The House of Blue

All I know is that he hasn't even been able to recruit as well as UK. A head coach and staff that can upgrade recruiting MUST be a priority in this search. Jones falls short

I just looked at that past 7 recruiting classes for Cincy and they really have not had any amazing classes (per Rivals). They would get a 4 star every once in awhile but mainly two and three stars. So I think it could be more of the program and school than it is the coach. Because both Brian Kelly and Mark Dantonio have done solid jobs recruiting in their new schools; espically Dantonio who has recruited very well in Cincy.

We all said we have to open the door to OH, this could get us in the door.

Recruiting to Cincy is infinitely tougher than recruiting to uk. Brian Kelly has done well recruiting at nc ( realize uk isn't nd) but judging jones based on his recruiting isn't fair. Dykes hasn't recruited as well at la tech either.

Look at all of the big east classes the last two years. They aren't good. Why? No bcs after this year. Jones can motivate. Jones can scheme. He'll be fine on the trail.

Hiring Jones is not going to turn on some pipeline from Ohio. That ain't happening unless UK signs a big name coach. Just taking a solid coach from UC is not going to change the situation very much.

Who knows what Jones is capable of. I certainly stand firm in my stance that UK must have a staff that can elevate recruiting in a major, major way.. Much like Franklin has done at Vandy.

Like Joker said, they hit "lightening in a bottle" a few years back by landing Woodson and having a bunch of other guys around him over achieving Other than a fews years here and there, we have about 50 yrs of evidence to show us that UK can't sign 2 and 3 star players and beat conference teams that load up on 4 star players. They must even the playing field, somewhat, in recruiting.

Based on that theory, I gotta think Kirby Smart is the best option for UK. His repuation as a recruiter for Bama is absolutely lights out. He has even better ties in the state of Georgia than Bama. Just my opinion, of course.

But wait. You just said we needed a proven recruiter. James Franklin was a virtual unknown in college football who was licking his wounds after being shown the door at Maryland.

How in god's name was James Franklin a more proven recruiter than butch jones?

Franklin was a very good recruiter at Maryland and facts (recruits/commits) back it up. However, he came to Vandy as an offensive minded coach, 0 SEC ties, 0 head coaching experience and was not given a fair shake when the head coaching job showed up at Maryland. Yet he is someone who people on this board idolize about yet someone with a resume (before the Vandy hire) who people on this board refuse to acknowledge as acceptable for a hire.

I personally would rly like this hire. Solid coach.

At least 12 total letters in all caps?

Example: BOBBY PETRINO

^^^ You have to look at UC's campus & FB facilities to understand the issues they face in recruiting, the budgetary restraints they have and the fact that they are vying for quality recruits vs SEC, ACC, Big10 schools, while trying to lure them to UC!

I only went back to 2007....Comparing Brian Kelly's last 3 yrs (2007-2009) vs Butch Jones' 3 yrs (2010-2012)

Brian Kelly
2007: (6) 3* of 23.
2008: (6) 3* of 24.
2009: (2) 4* / (8) 3* of 25.

Kelly Totals: (2) 4*, (20) 3*, (48) 2* players in 3yrs...(And he got the ND job!)

Butch Jones...Named UC HC mid-DEC 2009 - 6+ weeks before signing day 2/3/2010.
2010: (1) 4* & (10) 3* of 22
2011: (1) 4* & (20) 3* of 24
2012: (25) 3* of 25
(& 2013 is shaping up to be another nice class, as well)

Jones Totals: (2) 4*, (55) 3*, (14) 2* in 3yrs...Has upgraded recruiting each yr & got some real good talent to UC....While going 4-8 / 10-3 / currently 7-2 & bowl eligible.

For comparison...UK recruiting the last 3yrs = (3) 4*, (60) 3*, (12) 2*...A respectable amount of talent, but bottom barrel in the SEC...And Joker&Co couldn't win w/ it! ( 6-7 / 5-7 / 1-9 when fired.)

Clearly, Jones' staff has turned up the heat on the recruiting trail. They mine ALA, GA, FL, KY, TN, OH, PA, ILL, IN & WV/DC...Everywhere UK recruits & some they don't but those are places UK needs to go get players; if they ever want to take a step forward!!!

IF he was to get the UK job...I suspect that he'd raise the bar a little higher than Joker did...And pull a few kids from places Joker never ventured.
IMO, If he did well recruiting to the BigEast, w/ UC's piss poor facilities & campus atmosphere...I'm sure he'd do a bang-up job recruiting to UK / LEX / the SEC!

That is a key reason I've been on the Butch Jones bandwagon, dating back well before Petrino made it be known he's interested in the UK job.
If BP isn't the guy Mitch gets...Which would be a shame...I'm 100% sold on Butch Jones.

IMO, He's a Home Run (that just skimmed the fence) & a close #2 to BP...Well ahead of the Dykes, Smart, un-named NFL OC's & West Coast Coaches that have been mentioned.
He's got the key traits necessary to succeed in LEX. The consummate salesman & creative thinker that "gets it"...And has the personality to win over players, alumni, boosters & fans alike. (See the below)

heard him speak at a coaching clinic and was extremely impressed!
this would be a good hire.

Jones would be a great here, as would MacIntyre, Hudspeth, Doeren and Andersen. Petrino is FAR from the only great option out there, and most come with a lit less baggage and risk.