[WideRight05]

UK will now be searching for a new offensive coordinator. Is this good or bad for UK's football program? Who would you like to see in this position?

[Demarcus ware]

Honestly, looking at a team that had good offensive stats, with comparable talent i think Houston's Major Applewhite if they could lure him away. James Coley is another one, if things don't work out with him and Richt at Miami.

TCU has Co-offensive coordinators so maybe we can snatch one of those.

[Demarcus ware]

So depending on which player you listen too, and Dawson himself said he and Stoops just seen things differently on how the offense should run, sounds to me that Dawson's playbook could have been restricted by Stoops. It's just pure turmoil in UK's football program right now, can Stoops get the right hire? Is Stoops wanting to pound the ball with more of a pro style offense? I sure can't get a take on what he's looking for because he's never really said, but the bigger question is, Does Stoops know what he wants? Probably shouldn't have hired Dawson in the first place, especially if you are gonna restrict what he wants to do..

[Strikeout King]

Several believe that James Coley will be the man. Rumor has it that Bo pelini was seen on campus...

[Strikeout King]

If I had to pick or a say in the matter I'd go after Baylor OC, TCU OC or James Coley

[Demarcus ware]

I was wanting to say Kendal Briles from Baylor but I don't know if UK can afford him for one thing, and the second thing is would he leave his dad at Baylor. I think Coley would be great. I said earlier I didn't know what Stoops was really wanting to do, so after some looking, he is wanting a more pro style offense that will manage the clock and keep the defense off the field. He's not wanting that quick hit style offense. So in that regard I would say he will be looking at Coley hard. Bo Pelini is a defensive guy so maybe Stoops is getting some help for Eliot or maybe he will be replacing Eliot as Coordinator. He does have ties to Stoops through Ohio so who knows.

[BelfryPride]

I hate for anyone to be fired before Christmas. Maybe waiting another 2 weeks would have been more appropriate but I'm glad to see that UK has made a good decision. I hope our next OC can bring a high powered offense to Kentucky.

[Strikeout King]

I think Stoops firing Dawson this early means he has his OC that he wants...

[Strikeout King]

Should be interesting to see how this plays out

[WideRight05]

I'm honestly mixed on the issue. DeMarcus Ware made a good point about Dawson possibly being restricted under Stoops. I do tend to lean that direction some because this is two straight offensive coordinators that have had similar tendencies in calling plays that have not been productive. I'm pretty sure if I remember right (Maybe Neery could correct me if I'm wrong) that WVU was disappointed to see Dawson go because they liked his work. That makes me wonder if it was something more than him that could have caused this.

Next season will be the defining one of the Stoops era. It took Rich Brooks four years before he started winning at Kentucky so hopefully we'll see Stoops have a year similar to Rich Brooks' fourth season in which the team went 8-5 with a big win over Clemson in the Music City Bowl.

[RunItUpTheGut]

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[RunItUpTheGut]

Dawson wasn't held back by Stoops IMO.
The problem with Dawson is I can type his playbook in 30 seconds...

Play 1- Draw Left
Play 2- Draw right
Play 3- Give Boom the ball when hes not being a pansy and hurt and hope he makes me look good.
Play 4- Throw the ball to anyone who many or may no be open before the tampon squad up front gets my QB killed.


It was pretty much that simple.

[Demarcus ware]

Dawson wasn't held back by Stoops IMO.
The problem with Dawson is I can type his playbook in 30 seconds...

Play 1- Draw Left
Play 2- Draw right
Play 3- Give Boom the ball when hes not being a pansy and hurt and hope he makes me look good.
Play 4- Throw the ball to anyone who many or may no be open before the tampon squad up front gets my QB killed.


It was pretty much that simple.

That's what i'm saying, Stoops himself said he wants a different offense than what Dawson could run, my only question is why hire an OC like Dawson knowing what kind of offense he would bring. You had two OC's under stoops, both ran similar offense, but both seemed like they ran the same old plays. The question was raised why Dawson didn't have more plays too run on twitter, and then players are tweeting everyone has a boss, meaning Stoops was micromanaging the plays. Even Stoops said today, he wants to get back to a similar offense that FSU ran while he was there. If that's what he wants then he better be finding a pro style OC. I'm by no means taking up for Dawson or justifying this horrible season, but it does make sense.

[honestjchsfan]

That's what i'm saying, Stoops himself said he wants a different offense than what Dawson could run, my only question is why hire an OC like Dawson knowing what kind of offense he would bring. You had two OC's under stoops, both ran similar offense, but both seemed like they ran the same old plays. The question was raised why Dawson didn't have more plays too run on twitter, and then players are tweeting everyone has a boss, meaning Stoops was micromanaging the plays. Even Stoops said today, he wants to get back to a similar offense that FSU ran while he was there. If that's what he wants then he better be finding a pro style OC. I'm by no means taking up for Dawson or justifying this horrible season, but it does make sense.

I am hoping Stoops junks the "Air Raid" crap and goes with a system similar to the Jim Harbaugh's. Harbaugh's system is a basic system that uses a lot of two tight end sets, the power run game is also a key, the passing game is based on high efficiency, its a simple passing attack with a lot of play action. This system makes the game simple for the QB he is also protected better. I give Stoops credit he has figured out that the SEC is a whole different ballgame than the ACC or Big 12.

[Strikeout King]

I hope it's not Mark Mangino. He was god awful at Kansas...

[Demarcus ware]

I hope it's not Mark Mangino. He was god awful at Kansas...

Yeah I seen his name being thrown around in an article just a few minutes ago.

[panther nation]

Just about anything will be better than what we've had the last few years.

[Strikeout King]

Justin Rowland of 247 sports says Stoops has his OC and an announcment should be made next week.

Coley?
Mangino?

any other names being tossed around?

[Spirit100]

I am hoping Stoops junks the "Air Raid" crap and goes with a system similar to the Jim Harbaugh's. Harbaugh's system is a basic system that uses a lot of two tight end sets, the power run game is also a key, the passing game is based on high efficiency, its a simple passing attack with a lot of play action. This system makes the game simple for the QB he is also protected better. I give Stoops credit he has figured out that the SEC is a whole different ballgame than the ACC or Big 12.

...and here's where we know we already have a problem. They currently don't have the bodies needed to get the push off the line necessary for success in the SEC!

[honestjchsfan]

...and here's where we know we already have a problem. They currently don't have the bodies needed to get the push off the line necessary for success in the SEC!

To succeed in the SEC Kentucky is going to have to play a more physical brand of Football! Not being able to punch it in from the 1 yard line against Vandy cost them a bowl game this year. The short passing game that is a big part of the "Air Raid" system no longer works in the SEC. Lots of UK football fans like me are sick of watching the "Air Raid" fail!

[E's Army]

Stoops can't put handcuffs on next coordinator or Cats will continue to flounder.

[WideRight05]

Tell me your thoughts...

Even though we could probably agree Stoops has been great in attracting talent to UK, one area that we have struggled this year and in years past is forming a good offensive line. Even in the mid/late 2000's when we had solid 7-8 teams under Rich Brooks our line struggled, especially in pass protection. It would be nice to see UK develop an offensive line that can be competitive against some of the faster defensive lines in the SEC. With that being said (assuming this continues to be a weakness of the team) what would your offensive strategy be to work around it?

[Demarcus ware]

Justin Rowland of 247 sports says Stoops has his OC and an announcment should be made next week.

Coley?
Mangino?

any other names being tossed around?

Tyson Helton WKU
Eddie Gran from Cincinnati. He coached with Stoops at FSU.

Just two other names i've seen. Also, Mangino has been in trouble everywhere he has coached including when he coached high school. So, let's hope that isn't who they go with. If he couldn't do anything with Iowa St offense then no since in him coming to the SEC.

[Demarcus ware]

Tell me your thoughts...

Even though we could probably agree Stoops has been great in attracting talent to UK, one area that we have struggled this year and in years past is forming a good offensive line. Even in the mid/late 2000's when we had solid 7-8 teams under Rich Brooks our line struggled, especially in pass protection. It would be nice to see UK develop an offensive line that can be competitive against some of the faster defensive lines in the SEC. With that being said (assuming this continues to be a weakness of the team) what would your offensive strategy be to work around it?

This is the one area i think the talent gap between the top and bottom of the SEC just shows it's ugly head. Stoops has recruited better for the line, but those guys are still younger. The two bright spots is Toth comes back at center and Asafo-Adjei has a year under his belt at Tackle. Swindle will graduate and Meadows will be a Senior. We consistently was beaten off the edge, the TE needs to be back on the line instead of in the backfield to help with that. Conrad will be an All-American TE if we can get an OC that will use him, plus i think we have another good one coming in. Schlarman hasn't shown that he can develop these guys as the o-line coach either, i don't know if he is staying or going so who knows. These boys need to be hitting the weights hard all off season, as GUT has called them all season, the tampon squad just needs to toughen up and play like they have a pulse, i think the talent is somewhat there and more coming but unless they learn to play physical then they have no chance.

[Coyoteman]

Matt Jones just said on KSR he is hearing Eddie Gran is going to be the new OC.

[honestjchsfan]

This is the one area i think the talent gap between the top and bottom of the SEC just shows it's ugly head. Stoops has recruited better for the line, but those guys are still younger. The two bright spots is Toth comes back at center and Asafo-Adjei has a year under his belt at Tackle. Swindle will graduate and Meadows will be a Senior. We consistently was beaten off the edge, the TE needs to be back on the line instead of in the backfield to help with that. Conrad will be an All-American TE if we can get an OC that will use him, plus i think we have another good one coming in. Schlarman hasn't shown that he can develop these guys as the o-line coach either, i don't know if he is staying or going so who knows. These boys need to be hitting the weights hard all off season, as GUT has called them all season, the tampon squad just needs to toughen up and play like they have a pulse, i think the talent is somewhat there and more coming but unless they learn to play physical then they have no chance.

The biggest mistake Joker Phillips made at UK was firing Jimmy Heggins as his Offensive line coach. I will never understand why anyone would fire a coach who's unit lead the SEC in fewest sacks allowed the previous year?? We all remember the game at Auburn in 2009 when UK went down to the plains of Auburn and the Offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage and played a penalty free game, Cobb and company pulled out the win with a back up QB. Auburn would win the national title the next season! I think the hiring of Mike Summers to replace Heggins tales the tell, Summers is Joe B Hall's son-in-law. In other words it was political move on Jokers part! That 2009 UK team lost in OT to UT and lost too SC by 2, that team could of easily won 9 regular season games they did win at UGA later in the year. That 2009 UK Offensive line had no Star recruits or starters that would play in the NFL but that line #1 played smart #2 played as unit #3 they played with heart! In Stoops' time at UK the Offensive line has failed to play smart making drive killing mistakes at key times! None of Mark Stoops' offensive lines have played well as a unit either. I will never understand why Jordan Swindle was allow to even stay on the team let alone start the whole season. He false started so much in 2014 that his nick name was Jordan "False Start " Swindle. Had I been coach there would of been no way he would of started for me in 2015 I would started one of the younger players or a walk on! When a player makes the same mistakes over and over it's time for the coaching staff to move on!

[Downtown10]

Lincoln Riley seemed like a great hire last season. Ive always wondered if Riley was looking for a better gig or did Stoops back off so brother Bob could have him?

[OldJacket]

Props to Stoops for making changes and trying to right the ship...

[Real Badman]

The air raid isn't an SEC kind of offense. Kentucky needs to go on the ground with the plethora of running backs they have and start some sort of power game. I would say similar to what teams like Oklahoma, Texas, or Nebraska used to do. Leave the air raid for the birds.

[Black Bear Cuz]

The air raid isn't an SEC kind of offense. Kentucky needs to go on the ground with the plethora of running backs they have and start some sort of power game. I would say similar to what teams like Oklahoma, Texas, or Nebraska used to do. Leave the air raid for the birds.

To think Ky can develop a strong running game in the SEC with the mediocre OL and RB talent on this team is Laughable! Good thing you're not the new OC.... Lol