I’m on board now. Stoops needs to go

[Deeeefense]

Not buying it. Cignetti at IU has them at a top 15 level. INDIANA.

Exactly. Also
Vandy won again, they are 5-0 ranked #18 last week and will most probably move up again this week.
Illinois beat USC, they were ranked 23 last week and will likely move up.
Arizona State won 3 games in 2023 and made the playoffs last year.
Even Mississippi State, a team that has struggled mightily is 4-1 and nearly knocked off Tennessee (lost in OT)

When is the last time anyone predicted any of these teams to achieve much?

Contrary to what some think Kentucky has more resources than any of those programs. We are mid tier on NIL in the SEC. The JMI deal will create even more money. The LLC gives them more legal authority to pay players. Anyone that blames last night fiesco on a lack of money hasn't look very far. Our football program is struggling due to poor management that's it in a nutshell.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

because that’s not how this has ever worked and not how it works now. Stoops is about to be absolutely loathed in an entire state. The pressure to step down in this league is insane. It’s not as easy and some thing it is to keep your job while feeling he’s being forced out day in and day out. It will ruin his reputation, his coaching legacy here, and he’ll be a constant laughing stock day in and day out. For a guy with his wealth it’s not worth it to milk an extra 15 million. These guys have major egos, he won’t be able to deal with it.

part of the reason they want these contracts is in case they need to settle out. Stoops already has a number. That’s a guarantee.

everyone says this but the fact is Cal wasn’t going to stay past another year either if it wasn’t turned around. 0 chance if he was beat in another 1st or 2nd round game he would remain.

Cal should have already been gone and would have been if not for barneys dumb contract. 9 and 16 followed by a loss to a 15 seed would have done it if not for the contract IMO.

Stoops doesn't have to take a deal, all he has to do is get fired and UK has to pony up the buyout in like 2 months or something. Maybe he shows mercy on UK and agrees to spread out the payout over a longer length of time or takes less. Idk, I wouldn't do that if it was me and my employer but perhaps Stoops is a nicer person than me.

 

[BlueBallzz]

because that’s not how this has ever worked and not how it works now. Stoops is about to be absolutely loathed in an entire state. The pressure to step down in this league is insane. It’s not as easy and some thing it is to keep your job while feeling he’s being forced out day in and day out. It will ruin his reputation, his coaching legacy here, and he’ll be a constant laughing stock day in and day out. For a guy with his wealth it’s not worth it to milk an extra 15 million. These guys have major egos, he won’t be able to deal with it.

part of the reason they want these contracts is in case they need to settle out. Stoops already has a number. That’s a guarantee.

everyone says this but the fact is Cal wasn’t going to stay past another year either if it wasn’t turned around. 0 chance if he was beat in another 1st or 2nd round game he would remain.

Yeah Sopps number is $40 million right now lol. There’s no reason for him to negotiate that, he holds all the cards. The Cal comparison isn’t a good one. For one, Cal still had value on the open market and Arkansas saved UKs butt. He took a bit of a pay cut, however no other football program is going to hire Stoops away. He’s probably a $4 million coach (not $7 million like Cal).

The idea of him leaving or taking a reduced amount is just wishful thinking amongst some in the fan base.

 

[Snarks]

Yeah Sopps number is $40 million right now lol. There’s no reason for him to negotiate that, he holds all the cards. The Cal comparison isn’t a good one. For one, Cal still had value on the open market and Arkansas saved UKs butt. He took a bit of a pay cut, however no other football program is going to hire Stoops away. He’s probably a $4 million coach (not $7 million like Cal).

The idea of him leaving or taking a reduced amount is just wishful thinking amongst some in the fan base.

This is why Mitch needs to be taking more heat. I didn’t like Cals contract, but I could at least somewhat understand. Stoops contract, I was furious from the beginning. Under no circumstance did he deserve top 10 pay with all his other demands. At some point Barney needs to call a bluff and if a coach walks then they walk!

I’m a huge Pope fan, but don’t forget he has the Sweet 16 auto extension which keeps extending his contract. Clearly Mitch hasn’t learned his lesson. He needs to go, but Cap won’t fire him.

 

[Anon1714181029]

I love and appreciate Stoops but I don’t know how we can keep going. Short of a miraculous turnaround, you have to start having these conversations. I don’t think we can pay the 38 mil so they have to start the negotiations now. I think you have to find out where this thing stands right now.

 

[Crestcat]

His equity ran out year. My guess is they negotiated that buyout down a bit and put him on a lifetime payout plan or something. We will be shopping by Xmas

Stoops is a terrible head coach but there is no use wasting the money to get rid of him if Barney is still AD

 

[Anon1662906254]

What does that mean though? So we stop going to the games, stop buying merch. That’s gonna happen now, it doesn’t change the 36 million dollar buyout UK cant afford. No amount of online complaining changes that.

I agree he has to go but if he refuses I don’t know what UK or the fans can do they simply cannot afford the buyout. Maybe we can call ICE on stoops is he legal?

If everyone boycotts the games, UK can't afford not to fire him...

 

[AJBlue]

Not buying it. Cignetti at IU has them at a top 15 level. INDIANA.

He didnt say it couldnt be done Richie, he said its certainly no guarantee and a matter of fact the odds are probably against any coach coming in and making that kind of turnaroun. But one think is 100% Crystal Clear. . . There is absoluty no chance Stoops and Co have the ability to dig out of this hole themselves and change is the only answer at this point. He simply has lost the ability to make a difference himself, he cant recruit himself out of like he did 10 years ago and he cant reinvent the "Edge" we seemed to have in style of play. And we all know he has no ability to out scheme our way out of it. Change is the only answer and change now.

 

[@Rockhill2025]

He didnt say it couldnt be done Richie, he said its certainly no guarantee and a matter of fact the odds are probably against any coach coming in and making that kind of turnaroun. But one think is 100% Crystal Clear. . . There is absoluty no chance Stoops and Co have the ability to dig out of this hole themselves and change is the only answer at this point. He simply has lost the ability to make a difference himself, he cant recruit himself out of like he did 10 years ago and he cant reinvent the "Edge" we seemed to have in style of play. And we all know he has no ability to out scheme our way out of it. Change is the only answer and change now.

It’s not happening now you are correct. Time to move on

 

[AJBlue]

I love and appreciate Stoops but I don’t know how we can keep going. Short of a miraculous turnaround, you have to start having these conversations. I don’t think we can pay the 38 mil so they have to start the negotiations now. I think you have to find out where this thing stands right now.

Stoops problem has alwasy lacked the ability once the game starts to gain an edge in scheme and strategy. We always play from behind every game in this HUGE part of the game. Once the game starts he himself is just watching like we are and he relies on his coordinators to make a difference and none of them have been able to do so. He got by the first several years by overcoming that by recruiting better than we every had and by having his team play with a physical edge that we became known for. Today you and your staff have to make a point difference yourself once the clock starts and we are way behind others. Add in that we've lost our edge too and you get what we got, a hopeless situation.

 

[ukalum1988]

Yeah Sopps number is $40 million right now lol. There’s no reason for him to negotiate that, he holds all the cards. The Cal comparison isn’t a good one. For one, Cal still had value on the open market and Arkansas saved UKs butt. He took a bit of a pay cut, however no other football program is going to hire Stoops away. He’s probably a $4 million coach (not $7 million like Cal).

The idea of him leaving or taking a reduced amount is just wishful thinking amongst some in the fan base.

If Stoops was willing, some program could possibly hire him as a DC. I don’t see him ever being a HC ever again unless he drops down to FCS or lower.

Another egregious flaw in Stoops contract is that there’s no offset clause to reduce his buyout if he takes another position. Stoops and his agent have totally fleeced UK.

 

[Kentucky15]

Yeah Sopps number is $40 million right now lol. There’s no reason for him to negotiate that, he holds all the cards. The Cal comparison isn’t a good one. For one, Cal still had value on the open market and Arkansas saved UKs butt. He took a bit of a pay cut, however no other football program is going to hire Stoops away. He’s probably a $4 million coach (not $7 million like Cal).

The idea of him leaving or taking a reduced amount is just wishful thinking amongst some in the fan base.

not at all. He cannot stay at UK under these conditions. It won’t happen and it never happens. He will settle to an amount when UK tells him it’s over. He also has a legacy here to protect and his reputation. He would never hold UK to an insane amount when he’s not producing anything for it. Not how this works.

and I believe the number is 37 million IIrc.

Also, another program might be willing to come in and he’d definitely want a fresh start. Might not be max of what he could have had but he’s so wealthy now, thanks to Barnhart and UK, he doesn’t have to worry about every dime.

But there’s no way he can stay under these conditions. It won’t happen, the pressure day to day is too much. Then he loses his reputation on top of that when everyone points to him holding a university hostage. Legacy and rep gone. It will not happen.

these things usually work themselves out. The Cal comparison is just to say even he couldn’t have held out much longer, Arkansas or not.

 

[RunninRichie]

Exactly. Also
Vandy won again, they are 5-0 ranked #18 last week and will most probably move up again this week.
Illinois beat USC, they were ranked 23 last week and will likely move up.
Arizona State won 3 games in 2023 and made the playoffs last year.
Even Mississippi State, a team that has struggled mightily is 4-1 and nearly knocked off Tennessee (lost in OT)

When is the last time anyone predicted any of these teams to achieve much?

Contrary to what some think Kentucky has more resources than any of those programs. We are mid tier on NIL in the SEC. The JMI deal will create even more money. The LLC gives them more legal authority to pay players. Anyone that blames last night fiesco on a lack of money hasn't look very far. Our football program is struggling due to poor management that's it in a nutshell.

100%, this attitude of "Well UK cant compete" is so funny. When we see teams like Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Vanderbilt, etc all making splashes. The right coach is all it takes. Ask Kansas state or Virginia tech.

 

[BlueBlood96Cat]

NIL changed the game. Stoops was lazy before NIL. His teams have always been undisciplined. He simply can’t keep up in the new way of things. Maybe nobody can.

Maybe if the numbers were visible about how far behind we are when it comes to money I wouldn’t even be so tired of Stoops. How bad is our NIL. Is it a built in excuse because we have never been a powerhouse football program or is it really that bad that no coach can compete here? I believe a coach that is highly motivated could do more but maybe my whole outlook about football at Kentucky is wrong.

I’m not on the side of well we’ve always sucked and there’s no hope. I try to think we can field a good team….. maybe it’s really harder than it seems…. If we were in the Big 10 I don’t think Stoops would be doing what Indianas coach is doing. Even if we are last in the SEC as far as money and support that’s still better than 90% of colleges in the country. Maybe 90 is to high but I would think bottom of the SEC is still closer to the top of the country if we had top 100 and not just top 25.

I’ll be going through the misery until we figure it out tho because being a Kentucky fan isn’t by choice. It’s literally a part of me. I couldnt not care even if I tried.

 

[buc puppet]

not at all. He cannot stay at UK under these conditions. It won’t happen and it never happens. He will settle to an amount when UK tells him it’s over. He also has a legacy here to protect and his reputation. He would never hold UK to an insane amount when he’s not producing anything for it. Not how this works.

and I believe the number is 37 million IIrc.

Also, another program might be willing to come in and he’d definitely want a fresh start. Might not be max of what he could have had but he’s so wealthy now, thanks to Barnhart and UK, he doesn’t have to worry about every dime.

But there’s no way he can stay under these conditions. It won’t happen, the pressure day to day is too much. Then he loses his reputation on top of that when everyone points to him holding a university hostage. Legacy and rep gone. It will not happen.

these things usually work themselves out. The Cal comparison is just to say even he couldn’t have held out much longer, Arkansas or not.

I agree. I can totally see Mitch and stoops working out an extended payment plan type of deal and not a one time buyout.

 

[Anon1662906254]

And IU doesn’t have to play in/recruit against SEC teams. Don’t know why that massive disadvantage seems to evade so many. UK can change conferences and immediately improve their football outlook, but that means taking a big ol’ pay cut that I’m guessing the university doesn’t want to take.

You folks don’t have to like it, but UK football has a huge disadvantage in the NIL era, and that disadvantage is amplified because we are in the SEC. You can ignore it and say “some team in another conference got good fast”, but that’s not a legit comparison to our situation.

Indiana as much as I hate to admit, would kick out butts up and down the field, it would be ugly. We got blown out by an avg at best USCjr......Vandy will beat the piss out of us and so will Mississippi State.......let that sink in for a bit. We are the freaking DOORMAT

 

[Anon1662906254]

if we had UL’s schedule year in and year out we would have been competing for championships 100%. You can’t do that in this league. Y’all have ONE ranked team on your schedule lol. It’s basically a mid major league. UL has no chance at anything other than a given opportunity at a big game which they will lose 9-10 times out of 10. No hardware in Louisville was actually earned. So it doesn’t matter, when UL actually plays at a power league level I’ll say it. They don’t. They really never have.

UL’s issue is from this point on they’re a mid major. The game is about to stop handing big bowls to leagues other than the power 2. It’s slowly changing toward that and it will happen as soon as the ACC blows up and that’s coming fast. There are only 2 power leagues now, anyone else is simply a mid major. The rest of the country considers SMU Vs. UL a mid major game. It’s the truth.

They're about to consider UK mid major too....in fact right now we'd struggle in the G5......

 

[Anon1662906254]

Exactly. Also
Vandy won again, they are 5-0 ranked #18 last week and will most probably move up again this week.
Illinois beat USC, they were ranked 23 last week and will likely move up.
Arizona State won 3 games in 2023 and made the playoffs last year.
Even Mississippi State, a team that has struggled mightily is 4-1 and nearly knocked off Tennessee (lost in OT)

When is the last time anyone predicted any of these teams to achieve much?

Contrary to what some think Kentucky has more resources than any of those programs. We are mid tier on NIL in the SEC. The JMI deal will create even more money. The LLC gives them more legal authority to pay players. Anyone that blames last night fiesco on a lack of money hasn't look very far. Our football program is struggling due to poor management that's it in a nutshell.

And piss poor coaching/preparation

 

[bigblueinsanity (the real)]

UK football has the lowest revenue share in the entire league and is towards the bottom in NIL all while playing in the toughest conference by far.

Who is going to waste their career by taking such a job?

I understand being frustrated. I am too. Some posters are so frustrated they're letting emotion trump facts. Many other posters just want entertainment and throwing the ball; and will disappear when basketball season starts.

Football is not getting better until Mitch stops squeezing the money. I love basketball too but paying premium nil to roster guys 9-15 makes no sense at all especially while giving them a larger revenue share.