Rich Brooks...COY

[ukbob]

Do you believe?

It's easy to say you really did. I believed that this was a good KY team....not great, but good. And honestly, I really never thought they could beat teams like LSU. I thought they would play them tough, but LSU has been so impressive all year. We were out manned at many positions. We had key injuries and less talent at key areas of defense. But we were not out hearted.

After the USC loss, I thought UK was clearly the 2nd tier in the SEC. Funny, huh?, 2nd tier would actually be pretty good for UK.

But one guy made us believe....Rich Brooks. The same guy I gave crap to for so long as did so many. The same guy that stood the test and hung in like a terrier.

I should have known....Rich Brooks believes. He always did.

Now I do.

He is the Coach of the Year in my book. He should be COY in the talking heads' books as well.

It's great being a Cat fan. It will be even better as time progresses.

[Wildcat Larry]

And this was without Little and Burton having a subpar game. The Cats are, indeed, a football team to be reckoned with.

Welcome to Kentucky football, SEC brethern. :thumbup:

[DonnieKat]

Do you believe?

It's easy to say you really did. I believed that this was a good KY team....not great, but good. And honestly, I really never thought they could beat teams like LSU. I thought they would play them tough, but LSU has been so impressive all year. We were out manned at many positions. We had key injuries and less talent at key areas of defense. But we were not out hearted.

After the USC loss, I thought UK was clearly the 2nd tier in the SEC. Funny, huh?, 2nd tier would actually be pretty good for UK.

But one guy made us believe....Rich Brooks. The same guy I gave crap to for so long as did so many. The same guy that stood the test and hung in like a terrier.

I should have known....Rich Brooks believes. He always did.

Now I do.

He is the Coach of the Year in my book. He should be COY in the talking heads' books as well.

It's great being a Cat fan. It will be even better as time progresses.

Game balls to Rich, Joker, Randy, Steve Brown, STEVE JOHNSON, Derrick Locke, Andre, Dicky Lyons Jr. for his hit on Steltz, Woodyard and Big Braxton Kelley for laying the lumber on 4th down. And how could I forget Jarmon and Lindley. Lindley played his heart out; he's the best corner I've ever seen at UK. It's going to be interesting to hear what the LSU players will have to say after this game. This Kentucky team just gets atchya. Their players were dropping like flies from ferocious hits. What fight, grit and determination. I'm still shaking as a type this. Unbelievable.

[cumberlandredskin]

I totally admit I was wrong about Brooks. I said in the past he was another Billy Curry. Obviously he is far,very far, from that. He believed when many of us didn't. This is a fine team with more talent on it than I have seen in long,long time. As long as key injuries stay away there is no reason this team can't win out or have no worse than a 10-2 regular season record. Brooks deserves all the credit due him for sticking with his plan and bringing in the talent it takes to win in the SEC. Pass the crow the please,I am happy to eat heaping, serving of it.

[actncat]

I would agree with most of what you said except for the fact that we clearly laid an egg and played a stinker of a game against USC. I think if that game were played again it could easily have a different outcome. I also have doubts whether we could be LSU again next week but who knows. One thing for sure is this football team is for real. Rich Brooks has done a wonderful job with his players and getting good coaches in the proper places. Our defense is a world ahead of last year. Anyway great win for the Cats. We will for sure go bowling this year. Now let's get ready for the rest of the season because there is a lot of important football to be played. Who'da think it we are in the middle of October and the important topic is Kentucky Football........

[bleedbluelady]

And this was without Little and Burton having a subpar game. The Cats are, indeed, a football team to be reckoned with.

Welcome to Kentucky football, SEC brethern. :thumbup:

That was one of my first thoughts. :thumbup:

[Mike B]

The feeling right now is unbelievable

[yitbos]

well coached, well played game. COY...yes

[Mike B]

I totally admit I was wrong about Brooks. I said in the past he was another Billy Curry. Obviously he is far,very far, from that. He believed when many of us didn't. This is a fine team with more talent on it than I have seen in long,long time. As long as key injuries stay away there is no reason this team can't win out or have no worse than a 10-2 regular season record. Brooks deserves all the credit due him for sticking with his plan and bringing in the talent it takes to win in the SEC. Pass the crow the please,I am happy to eat heaping, serving of it.

Me too, I wanted to fire him 2 years ago. Couldn't have been more wrong.

[LutherCat]

It takes a great deal of grit and determination to stand by your principles, especially when it seems like everyone is calling for your head. Fortunately for us, we have two men in the athletic department with such grit: Coach Brooks for staying the course and sticking to his plan and Mitch Barnhart for standing by his man. Thanks to both of them for a job well done.

I too, was among the ones who wanted Rich gone two years ago.

[wildcatdon]

agree with poster above...the feeling inside me now is just surreal!!!! I have waited many,many years to see something like this...This season just has to play out as i dream it will...I love my football cats!!!!!!

[yitbos]

I can honestly say ive been behind him since day one. When people were calling for his head...i came out and said that a program isnt built overnight. DAMN....it feels good to be tight. Coach has made some great hires, and built a team the way it should. We can be soooo proud of our CATS.

[Marty]

Didn't get to attend the game in person, but watching on tv was so exciting, its hard to describe. Congratulations to the team and coaches. Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rockober]

Brooks should be in contention with Boston College and the South Florida coach. All three should be saluted.

[Radiated]

Rich Brooks for Governor.

[UKcat]

He's got to be better than what we have now!!!!

[flacat22]

Me too, I wanted to fire him 2 years ago. Couldn't have been more wrong.

amen bother...heres to you tonight Kerri, cheeers
http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/football/college/img10406602.jpg

[LAcat]

I totally admit I was wrong about Brooks. I said in the past he was another Billy Curry. Obviously he is far,very far, from that. He believed when many of us didn't. This is a fine team with more talent on it than I have seen in long,long time. As long as key injuries stay away there is no reason this team can't win out or have no worse than a 10-2 regular season record. Brooks deserves all the credit due him for sticking with his plan and bringing in the talent it takes to win in the SEC. Pass the crow the please,I am happy to eat heaping, serving of it.

My thoughts too. After last year's 49-0 LSU beat down I thought Brooks should have been fired at year end. UK is 10-2 since that game. Brooks already has a COY at Oregon. I wonder if any coach has won the award twice at different schools?

[RaleighCat]

Pass the crow to go with my tall glass of Knob Creek I'm enjoying right now. I'm not a big UK Football poster- and didn't grow up a UK Football Fan. We were a UK Basketball-only family pretty much. I've been converted by Reverend Brooks.

But man I was wrong about Rich Brooks. We are fortunate to have him and I never thought I'd really feel that way. Just goes to show what hard work and patience can do for you.

Go Cats! Go Coach Brooks!! Beat them Gators!!!

[TrueblueCATfan]

I always believed in him.............way to go Coach Brooks..great win for you and your program

[Russ24ky]

I always believed in him.............way to go Coach Brooks..great win for you and your program

SAME HERE
I never said one bad thing about him

[catlovercardhater]

Governer... how about president

[largebluej]

It takes a great deal of grit and determination to stand by your principles, especially when it seems like everyone is calling for your head. Fortunately for us, we have two men in the athletic department with such grit: Coach Brooks for staying the course and sticking to his plan and Mitch Barnhart for standing by his man. Thanks to both of them for a job well done.

I too, was among the ones who wanted Rich gone two years ago.

that's okay, Luther, you've still got a place in the S212 R39 canoe. . . . .

[BigblueDrew]

Coach Brooks would probably have to get to the Sugar Bowl to get the award(although I think he deserves it). He is amoung about 4 guys I think are currently in contention. The way the rest of the season plays out will tell the tale. My guess is the guy from South Florida will win it if they win out.

[JOHN BLUEBLOOD]

I guess the questioning of Brooks is completely buried now. He's done an amazing job - I know many of us said "Rich who?" when he took the job and had wishes of other bigger names like Rodreguez and Parcells - but like the Stones once said "you can't always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need".

[Stucat]

I too think Coach Brooks is a very good coach and we are lucky to have him. Our football team is for real and we have just as much chance as anyone else.

[Mark Blueblood]

SAME HERE
I never said one bad thing about him

Make it three of us!

[gerntz]

I never said RB shouldn't be our coach but did take a very long wait & see attitude. And I was tilting negative just about a year ago. I fully admit I never thought we'd could reach this high so fast. Mid-last year I was hoping for 7-5 this year with emphasis on hope, not belief.

Wonderful job, Coach Brooks.

[bradmd]

I totally admit I was wrong about Brooks. I said in the past he was another Billy Curry. Obviously he is far,very far, from that. He believed when many of us didn't. This is a fine team with more talent on it than I have seen in long,long time. Pass the crow the please,I am happy to eat heaping, serving of it.


Yep, I came here to say the same. I was totally wrong about Brooks. I was on here about 2 yrs ago, and left a couple of threads really bashing him. But, I'm glad I was wrong. When they beat Clemson last yr, I was totally surprised...........I even doubted they be any good 'til they beat Lville.
Anyway, I'm 37, always lived in KY, and this is the best team that I can ever remember. Now if we could just get Ashley Judd to do a nekked half time show.............GO CATS!:thumbup:

[bleedblue79]

I always supported Coach Brooks, and I preached to everyone who would listen, that what we needed was continuity. From the beginning he put an incredible staff in place. He has made changes along the way(changed both coordinators and added a great linebackers coach in Chuck Smith) and he has built this program up on a ROCK SOLID foundation. We will have our ups and downs(we play in the SEC afterall)but we are not the doormat of the SEC anymore, and the message was sent last night, TN, FL, LSU, AU, etc. don't pencil in Kentucky as a win for your team anymore.

Coach Brooks is the Coach of the Year, no matter what anyone says. I love the 'ol man and I think these players would run through a Mack truck for him.

GO BIG BLUE!!!

[Matt Dillon]

I always believed in him.............way to go Coach Brooks..great win for you and your program

More importantly, he belived in himself and Mitch believed in him.

[RV]

My thoughts too. After last year's 49-0 LSU beat down I thought Brooks should have been fired at year end. UK is 10-2 since that game. Brooks already has a COY at Oregon. I wonder if any coach has won the award twice at different schools?

It's actually 11-2.

This team and group of coahces have accomplished much but still acknowledge they still have much to accomplish. We may have to overcome some more bumps in the road. Just sit tight and enjoy the ride.

[poodoo]

I always supported Coach Brooks, and I preached to everyone who would listen, that what we needed was continuity.

I supported and preached the same, bleedblue79. I also preached in recent years how his players love him, something else you pointed out here. :)

It matters not, though, whether one has been behind him from Day 1 or is giving him the deserved respect now. It is a WONDERFUL thing that it has happened, and I am so happy for both Coach Brooks and Mitch Barnhart. :)

Like you, I love the man (and so does Mr. Poodoo). He is certainly my Coach of the Year. :)

[poodoo]

And this was without Little and Burton having a subpar game. The Cats are, indeed, a football team to be reckoned with.



Same thoughts here, too. Add that two defensive starters were not able to play--Marcus McClinton and Johnny Williams, and the victory becomes still more unreal. Then add that LSU, not UK, won the turnover battle. Remember, too, that the Cats had stopped LSU on a fourth down play before a VERY questionable pass interference call was made against the Cats, leading to seven points for the Tigers (which lingered in my mind as we stayed close and were eventually were forced to fight back from a thirteen-point, not six-point, deficit).

We overcame all that adversity. That is indeed superb leadership from the program's head man, along with unbelievable heart from our players. Yes, we beat the top-ranked team WITHOUT our outstanding back and with an unhealthy star wide receiver who did not contribute as usual, in particular. UNREAL. :)

THANK YOU, Coach Brooks and players, for all the HAPPINESS. When Braxton made the tackle to end the game, the tears of JOY began to flow, for I had so wanted such deserved happiness for you guys.

I will never forget the moment. May the happiness continue. Oh, yes, we have a most legitimate team AND head coach. :)