Thread: Should Joker Get Another Year?

If the team fails to win a game in the SEC, or struggles to beat Jacksonville State, should Joker get another year?

Its hard to call for a mans job, but in this business there are many risks. Personally i say he time is over. If you start the change at seasons end you allow time to search for replacements. I promise other coaches will use his record this year to sway possible recruits. Again i speak for myself but some will agree that UK football fans want to win, but more importantly we wish to be entertained.. Its punishment to watch this product. Let the bashing begin, im sorry but its only my lonely opinion.

Originally Posted by blueneal

Its hard to call for a mans job, but in this business there are many risks. Personally i say he time is over. If you start the change at seasons end you allow time to search for replacements. I promise other coaches will use his record this year to sway possible recruits. Again i speak for myself but some will agree that UK football fans want to win, but more importantly we wish to be entertained.. Its punishment to watch this product. Let the bashing begin, im sorry but its only my lonely opinion.

Good post. I think if things get worse, which may very well happen, that he should be let go. There's no use in keeping him another year and drill the program even further into the ground.

The short answer to the question is "no."

The detailed answer is that it really does not matter who is Head Coach if UK's recruiting continues with 2nd and 3rd tier athletes. There is nothing wrong fundamentally with Joker Phillips being the Head Coach, and his contributions to the program have been significant. The material just is not there to compete in the SEC today. Again, this is no dig at our team. When our players, competed in High School, many looked very favorable on film and had the physical qualifications to play Division 1 football. But...there are Division 1 "football" schools, and then there are Division 1 "FOOTBALL" schools.

The problem can only be solved by first attracting a coach to Kentucky with a proven record of recruiting and developing football players. Those resumes are in limited supply, and those guys would not come cheap. Imagine what UK's football program would be like under an "Urban Meyer" type system in three years? Could you even imagine UK being a dominate football team? Beating LSU, Georgia, Florida, or even Alabama? Don't answer out loud, because people will assume that you have opended another bottle of Maker's Mark. You could bet that the Cat's would be in the top 15, and definately in the fight for the SEC East within 3-years. Top tier athletes from around the country would WANT to go to UK. Then, something else good would happen....the team would become deep with quality players waiting for their chance to start.

Sure, I'm "preaching to the choir," but it must start with the Athletic Director, Chancellor, Board of Trustees, and even the big Allumni supporters willing to make that level of financial commitment. Otherwise, we are going to be talking about basketball during every September, October, and November for a long time....

Best to all, and Go Wildcats !

Originally Posted by Toicat

The short answer to the question is "no."

The detailed answer is that it really does not matter who is Head Coach if UK's recruiting continues with 2nd and 3rd tier athletes. There is nothing wrong fundamentally with Joker Phillips being the Head Coach, and his contributions to the program have been significant. The material just is not there to compete in the SEC today. Again, this is no dig at our team. When our players, competed in High School, many looked very favorable on film and had the physical qualifications to play Division 1 football. But...there are Division 1 "football" schools, and then there are Division 1 "FOOTBALL" schools.

The problem can only be solved by first attracting a coach to Kentucky with a proven record of recruiting and developing football players. Those resumes are in limited supply, and those guys would not come cheap. Imagine what UK's football program would be like under an "Urban Meyer" type system in three years? Could you even imagine UK being a dominate football team? Beating LSU, Georgia, Florida, or even Alabama? Don't answer out loud, because people will assume that you have opended another bottle of Maker's Mark. You could bet that the Cat's would be in the top 15, and definately in the fight for the SEC East within 3-years. Top tier athletes from around the country would WANT to go to UK. Then, something else good would happen....the team would become deep with quality players waiting for their chance to start.

Sure, I'm "preaching to the choir," but it must start with the Athletic Director, Chancellor, Board of Trustees, and even the big Allumni supporters willing to make that level of financial commitment. Otherwise, we are going to be talking about basketball during every September, October, and November for a long time....

Best to all, and Go Wildcats !

Excellent post. I agree. UK needs to invest more into football, it's facilities, and more importantly a high quality coach that kids want to play for and a system that could work here.

Im sure to get heat for this but here goes. We can not realistically win a championship in football. Not alot of disputing that. What I and many other football fans wish is to be entertained. Id take a 48-42 loss against south carolina much better then that wood shed mugging we got last week. Light up the score board convert and or attempt some 4th downs pop a reverse on a kick return surprise me with 2pt conversion when we dont need it. Catch my drift. I promise you when we rolled into any game in the mid late 90"s with that fire power we had, opposing coaches and fans took notice. Why? Cause we on any given saturday could beat anyone in the country. Hell we did it alot. Now can i ask. Can we do that this year? Can we do it next with joker? Football is about offense and defensive matchups. This 2 back set we have committed to DOES NOT WORK. Thats coaching guys. In todays game you can compete with a true spread offense. Basic concept of getting a Craig Yeast in open space to do what he does best. Look at texas tech with Leach and then without. Ok yes im going there... Better get this guy now and i mean now. He is a, for lack of a better term, offensive genius. Ill make this statement and you can make you own choice. You take joker and 11guys. Ill take mike and the same 11. We play it out with all other things being equal. I KNOW WHO WINS.. I have no hidden agenda for either men. Respect Mr. Phillips for his dedication and accomplishments. But he cant get it done. Id love to be wrong about that but i just dont think i am. LET THE BASHING BEGIN..

I think you have a good argument.

I know it's not all jokers fault but i never thought he was the right choice anyway nor did i like newton as the starting qb i also know he is the best on the roster but i believe if we let joker go and pursue a high profile coach we could get some better and more athletic players. Nothing personal but it is time for a change

Originally Posted by dannyp1975

I know it's not all jokers fault but i never thought he was the right choice anyway nor did i like newton as the starting qb i also know he is the best on the roster but i believe if we let joker go and pursue a high profile coach we could get some better and more athletic players. Nothing personal but it is time for a change

I felt the same way about Joker. I felt like he was a safe, but also cheap hire. I think we can do better if we act fast and put more commitment into football.

You said it in this post UK does need to invest in facilities and UK needs a high profile coach, Joker is a good coach but we are in the same rut we have been in for years now. UK needs to shake it up and make a move to make a impact whether it's a new coach or not something needs to change.

Originally Posted by Catmandoo

You said it in this post UK does need to invest in facilities and UK needs a high profile coach, Joker is a good coach but we are in the same rut we have been in for years now. UK needs to shake it up and make a move to make a impact whether it's a new coach or not something needs to change.

A change needs to be made. I just don't see Joker cutting it as a head coach in the SEC. They need to upgrade facilities and spend money on a proven coach.

Complete agreement!!!!!!!!