Kentucky Fans Need To Support Mark Stoops

Stop the nonsense of calling for Mark Stoops’ head.  

Let me set the scene. It’s game’s end last Saturday night at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky. 62,945 blue-clad, once-raucous fans now stand in stunned silence. I look over and see an elderly gentleman sitting by himself weeping.

A last-second, 56-yard field goal attempt from UK’s senior kicker, Austin MacGinnis, had fallen short. Kentucky had fallen short, too–for the 31st consecutive time–against the Florida Gators.

The Wildcats seemed to have the game in hand. They led the 20^th-ranked Gators, 27-14, with 11:33 remaining. Then Florida rattled off 14 unanswered points. A 5-yard TD pass from Luke del Rio to Freddie Swain with 43 seconds left–with the ensuing PAT by Eddy Pineiro–sealed the comeback.

Florida left Lexington with a 28-27 victory.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q9auAzP29c

Yeah, a win would have snapped a 30-year losing skid. But it would have done a lot more. The ‘Cats would have been 4-0 and in the driver’s seat in the SEC East. And it might have propelled UK into week’s AP top 25–a list the team hasn’t made since November 2007.

I was there Saturday night and the loss hurt worse than a bee sting. My dad, Terry, put it this way: “This is almost as bad as ‘The Bluegrass Miracle’.”

‘The Miracle’ took place on November 9, 2002. My dad was at “that game” with my uncle, Craig. The ‘Cats had given then-coach Guy Morris a Gatorade bath and UK fans began tearing down the goalposts. The problem? As time expired LSU scored–and won–on a 74-yard Hail Mary pass.

I didn’t think I could feel any worse but, once back in my hotel room, I did. I began scrolling through social media to see what was being said about the game. Lo, and behold, I found some UK fans calling for Mark Stoops’ head.

Overreaction? You bet.

Yes, Kentucky wasn’t able to hold a 13-point fourth quarter lead. Yes, the winning TD was caught by a receiver without a Wildcats’ defender in sight.

I understand the heartbreak. I really do. But to demand Stoops’ firing is nuts.

Stoops has transformed the Kentucky football program. He took over in November 2012 at a time when the Wildcats were being routed by SEC foes. The team ended the ’12 season 2-10, last in the SEC East–and defeated by Vandy 40-0, no less. Morale of the team and fan base was at an all-time low.

Courtesy: Lexington Herald-Leader

Then Stoops, a defensive coordinator at Florida State, came to Lexington to righten the ship. He asked boosters and the university to improve the football facilities. The ‘Cats started recruiting better athletes.

But some fans were inpatient. Stoops was criticised for failing to get the Wildcats to a bowl. There are two things wrong with that reaction–one general, the other specific. First, college football programs that have hit bottom can’t be turned around overnight. It just doesn’t work that way. Second, those criticising UK fans don’t remember how Rich Brooks turned around the program.

Brooks had three losing seasons in Lexington before (starting in 2006) leading Kentucky to four consecutive winning seasons with bowl appearances. The Wildcats went from also-ran to having a presence in the rugged SEC. The capstone game came in 2007 when the ‘Cats knocked off top-ranked LSU in a three OTs.

Stoops seems to be following that script.

–Stoops has beaten South Carolina four consecutive years.

–Stoops has beaten two Top 25 opponents with the highlight coming last year against Louisville on the road.

–Stoops has led the Wildcats to a bowl.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Wildcats are favored to win five of their final eight games. If that projection holds up, then Stoops will finish 8-4 (SEC 5-3)–the first time since 1977 that the Wildcats will have finished with a winning record in SEC play.

Big Blue Nation needs to rally behind and support Stoops. The program is on the rise and competing in one of the toughest conferences in the nation. That’s about all you can ask from a head coach.

Support and encouragement are essential for long-term success. Stoops deserves both.

******************

Cameron Brown is an undergraduate student at Western Kentucky University, double majoring in journalism and history, with a minor in broadcasting. In addition to being a sportswriter and sports columnist, he is also the voice of South Warren Spartans football for the Sporting Times Broadcast Network. Contact him at cameron.brown288@topper.wku.edu