Tim Couch pulls back the curtain on his Kentucky fandom

Tim Couch no longer plays for Kentucky, but he’s still a Wildcat. During an appearance on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the former Kentucky QB praised Kentucky’s current staff and their recent success.

“They’ve had some good runs,” Couch said. “[Head coach Mark] Stoops has really leveled the playing field for us and made us a very consistent, respected football team over the last 10-12 years.

“He’s been here going to bowl games consistently, winning ballgames, putting guys into the NFL, recruiting at a high level, developing guys. He does a phenomenal job and his staff. They really do, and they’ve got some good players in the NFL right now.”

With players like Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis and Jackson Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen representing Kentucky, the Wildcats are in the nation’s mind more than ever. Although Kentucky has discovered unmatched success under Stoops, it still has never seen a player like Couch.

Couch played at Kentucky from 1996-98. After seeing limited action during his freshman season, Couch’s sophomore and junior campaigns – coinciding with the arrival of the “Air Raid” offense of Coach Hal Mumme – put Kentucky on the national stage.

Couch finished the ’97 season throwing for 3,884 yards and 37 touchdowns, setting several Southeastern Conference and school records, most of which he would break a year later.

Couch completed an NCAA-record 72.3 percent of his passes in 1998, throwing for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns. He was the SEC Player of the Year and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was the No. 1 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft.

Tim Couch can live life as a fan

Now, years later, Couch has been able to return to his old Kentucky home and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

“It’s been a lot of fun. I really hadn’t had the opportunity to go to games as just a fan for a while because right when I got out of the NFL, I went right into broadcasting,” Couch said. “I was working for FOX Sports South, doing their SEC package. Then, I did some work for the Browns.

“Really, every time I went to a football game, I was either playing or working. Over the last few years, I’ve been able to go as just a fan and it’s been so much fun for my family, and tailgating and taking the whole experience, which everyone loves about SEC football.”

Couch certainly gave Kentucky fans plenty of things to love about their Wildcats. Earlier this month, Couch was rewarded for his efforts, being elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.