SEC: Charlie Strong
Bostic leading Gators defense into spring
March, 16, 2012
Mar 16
10:30
AM ET
By
Edward Aschoff | ESPN.com
Jon Bostic has made the short walk from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium over to Florida’s practice fields hundreds of times. But, as the rising senior linebacker takes his final spring hikes back and forth, he can’t help but feel as if those first steps out there happened yesterday.
The old man on Florida’s defense isn’t looking to get nostalgic, but, as he enters his fourth season in Gainesville, he admits that his Gators career has flown by.
He went from immediately moving from safety to linebacker his first spring to becoming one of the captains and leaders of Florida’s defense. From wide-eyed to highly regarded, Bostic will enter the 2012 season as one of the SEC’s top middle linebackers.
But he wouldn’t be where he is without help from one of the best to line up for Florida.
From the beginning, Bostic’s first defensive coordinator, Charlie Strong, made sure Bostic clung to former star Brandon Spikes. Bostic was to be a sponge when around him.
One of the toughest activities with Spikes was watching film because of how meticulous he was.
“If there’s one thing about him, he sits in the film room and, when I say he finds the little things, he finds the little things,” Bostic said about Spikes’ scrupulous film time.
Spikes was hard on Bostic at times when it came to dissecting film or just learning how to be the defense’s quarterback, but it was something Bostic needed. The thing Spikes wanted to get across to his understudy was that he had to be the leader in his actions and his words, meaning laziness wasn’t an option. Spikes didn’t want his position to take a dip after he left.
So, for three years, Bostic has tried to emulate Spikes while trying to come into his own. He has gone through three defensive coordinators, taking little things from each to enhance his game. He has learned to gain weight the right way, and he enters his final spring wanting to get Florida’s defense back to its ferocious ways.
Bostic knows he can’t play every position at once, so he has taken it upon himself to monitor everyone. Bostic has grown from a shy, 225-pound hybrid player three years ago to a 245-pound outspoken superior. He is reaching out to younger players, getting onto older players and communicating his ideas more to coaches.
Florida returns 10 of 11 starters from the nation’s eighth-ranked defense, but, Bostic said, if Florida’s defense wants to progress in 2012, depth has to be stronger. Immediate help arrived in the form of three early enrollees -- juco defensive tackle Damien Jacobs and freshmen Antonio Morrison (linebacker) and Willie Bailey (defensive back) -- but Bostic said those who sat last year have to be more prepared this time.
“We’re going to need all the depth we can get this year,” he said. “Last year, we didn’t have as much depth at any position like we would have liked it.”
That led to a lot of bending in Florida’s defense and even some breaking against tougher running teams such as Alabama and LSU. If the Gators want to dig themselves out of their two-year rut, Bostic said, the defense has to continue to improve. The lack of discipline from a year ago has to be changed. Consistency has to take hold. No longer can players get away with deciding when they’ll go full speed, Bostic said; it has to be every day.
Bostic started to see an attitude change almost immediately after Florida’s bowl win over Ohio State, as the seven-win season didn’t sit well with players. In postseason drills, Bostic saw more fire and desire from players. The competition was intense as players looked to separate themselves before spring started.
A couple of days into spring practice, and Bostic said he still sees that tenacity from youngsters and vets.
“They figure it’s either now or never, and that’s a good thing,” Bostic said.
“It’s creating competition all over the place and making everybody better.”
It’s not just the defense that has impressed Bostic. The offense, which yet again is searching for its identity, has made strides. With help from a defense that refuses to let it get very comfortable, the offense has generated more confidence.
But it won’t be an overnight transformation, Bostic said. There has been a gradual push in the right direction, but there’s plenty of work to be done.
He knows the perception of Florida football isn’t exactly flattering right now, but, if everyone comes together this time, Bostic expects the Gators to turn a head or two this fall.
“We’ve had a lot of things happen, but the talent is still there,” he said. “The talent hasn’t gone anywhere.”
The old man on Florida’s defense isn’t looking to get nostalgic, but, as he enters his fourth season in Gainesville, he admits that his Gators career has flown by.
He went from immediately moving from safety to linebacker his first spring to becoming one of the captains and leaders of Florida’s defense. From wide-eyed to highly regarded, Bostic will enter the 2012 season as one of the SEC’s top middle linebackers.
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy of UF CommunicationsSenior Jon Bostic led the Gators in tackles with 94 last season.
Courtesy of UF CommunicationsSenior Jon Bostic led the Gators in tackles with 94 last season.From the beginning, Bostic’s first defensive coordinator, Charlie Strong, made sure Bostic clung to former star Brandon Spikes. Bostic was to be a sponge when around him.
One of the toughest activities with Spikes was watching film because of how meticulous he was.
“If there’s one thing about him, he sits in the film room and, when I say he finds the little things, he finds the little things,” Bostic said about Spikes’ scrupulous film time.
Spikes was hard on Bostic at times when it came to dissecting film or just learning how to be the defense’s quarterback, but it was something Bostic needed. The thing Spikes wanted to get across to his understudy was that he had to be the leader in his actions and his words, meaning laziness wasn’t an option. Spikes didn’t want his position to take a dip after he left.
So, for three years, Bostic has tried to emulate Spikes while trying to come into his own. He has gone through three defensive coordinators, taking little things from each to enhance his game. He has learned to gain weight the right way, and he enters his final spring wanting to get Florida’s defense back to its ferocious ways.
Bostic knows he can’t play every position at once, so he has taken it upon himself to monitor everyone. Bostic has grown from a shy, 225-pound hybrid player three years ago to a 245-pound outspoken superior. He is reaching out to younger players, getting onto older players and communicating his ideas more to coaches.
Florida returns 10 of 11 starters from the nation’s eighth-ranked defense, but, Bostic said, if Florida’s defense wants to progress in 2012, depth has to be stronger. Immediate help arrived in the form of three early enrollees -- juco defensive tackle Damien Jacobs and freshmen Antonio Morrison (linebacker) and Willie Bailey (defensive back) -- but Bostic said those who sat last year have to be more prepared this time.
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That led to a lot of bending in Florida’s defense and even some breaking against tougher running teams such as Alabama and LSU. If the Gators want to dig themselves out of their two-year rut, Bostic said, the defense has to continue to improve. The lack of discipline from a year ago has to be changed. Consistency has to take hold. No longer can players get away with deciding when they’ll go full speed, Bostic said; it has to be every day.
Bostic started to see an attitude change almost immediately after Florida’s bowl win over Ohio State, as the seven-win season didn’t sit well with players. In postseason drills, Bostic saw more fire and desire from players. The competition was intense as players looked to separate themselves before spring started.
A couple of days into spring practice, and Bostic said he still sees that tenacity from youngsters and vets.
“They figure it’s either now or never, and that’s a good thing,” Bostic said.
“It’s creating competition all over the place and making everybody better.”
It’s not just the defense that has impressed Bostic. The offense, which yet again is searching for its identity, has made strides. With help from a defense that refuses to let it get very comfortable, the offense has generated more confidence.
But it won’t be an overnight transformation, Bostic said. There has been a gradual push in the right direction, but there’s plenty of work to be done.
He knows the perception of Florida football isn’t exactly flattering right now, but, if everyone comes together this time, Bostic expects the Gators to turn a head or two this fall.
“We’ve had a lot of things happen, but the talent is still there,” he said. “The talent hasn’t gone anywhere.”
Just like the grind of the SEC separates the contenders from the pretenders on the field, it also separates those who can pick games and those who can't.
We have three league games on tap this week plus an ACC vs. SEC battle over in Death Valley (yes, LSU fans, there is another Death Valley). You know ACC blogger Heather Dinich is all fired up about the Auburn-Clemson tilt. She loves to talk a lot of smack early in the season and spout off about what the ACC's record is against the SEC. It's funny, though, that when the games start counting and the BCS national championship picture starts taking shape in November, she's never around.
I guess she's off chasing Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski by then.
Anyway, maybe there will be some separation between fellow SEC blogger Edward Aschoff and myself this week. We're both 19-3 (.864) after two weeks. I was 9-1 last week, and he was 8-2. We both missed Auburn's 41-34 win over Mississippi State, and Edward showed James Franklin and his Vanderbilt football team absolutely no love by picking Connecticut.
Obviously, he's been talking to Dinich and was confused. He thought we were picking basketball games. I've got him straightened out for this week.
Here's how we see it going in Week 3:
THURSDAY
No. 3 LSU at No. 25 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Chris Low: The middle of that Mississippi State defense looked vulnerable last week in the loss to Auburn. There’s nothing vulnerable about LSU’s defense, which looks faster and more menacing by the week. The Bulldogs will make a few plays on offense, but the Tigers will make a few more on defense. … LSU 27, Mississippi State 21
Edward Aschoff: The Bulldogs couldn't stop the run to save their lives last week and as a result they lost to Auburn. Thursday night, they face an even tougher challenge against LSU. Having the game at home should help, but the Tigers are clicking on all cylinders and won't be bothered by a few cowbells clanking at inappropriate times. … LSU 28, Mississippi State 17
SATURDAY
NORTH TEXAS at No. 2 ALABAMA
Chris Low: The Crimson Tide’s opener against Kent State was a runaway, and that was Nick Saban’s alma mater. This one will be even more of a romp as Alabama gears up for next week’s big showdown with Arkansas. … Alabama 48, North Texas 0.
Edward Aschoff: This is a game where Alabama could really get a good look at both quarterbacks. AJ McCarron appears to be the starter, but coach Nick Saban said this week that he wants to continue to develop Phillip Sims. The offense will also welcome Darius Hanks back to the passing game, so expect a little more offensive production. … Alabama 49, North Texas 3
COASTAL CAROLINA at GEORGIA
Chris Low: Maybe we can get Coastal Carolina coach David Bennett to re-create his dogs and cats speech. Something says it would be a lot more entertaining than this game will be. … Georgia 41, Coastal Carolina 7.
Edward Aschoff: Georgia hasn't won a football game since last November. That has Bulldog Nation angry and uncomfortable. But the losing streak stops this weekend. This is a chance to build some confidence and clean things up on both sides of the ball. … Georgia 48, Coastal Carolina 14
TROY at No. 14 ARKANSAS
Chris Low: Troy’s never a team to fool around with, but Arkansas has too much firepower on offense and too much muscle on defense to slip up at home. The Hogs might also get away with holding out a couple of their starters who are banged up. … Arkansas 42, Troy 14.
Edward Aschoff: The Razorbacks haven't had trouble putting points on the board and they shouldn't this week, either. Maybe we'll see more of Brandon Mitchell to give the quarterback spot some variety. Also, running back Dennis Johnson could return to Arkansas' backfield, adding another weapon to help get this running game going. … Arkansas 48, Troy 10
LOUISVILLE at KENTUCKY
Chris Low: The first team to 20 points wins. Maybe the first team to two touchdowns wins. It hasn’t been pretty for the Wildcats on offense, but they’re winning with defense, which will be enough for them to extend their winning streak in the Governor’s Cup to five straight games. … Kentucky 16, Louisville 10.
Edward Aschoff: The Wildcats' offense has been hard to watch at times, while Louisville is coming off a tough loss to Florida International. But this is a rivalry game, which means both teams will be pulling out new treats and wrinkles. Louisville coach Charlie Strong will be looking for revenge after dropping his first game in the rivalry last year. What better place to do it than Lexington? … Louisville 28, Kentucky 17
NAVY at No. 10 SOUTH CAROLINA
Chris Low: For a guy whose team has already won at Georgia and is ranked No. 10 nationally, the Head Ball Coach doesn’t sound real happy. Maybe that’s because he knows his team is living dangerously. The Gamecocks better not go through the motions against the Midshipmen. … South Carolina 41, Navy 21.
Edward Aschoff: South Carolina's defense has struggled through the first two games and will have its hands full with Navy's triple option. Steve Spurrier made his displeasure with his team known this week, so the Gamecocks won't be feeling tremendously good about themselves. Expect a more complete performance this weekend. … South Carolina 38, Navy 17
OLE MISS at VANDERBILT
Chris Low: Something about this game seems to bring out the best in Vanderbilt and the worst in Ole Miss. The last thing Houston Nutt needs to do is lose to the Commodores for a second straight year. Good thing his defense is playing better. … Ole Miss 20, Vanderbilt 17.
Edward Aschoff: The Commodores are sizzling after their first two games, while Ole Miss is still trying to figure things out on offense. The Rebels have lost two of their past three to Vandy and playing the Commodores' more aggressive defense could cause problems for a struggling offense. … Vanderbilt 24, Ole Miss 17
No. 21 AUBURN at CLEMSON
Chris Low: Welcome to the Lewis Grizzard Bowl, Part II. The SEC’s Tigers rallied from 17 points down to win last year. They better not fall that far behind this year or they can kiss that 17-game winning streak goodbye. There’s something to be said for knowing how to win, and Gene Chizik’s bunch certainly knows how to do that. … Auburn 31, Clemson 28.
Edward Aschoff: I don't know how Auburn does it, but the Tigers keep pulling games out late. Last week, Auburn was less than an inch away from going to overtime, and the week before, the Tigers needed a perfect onside kick to beat Utah State. This one is the first road challenge, but why bet against this young Auburn squad now? … Auburn 34, Clemson 30
TENNESSEE at No. 16 FLORIDA
Chris Low: Both teams have a lot to prove, and both teams hope to use this game as a springboard to bigger and better things this season. The Vols love to throw the ball all over the field and are only going to get better as the season progresses, but the Gators win in the Swamp thanks to big plays from Chris Rainey and a better all-around kicking game. … Florida 34, Tennessee 24.
Edward Aschoff: We still don't know a ton about either one of these teams, but the winner could solidify the No. 2 spot in the SEC East, and maybe even move itself to the top of the division. Can Tyler Bray's arm outlast Florida's defense? Will Charlie Weis open things up against Tennessee's young defense? We'll know more Saturday and with all the questions surrounding both teams, the advantage goes to the home team. … Florida 27, Tennessee 23
We have three league games on tap this week plus an ACC vs. SEC battle over in Death Valley (yes, LSU fans, there is another Death Valley). You know ACC blogger Heather Dinich is all fired up about the Auburn-Clemson tilt. She loves to talk a lot of smack early in the season and spout off about what the ACC's record is against the SEC. It's funny, though, that when the games start counting and the BCS national championship picture starts taking shape in November, she's never around.
I guess she's off chasing Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski by then.
Anyway, maybe there will be some separation between fellow SEC blogger Edward Aschoff and myself this week. We're both 19-3 (.864) after two weeks. I was 9-1 last week, and he was 8-2. We both missed Auburn's 41-34 win over Mississippi State, and Edward showed James Franklin and his Vanderbilt football team absolutely no love by picking Connecticut.
Obviously, he's been talking to Dinich and was confused. He thought we were picking basketball games. I've got him straightened out for this week.
Here's how we see it going in Week 3:
THURSDAY
No. 3 LSU at No. 25 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Chris Low: The middle of that Mississippi State defense looked vulnerable last week in the loss to Auburn. There’s nothing vulnerable about LSU’s defense, which looks faster and more menacing by the week. The Bulldogs will make a few plays on offense, but the Tigers will make a few more on defense. … LSU 27, Mississippi State 21
Edward Aschoff: The Bulldogs couldn't stop the run to save their lives last week and as a result they lost to Auburn. Thursday night, they face an even tougher challenge against LSU. Having the game at home should help, but the Tigers are clicking on all cylinders and won't be bothered by a few cowbells clanking at inappropriate times. … LSU 28, Mississippi State 17
SATURDAY
NORTH TEXAS at No. 2 ALABAMA
Chris Low: The Crimson Tide’s opener against Kent State was a runaway, and that was Nick Saban’s alma mater. This one will be even more of a romp as Alabama gears up for next week’s big showdown with Arkansas. … Alabama 48, North Texas 0.
Edward Aschoff: This is a game where Alabama could really get a good look at both quarterbacks. AJ McCarron appears to be the starter, but coach Nick Saban said this week that he wants to continue to develop Phillip Sims. The offense will also welcome Darius Hanks back to the passing game, so expect a little more offensive production. … Alabama 49, North Texas 3
COASTAL CAROLINA at GEORGIA
Chris Low: Maybe we can get Coastal Carolina coach David Bennett to re-create his dogs and cats speech. Something says it would be a lot more entertaining than this game will be. … Georgia 41, Coastal Carolina 7.
Edward Aschoff: Georgia hasn't won a football game since last November. That has Bulldog Nation angry and uncomfortable. But the losing streak stops this weekend. This is a chance to build some confidence and clean things up on both sides of the ball. … Georgia 48, Coastal Carolina 14
TROY at No. 14 ARKANSAS
Chris Low: Troy’s never a team to fool around with, but Arkansas has too much firepower on offense and too much muscle on defense to slip up at home. The Hogs might also get away with holding out a couple of their starters who are banged up. … Arkansas 42, Troy 14.
Edward Aschoff: The Razorbacks haven't had trouble putting points on the board and they shouldn't this week, either. Maybe we'll see more of Brandon Mitchell to give the quarterback spot some variety. Also, running back Dennis Johnson could return to Arkansas' backfield, adding another weapon to help get this running game going. … Arkansas 48, Troy 10
LOUISVILLE at KENTUCKY
Chris Low: The first team to 20 points wins. Maybe the first team to two touchdowns wins. It hasn’t been pretty for the Wildcats on offense, but they’re winning with defense, which will be enough for them to extend their winning streak in the Governor’s Cup to five straight games. … Kentucky 16, Louisville 10.
Edward Aschoff: The Wildcats' offense has been hard to watch at times, while Louisville is coming off a tough loss to Florida International. But this is a rivalry game, which means both teams will be pulling out new treats and wrinkles. Louisville coach Charlie Strong will be looking for revenge after dropping his first game in the rivalry last year. What better place to do it than Lexington? … Louisville 28, Kentucky 17
NAVY at No. 10 SOUTH CAROLINA
Chris Low: For a guy whose team has already won at Georgia and is ranked No. 10 nationally, the Head Ball Coach doesn’t sound real happy. Maybe that’s because he knows his team is living dangerously. The Gamecocks better not go through the motions against the Midshipmen. … South Carolina 41, Navy 21.
Edward Aschoff: South Carolina's defense has struggled through the first two games and will have its hands full with Navy's triple option. Steve Spurrier made his displeasure with his team known this week, so the Gamecocks won't be feeling tremendously good about themselves. Expect a more complete performance this weekend. … South Carolina 38, Navy 17
OLE MISS at VANDERBILT
Chris Low: Something about this game seems to bring out the best in Vanderbilt and the worst in Ole Miss. The last thing Houston Nutt needs to do is lose to the Commodores for a second straight year. Good thing his defense is playing better. … Ole Miss 20, Vanderbilt 17.
Edward Aschoff: The Commodores are sizzling after their first two games, while Ole Miss is still trying to figure things out on offense. The Rebels have lost two of their past three to Vandy and playing the Commodores' more aggressive defense could cause problems for a struggling offense. … Vanderbilt 24, Ole Miss 17
No. 21 AUBURN at CLEMSON
Chris Low: Welcome to the Lewis Grizzard Bowl, Part II. The SEC’s Tigers rallied from 17 points down to win last year. They better not fall that far behind this year or they can kiss that 17-game winning streak goodbye. There’s something to be said for knowing how to win, and Gene Chizik’s bunch certainly knows how to do that. … Auburn 31, Clemson 28.
Edward Aschoff: I don't know how Auburn does it, but the Tigers keep pulling games out late. Last week, Auburn was less than an inch away from going to overtime, and the week before, the Tigers needed a perfect onside kick to beat Utah State. This one is the first road challenge, but why bet against this young Auburn squad now? … Auburn 34, Clemson 30
TENNESSEE at No. 16 FLORIDA
Chris Low: Both teams have a lot to prove, and both teams hope to use this game as a springboard to bigger and better things this season. The Vols love to throw the ball all over the field and are only going to get better as the season progresses, but the Gators win in the Swamp thanks to big plays from Chris Rainey and a better all-around kicking game. … Florida 34, Tennessee 24.
Edward Aschoff: We still don't know a ton about either one of these teams, but the winner could solidify the No. 2 spot in the SEC East, and maybe even move itself to the top of the division. Can Tyler Bray's arm outlast Florida's defense? Will Charlie Weis open things up against Tennessee's young defense? We'll know more Saturday and with all the questions surrounding both teams, the advantage goes to the home team. … Florida 27, Tennessee 23
Now that Urban Meyer is stepping down as Florida's coach (again), the obvious next question: Who's next in line to coach the Gators?
Here's your proverbial short list (in alphabetical order):
Jon Gruden: What job does Gruden's name not come up for? A color analyst on "Monday Night Football," Gruden was linked to the Miami job last week, before taking his name out of consideration by affirming his commitment to ESPN. He won a Super Bowl as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has strong ties throughout the state of Florida.
Dan Mullen: Could be one of the first calls Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley will make (or probably has already made). Mullen has done a terrific job in two seasons as Mississippi State's head coach, and the Gators' offense hasn't been the same since he left as their offensive coordinator.
Chris Petersen: Foley had great success the last time he went out West and brought in an innovative coach with an exciting brand of offense. Meyer came to Florida from Utah. Petersen has built a powerhouse at Boise State. He's had chances to go elsewhere in recent years, but hasn't budged. This may be the job that changes that.
Bobby Petrino: In his third season at Arkansas, he has the Hogs in a BCS bowl game for the first time in school history. He's one of the top offensive minds in the game and was on Foley's radar when Meyer was hired back in 2005. Giving Petrino the keys to Florida's recruiting machine could be scary for the rest of the SEC. He does have a sizeable buyout, more than $3 million if he leaves before the end of this year.
Bob Stoops: Maybe he's settled in at Oklahoma for good. Maybe not. Like Petrino, Stoops was another one of the names you heard prominently when Meyer got the job. He makes a lot of sense. Stoops definitely knows his way around the Florida program, having been Steve Spurrier's defensive coordinator in the 1990s, and he also has a good relationship with Foley.
Charlie Strong: Like Mullen, Strong is another former Meyer assistant who has done well in his first head-coaching gig. He has Louisville in a bowl game in his first season. Strong consistently put out dominant defenses at Florida and is also a fabulous recruiter. Bringing him back would make for a very smooth transition.
Kyle Whittingham: The Gators had success with one coach from Utah. Why not take a shot on the guy who replaced Meyer at Utah and has continued that success? The only difference with Whittingham is that he has a defensive background.
Here's your proverbial short list (in alphabetical order):
Jon Gruden: What job does Gruden's name not come up for? A color analyst on "Monday Night Football," Gruden was linked to the Miami job last week, before taking his name out of consideration by affirming his commitment to ESPN. He won a Super Bowl as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has strong ties throughout the state of Florida.
Dan Mullen: Could be one of the first calls Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley will make (or probably has already made). Mullen has done a terrific job in two seasons as Mississippi State's head coach, and the Gators' offense hasn't been the same since he left as their offensive coordinator.
Chris Petersen: Foley had great success the last time he went out West and brought in an innovative coach with an exciting brand of offense. Meyer came to Florida from Utah. Petersen has built a powerhouse at Boise State. He's had chances to go elsewhere in recent years, but hasn't budged. This may be the job that changes that.
Bobby Petrino: In his third season at Arkansas, he has the Hogs in a BCS bowl game for the first time in school history. He's one of the top offensive minds in the game and was on Foley's radar when Meyer was hired back in 2005. Giving Petrino the keys to Florida's recruiting machine could be scary for the rest of the SEC. He does have a sizeable buyout, more than $3 million if he leaves before the end of this year.
Bob Stoops: Maybe he's settled in at Oklahoma for good. Maybe not. Like Petrino, Stoops was another one of the names you heard prominently when Meyer got the job. He makes a lot of sense. Stoops definitely knows his way around the Florida program, having been Steve Spurrier's defensive coordinator in the 1990s, and he also has a good relationship with Foley.
Charlie Strong: Like Mullen, Strong is another former Meyer assistant who has done well in his first head-coaching gig. He has Louisville in a bowl game in his first season. Strong consistently put out dominant defenses at Florida and is also a fabulous recruiter. Bringing him back would make for a very smooth transition.
Kyle Whittingham: The Gators had success with one coach from Utah. Why not take a shot on the guy who replaced Meyer at Utah and has continued that success? The only difference with Whittingham is that he has a defensive background.
Joker Phillips eager to take next step
September, 1, 2010
9/01/10
3:38
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Joker Phillips opened his first game-week SEC teleconference as Kentucky’s head coach Wednesday raving about his team’s attitude.
That’s fitting, because it’s Phillips’ attitude that most people who really know him point to as one of the main reasons he’ll be successful in maintaining what Rich Brooks built at Kentucky and maybe even taking it another step or two.
“He keeps it real, and there are never any excuses with Coach Phillips,” Kentucky junior receiver Randall Cobb said. “He’s been very clear about what his goals are for this program, and we’re all on the same page.
“There’s definitely another level for this program, and we’re working every day to get there.”
Phillips has branded his vision for getting there as “Operation Win.”
Needless to say, a win this Saturday against in-state rival Louisville would go a long way toward getting Phillips’ new regime off to a good start.
The Wildcats have won three straight in this series. That’s after losing four in a row when Brooks first arrived.
Already, Phillips has generated a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats have commitments from three of the state’s top four prospects. A win over the Cardinals would only underscore to recruits in that state and elsewhere that Phillips is serious about making Kentucky a serious contender in the SEC.
That’s not going to happen overnight. Even with all that Brooks accomplished at Kentucky, the Wildcats were just 16-40 in the SEC and never finished with a winning record in the league.
There were certainly gains, in particular road wins at Auburn and Georgia, and the four consecutive bowl appearances. The talent and depth on defense also got better.
And that’s precisely the area where Phillips feels best about this team, not only for this season, but on down the road.
One of his goals for this preseason was to have an extremely physical camp, to see how guys responded. He’s encouraged by what he saw from a speed, athleticism and overall strength standpoint in the defensive front.
“We’re a lot faster than we’ve been in the past few years,” Phillips said. “We’ve got a lot more team speed on defense. We’ve got a lot more defensive linemen in the program. Usually programs like ours struggle to find those guys, because they’re so hard to come by. But we’ve gone out and been able to attract a lot of defensive linemen. We have been one of the few teams in the last two years in this league to put three guys in the NFL up front. That’s been one of our strong points, getting defensive linemen here at Kentucky.
“I just think this team will be a lot faster and have more depth than we’ve had in a long time here.”
Phillips has downplayed the fact that he’s only the second black head football coach in SEC history.
With close friend Charlie Strong being on the other sideline Saturday and making his head coaching debut as well, Phillips understands the significance of two black head coaches squaring off against each other, especially when there are only five in the BCS ranks.
There’s absolutely a sense of pride for Phillips in helping to break down some of the barriers that prevented black coaches before him from landing head jobs in this league.
There's also a sense of pride in being able to do it at a place he calls home.
“That’s exciting [to be Kentucky's first black head football coach], but it’s more important being the head coach at Kentucky, a place that I grew up loving,” Phillips said. “Being from Kentucky, being an alumnus, being a letterman, it’s a dream come true.
“To me, it gives every little kid in Kentucky -- black, white, green -- a chance to be the coach here some day.”
That’s fitting, because it’s Phillips’ attitude that most people who really know him point to as one of the main reasons he’ll be successful in maintaining what Rich Brooks built at Kentucky and maybe even taking it another step or two.
“He keeps it real, and there are never any excuses with Coach Phillips,” Kentucky junior receiver Randall Cobb said. “He’s been very clear about what his goals are for this program, and we’re all on the same page.
[+] Enlarge
Mark Zerof/US PresswireOverall team speed is one trait coach Joker Phillips likes about this Kentucky team.
Mark Zerof/US PresswireOverall team speed is one trait coach Joker Phillips likes about this Kentucky team.Phillips has branded his vision for getting there as “Operation Win.”
Needless to say, a win this Saturday against in-state rival Louisville would go a long way toward getting Phillips’ new regime off to a good start.
The Wildcats have won three straight in this series. That’s after losing four in a row when Brooks first arrived.
Already, Phillips has generated a lot of momentum on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats have commitments from three of the state’s top four prospects. A win over the Cardinals would only underscore to recruits in that state and elsewhere that Phillips is serious about making Kentucky a serious contender in the SEC.
That’s not going to happen overnight. Even with all that Brooks accomplished at Kentucky, the Wildcats were just 16-40 in the SEC and never finished with a winning record in the league.
There were certainly gains, in particular road wins at Auburn and Georgia, and the four consecutive bowl appearances. The talent and depth on defense also got better.
And that’s precisely the area where Phillips feels best about this team, not only for this season, but on down the road.
One of his goals for this preseason was to have an extremely physical camp, to see how guys responded. He’s encouraged by what he saw from a speed, athleticism and overall strength standpoint in the defensive front.
“We’re a lot faster than we’ve been in the past few years,” Phillips said. “We’ve got a lot more team speed on defense. We’ve got a lot more defensive linemen in the program. Usually programs like ours struggle to find those guys, because they’re so hard to come by. But we’ve gone out and been able to attract a lot of defensive linemen. We have been one of the few teams in the last two years in this league to put three guys in the NFL up front. That’s been one of our strong points, getting defensive linemen here at Kentucky.
“I just think this team will be a lot faster and have more depth than we’ve had in a long time here.”
Phillips has downplayed the fact that he’s only the second black head football coach in SEC history.
With close friend Charlie Strong being on the other sideline Saturday and making his head coaching debut as well, Phillips understands the significance of two black head coaches squaring off against each other, especially when there are only five in the BCS ranks.
There’s absolutely a sense of pride for Phillips in helping to break down some of the barriers that prevented black coaches before him from landing head jobs in this league.
There's also a sense of pride in being able to do it at a place he calls home.
“That’s exciting [to be Kentucky's first black head football coach], but it’s more important being the head coach at Kentucky, a place that I grew up loving,” Phillips said. “Being from Kentucky, being an alumnus, being a letterman, it’s a dream come true.
“To me, it gives every little kid in Kentucky -- black, white, green -- a chance to be the coach here some day.”
DESTIN, Fla. -- First-year Kentucky coach Joker Phillips has the Wildcats off and running in recruiting.
The Wildcats already have nine commitments, including ESPNU 150 member Jon Davis of Louisville. This time a year ago, they only had one commitment.
Phillips, who’s an excellent recruiter himself, likes the tone his staff is setting on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats have gone over into East Saint Louis, Ill., and landed a couple of highly rated players -- safety Glen Faulkner and defensive tackle Clint Tucker -- and also pulled receiver Darien Thomas out of Theodore, Ala.
Another one to watch on Kentucky’s radar is receiver Shamier Jeffery of Saint Matthews, S.C. He’s the younger brother of South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery, but is taking a long look at Kentucky.
Phillips has strong ties in the state of South Carolina, and former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, in his first year as the Wildcats’ receivers coach, has South Carolina as one of his recruiting areas.
The other thing that should help the Wildcats is that it’s a stronger year in the state of Kentucky.
Of course, Phillips will be battling his old buddy, first-year Louisville coach Charlie Strong, on most of those prospects.
Phillips joked that some people around the state are still having a hard time telling the two of them apart.
“Charlie goes places in Kentucky, and they call him Joker,” Phillips said. “I go to some places that they call me Charlie.
"So I guess we all look alike.”
The Wildcats already have nine commitments, including ESPNU 150 member Jon Davis of Louisville. This time a year ago, they only had one commitment.
Phillips, who’s an excellent recruiter himself, likes the tone his staff is setting on the recruiting trail. The Wildcats have gone over into East Saint Louis, Ill., and landed a couple of highly rated players -- safety Glen Faulkner and defensive tackle Clint Tucker -- and also pulled receiver Darien Thomas out of Theodore, Ala.
Another one to watch on Kentucky’s radar is receiver Shamier Jeffery of Saint Matthews, S.C. He’s the younger brother of South Carolina receiver Alshon Jeffery, but is taking a long look at Kentucky.
Phillips has strong ties in the state of South Carolina, and former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin, in his first year as the Wildcats’ receivers coach, has South Carolina as one of his recruiting areas.
The other thing that should help the Wildcats is that it’s a stronger year in the state of Kentucky.
Of course, Phillips will be battling his old buddy, first-year Louisville coach Charlie Strong, on most of those prospects.
Phillips joked that some people around the state are still having a hard time telling the two of them apart.
“Charlie goes places in Kentucky, and they call him Joker,” Phillips said. “I go to some places that they call me Charlie.
"So I guess we all look alike.”
I’m always being asked to predict division winners, order of finish and even upsets months before the season begins.
Without looking too far ahead in 2010, why not take a look at who in the SEC has the greatest chance of being tripped up in the opener? I’ll go a step further and rank the teams most likely all the way down to those least likely to get beat that opening weekend.
Here’s a disclaimer: The SEC is the best in the country when it comes to scheduling openers against teams who are woefully overmatched.
Florida, for example, has won its past three openers (over Charleston Southern, Hawaii and Western Kentucky) by a combined score of 167-16. In fact, the last time the Gators played an opener that was closer than 18 points was 1997 when they beat Southern Miss 21-6.
Anyway, here goes:
1. LSU vs. North Carolina, Sept. 4 (Atlanta): A critical game for the Tigers and a tough one, too. The Tar Heels are talented, fast and good on defense, especially up front. LSU will need to play a lot better offensively than it did most of last season to keep from starting out 0-1.
2. Northwestern at Vanderbilt, Sept. 4: The Wildcats return eight starters on offense and some key playmakers on defense from a team that won eight games a year ago. Until proven otherwise, the Commodores are going to be at a disadvantage offensively in just about every game they play.
3. Kentucky at Louisville, Sept. 4: There was a time last decade when Louisville owned this series, but Kentucky has won the past three. Charlie Strong will be looking to make a big first impression at home.
4. Southern Miss at South Carolina, Sept. 2: The game’s on Thursday night in Columbia, and that will help. But Southern Miss is always a dangerous team and doesn’t scare easily against SEC teams.
5. Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee, Sept. 4: Tennessee-Martin will throw a fast and aggressive front seven against the Vols’ first-year quarterbacks and their brand new offensive line.
6. Jacksonville State at Ole Miss, Sept. 4: Jacksonville State is coming off back-to-back, eight-win seasons and posted the best record in the OVC last season.
7. Memphis at Mississippi State, Sept. 4: Talk about derailing some serious momentum if the Bulldogs drop this one. Dan Mullen has this program flying high, but the Tigers do have some talented athletes.
8. Arkansas State at Auburn, Sept. 4: Arkansas State’s mascot is pretty cool … the Red Wolves. But even in packs, they won’t have much chance against the Tigers.
9. Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia, Sept. 4: Louisiana-Lafayette did beat Kansas State, but Georgia ain’t Kansas State.
10. Tennessee Tech at Arkansas, Sept. 4: The only drama in this one will be whether the Hogs can ring up 60 points.
11. Miami (Ohio) at Florida, Sept. 4: Give the Gators credit. They’re stepping up their level of competition from a year ago. Maybe they’ll struggle to win this one by 40.
12. San Jose State at Alabama, Sept. 4: There’s a better chance of Nick Saban hitting golf balls off his new statue at the Walk of Champions during pregame than the Crimson Tide losing this game.
Without looking too far ahead in 2010, why not take a look at who in the SEC has the greatest chance of being tripped up in the opener? I’ll go a step further and rank the teams most likely all the way down to those least likely to get beat that opening weekend.
Here’s a disclaimer: The SEC is the best in the country when it comes to scheduling openers against teams who are woefully overmatched.
Florida, for example, has won its past three openers (over Charleston Southern, Hawaii and Western Kentucky) by a combined score of 167-16. In fact, the last time the Gators played an opener that was closer than 18 points was 1997 when they beat Southern Miss 21-6.
Anyway, here goes:
1. LSU vs. North Carolina, Sept. 4 (Atlanta): A critical game for the Tigers and a tough one, too. The Tar Heels are talented, fast and good on defense, especially up front. LSU will need to play a lot better offensively than it did most of last season to keep from starting out 0-1.
2. Northwestern at Vanderbilt, Sept. 4: The Wildcats return eight starters on offense and some key playmakers on defense from a team that won eight games a year ago. Until proven otherwise, the Commodores are going to be at a disadvantage offensively in just about every game they play.
3. Kentucky at Louisville, Sept. 4: There was a time last decade when Louisville owned this series, but Kentucky has won the past three. Charlie Strong will be looking to make a big first impression at home.
4. Southern Miss at South Carolina, Sept. 2: The game’s on Thursday night in Columbia, and that will help. But Southern Miss is always a dangerous team and doesn’t scare easily against SEC teams.
5. Tennessee-Martin at Tennessee, Sept. 4: Tennessee-Martin will throw a fast and aggressive front seven against the Vols’ first-year quarterbacks and their brand new offensive line.
6. Jacksonville State at Ole Miss, Sept. 4: Jacksonville State is coming off back-to-back, eight-win seasons and posted the best record in the OVC last season.
7. Memphis at Mississippi State, Sept. 4: Talk about derailing some serious momentum if the Bulldogs drop this one. Dan Mullen has this program flying high, but the Tigers do have some talented athletes.
8. Arkansas State at Auburn, Sept. 4: Arkansas State’s mascot is pretty cool … the Red Wolves. But even in packs, they won’t have much chance against the Tigers.
9. Louisiana-Lafayette at Georgia, Sept. 4: Louisiana-Lafayette did beat Kansas State, but Georgia ain’t Kansas State.
10. Tennessee Tech at Arkansas, Sept. 4: The only drama in this one will be whether the Hogs can ring up 60 points.
11. Miami (Ohio) at Florida, Sept. 4: Give the Gators credit. They’re stepping up their level of competition from a year ago. Maybe they’ll struggle to win this one by 40.
12. San Jose State at Alabama, Sept. 4: There’s a better chance of Nick Saban hitting golf balls off his new statue at the Walk of Champions during pregame than the Crimson Tide losing this game.
Florida has made its assistant coaches among the highest paid in the SEC as a group with raises across the board.
With Florida head coach Urban Meyer making $4 million per year thanks to the six-year, $24 million deal he agreed to last August, it was past due for the Gators to take care of their assistants.
AP Photo/Phil SandlinNew defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will become the highest paid assistant in Gainesville.It's true that all these coaching salaries are spiraling out of control. But comparatively speaking, the Florida assistants were underpaid the last couple of seasons.
Don't think so? Go back and look at what former defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was making.
When he was hired following last season as the Louisville head coach, he was reportedly making just $310,000 for the Gators. That would place him in the bottom half of the league right now.
Talk about a guy who was grossly underpaid.
Interestingly enough, the Gators' highest paid assistant will be Strong's replacement, Teryl Austin, who will earn $440,000 annually after coming over from the Arizona Cardinals. Even so, that figure still places him in the lower tier of SEC defensive coordinator salaries. Alabama's Kirby Smart, Georgia's Todd Grantham, LSU's John Chavis and South Carolina's Ellis Johnson all make $700,000 or more. Tennessee's Justin Wilcox makes $600,000, while Ole Miss' Tyrone Nix recently agreed to a deal that will pay him $500,000 annually.
Florida's offensive coordinator, Steve Addazio, will make $375,000 per year, but he will also be paid an additional fee for the duties he performed this offseason as the Gators' interim coach while Meyer was taking some time off.
I hope that fee is significant when you consider all the different hats Addazio has had to wear the last several months.
At least four SEC offensive coordinators will make more than Addazio in 2010 -- Auburn's Gus Malzahn ($500,000), LSU's Gary Crowton ($469,917), Tennessee's Jim Chaney ($425,000) and Alabama's Jim McElwain ($410,000).
So while these raises put the Florida assistants as a group near the top of the league, the coordinator salaries still lag behind.
The total for the nine Florida assistants is at least $2.74 million, and there are also performance-based incentives that are part of the deals.
In addition to Austin and Addazio, defensive line and assistant head coach Dan McCarney and assistant defensive coordinator Chuck Heater will also earn more than $300,000 per year annually. All nine of the assistants received two-year deals.
All in all, some pretty good coin when you consider that in 2000 the average salary for a Division I-A assistant coach was $60,500, according to a survey conducted by the NCAA. The highest paid assistant at that time was then-North Carolina State offensive coordinator Norm Chow at $165,000.
With Florida head coach Urban Meyer making $4 million per year thanks to the six-year, $24 million deal he agreed to last August, it was past due for the Gators to take care of their assistants.
AP Photo/Phil SandlinNew defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will become the highest paid assistant in Gainesville.Don't think so? Go back and look at what former defensive coordinator Charlie Strong was making.
When he was hired following last season as the Louisville head coach, he was reportedly making just $310,000 for the Gators. That would place him in the bottom half of the league right now.
Talk about a guy who was grossly underpaid.
Interestingly enough, the Gators' highest paid assistant will be Strong's replacement, Teryl Austin, who will earn $440,000 annually after coming over from the Arizona Cardinals. Even so, that figure still places him in the lower tier of SEC defensive coordinator salaries. Alabama's Kirby Smart, Georgia's Todd Grantham, LSU's John Chavis and South Carolina's Ellis Johnson all make $700,000 or more. Tennessee's Justin Wilcox makes $600,000, while Ole Miss' Tyrone Nix recently agreed to a deal that will pay him $500,000 annually.
Florida's offensive coordinator, Steve Addazio, will make $375,000 per year, but he will also be paid an additional fee for the duties he performed this offseason as the Gators' interim coach while Meyer was taking some time off.
I hope that fee is significant when you consider all the different hats Addazio has had to wear the last several months.
At least four SEC offensive coordinators will make more than Addazio in 2010 -- Auburn's Gus Malzahn ($500,000), LSU's Gary Crowton ($469,917), Tennessee's Jim Chaney ($425,000) and Alabama's Jim McElwain ($410,000).
So while these raises put the Florida assistants as a group near the top of the league, the coordinator salaries still lag behind.
The total for the nine Florida assistants is at least $2.74 million, and there are also performance-based incentives that are part of the deals.
In addition to Austin and Addazio, defensive line and assistant head coach Dan McCarney and assistant defensive coordinator Chuck Heater will also earn more than $300,000 per year annually. All nine of the assistants received two-year deals.
All in all, some pretty good coin when you consider that in 2000 the average salary for a Division I-A assistant coach was $60,500, according to a survey conducted by the NCAA. The highest paid assistant at that time was then-North Carolina State offensive coordinator Norm Chow at $165,000.
Making the rounds on a Monday in the SEC:
- Florida reserve linebacker Brandon Beal, a high school All-American who struggled with injuries, has been granted his release and plans to transfer to another school.
- South Carolina incoming freshman offensive lineman A.J. Cann carries the memory of his mother with him, writes Joseph Person of The State newspaper.
- Kentucky's Joker Phillips and Louisville's Charlie Strong wage a friendly battle for Louisville's recruiting turf.
- Lane Kiffin tells HBO's Real Sports that his move from Tennessee to Southern California after just one season in Knoxville was simply "part of the business."
- Jeff Demps turns in a 10.06 in the 100 meters to help the Gators run away with the SEC men's outdoor track and field championship.
- Conference expansion could be a real doozy, writes Perryn Keys of The Baton Rouge Advocate.
Bigger picture for Phillips is winning games
April, 21, 2010
4/21/10
10:02
AM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- As just the second black head football coach in SEC history, Joker Phillips hasn’t had much time to ponder the bigger picture and what it all means.
He’s operating at light speed right now, having taken over a Kentucky program that Rich Brooks guided from the depths of NCAA probation to four straight bowl appearances.
Now, before anybody huffs at the Wildcats’ success the last four years and says everybody goes to a bowl game these days, take a look at who’s actually done it in the SEC.
Only four other teams in the league -- Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU -- can say they’ve been to the postseason each of the last four years.
Some pretty lofty company, indeed.
Phillips’ first order of business is keeping the Wildcats there, or as senior defensive end DeQuin Evans says, foregoing the water faucet route.
“We don’t want to be that team where you can turn us on one season and then turn us off the next season like a water faucet,” said Evans, who led the Wildcats in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (12.5) last season.
“That’s not what we’re looking for. Coach Phillips wants to elevate us. We want to be somewhere warm playing in the bowl game. The main thing is winning, and that’s winning in the classroom, in the community and out on the football field. It’s what we call ‘Operation Win.’ ”
Phillips, 47, was named the Wildcats’ coach-in-waiting following the 2007 season. Brooks was the one pushing for Phillips to be his successor, and it was important to him that he hand the program over to Phillips in good shape.
Under Brooks, Kentucky was able to upgrade its talent level significantly, particularly on defense, and built the kind of depth across the board the Wildcats have rarely possessed in the past.
The result: 30 wins over the last four years, three bowl victories and four consecutive seasons of at least seven wins -- something that previously hadn’t been accomplished at Kentucky in nearly 100 years.
Phillips, who grew up in the Bluegrass and played at Kentucky, thinks there’s still another level for the program.
“It will be difficult to get there,” he said. “But it was difficult to get to where we are now. It’s going to be difficult to climb these next couple of steps. We felt like we had to, and this is something Rich left us with, but we felt like we had to up the intensity level a little more, demand a little bit more.
“We do have more athletes now, and our athletes expect to win. We’ve been a little bit more demanding and have brought a little more intensity into the program to give the guys the belief that we’re just as good as that next tier of guys we have to cross over in this league.”
The Wildcats brought in former strength and conditioning coordinator Ray “Rock” Oliver to run their strength program, and the players say the results this offseason have been obvious. The other staff changes included Mike Summers coming over from from Arkansas to coach the offensive line, David Turner coming over from Mississippi State to coach the defensive line and former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin coming over from New Mexico to coach the receivers.
“The only way to improve a program is to win football games,” senior quarterback Mike Hartline said. “We brought in a great strength coach who pushes us to levels you never thought you could go to, and then you transfer that over to the field in practice.
“I don’t think a lot has changed with coach Phillips and how the program is run, but there is a whole new intensity and atmosphere to Kentucky football. We’re putting that extra time in and working a little more. That’s how you go from that seven-win season to that 10-win season like we should have had last year.”
Hartline’s knee injury in the South Carolina last season handcuffed the Wildcats, who had to turn to true freshman Morgan Newton at quarterback the rest of the way. Randall Cobb also played back there some, but more as a runner, and Kentucky’s passing game dropped to the bottom of the league.
Not surprisingly, the emphasis this spring has been improving the passing game and making it more efficient, and Phillips thinks the Wildcats will be much more diverse when it comes to throwing the football in 2010.
“Seeing the development of our skill people and Mike in his third year now and Morgan in his second year, we feel like we’ll be better in the passing game and know that we have to be better at it,” Phillips said. “We know we have to throw the football. We want to be balanced. We haven’t been balanced the last two years.”
For all of Brooks’ success in leading the Wildcats back to respectability, they still had a losing record in the SEC in seven of his eight seasons in Lexington.
So if there is a proverbial next step for Phillips and the program, it’s winning more consistently against SEC foes and taking down a few more nationally ranked teams. The triple-overtime win over eventual national champion LSU in 2007 was easily Brooks’ biggest win, but it was also one of only two wins the Wildcats managed against Top 25 teams during his tenure.
“We want to be in those names when you talk about SEC championship teams,” Cobb said. “We want to be in the notable games whenever they show them on ESPN. We’re still not getting the respect that we want. That’s one of the biggest things with this team. If we don’t get that respect, we want to make sure we go out and get it.
“We’ve beaten Georgia on the road, beaten LSU and won some big games, but we need to win more of them. We have to be consistent. We have to win five and six games in the league every year before we get to that status.”
Phillips counts his blessings every day to be taking over a program that has such a strong foundation. There’s nothing to clean up, because Brooks did it the right way.
“If you know the history behind this program, it seems like every year they’ve had some success, there have been some (NCAA) sanctions come behind it,” Phillips said. “This is a clean place. Rich has built a foundation of doing it the right way, and I want to build it the same way on that strong foundation he built for us.”
Phillips takes seriously his role in opening doors for other black head coaches, particularly in the SEC, but he’s not fixated on it. He’s fixated on elevating Kentucky’s program, recruiting and developing great players, graduating his players … and winning games.
“There’s no doubt we can open up doors,” Phillips said. “But again, it has to show up in the win column. If you look at Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin, they’re opening doors because they’re winning. If they were losing, those doors would be closing behind them. The best thing we can do is win games.”
Phillips says “we” because the three FBS head coaching jobs in the state of Kentucky are currently held by black men. Charlie Strong’s at Louisville and Willie Taggart at Western Kentucky.
As fate would have it, Phillips and Strong once worked together on the South Carolina staff and have remained close over the years.
Just recently, the three of them all signed footballs for each other with the year and each of their schools' logos.
“We cherish this moment,” Phillips said. “I play both of them. I wish Charlie would play Willie also. I’m looking forward to competing against those guys. We’ve already competed some in recruiting or as coordinators, but having a chance for all three of us to lead our own programs is a dream come true.”
He’s operating at light speed right now, having taken over a Kentucky program that Rich Brooks guided from the depths of NCAA probation to four straight bowl appearances.
Mark Zerof-US PRESSWIREKentucky coach Joker Phillips wants to up the intensity in the program.
Only four other teams in the league -- Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU -- can say they’ve been to the postseason each of the last four years.
Some pretty lofty company, indeed.
Phillips’ first order of business is keeping the Wildcats there, or as senior defensive end DeQuin Evans says, foregoing the water faucet route.
“We don’t want to be that team where you can turn us on one season and then turn us off the next season like a water faucet,” said Evans, who led the Wildcats in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (12.5) last season.
“That’s not what we’re looking for. Coach Phillips wants to elevate us. We want to be somewhere warm playing in the bowl game. The main thing is winning, and that’s winning in the classroom, in the community and out on the football field. It’s what we call ‘Operation Win.’ ”
Phillips, 47, was named the Wildcats’ coach-in-waiting following the 2007 season. Brooks was the one pushing for Phillips to be his successor, and it was important to him that he hand the program over to Phillips in good shape.
Under Brooks, Kentucky was able to upgrade its talent level significantly, particularly on defense, and built the kind of depth across the board the Wildcats have rarely possessed in the past.
The result: 30 wins over the last four years, three bowl victories and four consecutive seasons of at least seven wins -- something that previously hadn’t been accomplished at Kentucky in nearly 100 years.
Phillips, who grew up in the Bluegrass and played at Kentucky, thinks there’s still another level for the program.
“It will be difficult to get there,” he said. “But it was difficult to get to where we are now. It’s going to be difficult to climb these next couple of steps. We felt like we had to, and this is something Rich left us with, but we felt like we had to up the intensity level a little more, demand a little bit more.
“We do have more athletes now, and our athletes expect to win. We’ve been a little bit more demanding and have brought a little more intensity into the program to give the guys the belief that we’re just as good as that next tier of guys we have to cross over in this league.”
The Wildcats brought in former strength and conditioning coordinator Ray “Rock” Oliver to run their strength program, and the players say the results this offseason have been obvious. The other staff changes included Mike Summers coming over from from Arkansas to coach the offensive line, David Turner coming over from Mississippi State to coach the defensive line and former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin coming over from New Mexico to coach the receivers.
“The only way to improve a program is to win football games,” senior quarterback Mike Hartline said. “We brought in a great strength coach who pushes us to levels you never thought you could go to, and then you transfer that over to the field in practice.
“I don’t think a lot has changed with coach Phillips and how the program is run, but there is a whole new intensity and atmosphere to Kentucky football. We’re putting that extra time in and working a little more. That’s how you go from that seven-win season to that 10-win season like we should have had last year.”
Hartline’s knee injury in the South Carolina last season handcuffed the Wildcats, who had to turn to true freshman Morgan Newton at quarterback the rest of the way. Randall Cobb also played back there some, but more as a runner, and Kentucky’s passing game dropped to the bottom of the league.
Not surprisingly, the emphasis this spring has been improving the passing game and making it more efficient, and Phillips thinks the Wildcats will be much more diverse when it comes to throwing the football in 2010.
“Seeing the development of our skill people and Mike in his third year now and Morgan in his second year, we feel like we’ll be better in the passing game and know that we have to be better at it,” Phillips said. “We know we have to throw the football. We want to be balanced. We haven’t been balanced the last two years.”
For all of Brooks’ success in leading the Wildcats back to respectability, they still had a losing record in the SEC in seven of his eight seasons in Lexington.
So if there is a proverbial next step for Phillips and the program, it’s winning more consistently against SEC foes and taking down a few more nationally ranked teams. The triple-overtime win over eventual national champion LSU in 2007 was easily Brooks’ biggest win, but it was also one of only two wins the Wildcats managed against Top 25 teams during his tenure.
“We want to be in those names when you talk about SEC championship teams,” Cobb said. “We want to be in the notable games whenever they show them on ESPN. We’re still not getting the respect that we want. That’s one of the biggest things with this team. If we don’t get that respect, we want to make sure we go out and get it.
“We’ve beaten Georgia on the road, beaten LSU and won some big games, but we need to win more of them. We have to be consistent. We have to win five and six games in the league every year before we get to that status.”
Phillips counts his blessings every day to be taking over a program that has such a strong foundation. There’s nothing to clean up, because Brooks did it the right way.
“If you know the history behind this program, it seems like every year they’ve had some success, there have been some (NCAA) sanctions come behind it,” Phillips said. “This is a clean place. Rich has built a foundation of doing it the right way, and I want to build it the same way on that strong foundation he built for us.”
Phillips takes seriously his role in opening doors for other black head coaches, particularly in the SEC, but he’s not fixated on it. He’s fixated on elevating Kentucky’s program, recruiting and developing great players, graduating his players … and winning games.
“There’s no doubt we can open up doors,” Phillips said. “But again, it has to show up in the win column. If you look at Lovie Smith and Tony Dungy and Mike Tomlin, they’re opening doors because they’re winning. If they were losing, those doors would be closing behind them. The best thing we can do is win games.”
Phillips says “we” because the three FBS head coaching jobs in the state of Kentucky are currently held by black men. Charlie Strong’s at Louisville and Willie Taggart at Western Kentucky.
As fate would have it, Phillips and Strong once worked together on the South Carolina staff and have remained close over the years.
Just recently, the three of them all signed footballs for each other with the year and each of their schools' logos.
“We cherish this moment,” Phillips said. “I play both of them. I wish Charlie would play Willie also. I’m looking forward to competing against those guys. We’ve already competed some in recruiting or as coordinators, but having a chance for all three of us to lead our own programs is a dream come true.”
With Urban Meyer officially on leave, the revolving door continues on Florida's coaching staff.
Cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford and running backs coach Kenny Carter are following former Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to Louisville.
In the meantime, Florida announced two new assistants Tuesday. Former Stanford assistant D.J. Durkin will coach linebackers at Florida and possibly special teams, which Meyer had previously handled. Former Syracuse assistant Stan Drayton will coach running backs.
Both Durkin and Drayton have ties to Meyer. Durkin was a graduate assistant under Meyer at Bowling Green, while Drayton was Florida's running backs coach under Meyer up through the 2007 season before leaving for the same job at Tennessee.
Interestingly enough, it wasn't the smoothest of partings.
Drayton said at the time, "There was some frustration there. I am not going to lie. But at the same time, you are in a community where they are very supportive of Florida. Florida has been good for me. It was a very comfortable situation there, so I wasn't necessarily looking to leave until I had a couple of my mentors at various levels of football talk to me and they made me evaluate what my career goals were. If I was going to reach my long term goals by way of being a running back coach, they made it pretty clear to me what I needed to do and what system I need to be a part of."
There's still one staff opening at Florida to fill on defense, and former Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez could replace Bedford as the cornerbacks coach.
Chuck Heater coached safeties and also served as co-defensive coordinator this season, and it looks like he will take over Strong's role as defensive coordinator.
Counting receivers coach Billy Gonzales, who took a job on the LSU staff, the Gators have had four assistants leave since the SEC championship game.
Cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford and running backs coach Kenny Carter are following former Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to Louisville.
In the meantime, Florida announced two new assistants Tuesday. Former Stanford assistant D.J. Durkin will coach linebackers at Florida and possibly special teams, which Meyer had previously handled. Former Syracuse assistant Stan Drayton will coach running backs.
Both Durkin and Drayton have ties to Meyer. Durkin was a graduate assistant under Meyer at Bowling Green, while Drayton was Florida's running backs coach under Meyer up through the 2007 season before leaving for the same job at Tennessee.
Interestingly enough, it wasn't the smoothest of partings.
Drayton said at the time, "There was some frustration there. I am not going to lie. But at the same time, you are in a community where they are very supportive of Florida. Florida has been good for me. It was a very comfortable situation there, so I wasn't necessarily looking to leave until I had a couple of my mentors at various levels of football talk to me and they made me evaluate what my career goals were. If I was going to reach my long term goals by way of being a running back coach, they made it pretty clear to me what I needed to do and what system I need to be a part of."
There's still one staff opening at Florida to fill on defense, and former Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez could replace Bedford as the cornerbacks coach.
Chuck Heater coached safeties and also served as co-defensive coordinator this season, and it looks like he will take over Strong's role as defensive coordinator.
Counting receivers coach Billy Gonzales, who took a job on the LSU staff, the Gators have had four assistants leave since the SEC championship game.
Meyer's hiring track record speaks for itself
December, 17, 2009
12/17/09
2:30
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Over and above the product on the field, this is the time of year when you really find out how good a coaching staff is.
Everybody is looking for good coaches. Everybody is trying to replace coaches. And if you hire good coaches, they’re going to be in demand.
It’s safe to say that Florida’s Urban Meyer has hired a bunch of good coaches.
In each of the last two seasons, he’s lost coordinators to head coaching jobs. Dan Mullen took the Mississippi State job last season, while Charlie Strong landed the Louisville job this season.
Following the 2007 season, Meyer also lost co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Greg Mattison to the Baltimore Ravens. After one year as the Ravens’ linebackers coach, Mattison was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Recently named Marshall head coach Doc Holliday also left the Florida staff following the 2007 season for a position on the West Virginia staff.
And earlier this month, Florida receivers coach Billy Gonzales left to become passing game coordinator at LSU.
The bottom line is that coaches want guys on their staff who are head coach material, and eight assistant coaches under Meyer have now gone on to be head coaches.
There could be more turnover on this staff. Cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford has done an excellent job in grooming Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins and could be a candidate to join Strong at Louisville.
Meyer says he’s going to take his time on his defensive coordinator hire. Ole Miss’ Tyrone Nix passed on the opportunity to join the Gators’ staff, and Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster was another guy on Meyer’s radar who's staying put.
When a coach is making these decisions, he always has to be aware of staff chemistry. Chuck Heater, the Gators’ assistant defensive coordinator, has been with Meyer since the final season at Utah in 2004 and will no doubt get a long look at replacing Strong.
Everybody is looking for good coaches. Everybody is trying to replace coaches. And if you hire good coaches, they’re going to be in demand.
It’s safe to say that Florida’s Urban Meyer has hired a bunch of good coaches.
In each of the last two seasons, he’s lost coordinators to head coaching jobs. Dan Mullen took the Mississippi State job last season, while Charlie Strong landed the Louisville job this season.
Following the 2007 season, Meyer also lost co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Greg Mattison to the Baltimore Ravens. After one year as the Ravens’ linebackers coach, Mattison was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Recently named Marshall head coach Doc Holliday also left the Florida staff following the 2007 season for a position on the West Virginia staff.
And earlier this month, Florida receivers coach Billy Gonzales left to become passing game coordinator at LSU.
The bottom line is that coaches want guys on their staff who are head coach material, and eight assistant coaches under Meyer have now gone on to be head coaches.
There could be more turnover on this staff. Cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford has done an excellent job in grooming Joe Haden and Janoris Jenkins and could be a candidate to join Strong at Louisville.
Meyer says he’s going to take his time on his defensive coordinator hire. Ole Miss’ Tyrone Nix passed on the opportunity to join the Gators’ staff, and Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster was another guy on Meyer’s radar who's staying put.
When a coach is making these decisions, he always has to be aware of staff chemistry. Chuck Heater, the Gators’ assistant defensive coordinator, has been with Meyer since the final season at Utah in 2004 and will no doubt get a long look at replacing Strong.
What are the SEC coordinators making?
December, 15, 2009
12/15/09
3:30
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
With Florida, Georgia and Mississippi State all looking for defensive coordinators and Arkansas recently promoting Garrick McGee to offensive coordinator to replace Paul Petrino, I thought it would be interesting to see what the offensive and defensive coordinators (the guys who call the plays) made this year in the SEC.
These numbers are according to a recent USA Today study on coaching salaries in college football.
It’s worth noting that Petrino will make $475,000 as offensive coordinator at Illinois. The only assistant coaches in the SEC who made more than that this year were Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and Tennessee assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.
Vanderbilt’s salary figures weren’t available. Also, South Carolina doesn’t have an offensive coordinator, but passing game coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. called a lot of the plays, so he’s listed.
OFFENSE
Gary Crowton, LSU: $469,917
Jim Chaney, Tennessee: $380,000
Jim McElwain, Alabama: $360,150
Gus Malzahn, Auburn: $350,000
Mike Bobo, Georgia: $325,600
Joker Phillips, Kentucky: $323,460
Paul Petrino, Arkansas: $308,000
Kent Austin, Ole Miss: $300,000
Les Koenning, Mississippi State: $250,000
Steve Addazio, Florida: $210,000
Steve Spurrier Jr., South Carolina: $209,000
DEFENSE
Monte Kiffin, Tennessee: $1.2 million
John Chavis, LSU: $450,000
Willy Robinson, Arkansas: $378,238
Ted Roof, Auburn: $370,000
Kirby Smart, Alabama: $369,350
Tyrone Nix, Ole Miss: $365,500
Ellis Johnson, South Carolina: $359,300
Willie Martinez, Georgia: $327,415
Steve Brown, Kentucky: $315,100
Charlie Strong, Florida: $310,000
Carl Torbush, Mississippi State: $260,000
These numbers are according to a recent USA Today study on coaching salaries in college football.
It’s worth noting that Petrino will make $475,000 as offensive coordinator at Illinois. The only assistant coaches in the SEC who made more than that this year were Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and Tennessee assistant head coach/recruiting coordinator Ed Orgeron.
Vanderbilt’s salary figures weren’t available. Also, South Carolina doesn’t have an offensive coordinator, but passing game coordinator Steve Spurrier Jr. called a lot of the plays, so he’s listed.
OFFENSE
Gary Crowton, LSU: $469,917
Jim Chaney, Tennessee: $380,000
Jim McElwain, Alabama: $360,150
Gus Malzahn, Auburn: $350,000
Mike Bobo, Georgia: $325,600
Joker Phillips, Kentucky: $323,460
Paul Petrino, Arkansas: $308,000
Kent Austin, Ole Miss: $300,000
Les Koenning, Mississippi State: $250,000
Steve Addazio, Florida: $210,000
Steve Spurrier Jr., South Carolina: $209,000
DEFENSE
Monte Kiffin, Tennessee: $1.2 million
John Chavis, LSU: $450,000
Willy Robinson, Arkansas: $378,238
Ted Roof, Auburn: $370,000
Kirby Smart, Alabama: $369,350
Tyrone Nix, Ole Miss: $365,500
Ellis Johnson, South Carolina: $359,300
Willie Martinez, Georgia: $327,415
Steve Brown, Kentucky: $315,100
Charlie Strong, Florida: $310,000
Carl Torbush, Mississippi State: $260,000
Coordinators coming and going in the SEC
December, 14, 2009
12/14/09
12:22
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Coordinators are coming, going and being wooed in the SEC at a dizzying rate.
At this point, it’s difficult to find a team in the league that hasn’t been affected.
The latest one on the move is Mississippi State defensive coordinator Carl Torbush, who’s going to Kansas to be Turner Gill’s defensive coordinator. Torbush was at Mississippi State for one season under Dan Mullen. This will be Torbush’s six different job as a defensive coordinator in college football. He’s also been a head coach at both North Carolina and Louisiana Tech.
Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has talked with San Jose State about its head coaching opening, and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is one of the hottest coaching commodities in the league.
Georgia coach Mark Richt fired defensive coordinator Willie Martinez earlier this month, and the Bulldogs had Smart at the top of their list. But it looks like Smart, the Broyles Award winner, is staying put for the time being.
The reality is that Smart is going to be in line for a bunch of head coaching opportunities in the next year or two.
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix met with Florida coach Urban Meyer last week and was offered the Gators’ defensive coordinator’s job after Charlie Strong left to take the Louisville head job. But Nix decided to stay at Ole Miss, where he will receive a raise.
Nix’s name had also come up in the Georgia defensive coordinator talk. Two others to watch there are longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and Kansas State defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, who was previously at Clemson under Tommy Bowden.
Arkansas offensive coordinator and receivers coach Paul Petrino will be introduced as Illinois’ new offensive coordinator later Monday. Petrino, who received a raise and multiyear deal, will call plays at Illinois, whereas his brother, Bobby, called the Hogs’ plays.
South Carolina running game coordinator and offensive line coach Eric Wolford is leaving the Gamecocks after just one season to take the Youngstown State head coaching job.
At this point, it’s difficult to find a team in the league that hasn’t been affected.
The latest one on the move is Mississippi State defensive coordinator Carl Torbush, who’s going to Kansas to be Turner Gill’s defensive coordinator. Torbush was at Mississippi State for one season under Dan Mullen. This will be Torbush’s six different job as a defensive coordinator in college football. He’s also been a head coach at both North Carolina and Louisiana Tech.
Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain has talked with San Jose State about its head coaching opening, and Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is one of the hottest coaching commodities in the league.
Georgia coach Mark Richt fired defensive coordinator Willie Martinez earlier this month, and the Bulldogs had Smart at the top of their list. But it looks like Smart, the Broyles Award winner, is staying put for the time being.
The reality is that Smart is going to be in line for a bunch of head coaching opportunities in the next year or two.
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix met with Florida coach Urban Meyer last week and was offered the Gators’ defensive coordinator’s job after Charlie Strong left to take the Louisville head job. But Nix decided to stay at Ole Miss, where he will receive a raise.
Nix’s name had also come up in the Georgia defensive coordinator talk. Two others to watch there are longtime Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and Kansas State defensive coordinator Vic Koenning, who was previously at Clemson under Tommy Bowden.
Arkansas offensive coordinator and receivers coach Paul Petrino will be introduced as Illinois’ new offensive coordinator later Monday. Petrino, who received a raise and multiyear deal, will call plays at Illinois, whereas his brother, Bobby, called the Hogs’ plays.
South Carolina running game coordinator and offensive line coach Eric Wolford is leaving the Gamecocks after just one season to take the Youngstown State head coaching job.
Everybody knows that the only people who gossip more than reporters are assistant football coaches.
That said, it’s that time of year again when assistants’ names are being bandied about in connection with different job openings at the same rate that credit cards are being swiped at shopping malls.
Come to think of it, I haven’t seen mine in a while. Could be bad news when the next statement arrives.
Anyway, in keeping with the spirit, here are some things to watch for in the SEC, guys who may be on the move this year and guys who will be on the move at some point because of the quality of their work:
That said, it’s that time of year again when assistants’ names are being bandied about in connection with different job openings at the same rate that credit cards are being swiped at shopping malls.
Come to think of it, I haven’t seen mine in a while. Could be bad news when the next statement arrives.
Anyway, in keeping with the spirit, here are some things to watch for in the SEC, guys who may be on the move this year and guys who will be on the move at some point because of the quality of their work:
- Georgia coach Mark Richt faces a critical hire at defensive coordinator. It appears that he’s not going to do anything until after the bowl game. The Bulldogs will make a big play for Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart, who won the Broyles Award as college football’s top assistant this season and is a Georgia graduate. But getting Smart away from Alabama may prove difficult. He's already making $360,000 and has a pretty sweet thing going right now at the Capstone.
- Speaking of Alabama, assistant head coach and linebackers coach Sal Sunseri is one of the leading candidates to join Jimbo Fisher’s staff at Florida State as defensive coordinator.
- It looks like Urban Meyer’s top choice to replace Charlie Strong as defensive coordinator is Ole Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, who’s already met with Meyer about the job. Nix has done an excellent job with the Rebels’ defense the past two seasons and could also be in the mix at Georgia.
- Strong has said he doesn’t plan to take anybody with him to Louisville from the Florida staff at this point, but that could change. And if it does, look for cornerbacks coach Vance Bedford to be at the head of the list.
- Tennessee has already lost two assistants. Eddie Gran went to Florida State and Frank Wilson to LSU. Linebackers coach Lance Thompson is also a guy to keep an eye on, especially if he can get a coordinator job. There’s a chance offensive coordinator Jim Chaney may end up back in the NFL.
- Georgia assistant head coach and defensive tackles coach Rodney Garner interviewed for a position on Lane Kiffin’s staff a year ago at Tennessee. Garner is one of the best recruiters in the SEC, and if he’s not going to be a candidate for the defensive coordinator’s job after spending nine years on Richt’s staff, he may look to go elsewhere after the bowl game.
- Vanderbilt defensive coordinator and secondary coach Jamie Bryant will be on a lot of short lists. He had other offers last year, but chose to stay at Vanderbilt. The Commodores’ secondary has been outstanding each of the past two seasons. They were ninth nationally in passing defense this season.
- Another SEC assistant who’s going to start receiving increasing interest is South Carolina recruiting coordinator/special teams and safeties coach Shane Beamer. He’s had recent talks with Murray State about the Racers’ head coaching job. One of the top recruiters in the league, Beamer has experience coaching running backs, cornerbacks, safeties and special teams.
- With Dan Mullen, Larry Porter, Dave Clawson and Strong all landing head coaching jobs the past two years, who will be the next SEC assistant to get a head gig? Ellis Johnson, South Carolina’s assistant head coach for the defense, may get a look. When you look at what he’s done with the Gamecocks’ defense, he deserves a shot. Watch out for Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, too. The improvement the Tigers made offensively this season speaks for itself. Does somebody give Tennessee’s Ed Orgeron another chance? Arkansas offensive coordinator Paul Petrino was in the running for the Western Kentucky head job earlier this season. Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and Kentucky defensive coordinator Steve Brown are also names to keep in mind. But the guy at the top of the list is Smart. He’s the SEC’s hottest commodity right now when it comes to assistant coaches and has that Nick Saban pedigree that will be very attractive to athletic directors.
Lunchtime links: Vols' controversies mounting
December, 10, 2009
12/10/09
1:20
PM ET
By
Chris Low | ESPN.com
Some SEC links to munch on:
- With the NCAA now poking around into Tennessee's use of recruiting hostesses, the Vols' controversies have hit a crescendo, writes Bryan Mullen of The Tennessean.
- One of the Byrnes, S.C., players who was visited by the Tennessee recruiting hostesses at his game said they didn't influence his decision to commit to the Vols.
- Ray Melick of The Birmingham News writes that maybe Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin has it all figured out.
- John Adams of The Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that the Vol Nation has no reason to panic.
- Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that it didn't take Kiffin long to land in hot water again.
- LSU receivers coach D.J. McCarthy, linked to a possible NCAA violation that the school is investigating, turns in his resignation.
- The Louisville head coaching opportunity excites former Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, writes David Jones of Florida Today.
- Ole Miss' football program was flagged for five secondary violations over the past five months, reports David Brandt of The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
- Evan Woodbery of The Mobile Press-Register wonders what Tyrik Rollison's suspension means for 2010.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Chris Low
Low joined ESPN.com in 2007 after 10 years with The (Nashville) Tennessean covering the University of Tennessee and SEC. The Rock Hill, S.C., native lives with his wife in Knoxville and has three sons.
Edward Aschoff
Aschoff joined ESPN.com in 2011 after spending four years covering the University of Florida for The Gainesville Sun. He grew up in Oxford, Miss., before attending UF, graduating with a B.S. in journalism.
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