The House of Blue

I would love to see UK hire Dykes.

There are plenty of great coordinators out there if UK chooses to go that route but IMO it's tough for anyone without previous head coaching experience to learn on the job in the SEC. This conference is stocked with the best of the best athletes and some damn good coaches, it's asking a lot for a first-timer to be competitive in that environment.

I agree that its a tough proposition for a coach thats a rookie HC and maybe it would be a little much to ask but thats what Joker was right, oops that doesnt make my idea of a 1st time coach a good one does it but I brought up Ludwig because I saw what he had done last year and this year so far and the #s are really good, but I would prefer Tuberville but this thread said it was for someone not well known or a marquee name so I had heard of Ludwig and thought maybe he might be an option.

I think train wreck is an exaggeration. When Brooks was hired, that was an accurate description, but right now there's some good talent on the roster that's gaining invaluable experience this year.

A bowl game is in reach next year. It could a great start for a young coach--so great that the biggest fear would be losing him after a year or two.

IMO, You can probably scratch Bronco Medenhall, Gary Andersen & Kyle Willingham (who's not listed - but would also be a great hire) all off the list of potential candidates...I do not see any of them coming east of the UTAH border. All have deep rooted ties to the state & are unlikely to come east for a btm deweller SEC program, like UK.

Of the other listed coaches...I'm in favor of Sonny Dykes and Dan Doeren. Both are very very good starting points for an Up&Comer, that might consider UK.

W/ Dykes...You know he's going to bring an fun & exciting OFF system. (not quite a redo of Mumme's Air-Raid - as he runs as much as he throws it)... He'll bring the fans back quickly. But he'll have to win games via a shoot-out (as his DEF has been lacking)...But he's able to do wonders w/ a little less talent. ( which a plus at UK). He's got enough ties to the south to recruit in places UK has been successful before and some places UK has rarely had success (E.TX).

W/ Doeren...You'll get the DEF specialist that has won w/ other guys recruits. (a plus)...And he coached at a program that faced many of the same limitations as UK. (Wisconsin)...WIS doesn't have the in-state recruiting base of a ILL, MICH or OH...And it's bitterly cold... But they pull 3*/4* southern talent every yr!...And he understands a good FB program is built on a solid foundation. (Don't make dumb mental mistakes. Run the ball to set-up the pass. Play hard-nosed DEF.)

I just do not think Campbell is ready for the SEC.

He's an Ohio guy...Born & raised. All of his coaching ties are to Ohio schools...Mount Union, Bowling Green & Toledo...In 3-4yrs, if he continues to win..Who knows, maybe he gets a look-see from a major program. But I just doubt he'd be given that look right now, in his 1st full yr as the TOL head man, w/o any ties to the southeastern recruiting that will be needed to make UK a consistent threat. (Not that having those Ohio ties wouldn't help UK get in w/ Ohio kids...but UK has to go south to get the speed needed to compete. That's just a fact of life in the SEC)

Now, Butch Jones at UC (though not mentioned above as a up&comer) is definitely on my short list. He's a salesman...He runs an exciting system...And he's won at several different stops. Wouldn't mind hearing his name announced as the next UK HC...Not one bit! He's the kind of home-run hire that Mitch could get, that would satisfy the entire fan base. He'd win the press conference, he'd glad hand the boosters & he could sell the program all across the south. I just like his style & personality!

Here's a quote from an ESPN article on him:

"First of all, we can never let the word budget become an excuse," Jones said. "You've got to find a way. What it does is it tests your creativity. You have to find creative ways to bring revenue into your football program. The age-old thing is building relationships, selling your program, getting more out of your boosters, getting fans to get emotionally invested in your program. I think one word that describes everything is creativity. We have to do more with less. I will never let a shortage in the budget be a reason. We're going to find ways to make it work."

I like Jones...That's been said & is a given...He's my #1 favorite for UK's nxt HC (for reasons stated above). But I'm not Mitch...And who really knows where Mitch's head is at...I could see him going any # of ways...(other than keeping Joker, that is.)

We've heard rumors of some fan favorites...Pitrino, Tressel, Tuberville, Cutcliffe & Phatty McFulmer. (Im waiting on Houston Nutt to be the next re-tred mentioned - I'm sure it'll happen before too long!)...But of them...Only Pitrino really intrigues me (MANY great leaders/coaches are flawed individual men!)...Tuberville would be a solid - yet not so sexy pick (even if he brought Neal Brown as OC)...But honestly, any of them could elevate UK into the middle of the pack in the SEC East... (competing in SEC games & getting back to bowl eligible status on the consistent). Which would be much better that this crap!

If Mitch goes "Up & Comer"...(Do to striking out on the big name guy)....Dykes, Hudspeth, Diaco, Doeren, Campbell, either Stoops bro not named Bob...Any of those guys would really be solid choices, as well. All are talented fb minds & have qualities that will make them successful in the big leagues, one day. I think the fan base would rally behind whichever guy. (For 3yrs MIN!) & maybe UK would find lightning in a bottle & gets the next great one. Some of those guys will win big in a BCS league in the not too distant future!!!

OR...

Ol'Barny could surprise everyone and target an NFL guy...A "no one saw this coming" guy...A Rex Ryan - Jack Del Rio - Josh McDaniels....But it has to be guy w/ contacts all across the fb landscape & the ability to find talented assistants that can teach & some that are great recruiters on the college level. Of this kind of hire...I like the idea of Rex Ryan...The loveable load mouth & DEF specialist....& even if he does like his old lady's feet in a mildly creepy way...He's the type of character that could make UK relevant on a national stage & w/ the national media...(Which really helps not just in recruiting players, but boosters & fans & the STATE BOYS that just might let UK fund FB at a SEC level!)

Yes & Yes..