First lets stand up and applaud what Rich Brooks has done as the head football coach at Kentucky. Instead of something to do before college basketball season tipped off, Brooks gave UK football fans something to cheer for. Even made the program relevant in Lexington.Two years ago with Andre Woodson, Wesley Woodyard and a bunch of other talented players, Kentucky made a serious run at the SEC East title but just didn't have enough horses to get the job done.
Still, Brooks has led Kentucky to 4 post season bowls in a row and winning 3 which is a major accomplishment. He has done one of the most remarkable coaching jobs in the SEC.
I can imagine though that Rich Brooks is frustrated because football will never be more than what I stated in the beginning. It will never become a passion with Wildcat fans.
Sure Kentucky fans will show up at Commonwealth Stadium and show support but once basketball practice starts, well that's where the loyalties lie.
Then their is the financial backing. If an SEC football coach needs to an indoor practice facility or a players lounge, the check is in the mail. That's not the case at Kentucky. Men's basketball gets priority, football must wait it's turn.
I can imagine to that watching schools like Rutgers, Cincinnati or even another basketball school, North Carolina, commit major dollars to there football programs has to frustrate Rich Brooks.
Brooks said after the Music City Bowl loss to Clemson that he was 80% sure he was stepping down which I interpreted that he's not ready to step away from coaching or even Kentucky for that matter. That he would like some kind of commitment to the Kentucky football program to compete with Florida & Georgia. That might sway his decision.
Then again maybe Rich Brooks is content to call it a career and cast his fly rod into a stream somewhere. At least the trout are always biting.
Photo Courtesy: Lexington Herald-Leader
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