Hoover,AL- Early this morning the second year Wilcats coach spoke to the media at the high anticipated SEC Media Days. Having a year under his belt already, Phillips addressed early on the status of some on the signees this season.
While everyone knows the status of the program has yet to reach its full potential, Phillips made clear of the things that they need to do to continue to rise.
“In order for this program to continue to rise we have to got to things that is necessary for it to rise. ‘Rise’ meaning not just going to bowl games, but being able to contend for championships in this league.”
The once coach-in-waiting talked on how he thought the coaching staff has made some ‘positive changes.’
“We made some positive changes to our coaching staff, what we think are positive changes. We added Rick Minter as our co-defensive coordinator. He will actually run the defense. We have Steve Pardue, a long time Kentuckian and long time coach in the state of Georgia. He’ll coach our running backs.”
The Joker really was excited to let everyone know how much he thinks Steve Pardue can really help the Wilcats in recruiting in the state of Georgia and in the Western part of Kentucky, where Pardue grew up.
However, the topic of Tweeter and social media seemed to be the main topic for the second year head coach.
“We do have issues also (on social media). We tell our players that we only want you to put things on (Twitter/social media) on how you would interview if a camera is put in front of you. Tell nothing about what’s happening under the roof here. But we do have some issues with it. We’ll address those as they come up. We do have someone on staff that monitors those things, monitors everybody’s Twitter and Facebook.”
Phillips continued on talking about when you tweet something, your tweeting it to everyone across the country, and not just a fan or friend.
Along with social media, Coach Phillips talked on how he, along with the rest of the staff, have a lot of confidence in quarterback Morgan Newton. Joker told everyone that selling former players like Andre Woodson, really convinced Newton to want to come to Kentucky. Coach Phillips continued on saying that having Woodson on staff at Kentucky really helps with both the team and Newton.
The question of who will step at the receiver role became another big questioned that was somewhat left unanswered. Newton touched on some things about how the young guys have stepped up this off-season.
“We’ve had a lot of young guys step up and try to fulfill the role that has been left by Randall (Cobb). Being the leader has really made have to talk control during workouts.”
While Newton had his own retrospect of what he thought he was doing in the locker, Coach Phillips also had some things to say about Morgan.
“He has really changed his ways and has really matured. He talks different when he is in front of the camera, which is key.”
The always brought up topic was recruiting. While the ‘Cats don’t seemed to have a problem for the 2012 class, Joker was not shy to talk some on how impressed he is with as well.
“We have 13 commitments. Of the 13 commitments, we have 10 of them that we had in our camp. Randall Cobb (which Phillips talked about selling to recruits) was one of those guys that we had in our camp that we were able to identify. We were able to sit down and talk and discuss football with Randall Cobb, to understand what this guy has what it takes to be a great player. This guy has the desire, determination and will to be a great player in this league.”
Along with the many typical topics, the question on what were his expectations always seemed to come up.
“I think you’ll see more results from the year and a half that our football team has been under Coach Rock Oliver, his strength and conditioning staff. Our players will look different. They’re a lot bigger, stronger, faster, leaner, A lot of that has to do with coach Rock Oliver in strength and conditioning…. Joker started with the improvements of the coaching staff helping,but then switched to what it will take to meet those expectations…. “We are doing a lot of things to elevate this program to the next level. We’ve been 8-5. We dropped to 6-7 this past year. The thing we have to do, and I’ve told this football team, The teams have discipline, teams that are physical, teams that are tough, have toughness. Those are the things that we’ve got to strive to get back to.”
While many coaches talked about recruiting services, the status of their teams, and a lot of NCAA questions, Coach Phillips focused more on the improvements that the Wildcats are making in order to move forward. The players (Newton, Trevethan, and Hines) stressed how the seniors have matured and grown up from their once immature days. Stewart Hines talked about how it has taken Danny Trevethan three years to finally grow up.
My question to you? How do you think Coach Phillips was at this years SEC Media Days?
