Kentucky Football's Gamble on Ascending Coaches and Offensive Rebuilding - Episode Hero Image

Kentucky Football's Gamble on Ascending Coaches and Offensive Rebuilding

KSR · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • The hiring of Will Stein as head coach represents a calculated gamble on ascending coaches, prioritizing potential and a willingness to take chances over established track records, a strategy deemed necessary for Kentucky's competitive landscape.
  • Will Stein's offensive scheme is characterized by a balanced attack that strategically mixes tempo, focusing on running the football first and seeking vertical passing opportunities, rather than a constant high-speed approach.
  • The new coaching staff, notably young with offensive line coach Cutter Leftwich under 35, signifies a bet on rising talent and a departure from traditional hiring norms, aiming to leverage their energy and recruiting prowess.
  • Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman's hire is considered a risk due to a lack of recent proven results, despite his experience, highlighting a potential vulnerability in defensive strategy and execution.
  • Cutter Boley is definitively positioned as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, indicating a clear organizational direction and a commitment to his development, despite potential competition.
  • The football program's financial situation is expected to be tested during the portal period, serving as a barometer for available resources and the team's capacity to make significant roster enhancements.
  • The offensive line has been identified as a critical area needing immediate and long-term fixes, requiring a strategic shift towards high school recruiting to build a sustainable foundation over the next few years.

Deep Dive

Kentucky's football program is undergoing a significant transition with the hiring of Will Stein as head coach. This move signifies a strategic bet on ascending coaching talent, aiming to revitalize the offense with a balanced, tempo-infused scheme while simultaneously acknowledging the program's need to adapt to the evolving landscape of college sports financing. The success of this transition hinges on Stein's ability to cultivate a competitive roster through strategic recruiting and effective player development, particularly in rebuilding crucial areas like the offensive line.

The new coaching staff, notably young and with a focus on recruiting prowess, represents a departure from traditional hiring models. While this approach offers potential for innovation and growth, it also introduces inherent risks, especially on the defensive side of the ball where recent proven results are less evident. The decision to solidify Cutter Boley as the starting quarterback for the upcoming season, despite potential interest from other high-caliber recruits, underscores a commitment to building around established talent and fostering a clear team identity. This immediate focus on Boley suggests a strategy to provide stability and allow the team to gel under a defined leader, rather than engaging in open competition that could create uncertainty.

Looking ahead, the program's financial capacity will be a critical determinant of its ability to compete within the SEC. While the exact financial situation remains somewhat opaque, the upcoming transfer portal period will serve as a key barometer for assessing the resources available for player acquisition and retention. The program must navigate the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and revenue sharing to bridge any financial gaps with more established programs, relying on strong evaluation, development, and quarterback play to win in the margins. The long-term success of Kentucky football will depend on building a sustainable model that balances immediate competitive needs with the development of a strong high school recruiting pipeline, especially in critical positions like the offensive line, to ensure consistent performance year over year.

Action Items

  • Audit offensive line recruiting: Identify 3-5 years of historical recruiting data to pinpoint root causes of current roster weaknesses.
  • Create offensive line development plan: Define 3-4 key development milestones for incoming freshmen to ensure long-term roster strength.
  • Measure offensive line portal reliance: Track the percentage of offensive linemen acquired via the portal over the last 3 seasons to assess sustainability.
  • Evaluate defensive coordinator hiring: Analyze Jay Bateman's career trajectory for 2-3 specific instances of underperformance or success to inform future hiring.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"yeah i think he was in that top tier of available candidates yeah i think once summerall was off the table okay so he would have been your top he would have been my top choice once he was off the table which when kentucky entered the market he was off the table and then florida was done i think you were looking at him and brian hartline and those were the clear top two guys and they got one of those"

Adam Luckett indicates that Will Stein was considered a top candidate for the coaching position. Luckett highlights that after other candidates became unavailable, Stein and Brian Hartline emerged as the primary choices, and Kentucky secured one of them.

"yeah i think for a place like kentucky you've got to be we've talked about this you've got to be able to or you got to be willing to swing the bat and take chances and bet on ascending coaches they've got two guys under 35 the offensive line coach the outside linebacker coach both under 35 years old and they're a guy that's like 26 the offensive line coach cutter leftwich who graduated high school high school 2017"

Adam Luckett explains that Kentucky's coaching hires reflect a strategy of taking chances on developing coaches. Luckett points out the youth of the staff, specifically mentioning the offensive line coach, Cutter Leftwich, who is only 26 years old and recently graduated high school in 2017.

"the two coordinators they hired i would say the best thing they do both of them is they're recruiters there's been some controversy about these coordinators there's people who go look none of these guys have won anywhere do you worry about that more so on defense less so on offense because that sounds like so talk about the defense coordinator jay bateman is the defensive coordinator he was an fcs coach came up through the ranks then um became the army defensive coordinator when their coach who there is there now first got there and kind of got them going then went to north carolina with mack brown did not go well went to florida for two years got some players was a really good recruiter for florida then went to a m and then it's kind of lost in translation what happened there was he the defensive coordinator was he not it sounds like elko took over that so he was defensive coordinator in title only"

Adam Luckett discusses the defensive coordinator, Jay Bateman, noting that his strengths lie in recruiting. Luckett acknowledges controversy surrounding the coordinators' lack of wins but emphasizes Bateman's recruiting prowess, detailing his career path through various coaching positions and his struggles at North Carolina and Texas A&M.

"so when will stein kind of did that i hope he wants to compete that's more motivating than it is a sign that somebody great's coming in and also them trying to establish the culture that you're not going to get anything but yeah it's cutter boley is the guy for them that's a i think that's a newsy proposition they got this wide receiver from uh louisiana at the end of signing"

Adam Luckett suggests that Will Stein's approach to quarterback competition, by indicating Cutter Boley as the starter, is intended to motivate rather than signal a lack of incoming talent. Luckett views this as a definitive statement about Boley being the team's quarterback for the upcoming season.

"we've talked a lot about the basketball issues in terms of going forward do you think the football financial situation is in a good place i do but we're going to learn a lot in this portal period we're going to learn just how much money they have i think that that is going to be the real barometer for all of this just how much money do they have we're going to find out in the portal because it seems like what do you hear they say that they're they're in a good spot but you have to worry you know the rev share at kentucky just be honest the basketball team is getting a chunk of that but nobody knows what it is but we don't know so i'm just i'm just talking here you've got to be like let's use some street smarts basketball is getting a chunk of the 10 we have a lot we have less than all the rest of the sec schools we're going to have to you know j m is going to have to and the collective we're going to have to make up for it in the gaps so we'll see"

Adam Luckett expresses optimism about the football program's financial situation but believes the upcoming portal period will reveal the true extent of their resources. Luckett notes that while the football team is considered to be in a good spot, the revenue sharing model, with basketball receiving a significant portion, creates uncertainty about available funds for football.

"so you want him to lose you'd like him to be here because the portal opens right after those games it's better for i think the program if he's foot the boots on the ground in lexington and when the portal's open and you're having players on campus because that's interesting because we were talking about doing a watch party for that game and i don't know if people will be cheering for him to win or lose would you cheer for him to win or lose shannon in that game you know part of me says i really don't care if he wins or not but then wouldn't it be cool to have a national championship coach as your head coach on the team"

Adam Luckett states a preference for Will Stein to lose the upcoming bowl game, arguing it would be more beneficial for the program. Luckett explains that Stein's presence in Lexington during the portal opening would be advantageous for recruiting and player retention on campus.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu - Mentioned as a framework for strategic thinking.

Articles & Papers

  • "The Art of War" (Sun Tzu) - Mentioned as a framework for strategic thinking.

People

  • Adam Luckett - Guest, providing updates on Kentucky Football.
  • Matt Jones - Host of Kentucky Sports Radio.
  • Shannon - Co-host of Kentucky Sports Radio.
  • Will Stein - Newly hired coach for Kentucky Football.
  • Cutter Leftwich - Offensive Line Coach for Kentucky Football.
  • Jay Bateman - Defensive Coordinator for Kentucky Football.
  • Mark Pope - Mentioned in relation to voice strain.
  • Vince Marrow - Mentioned in relation to past recruiting benefits.
  • Nick Ralsh - Mentioned in relation to accountability.
  • Myron - Caller who questioned the definition of "elite" players.
  • JC - Caller discussing elite players.
  • Reggie Miller - Mentioned as a player who excelled at pump fakes.
  • Kobe Bryant - Mentioned for using a pump fake to draw fouls.
  • James Harden - Mentioned for a specific pump fake move.
  • Pat Biondo - Newly hired General Manager for UK Football.
  • Pete Nokta - Newly hired Assistant to the General Manager for UK Football.
  • Cole Britt - Student assistant credited with improving the tight end room.
  • Amari Stewart - Player expected to remain on the team.
  • Mike Hartline - Expected to remain in his role on the staff.
  • Billy Clyde - Mentioned in a story involving a swimming pool.
  • Mary Ann - Mentioned in a story involving a swimming pool.
  • Steve - Caller asking about Mark Pope's comments on pump fakes.
  • Dennis - Caller discussing financial parity in college football.
  • Glen - Caller asking for a ranking of scenarios involving baked beans.
  • Mike - Caller from Knoxville discussing DJ Lagway.
  • Ben - Caller asking about a law school exam question.
  • Randall - Caller discussing the importance of senior players.
  • Todd - Caller clarifying a story about Billy Clyde and Mary Ann.
  • Steve - Caller asking about Mark Pope's comments on pump fakes.
  • Bike - Caller suggesting radio calls during bowl games and asking about quarterback competition.
  • Jared Parker - Former Kentucky Wildcat playing for Troy.
  • Gavin Wimsatt - Former Kentucky quarterback playing for Jacksonville State.

Organizations

  • Kentucky Football - Subject of discussion regarding coaching hires and team strategy.
  • Oregon - Mentioned in relation to Will Stein's previous coaching role.
  • UCLA - Mentioned in relation to Cutter Leftwich's previous coaching role.
  • North Texas - Mentioned in relation to Cutter Leftwich's previous coaching role.
  • Oklahoma State - Mentioned in relation to Cutter Leftwich's brother's coaching role.
  • Texas Tech - Mentioned in relation to Cutter Leftwich's brother's coaching role and as a potential playoff opponent.
  • Army - Mentioned in relation to Jay Bateman's previous coaching role.
  • North Carolina - Mentioned in relation to Jay Bateman's previous coaching role.
  • Florida - Mentioned in relation to Jay Bateman's previous coaching role.
  • A&M - Mentioned in relation to Jay Bateman's previous coaching role.
  • James Madison - Mentioned as a football opponent.
  • NFL (National Football League) - Mentioned in relation to data analysis.
  • Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Mentioned as a data source.
  • New England Patriots - Mentioned as an example team for performance analysis.
  • HBCU - Mentioned in relation to a classic vibe and school pride.
  • Coca-Cola - Mentioned as a refreshing beverage during sporting events.
  • Pluvicto - Mentioned as a treatment for metastatic prostate cancer.
  • Intuit QuickBooks - Mentioned as a small business financial tool.
  • Delta SkyMiles - Mentioned as a membership program for travel and experiences.
  • Stockton Mortgage - Mentioned as a mortgage bank.
  • Serve Pro - Mentioned as a cleanup and restoration service.
  • KSR (Kentucky Sports Radio) - The podcast hosting the discussion.
  • Chevrolet - Mentioned in relation to the "Chevy Lightning Round."
  • iFit - Mentioned as a fitness contract opportunity.
  • Valpak - Mentioned for offering local coupons and savings.
  • DraftKings - Mentioned for sports betting promotions.
  • Troy - Football team mentioned in a DraftKings pick.
  • Jacksonville State - Football team mentioned in a DraftKings pick.
  • State Renovos - Mentioned for home renovation services.
  • PetSmart - Mentioned as a retailer that sued over pet sales ban.
  • Louisville - City mentioned in relation to pet sales laws.
  • Lexington - City mentioned in relation to pet sales laws.
  • American - Mentioned in a story involving a swimming pool.
  • Murray's - Sister store to American, mentioned in a story.
  • Ballard East - Football team mentioned in relation to Cole Britt's coaching.
  • St. X - Football team mentioned in relation to state titles.
  • Trinity - Football team mentioned in relation to state titles.
  • Male - Football team mentioned in relation to state titles.

Other Resources

  • Metastatic Prostate Cancer - Mentioned in relation to Pluvicto treatment.
  • Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) - Mentioned in relation to Pluvicto treatment.
  • AI Agents - Mentioned as a feature of Intuit QuickBooks.
  • Cap Space - Mentioned in the context of college sports finances.
  • NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) - Mentioned in relation to college sports and player compensation.
  • Rev Share (Revenue Sharing) - Mentioned in the context of college sports finances.
  • Portal - Mentioned as a mechanism for player transfers in college sports.
  • Pump Fake - Mentioned as a basketball technique.
  • Bulldog World Cup - Hypothetical competition mentioned.
  • Tibetan Mastiff - Mentioned as an expensive dog breed.
  • Golden Doodle - Mentioned as a popular dog breed.
  • Cavapoo - Mentioned as a dog breed.
  • English Bulldog - Mentioned as a dog breed.
  • French Bulldog - Mentioned as a dog breed.
  • Doodles - Mentioned as a type of dog breed.
  • Puppy Mills - Mentioned in the context of pet sales regulations.
  • Elite Players - Concept discussed in relation to team quality.
  • College Football Bowl Season - Mentioned as a current event.
  • Christmas - Mentioned in relation to holiday gift-giving.
  • Holiday Potluck - Mentioned as a social event.
  • Trivia - Mentioned as a bar activity.
  • Play-by-play - Mentioned in relation to sports broadcasting.
  • Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Plague Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Systemic Therapy - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Phototherapy - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Crohn's Disease - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Biologic - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Clean-up and Restoration - Mentioned as a service provided by Serve Pro.
  • Mold Damage - Mentioned as a service provided by Serve Pro.
  • Fire Damage - Mentioned as a service provided by Serve Pro.
  • Storm Water Damage - Mentioned as a service provided by Serve Pro.
  • Home Renovation - Mentioned as a service provided by State Renovos.
  • Outdated Kitchen - Mentioned in relation to home renovation.
  • Outdated Bath - Mentioned in relation to home renovation.
  • Unfinished Basement - Mentioned in relation to home renovation.
  • Sports Betting - Mentioned in relation to DraftKings.
  • Bonus Bets - Mentioned in relation to DraftKings.
  • Money Line - Mentioned in relation to sports betting.
  • Under Center - Mentioned as a football formation.
  • In Motion - Mentioned as a football play.
  • Peanut Butter Sticks to Jelly - Mentioned as a football play.
  • Salute to Veterans Bowl - Mentioned as a football bowl game.
  • Is4s - Acronym mentioned in relation to a bowl game.
  • Christmas Cash - Mentioned in relation to Valpak promotions.
  • Local Coupons - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Fitness Contract - Mentioned in relation to iFit.
  • 250,000 - Mentioned as a prize amount for iFit.
  • Mindset - Mentioned in relation to fitness competition.
  • Trainer Games - Mentioned as a show on Prime Video.
  • Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Clearer Skin - Mentioned as a benefit of Skyrizi.
  • Plaque Free - Mentioned as a benefit of Skyrizi.
  • Dermatologist Prescribed Biologic - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi.
  • Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Holiday Mail - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Holiday Shopping - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Instant Win - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Christmas - Mentioned in relation to holiday gift-giving.
  • Holiday Mail - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Holiday Shopping - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Instant Win - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Christmas Cash - Mentioned in relation to Valpak promotions.
  • Local Coupons - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Clearer Skin - Mentioned as a benefit of Skyrizi.
  • Plaque Free - Mentioned as a benefit of Skyrizi.
  • Dermatologist Prescribed Biologic - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi.
  • Psoriasis - Mentioned in relation to Skyrizi treatment.
  • Christmas - Mentioned in relation to holiday gift-giving.
  • Holiday Mail - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Holiday Shopping - Mentioned in relation to Valpak.
  • Instant Win - Mentioned in relation to Valpak

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