August 20, 1941, former Kentucky Head Coach Rich ‘PaPaw’ Brooks was born in Forest, California.
A man who came to the University of Kentucky football program at one of it’s lowest moments…in the midst of an NCAA death penalty.
Even with a 7-5 season in 2002, Kentucky was just beginning to feel the effect of NCAA probation imposed because of recruiting violations committed by a prior Kentucky coaching staff.
At a time when finding a Head Coach was tough, we have to remember Coach Brooks came to us when no one else would.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Controversy surrounded Brooks’ hiring since he hadn’t coached at the college level in almost a decade and hadn’t coached at any level for two years.
In his first three seasons at the helm, Kentucky posted records of 4-8, 2-9 and 3-8. With many members of the Big Blue Nation wanting Brooks removal, Kentucky’s AD Mitch Barnhart stuck with Rich and his commitment paid off.
Over the next four years, Brooks Kentucky teams posted records of 8-5, 8-5, 7-6, and 7-6, earning the schools first Bowl bid since 1999 in the 2006 Music City Bowl.
Coach Brooks accomplished something no other Coach had ever achieved at Kentucky, take a Kentucky team to four consecutive bowl games and win three in a row.
Coach Brooks retired on January 4, 2010. The Big Blue Nation may never see him lead another Kentucky team into battle, but we will never forget the foundation he built for Kentucky Football.
From all of us who have had the privilege to see you Coach, Happy Birthday…
We may be a day late, but our respect and appreciate for Coach Brooks will never waiver…
Thanks for all the memories Coach…
Go Cats!!!
By the way, you may find Coach Brooks on a local golf course near you…
