Wildcat Football

Arkansas offensive line coach Mike Summers has just been hired by the University of Kentucky. Days after Joker Phillips was named as head coach, he's quickly branded his tenure as "Operation Win". Looks like the first phase of the operation is well underway.Here's what was reported by arkansasnews.comArkansas coach Bobby Petrino has issued a statement on offensive line coach Mike Summers, who has left the Razorbacks’ staff to accept a position at Kentucky.“Mike and I have had a great seven-year run together and I appreciate all his hard work and dedication through that time,” Petrino said. “He’s got an opportunity to go home and be with his family, which is a priority I can understand. I want to thank him and wish Mike and his family the best.”Summers will join new Kentucky coach Joker Phillips’ staff. He is the third Arkansas coach to leave in the past few weeks, joining offensive coordinator Paul Petrino and defensive ends coach Kirk Botkin. Petrino hired Kris Cinkovich and Steve Caldwell to replace Petrino and Botkin, respectively.It’s not a huge surprise that Summers is leaving even though he has been with Petrino since 2003. Summers is a Lexington native, who worked as a graduate assistant at Kentucky from 1979-81. His wife, Kathy, is the daughter of legendary Kentucky basketball coach Joe B. Hall.It’s not clear which direction Petrino will turn to replace Summers

Did Joker Phillips beat Donald Trump to the punch and release some of his coaches? The Apprentice season opener isn't even on the radar yet (and you will get Apprentice updates when it starts...I love the apprentice!)

Matt Jones from "Kentucky Sports Radio" has reported that Joker Phillips has released position coaches Jimmy Heggins and Rick Petri. Both were not an any "hot seat" and this is a surprise to everyone. Recruiting is not a joke with Joker (pun intended). It seems he's not happy with the quality or quantity of recruits at the O/D line positions.

WOW! If this doesn't have you thinking Joker is the head coach, nothing will. This move draws the line in the sand and sends the message that this is his Joker Phillips program.

I must say I'm excited and impressed with this decision. At the end of the day it's about accountability and expectations. I like to see that both of these things are being taken seriously and I'm sure there will be positive results to follow.



I said it during the post of his head coaching announcement..."I'm not a huge Joker fan", but I must say, he definitely scored some points with this one!

The University of Kentucky announced that Joker Phillips is officially the head coach of the University of Kentucky football program. After being named the "coach in waiting" over the last year, today marked an accomplishment that was over 20 years in the making.

The Press Conference was held at 3:08PM. Why 3:08? Joker Phillips actually wore #8 when playing at UK as a wide receiver. In honor of that, the press conference was scheduled for "8" minutes after the hour.

Joker started by saying it was a childhood dream to play for the Wildcats, in a time when that was not a popular choice (it's better, but it's still not that popular). He thanked everyone that helped him reach this point in his career and sent out a special thanks to Rich Brooks and his wife. Joker was visibly shaken when talking bout coach Brooks. He became teary eyed and continued to wipe them away for a few minutes aferwards. This was one of the best parts of the press conference and almost made me a huge Joker fan (I'm a Joker fan, just not a huge one

After thanking everyone, Joker got down to business. He promptly announced a "Call to service - directly and inderectly" and named it Operation Win.
Operation Win - "To continue to strive for excellence in every possible area related to the Kentucky football program"
Over the past couple of weeks many fans have questioned the decision to name Joker the head coach without looking to see who else is available. We've even hammerd out our opinions in two recent post..

"Will Joker's Bubble Burst" and Kentucky Football's Top Five Head Coaching Candidates Not Named Joker

Here are some comments Joker made about next year's team...
Players Comming back- We have a good group of players comming back, D. Locke is comming back. John Conner will be the hardest to replace.
QB - "We are as talented as we've ever been at this position." "We're very deep and it should be competitive in the spring."
Defense- "We loose Corey Peters and he'll be hard to replace, but we feel we have enough to make up for it." One concers was the loss of Trevard Lindley. He didn't actually play a lot this year so we gained some experience at that spot.
Overall he did a great job and he made me excited about next years team. I'm hoping he can shake things up and give the fans something exciting to watch on the field.

Here's the press conference in case you missed it....
Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

We have known since January 2008 that Joker Phillips was going to be the next Head Coach at the University of BasketballKentucky. Now I know that every other SEC team, with the exception of a few, could not care less who our coach is because they are used to beating us like a red headed step child. I care who our coach is, hence my screen name Section 137.
I have sat in Section 137 for the last 9 years and there is no doubt that I am the most negative fan in the building. I was walking out of Commonwealth as the punt was in the air vs. Louisville. I quickly turned around as the Cards fumbled and we got the ball back and the rest is history. I am sure many Kentucky fans have felt the same way I have at Commonwealth Stadium. There should be a warning on tickets for people that go and watch games. Something like a Surgeon General's Warning. This product may cause damage to the heart and mind but for some reason you will keep coming back. That is my fandom in a nutshell.

Lets begin with our new head football coach's resume:

Coaching Experience



1988-89
Kentucky
Graduate Assistant


1990
Kentucky
Assistant Recruiting Coordinator


1991-96
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers), one bowl game


1997
Cincinnati
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers), one bowl game


1998
Cincinnati
Assistant Coach (Defensive Backs)


1999-2000
Minnesota
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers), two bowl games


2001
Notre Dame
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)


2002
South Carolina
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers)


2003-04
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Recruiting Coordinator, Wide Receivers)


2005-08
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator, WRs), three bowl games


2009-present
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Head Coach of the Offense, Wide Receivers)



Here is a list of my concerns with hiring Joker:

Anything missing from this? Head Coach? I am really scared of a guy that has no experience as a head coach, especially in the SEC.
I have seen more talent than my Dad ever saw at Kentucky in my last 7 years of sitting in Commonwealth and only 1 time did we have a sniff of Atlanta for the SEC Championship.
I have problems with play calling. Bubble Screen after Bubble Screen after Bubble Screen.
Not having studs in the game when studs are supposed to have the football.
Not opening the job and interviewing a list of potential candidates. Just because the guy is there, doesn't mean he is the best guy for the job.
Joker is responsible for the recruiting. I have no complaints about the recruiting.

Now the great part of this story is that maybe Joker being the HC will help the play calling. Randy Sanders will be the next guy who sits in the box with the xbox controller. Randy Sander's resume:



1989-90
Tennessee
Volunteer Assistant (Quarterbacks), two bowl games


1991-92
Tennessee
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers), two bowl games


1993-98
Tennessee
Assistant Coach (Recruiting Coordinator, Running Backs), six bowl games


1999-2005
Tennessee
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks), six bowl games


2006-07
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Quarterbacks), two bowl games


2008
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Recr. Coord., Quarterbacks), one bowl game


2009-present
Kentucky
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks)



I wish Joker and the entire coaching staff the best of luck on their upcoming tenure as the leaders of UK Football. I just hope he knows that if things don't start off right, he better be ready to ride the ship as well as his predecessor did when he began. Thick skin is a must! There are a lot of idiots like me out there in Commonwealth Stadium and he will hear it every Saturday night if he doesn't produce. I hope Joker takes us to where we want to be. I am just doubting it.

Every road game that I have ever went to in football, I have heard Kentucky fans saying, "We'll get you in basketball!" Just one time I would love to walk out of Rupp Arena and say, " We are going to get you in football too!!"

Go Big Blue!!

Woodson to Johnson...the rest is history!