 13–24
• Mark Stoops (2013–2025): 82–80

[blueheretic]

how does one calculate a winning percentage with a tie in the mix?

I'm confused. lol