Will a 6-6 record get Joker a contract extension?

Question

With the way recruiting goes will the A.D. have to give Joker an extension?
Is 6-6 a record worthy of another year but no extension?
Can we get to a 6-6 record next season?
Does a 5-7 record or worse mean Joker is done here or does he get another year regardless?

Thoughts?


GO CATS!!

Originally posted on The Lair by catben.

Answer 1

1)Yes, with the pressure of recruiting I think Barnhart has to come to a decision on Joker fairly quickly, like mid October. Either extend him or announce he wont be retained after the season ends, depending on how the team has looked through 5 or 6 games.

2)UK nor any major BSC program can have a head coach with 2 years left on their contract, because no quality recruit would sign on to such an uncertain situation. Joker will be fired or extended in 2012, one of the two, he wont go into 2013 with the same contract that ends in 2014.

3)This team getting to 6-6 looks tough. Have to beat UL in game 1 for it to be accomplished, don't see them able to win 3 conference games to make up for dropping that one. Beat UL and then the path is possible, with the other 3 OOC games plus Miss St & Vandy at home.

4)I could very easily see Barnhart extending Joker if he finishes 5-7 or even 4-8, if none of the losses are as ugly as some we had in 2011. He's already shown he has "no expectations", so I doubt he is requiring a bowl game from Joker this year. However, lose to UL and drop some SEC games by 30 & 40 points, he won't have much choice but to make a change.

Originally posted on The Lair by JHB4UK.

Answer 2

Extend on 6-6, especially with the difficulty of schedule. Have to in order to be able to recruit against these negative tactics.

5-7 will be one more year to prove something. No extension

4 and below really has to be thought about as far as bringing someone else in.

Originally posted on The Lair by CatsFanGG24.

Answer 3

Can't do that, you torpedo the entire program for years. What recruit would commit to UK in 2013 when the head coach's contract is scheduled to run out a year later?

Joker either gets fired or extended this year, and probably the decision will be made in October again due to concerns and questions from 2012 recruits.

Originally posted on The Lair by JHB4UK.

Answer 4

Joker gets 6 wins next year then he will be extended and he should be.. Now after saying that IMO no way they win 6.. 5 wins may get him extended.

Originally posted on The Lair by KYDave32.

Answer 5

Joker will be back regardless of upcoming season's outcome.

Originally posted on The Lair by suchy500.

Answer 6

I think Joker will be back if we go 5-7. He may get an extension if 6-6. Regardless of if he gets an extension or not, if we go 6-6 then I feel that he is worthy of coming back for another yr.

Originally posted on The Lair by BlueRaider22.

Answer 7

Wow...What a dilemia MB has gotten himself into..All the more evidence that with Mike Leach available this would of been the year to do it..Now he is probably damned if he does and damn if he does with nobody out there to be excited about coming on board now...

Originally posted on The Lair by sluggercatfan.

Answer 8

My thought is 5-7 he is probably gone. 6-7 puts Mitch in a really tough spot considering past decisions. 7-6 he probably gets an extension. 8-5 he definitely gets a raise and extension. The season will not end at 6-6 so that will not be in play. If we win a bowl game rather impressively an extension is probably in line especially if recruiting is going well.

Originally posted on The Lair by usa1000.

Answer 9

As much as I hate to say it, JHB answers for me on that question.

While, right now, I think 5 wins appears more likely, I don't think 6 wins is the Mission Impossible so many here have made it to be. However, I'm not sure a 4 win season will warrant an extension unless there are some true, no BS, extenuating circumstances. A 4 win season continues the decline. As a minimum, the slide must be halted (i.e., 5 wins minimum).

Peace

Originally posted on The Lair by WildCard.

Answer 10

I am just saying what I think would happen. Not what I would do.

5-7 and Barnhardt will be stuck

Originally posted on The Lair by CatsFanGG24.

Answer 11

I do not see how back to back 5-7 seasons keeps you retrained...3 straight losing seasons is unacceptable with the addition of the extra cupcake OOC game.

That just shows we do not take football seriously, when below average coaching gets you rewarded a 4th year. The only way I see 5 being enough is if 2 of the 5 are FL/UT/UL, some combo of that 3.

Originally posted on The Lair by UKWildcats#8.

Answer 12

Think it's really hard to blindly put a number to that. I'm one who has a hard time blaming a coach completely for his record if he loses a key player to injury, for example. But then, I'm not convinced last year's season ended nearly as bad as the record indicates either. There was a lot of reason to think Joker may get traction sooner in 2012 than he did in 2011. But, since you never really know the story by just a number, I'd have to say it depends on the season. What if he won 8 games but was caught cheating mid-year? Rediculous, I know, but I'm stretching to make my point. Could just as easily get so many QBs hurt that a WR ends up starting at that position. Stranger things have happened.

Originally posted on The Lair by TuckyFan.

Answer 13

As for me, it doesn't matter as I don't think that Joker is qualified for the job but politically, a 6-6 record allows Joker to remain. Mitch would have no choice.

Originally posted on The Lair by Kampus Korner.

Answer 14

I sure would hope so.

Originally posted on The Lair by uk_king_cat1.

Answer 15

6-6 would be good withour sceadule next year

Originally posted on The Lair by ukgolfnut1.

Answer 16

ooooogreat thinking slugger!!!! If we hire LEACH when you guys wanted we would have 10 2 star players coming in this year TOO!!!


Originally posted on The Lair by pepsi man 99.

Answer 17

Joker will be retained for '13 short of an absolute collapse and there really is no reason to think otherwise, imo. All you need to look to is how Barnhart handled CRB, Joker will get the same patience coach in waiting or not. Also, I don't agree that you have to have an extension and especially not by midseason. However, if he earns it I am sure he will get it.

Originally posted on The Lair by pb1992.

Answer 18

My WAG:
6-6 Extension.... If we go 6-6 next year we will have some big wins and the mood will be very positive.

5-7 Who knows?..... This is the gray territory. I can't see extending a coach with 3 losing seasons after taking over for winning seasons and bowl games.

4-8 or worse. Termination.........Shows a clear trend of a downward spiral that cannot be denied. Can the mantra of "Wait til next year" be enough to save? I would think not. If it is truly extend or terminate.... the latter.

I have predicted for a while that then end of Joker Era will come the Monday before the UT this year.

Originally posted on The Lair by Rockford.

Answer 19

The season won't end at 6-6. At that point we will be 7-6 or 6-7. I think if we end 7-6 he is extended or at a minimum keeps his job. 6-7 and laying an egg like we did against Pitt and Mitch has problems. Here is to going 14-0 and landing the #1 recruiting class in the nation; therefore, taking away any date

Originally posted on The Lair by usa1000.

Answer 20

I think you all are smoking crack if you think UK will go 7-6. 6-7, 5-7, etc... UK will be lucky to go 3-9 (0-8 in the SEC) next year & it could be worse in Newton starts at QB.

Our offense was absolutely terrible last year and nothing has changed in the off season...if nothing has changed what makes everyone think we are going to be better with a tougher schedule. Everyone needs to stop drinking the blue kool-aid!!!

Originally posted on The Lair by mwells73.

Answer 21

1)Joker needs 5-6 years to get this program moving.
2)Im not convinced that UK could draw the quality of coach that some seem to think would be knocking down the door to coach here should Joker leave. I think Leach would have come here but outside of him, I think getting a proven coach better than Joker might be tougher than most think.

Joker is still a young head coach and Im sure that achievement with UKs limited football support and the learning curve of the SEC make his job all but impossible. The LOD might pull my membership card for this but...Im willing to give Joker a few more years before calling his hire a mistake.

Originally posted on The Lair by VT/UK Rondo.

Answer 22

Excellent post VT/UK, I agree on all points.

And mwells, I don't understand the posters on here, everyone knows that nothing ever changes from one year to the next in football. Ask Vandy, LOL.

Originally posted on The Lair by jauk11.

Answer 23

who cares anymore.

Originally posted on The Lair by CatsRuleSEC.

Answer 24

On point #1, I cannot disagree. But if that was expected, why the HCIW business? Four or 5 years is considered normal for a complete fresh start approach. The whole rationale for HCIW is to minimize the transition issues and build on what you have already accomplished.

On point #2, you have to ask yourself "Did Joker Phillips really have the resume to take over a SEC program for his first HC job"? IMO, no. I think UK and Joker would have been better served had Joker come to UK AFTER serving a few years as HC at some "lesser" program. UK is never going to attract a top caliber "proven" coach. But they can attract a solid up and coming coach if they put their mind and resources to it. JMO.

Peace

Originally posted on The Lair by WildCard.

Answer 25

I have to agree.But a young coach is going to need a lot of support from the university itself.

Originally posted on The Lair by bterhune1.

Answer 26

Sad, but that is what it has come down to now. It is painfully obvious the UK administration and a portion of the fanbase has no expectations set for this program. When we are talking about retaining someone who has been with the program for almost a decade and will more than likely have his third losing season in his 3rd year as HC and people think he should be retained to "help" recruiting which is already the worst in the SEC tells me all I need to know about the lack of football intelligence the KY fanbase has and the losing mentality it has as well.

How this fanbase is so spoiled now with winning in basketball and then turns around and accepts a pathetic football program is very hard to understand.

Originally posted on The Lair by ukalumni00.

Answer 27

1)The HCIW is beneficial for recruiting and the current offense but with Minter coming on board, Its going to take a few more unexpected years to get the right kind of players in here to run that defense. By the time Smith/Towels and the rest of the offense get some experience, I think minter might have the experience/depth on defense to match it. Nobody probably wants to hear it but I dont think UK will be very good for at least 2 more years, that is IF they can keep the current players/coaches entact.

2)Probably not. I mean no insult to UK football but it is whats called a "Career killer", meaning too many obstacles to overcome to succeed and a big risk to a up and coming coaches momentum. I really see only 2 routes-a crusty ass old coach that knows the ropes and how to build a program or a former player/coach that knows the program and the expectations/limitations ahead of time. That said, im not so sure that Joker or Leach wouldnt have been the only 2 options I would want right now. JMO

Originally posted on The Lair by VT/UK Rondo.

Answer 28

A crusty ass old coach who knows the ropes sure sounds like Rich Brooks.I thought the purpose of naming Joker HCIW was build from the Brooks tenure.Joker had been a large part of that process.Keep the recruiting moving forward,a seamless transition.Instead,we seem to be losing that momentum.We are getting worse.Why does Joker have to rebuild instead of just BUILDING on what was already there? WHY FIVE YEARS? But it's a mute point.

Originally posted on The Lair by bterhune1.

Answer 29

When Joker takes us to TEN straight bowls ..come talk to me...

Originally posted on The Lair by sluggercatfan.

Answer 30

Then why are you here bothering the fans?

Originally posted on The Lair by jauk11.

Answer 31

I'm a huge fan but I'm sure not buzzing with excitement for the upcoming year. Every time I think about our football situation it makes me pretty depressed.

Originally posted on The Lair by CapnBlubs.

Answer 32

Probably more about season ticket sales than anything done on the field... Our last home game will be Vandy, if we are 4-4 at that point, which wouldn't be out of the question, there could be 65,000 at the game or 30,000.

Originally posted on The Lair by ukbowl2006.

Answer 33

what he said.

Originally posted on The Lair by CatsRuleSEC.

Answer 34

I think there are two questions here. Will he get an extension or should he get an extension. Mitch has already made it clear that UK football is a revenue source only. Joker gets an extension pretty much no matter what. If he wins 2 or more games he will get an extension. Winning is not the objective of the AD. Now for the question should, the answer is no. Under no circumstance should Joker be given another year with anything less that 7 wins. Giving an extension for only 6 would confirm that this program is a joke.

Originally posted on The Lair by TBCat.

Answer 35

So, Joker gets no blame for the 2 recruiting classes while he was HCIW but Leach is responsible for all the recruits who signed before he was hired...lol. You really look silly at times. If you paid attention you would see that Leach greatly improved a horrible recruiting class in a short amount of time, but you only see what you want to see. Anyone who thinks Joker has done anything to prove he's half the coach Mike Leach is is a complete moron. I hope Joker proves me wrong and becomes the HC we all want him to be, but he has done NOTHING to prove he is so far.

Originally posted on The Lair by PokerCat67.

Answer 36

No a 6-6 record wouldn't get him an extension, he would still have 2 seasons remaining on his original 5 year contract.

Originally posted on The Lair by AgesBlue.

Answer 37

6-6 will get a well deserved extension. So will a competitive 5-7.

Didn't say it was right but that's the way I see it.

Originally posted on The Lair by shutzhund.

Answer 38

The decision not to make a move this year was the 3rd stupidest decision in UK sports history right behind allowing Bear Bryant to leave and the hiring of Billy Gillispie. When we made that decision we damned our football program to at least a decade of poor football. The Joker situation will drag on for another 5 years, likely without another winning season, and then we will have a 5 year rebuilding effort.

I'm sorry for having reasonable expectations but no way should a coach be rewarded for repeat subpar performances. Carp about the schedule all you want but we play 12 games and we don't play LSU every week. It is actually possible that Joker can win 6 games without having to beat a single team with a winning record. We have 4 non conference games, all should be wins period. We also play beatable teams like Miss State, Miss and Vandy on a regular basis. That plus Tennessee is not good right now. A coach with his act together would produce 8 wins with that schedule even with UK's talent.

We should not tolerate consistent below .500 records with an occasional team that reaches .500. Such coaching should never be rewarded with an extension. Now thanks to Mitch not only did we let a top level coach go, but we have also put the program in the same situation that it was in during the Curry era. We will be giving out contract extensions not because the coach earned it but because we foolishly believe it will help recruiting.

Originally posted on The Lair by TBCat.

Answer 39

He is referring to the 10 2* players that signed earlier this month...and most of those committed after he was hired.

Originally posted on The Lair by rqarnold.

Answer 40

How do you keep someone from leaving?
By Bryant's own admission, he knew he would always be in Rupp's shadow. Bryant happened to be at UK at a time that Rupp was at his height. Rupp won 3 NCs while Bryant was at UK. What? UK should have fired Rupp so that Bryant would have stayed??? Who says that he still doesn't leave for Bama a few years later?

Originally posted on The Lair by rqarnold.

Answer 41

Using this same logic that you quote, Joker may very well say the same thing about Calipari. Wonder why he stays?

Originally posted on The Lair by Hjack.

Answer 42

Half is not most. You guys who deny that WSU's recruiting got much better in the 2 months Leach had to work are either uninformed or intentionally trying to mislead people.

Originally posted on The Lair by PokerCat67.

Answer 43

Joker could probably go 3-9 and he would get a damn raise. UK is NOT serious about football.

Originally posted on The Lair by UK4EVR.

Answer 44

Amen brother! I have come to terms with the fact that UK football is nothing and will never be nothing. We were patient through the Brook's era waiting to get back to a bowl game and now what? We have to be patient again and wait another 4 or 5 years? That's BS! Joker provides absolutely no spark this program. I would be embarrassed if I was from KY and a former player and I couldn't bring more to this program.

Originally posted on The Lair by Jason441.

Answer 45

Get back to me when LEACH goes to 2 in a row.

Originally posted on The Lair by pepsi man 99.

Answer 46

Joker Calipari...and Joker knew when he took the job that he would always be second fiddle. The thing is...so would Nick Saben or Urban Meyer or any other coach. Thus the reason that those guys won't consider the job.

Originally posted on The Lair by rqarnold.

Answer 47

That may be one of the reasons but it's only one and not the most important.

Originally posted on The Lair by shutzhund.

Answer 48

Joker inherits a program that's gone 8-5, 8-5 and 7-6, so we want him extended after a 5 win and 6 win season. Oh, can we criticze Joker or is he off limits too?

Originally posted on The Lair by ZZBlueComet.

Answer 49

1st game of the 2012 will show you how far UK has fallen with the Joke . And
how far along Charlie Strong has built up the Louisville program from Kragthorpe's Mess .

Originally posted on The Lair by BARBQGRILLER.

Answer 50

And he may do just that.

Originally posted on The Lair by Hjack.