Folks in Boise aren't happy with Bush Hamdan

After spending eight days looking for a new offensive coordinator, Mark Stoops appears to have found the man for the job. Pete Thamel reported Saturday afternoon that Kentucky is finalizing a deal to make Bush Hamdan the Cats’ next offensive play-caller. The reception in Lexington has been lukewarm, while the response in Boise has been fiery.

Hamdan is a former backup Boise State quarterback who spent the last two years calling plays for his alma mater. In the immediate aftermath of the news, Bronco fans vented their frustrations on Reddit.

“Absolutely ****ing devastating for BSU,” wrote one user. “Hamdan was fantastic for us last year in a bad situation. And he’s an alumni. Thought he’d be here longer.”

Another user wrote, “Wow. What a huge loss. Congrats, Kentucky. You got a solid hire.”

“I mean, I’m glad he at least waited until after signing day. But what a kick in the (groin) to those kids,” said one user. “(Ashton) Jeanty turned down massive NIL offers to stay, we got Malachi (Nelson), and the highest-ever recruiting class of any current Mountain West school. And then just dips. Kentucky is going to triple his salary, so I get it. But man must suck for our guys to all find out on Twitter.”

Those are just anonymous online accounts. It hits a little differently when the criticism comes from a member of the media. Mike Prater, a Boise drive-time sports talk host on KTIK, did not take the news well.

“Emotionally and physically and spiritually, everything there is, it really, really, really bugs me. I get the money factor. And if I was in the same situation I’d probably have to have the same conversation. I certainly get the prestige factor and the SEC factor, but man, this is different,” he said on Monday.

He shared a similar sentiment with many other fans. The Boise State program was teetering, on the brink of a losing season, when Hamdan and defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson made significant moves to keep the boat afloat with a couple of wins and by retaining much of the roster. Eight offensive starters are returning and former top-ranked recruit Malachi Nelson was brought in to play quarterback.

“You spent the entire offseason preaching roster retention. That was the No. 1 job for you in the offseason, preaching as you worked with Spencer Danielson to try to save this sinking ship,” said Prater.

“You just fired your football coach and here comes Spencer Danielson and Bush Hamdan to the rescue, pulling off miracles, and then creating this beautiful roster after the season’s over with. And then Bush Hamdan wants to bail for Kentucky? Are you kidding me? It would really, really bother me. I think it would set this team back emotionally.

“I think they can find another offensive coordinator. Of all his strengths and weaknesses, just being Xs and Os offensive coordinator might not be at the top of the list. I think he does a lot of other things really well. I think he can be replaceable, it just really bothers me that he’s put together this team, he’s got a quarterback, he’s got a wide receiver, he recruited all of these special people to this Boise State football team, and here we are one day after the Super Bowl debating whether he’s going to go to Kentucky. It really bothers me.”

"I love Bush Hamdan (but) this one kind of makes me angry.. … It really, really bugs me."

Strong stuff from @MikeFPrater today on @BNNBroncoNation. Do you agree with his take? pic.twitter.com/NrwxIEodQc

— B.J. Rains (@BJRains) February 12, 2024