What makes the difference between a good coach and a bad coach? Is it motivation? Is it recruiting? Is it the ability to make in-game adjustments? It’s probably a little bit of everything wrapped into one. But, sometimes it’s just luck. And as we have seen over the years, often times the ball bounces your way in close games, and sometimes it doesn’t. But unlike Joker Phillips, who went just 3-6 in games decided by 7 points or less, Mark Stoops has excelled in those games, especially over the last 3 seasons. This year, Kentucky has played no games insides 7 points but the way this program has evolved the results have improved dramatically in those situations under Stoops.
Look at the results of Rich Brooks, Joker Phillips, and now Mark Stoops under these circumstances:
MARK STOOPS (15-12)
2018 (3-1)
Beat Vanderbilt by 7, Beat Missouri by 1, Beat Penn State by 3
Lost to Texas A&M by 6
2017 (4-3)
Beat Southern Miss by 7, Beat E.Michigan by 4, Beat Missouri by 6, Beat Tennessee by 3
Lost to Florida by 1, Lost to Ole Miss by 3, Lost to Northwestern by 1
2016 (4-1)
Beat South Carolina by 7, Beat Vanderbilt by 7, Beat Mississippi St by 2, Beat Louisville by 3
Lost to Georgia by 3
2015 (3-3)
Beat UL-Lafayette by 7, Beat South Carolina by 4, Beat E.Kentucky by 7
Lost to Florida by 5, Lost to Auburn by 3, Lost to Vanderbilt by 4
2014 (1-2)
Beat South Carolina by 7
Lost to Florida by 6, Lost to Louisville by 4
2013 (0-2)
Lost to South Carolina by 7, Lost to Mississippi State by 6
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JOKER PHILLIPS (3-6)
2012 (0-2)
Lost to Western Kentucky by 1 (OT), Lost to Georgia by 7
2011 (1-1)
Beat Tennessee by 3
Lost to Louisville by 7
2010 (2-3)
Beat Louisville by 7, Beat South Carolina by 3
Lost to Ole Miss by 7, Lost to Auburn by 3, Lost to Mississippi State by 7
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RICH BROOKS (15-16)
2009 (3-3)
Beat Louisville by 4, Beat Auburn by 7, Beat Georgia by 7
Lost to South Carolina by 2, Lost to Mississippi State by 7, Lost to Tennessee by 6 (OT)
2008 (3-4)
Beat MTSU by 6, Beat Arkansas by 1, Beat Mississippi State by 1
Lost to Alabama by 3, Lost to South Carolina by 7, Lost to Georgia by 4, Lost to Vanderbilt by 7
2007 (3-1)
Beat Louisville by 6, Beat LSU by 6, Beat Vanderbilt by 7
Lost to Tennessee by 2
2006 (3-2)
Beat Mississippi State by 3, Beat Georgia by 4, Beat La-Monroe by 2
Lost to South Carolina by 7, Lost to Tennessee by 5
2005 (2-2)
Beat Mississippi State by 6, Beat Vandy by 5
Lost to Louisville by 7, Lost to Ole Miss by 6
2004 (1-2)
Beat Vanderbilt by 1
Lost to South Carolina by 5, Lost to Tennessee by 6
2003 (0-2)
Lost to Florida by 3, Lost to South Carolina by 6
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