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!!
