Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Kentucky football program is in desperate need of a makeover on the offensive side of the football, and they’re one step closer to making that happen. After joining the program in 2016, offensive coordinator Eddie Gran and co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Darin Hinshaw were both relieved of their coaching duties less than 24 hours after Kentucky’s season-ending victory over South Carolina.
Now, the next step is finding their replacements, a search UK head coach Mark Stoops began immediately after the news went public on Sunday.
“Not easy at all. First off, how much deliberate thought went into it,” Stoops said during his call-in show Monday evening. “The appreciation I have for Eddie and Darin, the job they’ve done for us for a very successful period. Say what you want, but it’s one of the more successful stretches we’ve had (at Kentucky) in a long time. Eddie and Darin were a part of that every year.
“It’s my job as a head coach to evaluate all aspects of the program, and it’s with an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. You’ve got to improve. We all want what’s best for our student-athletes.”
As for potential candidates or names emerging from the pack as anticipated favorites, Stoops says that any information you hear on the topic right now is “probably not right,” as the program is hoping to keep the search quiet and under wraps for the time being.
But make no mistake about it, there is “a lot” of interest in the position.
“Anything that’s out there, constantly, people are trying to get information,” Stoops said. “I’ll tell you this; if you hear any information out there, it’s probably not right because I’m keeping it tight. The nice thing is there’s a lot of people interested. I have a lot of work to do, a lot of due diligence. We’re in here going through a lot of things on the phone and on paper today, digging into some people. Obviously, I’ll get on the road and go out and visit with quite a few guys as well.”
And despite some of the early rumored names with close ties to Stoops’ past schools, his hometown of Youngstown, OH, or his family, the Kentucky head coach says he won’t be limiting the search to those with connections, nor has he ever. In fact, his two most recent coordinator hires were individuals he didn’t know “at all.”
“You always keep some guys, whether it be on a list or in the back of your mind. You know guys through the profession, so certainly you do,” he said. “But also, once the news becomes public, you also see what opportunities present themselves. That’s always something that is good as well because new names may come in front of you. Again, you have to do your due diligence that way.
“You know, look at my last two defensive coordinators, I didn’t know them at all. Matt House did a heck of a job and went on and won a Super Bowl. And Brad White, I didn’t know him a lick either, you know? But they’ve both done a fantastic job for me and been great additions to our staff.”
As a result, the hire may not come as quickly as some may be hoping for, Stoops included.
“I’ll do my due diligence. Everybody would like to make a hire quickly, but not at the expense of getting the right guy,” he said. “You have to do due diligence, make sure you get the right person.”
When asked about what he’s looking for from a philosophical standpoint on offense, the UK head coach was quick to deflect, as he doesn’t want to be “pigeon-holed” into anything specific. Stoops has an open mind about the process, but made it clear that his top priority is to put points on the board and find balance.
Considering “95 percent” of his focus is on the defense, he’s looking for someone he can have complete faith in to run the offense and have extreme success doing so.
“I’m gonna stay away from that because I don’t want to be pigeon-holed or pressured into anything, you know what I mean? I’m going to keep an open mind,” Stoops said. “Obviously I want to be exciting and I want to be able to throw the football, be balanced, get the ball down the field. That’s not lip service.
“Believe me, the people that think this is Mark Stoops, I’m in there telling them what to do and how to do it, I do not do that. I don’t have the time to do that, I don’t care to do that, I have to have confidence in the people I have around me. Obviously I had confidence in Eddie and Darin, they did a great job. We went through a stretch where we won more games than we have since the 40s and 50s. I also know that when things go wrong or changes need to be made, they need to be addressed.
“Believe me, I’m not in there drawing up plays offensively, I’m a defensive guy. I already have so many irons in the fire as a head coach that I’m probably 95 percent hands off offensively. I need somebody to be able to come in and do it, run (the offense). I want to be like everybody. I want to score points, be explosive and be fun to watch.”
Kentucky closed out the 2020 season averaging just 21.70 points (No. 11 in the SEC), 311.8 total yards (No. 11 in the SEC), and 124.4 passing yards (No. 14 in the SEC) per game in ten outings, all figures that will need to see significant boosts starting in 2021.
Who will Stoops put in charge to make that change? We’ll find out in the coming weeks.
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Mark Stoops on OC search: "I want to score points, be explosive and be fun to watch." - kentuckysportsradio.com
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