[Strikeout King]

Joker Phillips was introduced as the new Kentucky football coach Wednesday, nearly two years after he was named as Rich Brooks' eventual successor.


Phillips has a long history with UK football. He lettered as a Wildcats receiver from 1981-84, and served as an assistant under three different UK coaches: Jerry Claiborne (1988-90), Bill Curry (1990-96) and Brooks (2003-2009).


Brooks promoted Phillips from receivers coach/recruiting coordinator to offensive coordinator in 2005. And while Phillips took on a new title of head coach for offense last January, he was still responsible for calling plays.


UK's most prolific offense under Phillips was in 2007, when a unit loaded with skill-position talent such as Andre Woodson, Keenan Burton and Rafael Little averaged 36.5 points per game.


The Wildcats have failed to match those numbers the past two seasons but have been plagued by injuries and inexperience. In 2008, Phillips had to operate the second half of the season without his top running back (Derrick Locke) and top receiver (Dicky Lyons Jr.), who both went down with knee injuries.


This past fall UK lost its starting quarterback, Mike Hartline, to a knee injury in the South Carolina game and was forced to pull the redshirt off true freshman Morgan Newton in the season’s sixth game.


Without much of a passing attack, Kentucky relied on the running game and was able to earn a fourth straight bowl bid for the first time in school

history.


Phillips' elevation to head coach means that all three Football Bowl Subdivision programs in the state now have African-American head coaches, as he joins Louisville's Charlie Strong and Western Kentucky's Willie Taggart. Phillips is also the 12th African-American head football coach among the 120 Football Bowl Subdivision schools.





http://www.kentucky.com/817/story/1085010.html

[BlackcatAlum]

Joker got real emotional during the press conference and he shown a lot of people how much he loves Kentucky football. Men's basketball coach John Calipari was at the press conference showing his support for the Joker and the program.

[LWC]

I never realized how long he had been at UK. Where did he go between 1996 and 2003? It is interesting to note that he wasn't at UK during the dark time and the cheating years.

[Stardust]

Not the guy that I wanted, but like with Cal, I want him to be successful and bring this team to prominance. I think if Joker surrounds himself with solid assistants and gets out of their way, he will do OK.

[cougarpride08]

Not the guy that I wanted, but like with Cal, I want him to be successful and bring this team to prominance. I think if Joker surrounds himself with solid assistants and gets out of their way, he will do OK.

Just curious who you did want as the head coach?

[Pink_Panther]

I wish Joker well as the new head coach.

[MVP2]

Any word if he plans on keeping Saunders?

[LWC]

Any word if he plans on keeping Saunders?

THAT is a VERY important question!

[logmountainboy64]

go show us what you got joker

[15thRegionSlamaBamma]

Any word if he plans on keeping Saunders?

Lord he better if not then the media and fans will eat him alive. It will be like a pack of hyenias

[Cardinalfootballguy]

I never realized how long he had been at UK. Where did he go between 1996 and 2003? It is interesting to note that he wasn't at UK during the dark time and the cheating years.

Phillips is a graduate of Kentucky and has held various roles
under Brooks, most recently offensive head coach. He also worked as
an assistant at Cincinnati, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South
Carolina.

[LWC]

Phillips is a graduate of Kentucky and has held various roles
under Brooks, most recently offensive head coach. He also worked as
an assistant at Cincinnati, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South
Carolina.

okay thanks.

[Wildcats11]

Joker is a good coach and I believe he will do a fine job. Let's go CATS!!! :rockon:

[Wildcatk23]

As posted in many threads before. this was a bad choice. Why not go out and get a more than average coach....Wait hes not even average....hes never been head coach.

[Wildcats11]

As posted in many threads before. this was a bad choice. Why not go out and get a more than average coach....Wait hes not even average....hes never been head coach.

You're right, Uk should have went out and got Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan. (SP) :ChairHit:

[58fan]

Any word if he plans on keeping Saunders?

Should be promoted to offensive coordinator:rockon:

[15thRegionSlamaBamma]

As posted in many threads before. this was a bad choice. Why not go out and get a more than average coach....Wait hes not even average....hes never been head coach.

Here is the thing though 23 it was to late now to back out of our commitment to him. If the University does this it looks bad on the administration and the program. This would really be bad for recruiting which is actually getting alot better right now. Lets give him some time as HC and if he doesnt produce then we can have a field day.:rockon:

[Wildcatk23]

Here is the thing though 23 it was to late now to back out of our commitment to him. If the University does this it looks bad on the administration and the program. This would really be bad for recruiting which is actually getting alot better right now. Lets give him some time as HC and if he doesnt produce then we can have a field day.:rockon:

Ok ill get my popcorn ready for the season after next.

[outdoorsman43]

For the people who do not like the Joker Phillips hire, who exactly did you want to get the job? Who would have been a better hire than Phillips? None of you Joker haters have even mentioned another name. You just continue to crack jokes and hit on a couple of bad play calls he made this past season.

I want UK to beat Tennessee and all of these other SEC teams as bad as any other UK fan, but let's get real here. The first three years Rich Brooks was the Commonwealth's Coach, he went 4-8, 2-9, and 3-8. His last four seasons he went 8-5, 8-5, 7-6, and 7-6 with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances. That's astoundingly better if you ask me or any other realistic football fan.

As Joker said in his press conference yesterday, "Rich Brooks got us here by doing things the right way." Joker Phillips is a Kentucky boy who has learned a lot under the Rich Brooks era and he will continue to lead the UK program in the right direction. Mitch Barnhart is smarter than you people think. Phillips was named the coach-in-waiting in early 2008 because we all knew the day was soon to come of Rich Brooks retirement. Barnhart (as well as myself and any other realistic UK fan) recognized the success we have had with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances in four years and wanted to continue having this success under the guy that would know it best: Joker Phillips.

To have success in football, and Joker said it yesterday, it boils down to recruiting. Kentucky has gotten some better recruits in recent memory. Who do you think has been our primary recruiter? Joker Phillips. Joker will continue to sell Kentucky to these 4* recruits and it will only get better for UK football in my opinion.

I'm 100% in favor of this hire. Joker had an emotional press conference yesterday showing his love for Kentucky football and how he has dreamed to be in this position his whole life.

So let me ask this question again. Who do you Joker haters want as your head coach? Who could UK hire that is better than Joker? I'll be surprised if I get one realistic name.

[15thRegionSlamaBamma]

For the people who do not like the Joker Phillips hire, who exactly did you want to get the job? Who would have been a better hire than Phillips? None of you Joker haters have even mentioned another name. You just continue to crack jokes and hit on a couple of bad play calls he made this past season.

I want UK to beat Tennessee and all of these other SEC teams as bad as any other UK fan, but let's get real here. The first three years Rich Brooks was the Commonwealth's Coach, he went 4-8, 2-9, and 3-8. His last four seasons he went 8-5, 8-5, 7-6, and 7-6 with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances. That's astoundingly better if you ask me or any other realistic football fan.

As Joker said in his press conference yesterday, "Rich Brooks got us here by doing things the right way." Joker Phillips is a Kentucky boy who has learned a lot under the Rich Brooks era and he will continue to lead the UK program in the right direction. Mitch Barnhart is smarter than you people think. Phillips was named the coach-in-waiting in early 2008 because we all knew the day was soon to come of Rich Brooks retirement. Barnhart (as well as myself and any other realistic UK fan) recognized the success we have had with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances in four years and wanted to continue having this success under the guy that would know it best: Joker Phillips.

To have success in football, and Joker said it yesterday, it boils down to recruiting. Kentucky has gotten some better recruits in recent memory. Who do you think has been our primary recruiter? Joker Phillips. Joker will continue to sell Kentucky to these 4* recruits and it will only get better for UK football in my opinion.

I'm 100% in favor of this hire. Joker had an emotional press conference yesterday showing his love for Kentucky football and how he has dreamed to be in this position his whole life.

So let me ask this question again. Who do you Joker haters want as your head coach? Who could UK hire that is better than Joker? I'll be surprised if I get one realistic name.

To be honest OD43 I think alot of people just want to know what would have happened if the job had be opened up. IMO it was the best move of the University to hire Joker now do I think we are going to stay at our area of recent success, no I do not. I do think Kentucky Football will take one or two steps back next year. However, I do feel that we will continue to improve after the full transition is made. We are still going through growsing pains and those may not stop untill Jokers 3rd or 4th year. I really hope he will take a back seat to offensive play calling because I do think Sanders will be a better OC. Once again though I think many people are just wondering if any big names would have went after the job (and before you jump all over this post I AM NOT saying a big name or bigger name would have). :Thumbs:

[GRIFFIN]

I well back joker go big blue

[Stardust]

For the people who do not like the Joker Phillips hire, who exactly did you want to get the job? Who would have been a better hire than Phillips? None of you Joker haters have even mentioned another name. You just continue to crack jokes and hit on a couple of bad play calls he made this past season.

I want UK to beat Tennessee and all of these other SEC teams as bad as any other UK fan, but let's get real here. The first three years Rich Brooks was the Commonwealth's Coach, he went 4-8, 2-9, and 3-8. His last four seasons he went 8-5, 8-5, 7-6, and 7-6 with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances. That's astoundingly better if you ask me or any other realistic football fan.

As Joker said in his press conference yesterday, "Rich Brooks got us here by doing things the right way." Joker Phillips is a Kentucky boy who has learned a lot under the Rich Brooks era and he will continue to lead the UK program in the right direction. Mitch Barnhart is smarter than you people think. Phillips was named the coach-in-waiting in early 2008 because we all knew the day was soon to come of Rich Brooks retirement. Barnhart (as well as myself and any other realistic UK fan) recognized the success we have had with three bowl wins and four bowl appearances in four years and wanted to continue having this success under the guy that would know it best: Joker Phillips.

To have success in football, and Joker said it yesterday, it boils down to recruiting. Kentucky has gotten some better recruits in recent memory. Who do you think has been our primary recruiter? Joker Phillips. Joker will continue to sell Kentucky to these 4* recruits and it will only get better for UK football in my opinion.

I'm 100% in favor of this hire. Joker had an emotional press conference yesterday showing his love for Kentucky football and how he has dreamed to be in this position his whole life.

So let me ask this question again. Who do you Joker haters want as your head coach? Who could UK hire that is better than Joker? I'll be surprised if I get one realistic name.

Kevin Sumlin - Houston: Proven recruiter, great X's and O's guy and can get us the Texas HS 4* players. Had no interest in UC, but an SEC job is a different animal.

Greg Schiano - Rutgers: another coach who has built a program. Prior to Schiano's arrival the Rutgers program had 1 bowl appearance ever. Now the Scarlet Knights have been to 3 straight bowls, and should make it 4 this season. Schiano is a great defensive coach who had jobs on the Bears and at Miami. Schiano has won multiple coach of the year awards, all of them in 2006. Schiano has also established himself as one of the best young coaches in the game, and when Joe Pa retires expect Schiano to take over

Jim Grobe - Wake Forest: is yet another coach who has piloted a subpar program to new heights, and the future looks bright as well. Grobe is 46-39 in 8 seasons at Wake, but that doesn't tell the whole story. The past 2 seasons Wake has 1 BCS bowl appearance, and a 20-7 record. Grobe has established Wake as a program to watch out for in the ACC, using his unique redshirting system, that ensures there are more veterans on the field. I think Grobe has done a magnificent job of getting the best out of average talent.

Jim Leavitt - South Florida: In fact if you put Leavitt #1 on the list you would have a valid point. Leavitt is the only coach USF has ever had, and has been wildly successful their. In 4 seasons under Leavitt the program became division-1-a, and then in another 4 seasons joined the Big East. Leavitt has led the program to an impressive 79-47 record, which is astounding when you consider how quickly he has done it . Leavitt is a very underrated recruiter, he may not sign the big name guys , but he gets players who later turn into stars

Top 5 Coordinators in College Football that I would have taken in a hearbeat over Joker
1. Norm Chow, UCLA
2. Chip Kelly, Oregon
3. Dan Mullen, Florida
4. Will Muschchamp, Texas
5. Bud Foster, Virginia Tech

Need more?????

[outdoorsman43]

Those are names you would have taken. Could UK have gotten these names? I mean I want Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, and Mack Brown to be on one staff at UK. Joker Phillips is realistically the best option we had and I am happy with it.

[Benchwarmer]

Those are names you would have taken. Could UK have gotten these names? I mean I want Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, and Mack Brown to be on one staff at UK. Joker Phillips is realistically the best option we had and I am happy with it.

I like.

[Stardust]

Those are names you would have taken. Could UK have gotten these names? I mean I want Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, Bob Stoops, and Mack Brown to be on one staff at UK. Joker Phillips is realistically the best option we had and I am happy with it.

Good gawd, you mean we have to settle for Joker and can't go after guys that are either Mid-Major or or low-level Major. Thne this program has zero chance of being successful if we can't draw the assistant coaches from any program. Your analogy isn't even an equal analogy. We get Joker, we get the team with the same moniker!

[outdoorsman43]

Good gawd, you mean we have to settle for Joker and can't go after guys that are either Mid-Major or or low-level Major. Thne this program has zero chance of being successful if we can't draw the assistant coaches from any program. Your analogy isn't even an equal analogy. We get Joker, we get the team with the same moniker!

Stardust, you're sounding like a Kentucky basketball fan that expects nothing but perfection. You wanted to give Billy Gillispie a chance, why not Joker? :biggrin:

If we're talking basketball, I respect this argument. We're talking football, which means we're not going to get all the big named recruits and any coach we would like to choose from like we would in basketball.

[Stardust]

Stardust, you're sounding like a Kentucky basketball fan that expects nothing but perfection. You wanted to give Billy Gillispie a chance, why not Joker? :biggrin:

If we're talking basketball, I respect this argument. We're talking football, which means we're not going to get all the big named recruits and any coach we would like to choose from like we would in basketball.

ODM43, you know I have nothing but respect for you and what you think. To me, this was shortsighted by UK to make this promise to give a Major College football program to an assistant coach, one who has NEVER headcoached a little league soccer team. The coaches that I mentioned above are guys that I would expect that we could get at UK. This would be a step up for them. The closest would be Wakes coach, but he's making $375K, he'd jump on this job. Instead we give a chance to a guy with no experiece.

BCG proved himself before coming here. Was he given enough time, maybe, maybe not. But this is not the same.

[outdoorsman43]

ODM43, you know I have nothing but respect for you and what you think. To me, this was shortsighted by UK to make this promise to give a Major College football program to an assistant coach, one who has NEVER headcoached a little league soccer team. The coaches that I mentioned above are guys that I would expect that we could get at UK. This would be a step up for them. The closest would be Wakes coach, but he's making $375K, he'd jump on this job. Instead we give a chance to a guy with no experiece.

BCG proved himself before coming here. Was he given enough time, maybe, maybe not. But this is not the same.

BCG did not prove himself worthy of the Kentucky basketball coaching job before he arrived. That ship has sailed though (thank the good Lord).

I agree with the experience argument against Joker, but he knows Rich Brooks system, has been the offensive play caller, and has been the primary recruiter (all of which I have been satisfied with over the last four years). He is a Kentucky grown boy and loves Kentucky football. I say give him a chance.

You know you got to love me Dusty. :biggrin:

[Stardust]

BCG did not prove himself worthy of the Kentucky basketball coaching job before he arrived. That ship has sailed though (thank the good Lord).

I agree with the experience argument against Joker, but he knows Rich Brooks system, has been the offensive play caller, and has been the primary recruiter (all of which I have been satisfied with over the last four years). He is a Kentucky grown boy and loves Kentucky football. I say give him a chance.

You know you got to love me Dusty. :biggrin:

:biggrin::notworthy

[stonesteven]

Phillips is a graduate of Kentucky and has held various roles
under Brooks, most recently offensive head coach. He also worked as
an assistant at Cincinnati, Minnesota, Notre Dame and South
Carolina.

Ya and look how good our offense was the last couple of years. BAD!
But I wish him the best, and hope he can only improve the UK program!
GOOD LUCK