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[[Bear Bryant]] came to Kentucky from [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/09/100_facts_about_bear_bryant_yo.html|title=100 years of Bear Bryant; 100 facts you may not know|work=AL.com|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> Under Bryant's tutelage, the Wildcats won the 1947 [[Great Lakes Bowl]], lost the 1950 [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange Bowl]], won the 1951 [[Sugar Bowl]] and the 1952 [[Cotton Bowl Classic]].<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> In final AP polls, the Wildcats were ranked No. 11 in 1949, No. 7 in 1950, No. 15 in 1951, No. 20 in 1952 and No. 16 in 1953.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> The final 1950 poll was taken prior to the bowl games; Kentucky then defeated undefeated and No. 1 ranked Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl,<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> ending the Sooners 31-game winning streak. Bryant won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1950 and then left after eight seasons to accept the head football coach position at [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]].
[[Bear Bryant]] came to Kentucky from [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/09/100_facts_about_bear_bryant_yo.html|title=100 years of Bear Bryant; 100 facts you may not know|work=AL.com|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> Under Bryant's tutelage, the Wildcats won the 1947 [[Great Lakes Bowl]], lost the 1950 [[Orange Bowl (game)|Orange Bowl]], won the 1951 [[Sugar Bowl]] and the 1952 [[Cotton Bowl Classic]].<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> In final AP polls, the Wildcats were ranked No. 11 in 1949, No. 7 in 1950, No. 15 in 1951, No. 20 in 1952 and No. 16 in 1953.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> The final 1950 poll was taken prior to the bowl games; Kentucky then defeated undefeated and No. 1 ranked Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl,<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> ending the Sooners 31-game winning streak. Bryant won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1950 and then left after eight seasons to accept the head football coach position at [[Texas A&M Aggies football|Texas A&M]].


Assistant coaches at Kentucky under Bryant that went on to become head coaches include [[Paul Dietzel]], [[Frank Moseley]], [[Jim Owens]] and [[Phil Cutchin]].<ref>[http://coachingroots.com/football/coaches/bear-bryant/coaching-tree ]{{dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> Notable players who played for Bryant at Kentucky include [[Howard Schnellenberger]], [[Jim Mackenzie (American football)|Jim Mackenzie]], [[Jerry Claiborne]], [[Steve Meilinger]], [[George Blanda]], [[Vito Parilli]], and [[Bob Gain]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rickerd |first=Brian |url=http://www.state-journal.com/sports/2013/10/14/university-of-kentucky-football-great-meilinger-has-only-one-regret-about-hall-of-fame |title=University of Kentucky football great Meilinger has only one regret about Hall of Fame – Frankfort & Franklin County, Kentucky |publisher=State-journal.com |date=October 14, 2013 |accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref>
Assistant coaches at Kentucky under Bryant that went on to become head coaches include [[Paul Dietzel]], [[Frank Moseley]], [[Jim Owens]] and [[Phil Cutchin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coachingroots.com/football/coaches/bear-bryant/coaching-tree |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140202221411/http://coachingroots.com/football/coaches/bear-bryant/coaching-tree |archivedate=February 2, 2014 }}</ref> Notable players who played for Bryant at Kentucky include [[Howard Schnellenberger]], [[Jim Mackenzie (American football)|Jim Mackenzie]], [[Jerry Claiborne]], [[Steve Meilinger]], [[George Blanda]], [[Vito Parilli]], and [[Bob Gain]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Rickerd |first=Brian |url=http://www.state-journal.com/sports/2013/10/14/university-of-kentucky-football-great-meilinger-has-only-one-regret-about-hall-of-fame |title=University of Kentucky football great Meilinger has only one regret about Hall of Fame – Frankfort & Franklin County, Kentucky |publisher=State-journal.com |date=October 14, 2013 |accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref>


===Blanton Collier era (1954–1961)===
===Blanton Collier era (1954–1961)===
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===Jerry Claiborne era (1982–1989)===
===Jerry Claiborne era (1982–1989)===
[[File:Jerry Claiborne (1965 Bugle).png|150 px|thumb|Coach Claiborne]]
[[File:Jerry Claiborne (1965 Bugle).png|150 px|thumb|Coach Claiborne]]
Coach [[Jerry Claiborne]] returned to his alma mater from [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.fredericknewspost.com/archive/article_e7a7b26d-c2d0-5a1c-b41d-3c471a5ae549.html|title=History Lesson: The late Jerry Claiborne turned around Maryland's football program|work=The Frederick News-Post|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> He led the Wildcats to the [[1983 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl|1983 Hall of Fame Bowl]] and the [[1984 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl|1984 Hall of Fame Bowl]],<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jerry-claiborne-1.html|title=Jerry Claiborne|work=Sports-Reference.com|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> defeating a Wisconsin team ranked No. 20 in the polls to finish the season with a 9–3 record and a No. 19 ranking in the final AP and UPI polls.<ref name="collegefootball.bz">[http://www.collegefootball.bz/kentucky ]{{dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> Claiborne also won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1983. The [[E.J. Nutter Training Facility]] was built in 1987. Coach Claiborne and Kentucky experienced an era of constant change at the quarterback position following the 1987 season through his departure that included the likes of Craig Nelson, Eric Mellon, and High School All-American and two way starter (Quarterback/Safety) Ricky Lewis, prior to landing Mr. Kentucky Football Awardee Pookie Jones of Calloway County.<ref name="UKANutterFacility">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/athletic-dept/nutter-training-facility.html|title=E.J. Nutter Training Facility|publisher=[[University of Kentucky]]|accessdate=March 8, 2010}}</ref> Claiborne retired following the 1989 season<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069225/index.htm ]{{dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> and was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] as a coach in 1999. He is the last coach to defeat [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] and was the last coach to defeat [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]] until [[Joker Phillips]] in 2011.<ref name="collegefootball.bz"/> His final record at Kentucky is 41–46–3.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>
Coach [[Jerry Claiborne]] returned to his alma mater from [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.fredericknewspost.com/archive/article_e7a7b26d-c2d0-5a1c-b41d-3c471a5ae549.html|title=History Lesson: The late Jerry Claiborne turned around Maryland's football program|work=The Frederick News-Post|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> He led the Wildcats to the [[1983 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl|1983 Hall of Fame Bowl]] and the [[1984 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl|1984 Hall of Fame Bowl]],<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/jerry-claiborne-1.html|title=Jerry Claiborne|work=Sports-Reference.com|accessdate=2015-05-21}}</ref> defeating a Wisconsin team ranked No. 20 in the polls to finish the season with a 9–3 record and a No. 19 ranking in the final AP and UPI polls.<ref name="collegefootball.bz">{{cite web|url=http://www.collegefootball.bz/kentucky |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20150206071116/http://collegefootball.bz:80/kentucky |archivedate=February 6, 2015 }}</ref> Claiborne also won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1983. The [[E.J. Nutter Training Facility]] was built in 1987. Coach Claiborne and Kentucky experienced an era of constant change at the quarterback position following the 1987 season through his departure that included the likes of Craig Nelson, Eric Mellon, and High School All-American and two way starter (Quarterback/Safety) Ricky Lewis, prior to landing Mr. Kentucky Football Awardee Pookie Jones of Calloway County.<ref name="UKANutterFacility">{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/athletic-dept/nutter-training-facility.html|title=E.J. Nutter Training Facility|publisher=[[University of Kentucky]]|accessdate=March 8, 2010}}</ref> Claiborne retired following the 1989 season<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069225/index.htm |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140203145904/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1069225/index.htm |archivedate=February 3, 2014 }}</ref> and was inducted into the [[College Football Hall of Fame]] as a coach in 1999. He is the last coach to defeat [[Florida Gators football|Florida]] and was the last coach to defeat [[Tennessee Volunteers football|Tennessee]] until [[Joker Phillips]] in 2011.<ref name="collegefootball.bz"/> His final record at Kentucky is 41–46–3.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>


===Bill Curry era (1990–1996)===
===Bill Curry era (1990–1996)===
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===Hal Mumme era (1997–2000)===
===Hal Mumme era (1997–2000)===
Coach [[Hal Mumme]] came to Kentucky from [[Valdosta State Blazers football|Valdosta State]] and brought an exciting, high-scoring, pass-oriented offense known as the "Air Raid".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071100aaf.html|title=Hal Mumme Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football|work=ukathletics.com}}</ref> He led the Wildcats to the 1998 [[Outback Bowl]] and the 1999 [[Music City Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hal-mumme-1.html|title=Hal Mumme|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Mumme achieved a 20–26 record in his four seasons.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/2001-02-06-mumme.htm|title=USATODAY.com – Mumme resigns as Kentucky football coach|work=usatoday.com}}</ref> Mumme coached star quarterback [[Tim Couch]], the top overall pick in the 1999 [[National Football League|NFL]] Draft. He was popular among the Kentucky fans,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/kentucky-tim-couch-flashback/|title=Tim Couch Flashback: "Dangerous As A Broken Fruit Jar" – Saturday Down South|work=Saturday Down South}}</ref> but the program was hit with severe sanctions for NCAA violations involving cash payments from an assistant coach to prospective recruits.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> Although Mumme himself was not implicated in any violation,<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/01/31/kentucky_probation_ap/ ]{{dead link|date=May 2015}}</ref> he resigned after the 2000 season.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> Assistant coaches under Mumme at Kentucky included [[Mike Leach (coach)|Mike Leach]] and [[Sonny Dykes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/04/ballad-of-hal-mumme.html|title=Smart Football|work=smartfootball.blogspot.com}}</ref>
Coach [[Hal Mumme]] came to Kentucky from [[Valdosta State Blazers football|Valdosta State]] and brought an exciting, high-scoring, pass-oriented offense known as the "Air Raid".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/071100aaf.html|title=Hal Mumme Named Head Coach of Kentucky Football|work=ukathletics.com}}</ref> He led the Wildcats to the 1998 [[Outback Bowl]] and the 1999 [[Music City Bowl]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/hal-mumme-1.html|title=Hal Mumme|work=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Mumme achieved a 20–26 record in his four seasons.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com">{{cite web|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/2001-02-06-mumme.htm|title=USATODAY.com – Mumme resigns as Kentucky football coach|work=usatoday.com}}</ref> Mumme coached star quarterback [[Tim Couch]], the top overall pick in the 1999 [[National Football League|NFL]] Draft. He was popular among the Kentucky fans,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/2011/kentucky-tim-couch-flashback/|title=Tim Couch Flashback: "Dangerous As A Broken Fruit Jar" – Saturday Down South|work=Saturday Down South}}</ref> but the program was hit with severe sanctions for NCAA violations involving cash payments from an assistant coach to prospective recruits.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> Although Mumme himself was not implicated in any violation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/college/news/2002/01/31/kentucky_probation_ap/ |accessdate=February 19, 2016 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20100419011044/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com:80/football/college/news/2002/01/31/kentucky_probation_ap/ |archivedate=April 19, 2010 }}</ref> he resigned after the 2000 season.<ref name="usatoday30.usatoday.com"/> Assistant coaches under Mumme at Kentucky included [[Mike Leach (coach)|Mike Leach]] and [[Sonny Dykes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/04/ballad-of-hal-mumme.html|title=Smart Football|work=smartfootball.blogspot.com}}</ref>


===Guy Morriss era (2001–2002)===
===Guy Morriss era (2001–2002)===

Revision as of 16:23, 19 February 2016

Kentucky Wildcats football
2015 Kentucky Wildcats football team
First season1892
Head coach
4th season, 12–24 (.333)
StadiumCommonwealth Stadium (Kentucky)
(capacity: 61,000)
Field surfaceField Turf
LocationLexington, Kentucky
DivisionSEC Eastern Division (1992–present)
All-time record587–599–44 (.495)
Bowl record8–6–0 (.571)
Claimed national titles1 (1950)[1]
Conference titles2
Consensus All-Americans10[2]
ColorsBlue and White
   
Fight songOn, On, U of K, Kentucky Fight
MascotWildcat, Scratch[3]
RivalsLouisville Cardinals
Tennessee Volunteers
Indiana Hoosiers
Vanderbilt Commodores
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Websiteukathletics.com

The Kentucky Wildcats football team represents the University of Kentucky in the sport of American football. The Wildcats compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team is currently coached by Mark Stoops.

History

For year-by-year results, see List of Kentucky Wildcats football seasons.

Early history (1881–1945)

A. M. Miller, Kentucky's first head football coach

Until about 1913, the modern University of Kentucky was referred to as "Kentucky State College" and nearby Transylvania University was known as "Kentucky University". In 1880, Kentucky University and Centre College played the first intercollegiate football game in Kentucky. Kentucky State first fielded a football team in 1881, playing three games against rival Kentucky University. The team was revived in 1891. Both the inaugural 1881 squad and the revived 1891 squad have unknown coaches according to university records in winning two games and losing three.[4] The 1891 team's colors were blue and light yellow, decided before the Centre–Kentucky game on December 19. A student asked "What color blue?" and varsity letterman Richard C. Stoll pulled off his necktie, and held it up. This is still held as the origin of Kentucky's shade of blue. The next year light yellow was dropped and changed to white.[5] The 1892 team was coached by A. M. Miller, and went 2–4–1.[6]

The greatest UK team of this era was the 1898 squad, known simply to Kentuckians as "The Immortals."[6] To this day, the Immortals remain the only undefeated, untied, and unscored upon team in UK football history.[6] The Immortals were coached by W. R. Bass and ended the year a perfect 7–0–0, despite an average weight of 147 pounds per player.[6] Victories came easily for this squad, as the Immortals raced by Kentucky University (18- 0), Georgetown (28–0), Company H of the 8th Massachusetts (59–0), Louisville Athletic Club (16–0), Centre (6–0), 160th Indiana (17–0) and Newcastle Athletic Club (36–0).[6]

Head coach Jack Wright led the team to a 7–1 record in 1903, losing only to rival and southern champion Kentucky University.[6]

Fred Schacht posted a 15–4–1 record in two seasons but died unexpectedly after his second season.[6] J. White Guyn also had success leading the Wildcats, posting a 17–7–1 record in his three years.[6]

Edwin Sweetland went 16–3 in three seasons (1909–1910 and 1912) but resigned due to poor health.[6] Sweetland also served as Kentucky's first athletics director.[6] The 1909 team upset the Illinois Fighting Illini. Upon their welcome home, Philip Carbusier said that they had "fought like wildcats," a nickname that stuck.[7]

Doc Rodes.

John J. Tigert coached Kentucky for two seasons (1915–1916) with each season having one loss. 1915 captain Charles C. Schrader was All-Southern. The 1916 team fought the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) co-champion Tennessee Volunteers to a scoreless tie. The year's only a loss, 45 to 0 to the Irby Curry-led Vanderbilt Commodores, was the dedication of Stoll Field. Quarterbacks Curry and Kentucky's Doc Rodes were both selected All-Southern at year's end. Vanderbilt coach Dan McGugin stated "If you would give me Doc Rodes, I would say he was a greater player than Curry."[8]

Coach Harry Gamage had a 32–25–5 record during his seven seasons from 1927–1933.[6] A.D. Kirwan, who would go on to be the president of the university, coached the Wildcats from 1938–1944 and posted a 24–28–4 record in those six seasons.[6]

Longtime athletics director Bernie Shively also served as Kentucky's head football coach for the 1945 season.[6]

Paul "Bear" Bryant era (1946–1953)

Legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant was Kentucky's head football coach for eight seasons.[9]

Bear Bryant came to Kentucky from Maryland.[10] Under Bryant's tutelage, the Wildcats won the 1947 Great Lakes Bowl, lost the 1950 Orange Bowl, won the 1951 Sugar Bowl and the 1952 Cotton Bowl Classic.[9] In final AP polls, the Wildcats were ranked No. 11 in 1949, No. 7 in 1950, No. 15 in 1951, No. 20 in 1952 and No. 16 in 1953.[9] The final 1950 poll was taken prior to the bowl games; Kentucky then defeated undefeated and No. 1 ranked Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl,[9] ending the Sooners 31-game winning streak. Bryant won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1950 and then left after eight seasons to accept the head football coach position at Texas A&M.

Assistant coaches at Kentucky under Bryant that went on to become head coaches include Paul Dietzel, Frank Moseley, Jim Owens and Phil Cutchin.[11] Notable players who played for Bryant at Kentucky include Howard Schnellenberger, Jim Mackenzie, Jerry Claiborne, Steve Meilinger, George Blanda, Vito Parilli, and Bob Gain.[12]

Blanton Collier era (1954–1961)

Cleveland Browns assistant Blanton Collier was hired to replace Bryant as head football coach at Kentucky in late 1953.[13] After completing his first season at Kentucky, Collier was named SEC Coach of the Year after posting a 7–2 record.[13] Collier's assistants during his tenure at Kentucky included the likes of Bill Arnsparger, Chuck Knox, Howard Schnellenberger, and Don Shula.[14]

Despite having a winning record, 41–36–3 in eight seasons, Collier was fired.[15] Collier struggled to recruit for much of his tenure, about which frustrated fans wrote letters of complaint to the university.[16] Collier is the last Kentucky head football coach to leave the Wildcats with a winning record.

Charlie Bradshaw era (1962–1968)

Charlie Bradshaw, an Alabama assistant under Bear Bryant, was hired to replace the fired Collier.[17] Despite all the hype about being a Bear Bryant assistant, Bradshaw's tenure turned out to be a disappointment, as he was unable to have much success with the Wildcats. He had a 25–41–5 record in seven seasons.[18] Bradshaw is the last Kentucky coach to defeat Tennessee twice in Knoxville, and the last Kentucky coach to defeat Auburn twice.[17] He was also the last to defeat a No. 1 ranked team in the country until Rich Brooks in 2007.[17]

Bradshaw, a harsh, brutal coach,[19] was the head coach of the infamous Thin Thirty Kentucky team. Kentucky had 88 players when Bradshaw arrived, but by season's end, only 30 players were on the team.[20] The story of that team is told in the 2007 book The Thin Thirty by Shannon Ragland.[19] Bradshaw also recruited Nate Northington, the first African American to play in an SEC athletic contest (1967).[21]

John Ray era (1969–1972)

Notre Dame assistant John Ray took over as head football coach in late 1969. Ray's teams consistently had solid defenses, but struggled to produce on the offensive end.[22] Ray's teams failed to win more than three games in a single season, going a dismal 10–33 overall in Ray's four seasons.[23] Ray's contract was not renewed after the 1972 season.

Fran Curci era (1973–1981)

A football signed by Kentucky head coach Fran Curci and gifted to President Gerald Ford.

Kentucky hired Fran Curci away from Miami after Ray was let go.[24] The 1976 Wildcats tallied their first winning season in 13 years and won the Peach Bowl,[25] finishing No. 18 in the final AP poll.[25] For all intents and purposes, however, Curci's tenure ended soon afterward, when the NCAA slapped the Wildcats with two years' probation for numerous recruiting and amateurism violations. They were banned from postseason play and live television in 1977. The most damaging sanction in the long term, however, was being limited to only 25 scholarships in 1977 and 1978.[26]

The 1977 Kentucky team went 10–1, went undefeated in SEC play, won a share of the SEC title and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the AP poll.[25] Due to the sanctions, however, the Wildcats were not able to go to a bowl. Kentucky finished at No. 6 and Penn State at No. 5 despite the fact that Kentucky defeated Penn State at Penn State during the regular season. Curci was unable to put together another winning team as a result of the reduced scholarships, and was fired after the 1981 season.[27]

Jerry Claiborne era (1982–1989)

Coach Claiborne

Coach Jerry Claiborne returned to his alma mater from Maryland.[28] He led the Wildcats to the 1983 Hall of Fame Bowl and the 1984 Hall of Fame Bowl,[29] defeating a Wisconsin team ranked No. 20 in the polls to finish the season with a 9–3 record and a No. 19 ranking in the final AP and UPI polls.[30] Claiborne also won SEC Coach of the Year honors in 1983. The E.J. Nutter Training Facility was built in 1987. Coach Claiborne and Kentucky experienced an era of constant change at the quarterback position following the 1987 season through his departure that included the likes of Craig Nelson, Eric Mellon, and High School All-American and two way starter (Quarterback/Safety) Ricky Lewis, prior to landing Mr. Kentucky Football Awardee Pookie Jones of Calloway County.[31] Claiborne retired following the 1989 season[32] and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 1999. He is the last coach to defeat Florida and was the last coach to defeat Tennessee until Joker Phillips in 2011.[30] His final record at Kentucky is 41–46–3.[29]

Bill Curry era (1990–1996)

Bill Curry surprised the college football world by leaving Alabama for Kentucky in late 1989.[33][34] Despite the high hopes that the Kentucky football program would rise under his leadership, Curry's Wildcats teams never achieved much success.[35] The Wildcats best season under Curry was 1992, playing in the 1993 Peach Bowl.[36] Curry was asked to resign after seven seasons and just a .33 winning percentage.[37] Curry's record at Kentucky was 26–52.[30]

Hal Mumme era (1997–2000)

Coach Hal Mumme came to Kentucky from Valdosta State and brought an exciting, high-scoring, pass-oriented offense known as the "Air Raid".[38] He led the Wildcats to the 1998 Outback Bowl and the 1999 Music City Bowl.[39] Mumme achieved a 20–26 record in his four seasons.[40] Mumme coached star quarterback Tim Couch, the top overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. He was popular among the Kentucky fans,[41] but the program was hit with severe sanctions for NCAA violations involving cash payments from an assistant coach to prospective recruits.[40] Although Mumme himself was not implicated in any violation,[42] he resigned after the 2000 season.[40] Assistant coaches under Mumme at Kentucky included Mike Leach and Sonny Dykes.[43]

Guy Morriss era (2001–2002)

Guy Morriss was promoted from offensive line coach to head coach of the Wildcats after Mumme's resignation.[44] Under coach Morriss, the Wildcats went 2–9 in 2001[45] but improved to a 7–5 record in 2002.[46] However, the Wildcats were not eligible for postseason play in 2002 due to NCAA sanctions from Mumme's tenure.[47] The most significant event of that season came in a loss to LSU (See: Bluegrass Miracle).[48] Morriss accepted an offer to become the head football coach at Baylor after the 2002 season.[49]

Rich Brooks era (2003–2009)

The team's next head coach was former Oregon head coach Rich Brooks, who was hired in December 2002.[50] He led the team out of the probationary years to an 8–5 regular season record in 2006,[51] including a memorable upset over the defending SEC champion Georgia, snapping a nine-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.[52] Brooks also led the football team to its first bowl game since 1999 and its first bowl game victory since 1984, as Kentucky defeated the Clemson University Tigers 28–20 in the Music City Bowl.[53] In 2007, the Wildcats were ranked 8th in the nation before a loss to South Carolina on October 4.[54] After the loss to South Carolina, Kentucky bounced back on October 13 to defeat No. 1 LSU in a historic triple overtime game.[55]

Brooks took Kentucky to four consecutive bowl games, winning the first three.[56] The 2007 Kentucky Wildcats football defeated the Florida State Seminoles 35–28 in the 2007 Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 31, 2007.[57] Quarterback Andre' Woodson was named the Music City Bowl MVP for the second year in a row.[58] In 2008 the Wildcats opted to go to the Liberty Bowl instead of the Music City Bowl and defeated Conference USA champion East Caroina 25–19.[59] In 2009, Brooks and Kentucky returned to the Music City Bowl, losing in a rematch to Clemson 21–13.[60] Brooks retired after seven seasons with a 39–47 overall record.[56]

Joker Phillips era (2010–2012)

Former Wildcat wide receiver and longtime assistant coach Joker Phillips was formally named head coach January 6, 2010 after Brooks' retirement; he had been Brooks' designated successor since 2008.[61] Kentucky started off strong under Phillips with a win on the road against arch rival Louisville.[62] The 2010 squad snapped a long-standing losing streak to South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier by defeating the Gamecocks at Commonwealth Stadium.[62] However, they dropped games to both Ole Miss and Mississippi State, lost to a Florida team on a down year and once again failed to beat its other arch rival Tennessee, having lost 26 in a row to the Vols,[62] the longest losing streak by one team to another in college football. The Wildcats capped the season with a 27–10 loss to Pittsburgh in the BBVA Compass Bowl.[63]

On November 26, 2011, Kentucky snapped the longest active FBS losing streak to any one team by defeating the Tennessee Vols 10–7 at Commonwealth Stadium.[64]

On November 4, 2012, the day after a 0–40 home shutout by Vanderbilt resulting with a 1–9 record, UK athletics director Mitch Barnhart released a public letter to Big Blue Nation announcing that Phillips would not return for the 2013 season, but that he would finish out the 2012 season as head coach.[65] With Joker's 5-year contract only being 3 years complete at the end of the season, the University has to pay $2.55 Million over the final 2 years of the contract.[66]

Mark Stoops era (2013–present)

Florida State defensive coordinator Mark Stoops was hired as Kentucky's head football coach in late 2012.[67] One of Stoops' first moves was hiring offensive coordinator Neal Brown, who brought back the "Air Raid" offense.[68] After nine months as the head coach of the Wildcats, Stoops and staff signed the highest ranked recruiting class in program history.[69]

Stoops' first season at Kentucky was a struggle, as the Wildcats duplicated the 2–10 record from 2012.[70] Kentucky's wins in 2013 were over a winless Miami (OH) and FCS opponent Alabama State.[70]

In Stoops' second season, the Wildcats broke a 17-game SEC losing streak when they beat Vanderbilt the fourth game into the season.[71] The Wildcats finished the 2014 season with a 5–7 record.[72] After the season, offensive coordinator Neal Brown left to take the head coaching job at Troy.[73]

In 2015, Stoop's third season, the Wildcats duplicated their 5–7 record from 2014. They lost to Florida, Auburn, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Louisville, and they defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, South Carolina, Missouri, Eastern Kentucky, and Charlotte

Bowl games

UK has played in 15 bowl games, compiling a record of 8–7. Note that in the table below, the year references the season, and not the actual date the game was played.

Season Bowl Game Winner Loser Record
1947 Great Lakes Bowl UK 24 Villanova 14 8–8
1949 Orange Bowl Santa Clara (CA) 21 UK 13 9–3
1950 Sugar Bowl UK 13 Oklahoma 7 11–1
1951 Cotton Bowl Classic UK 20 TCU 7 8–4
1976 Peach Bowl UK 21 North Carolina 0 9–3
1983 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl West Virginia 20 UK 16 6–5–1
1984 Hall of Fame Classic Bowl UK 20 Wisconsin 19 9–3
1993 Peach Bowl Clemson 14 UK 13 6–6
1998 Outback Bowl Penn State 26 UK 14 7–5
1999 Music City Bowl Syracuse 20 UK 13 6–6
2006 Music City Bowl UK 28 Clemson 20 8–5
2007 Music City Bowl UK 35 Florida State 28 8–5
2008 Liberty Bowl UK 25 East Carolina 19 7–6
2009 Music City Bowl Clemson 21 UK 13 7–6
2010 BBVA Compass Bowl Pittsburgh 27 UK 10 6–7
Totals 15 8–7

Current coaching staff

See also: List of Kentucky Wildcats football head coaches
Name Position
Mark Stoops Head Coach
Eddie Gran Offensive Coordinator/Associate Head Coach, RB Coach
D.J. Eliot Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach
Vince Marrow Tight Ends Coach/Recruiting Coordinator
Derrick Ainsley Secondary Coach/ Co-Defensive Coordinator Lamar Thomas Wide Receivers Coach
Darin Hinshaw Co-Offensive Coordinator, Quarterbacks Coach
John Schlarman Offensive Line Coach
Jimmy Brumbaugh Defensive Line Coach
Andy Buh LB Coach/Special Teams Coordinator

Recruiting

Kentucky Wildcats Football Scout.com team recruiting rankings:

Class

Scout.com

Rank

Commits

Top Commit

2015

20 15 C.J. Conrad

2014

21 29 Drew Barker

2013

38 22 Jason Hatcher

2012

31 29 Thomas Chapman

2011

32 24 Darrian Miller

2010

46 27 Alex Smith

2009

27 30 Morgan Newton

2008

53 20 Winston Guy

2007

58 27 Stuart Hines

2006

34 30 Micah Johnson

2005

62 26 Curtis Pulley

2004

52 28 Micah Jones

2003

54 16 Emmanual Harrell

2002

70 19 Chris Bernard

Rivals

Louisville

Main article: Governor's Cup (Kentucky)

First played in 1912, Louisville-Kentucky football series was revived in 1994 after the success of the basketball series that restarted in 1983. They played the first four games of the renewed series at Commonwealth Stadium until Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (PJCS) was completed in 1997, at which time they began rotating the series between Louisville, Kentucky and Lexington, Kentucky. The all-time series is tied at 14–14. Kentucky played Louisville in the Cardinals' first 4 seasons and twice in the 1920s, holding the Cardinals scoreless in all contests. Kentucky then left the SIAA in 1922 to become a charter member of the Southeastern Conference and limited its play of in-state schools. It would be 70 years before these two in-state rivals faced each other again.

In 2013, it was announced that the game would be moved to the final game of the season following Louisville's 2014 move to the ACC. This scheduling change fits with other end-of-year SEC vs. ACC rivalry games, such as Georgia vs. Georgia Tech, Florida vs. Florida State and South Carolina vs. Clemson.

Tennessee

Main article: Kentucky–Tennessee rivalry

Tennessee and Kentucky have played each other 108 times over 114 years with Tennessee winning 75 games to 24 wins by Kentucky (.736). Tennessee has won the most games in Lexington, Kentucky with 35 wins to 14 by Kentucky (.702). Tennessee also has more wins than Kentucky in Knoxville, Tennessee with 45 wins to 10 (.787). Tennessee has the most wins in the series at Stoll Field with 19 wins to 11 Kentucky wins (.621). The Series is tied at 3 a piece at Baldwin Park. Tennessee leads the series at Neyland Stadium with 35 wins to 7 Kentucky wins (.792). Tennessee leads the series at Commonwealth Stadium with 17 wins to 3 Kentucky wins (.850). Like many college football rivalries, the Tennessee-Kentucky game had its own trophy for many years: a wooden beer barrel painted half blue and half orange. The trophy was awarded to the winner of the game every year from 1925 to 1997. The Barrel was introduced in 1925 by a group of former Kentucky students who wanted to create a material sign of supremacy for the rivalry. It was rolled onto the field that year with the words "Ice Water" painted on it to avoid any outcries over a beer keg symbolizing a college rivalry.

The barrel exchange was retired in 1998 after two Kentucky football players died in an alcohol-related crash.

Indiana

Main article: Indiana–Kentucky rivalry

More known for its basketball rivalry, the Indiana-Kentucky series was played annually from 1987 until 2005 in what was known as the "Battle for the Bourbon Barrel" game. The series rotated between Bloomington, Indiana and Lexington, Kentucky and the two teams played for a trophy called the "Bourbon Barrel" from 1987 until both schools mutually agreed to retire the trophy in 1999 following the alcohol-related death of two Kentucky football players.[74] Indiana leads the series (18–17–1). The two haven't played since 2005.

Vanderbilt

Main article: Kentucky–Vanderbilt football rivalry

Having started in 1896, the Kentucky-Vanderbilt football series has been played annually since 1953.[75] The two are divisional opponents in the SEC East. The series, which rotates between Nashville, Tennessee and Lexington, Kentucky, stands at 41–41–4 with the average score being Vanderbilt 17-Kentucky 15.6.[75]

Mississippi State

Main article: Kentucky–Mississippi State football rivalry

The Mississippi State-Kentucky series became a rivalry when the SEC assigned cross-divisional opponents. The Bulldogs (of the SEC West) and Wildcats (of the SEC East) were assigned to each other. They play every year. Mississippi State leads the all-time series 22–21, which rotates between Lexington, Kentucky and Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State has won 8 of their last 9 vs. Kentucky.

All-time record vs. current SEC schools

Opponent Won Lost Tied Percentage Streak First Last
Alabama 2 36 1 .064 Lost 5 1917 2013
Arkansas 4 3 0 .571 Lost 1 1998 2012
Auburn 6 26 1 .197 Lost 2 1934 2015
Florida 17 49 0 .258 Lost 29 1917 2015
Georgia 12 55 2 .188 Lost 6 1939 2015
LSU 16 40 1 .289 Lost 2 1949 2014
Mississippi State 21 22 0 .488 Lost 7 1914 2015
Missouri 3 3 0 .500 Won 1 1965 2015
Mississippi 14 27 1 .345 Won 1 1944 2011
South Carolina 9 17 1 .352 Won 2 1937 2015
Tennessee 24 78 9 .257 Lost 4 1893 2015
Texas A&M 1 1 0 .500 Lost 1 1952 1953
Vanderbilt 42 42 4 .500 Lost 1 1896 2015
Totals 171 399 20 .307

Championships

National championships

Prior to the advent of the BCS in 1998, national champions were primarily chosen by a combination of national ranking systems and nation media poll rankings. During the last 142 years, there have been more than 30 selectors of national champions using polls, historical research and mathematical rating systems. Beginning in 1936, The Associated Press began the best-known and most widely circulated poll of sportswriters and broadcasters. Before 1936, national champions were determined by historical research and retroactive ratings and polls. It is important to remember that from 1936–1964, the Associated Press chose a "national champion" prior to bowl games.

The NCAA has never officially recognized a national champion from among the bowl coalition institutions, but in 2004 the NCAA commissioned Jeff Sagarin to use his computer model to retroactively determine the highest ranked teams for the years prior to the BCS. His champion for the 1950 season is Kentucky. The polls for the 1950 national champion, taken before the bowl games were played, list either Oklahoma (AP, Berryman, Helms, Litkenhous, UPI, Williamson), Princeton (Boand, Poling), or Tennessee (Billingsley, DeVold, Dunkel, Missouri,Don Faurot Football Research, National Championship Foundation, Sagarin (ELO-Chess)). Tennessee was the winner of the Cotton Bowl and the only team to beat Kentucky during the 1950 season. Oklahoma was named National Champion by AP and UPI Coaches' Poll, both which awarded their titles before the bowl games. Kentucky would go on to beat Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl [76]

Conference championships

Season Conference Coach Overall Record Conference Record
1950 SEC Paul "Bear" Bryant 11–1 5–1
1976† SEC Fran Curci 9–3‡ 5–1‡
Conference Titles: 2
† Denotes co-champions

‡ Mississippi State forfeited their 1976 win over Kentucky, giving Kentucky an official 5–1 conference record and a share of the SEC title with Georgia.

  • Kentucky also finished the 1977 season with a 10–1 (6–0 SEC) record, but were not eligible for a share of the SEC championship or for postseason play due to NCAA probation.

All-Americans

Player Position Year Unanimous Consensus Selectors
Clyde Johnson T 1942 No No AP
Bob Gain T 1949 No No All-Players, NY Sun, NEA
Bob Gain T 1950 Yes Yes AP, UPI, INS, Camp, NEA, CP, FWAA-Look, AAB, FD, NYNews
Babe Parilli QB 1950 Yes Yes AP, INS, Camp, Colliers, NY News, Sporting News, AA
Babe Parilli QB 1951 Yes Yes UP, INS, Camp, NEA, CP, AAB, NY News, All-Player
Doug Moseley C 1951 No No AP, FWAA-Look
Steve Meilinger DE 1952 No No AP, NEA, All-Player
Steve Meilinger DE 1953 No No NEA, Colliers, AAB
Ray Correll DG 1953 No No FWAA-Look, Chicago Tribun
Howard Schnellenberger DE 1955 No Yes AP
Lou Michaels OT 1956 No Yes UPI, NA, Camp, Colliers,NY News
Lou Michaels OT 1957 No Yes AP, NEA, Camp, FWAA-Look, Coaches, NY News, Sporting News
Irv Goode C 1961 No No Time
Herschel Turner T 1963 No No Time
Sam Ball T 1965 No Yes UPI, NEA, Camp, FWAA-Look, Coaches, Time, Sporting New
Rodger Bird HB 1965 No No Time, NBC
Rick Norton QB 1965 No No Time, NBC
Elmore Stephens TE 1974 No No Time
Rick Nuzum C 1974 No No NEA
Warrant Bryant T 1976 No No Camp, Coaches
Art Still DE 1977 No Yes AP, UPI, NEA, Coaches, FWAA, Camp, Sporting News, Football News
Mike Pfeifer T 1989 No No Football News, Mizlou
Tim Couch QB 1998 No No Camp, FWAA, AAF
James Whalen TE 1999 No Yes AP, Camp, FWAA, AAFF, CNN/SI, CBS SportsLine
Derek Abney KR 2002 Yes Yes AP, FWAA, Camp, Sporting News, ESPN, CBS SportsLine, CNN/SI, College Football News
Glenn Pakulak P 2002 No No CBS SportsLine
Randall Cobb WR 2010 No No AP

First Team All-SEC

Year Player Position
1983 Duece Howerton Running Back
1993 Marty Moore Linebacker
1994 Melvin Johnson Free Safety
1995 Moe Williams Half Back
1997 John Schlarman Offensive Guard
1998 Kris Comstock Offensive Guard
1998 Tim Couch Quarterback
1998 Craig Yeast Wide Receiver
1999 Andy Smith Punter
1999 Jeff Snedegar Linebacker
1999 James Whalen Tight End
2000 Derek Smith Tight End
2000 Omar Smith Offensive Tackle
2001 Derek Abney Kick Returner
2001 Dennis Johnson Defensive End
2001 Glenn Pakulak Punter
2002 Derek Abney Kick Returner
2002 Antonio Hall Offensive Tackle
2002 Glenn Pakulak Punter
2002 Artose Pinner Running Back
2003 Derek Abney Kick Returner
2003 Antonio Hall Offensive Tackle
2005 Rafael Little All-Purpose
2006 Keenan Burton All-Purpose
2006 Jacob Tamme Tight End
2006 Wesley Woodyard Linebacker
2007 Jacob Tamme Tight End
2007 Wesley Woodyard Linebacker
2008 Micah Johnson Linebacker
2008 Trevard Lindley Defensive Back
2008 Tim Masthay Punter
2009 Randall Cobb All-Purpose
2010 Randall Cobb All-Purpose
2010 Danny Trevathan Linebacker
2011 Danny Trevathan Linebacker
2014 Alvin Dupree Defensive End
2014 Landon Foster Punter

Players currently in the NFL

See also: List of Kentucky Wildcats players in the NFL Draft
Pos. Name Height Weight Hometown Draft Year Rd. Overall Current NFL Team
WR Randall Cobb 5'11" 190 lbs. Alcoa, TN 2011 2 64th Green Bay
FB John Conner 5'11" 246 lbs. West Chester, OH 2010 5 139th New York
LB Bud Dupree 6'4" 270 lbs. Irwinton, GA 2015 1 22nd Pittsburgh
WR Steve Johnson 6'3" 210 lbs. San Francisco, CA 2008 7 229th San Diego
DT Ricky Lumpkin 6'4" 306 lbs. Louisville, KY 2011 UD – Oakland
K/P Tim Masthay 6'2" 198 lbs. Murray, KY 2009 UD – Green Bay
WR Chris Matthews 6'5" 218 lbs. Los Angeles, CA 2011 UD – Baltimore
DT Corey Peters 6'3" 295 lbs. Louisville, KY 2010 3 83rd Atlanta
RB Alfonso Smith 6'1" 209 lbs. Louisville, KY 2010 UD – San Francisco
DE Za'Darius Smith 6'6" 265 lbs. Greenville, AL 2015 4 122nd Baltimore
TE Jacob Tamme 6'4" 220 lbs. Danville, KY 2008 4 127th Atlanta
LB Danny Trevathan 6'1" 235 lbs. Leesburg, FL 2012 6 188th Denver
OG Larry Warford 6'3" 332 lbs. Richmond, KY 2013 3 65th Detroit
OT Garry Williams 6'3" 320 lbs. Louisville, KY 2008 UD – Carolina
LB Avery Williamson 6'1" 238 lbs. Milan, TN 2014 5 151st Tennessee
LB Wesley Woodyard 6'1" 230 lbs. LaGrange, GA 2008 UD – Tennessee

Hall of famers

Pro

Inductee Position(s) Class Team(s), Years
George Blanda Quarterback
Placekicker 		1981 Chicago Bears, 1949, 1950–58
Baltimore Colts, 1950
Houston Oilers, 1960–66
Oakland Raiders, 1967–75
Dermontti Dawson Center 2012 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1988–2000

Joe Federspiel Middle Linebacker New Orleans Saints 1972–1980

College

Art Still Defensive End 2015 1974–1977
Paul "Bear" Bryant Head Coach 1986 1946–53
Jerry Claiborne Head Coach 1999 1982–89
Bob Gain Guard
Tackle 		1980 1947–1950
Steve Meilinger Defensive Line 2013 1951–53
Lou Michaels Tackle 1992 1955–57
Babe Parilli Quarterback 1982 1949–51

Individual award winners

Outland Trophy

University of Kentucky 100th Anniversary Team

Chosen in 1990 by Kentucky Newspapers

Retired numbers

Future opponents and schedules

Conference and non-conference opponents

SEC West opponents

Kentucky plays Mississippi State as a permanent non-division opponent annually and rotates around the West division among the other six schools.[77]

Year Alabama Auburn Arkansas LSU Mississippi State Mississippi Texas A&M
2016 AWAY HOME
2017 AWAY HOME
2018 HOME AWAY
2019 HOME AWAY
2020 AWAY HOME
2021 HOME AWAY
2022 HOME AWAY
2023 HOME AWAY
2024 AWAY HOME
2025 AWAY HOME

Non-conference opponents

Announced schedules as of August 27, 2015

2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
vs Southern Miss at Southern Miss vs Chattanooga at Eastern Michigan vs Eastern Michigan
vs New Mexico State vs Eastern Michigan
vs Austin Peay
at Louisville vs Louisville at Louisville vs Louisville

[78]

Schedules

2016 schedule

September 3Southern Miss*

  September 10at Florida

  September 17New Mexico State*

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  September 24South Carolina

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  October 1at Alabama

  October 8Vanderbilt

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  October 22Mississippi State

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  October 29at Missouri

  November 5Georgia

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  November 12at Tennessee

  November 19Austin Peay*

  • Commonwealth Stadium
  • Lexington, KY

  November 26at Louisville*

 

Template:CFB Schedule End

2017 schedule

September 2at Southern Miss*

  September 9   September 16   September 23   September 30Eastern Michigan*

  October 7   October 14   October 21   October 28   November 4   November 11   November 18   November 25Louisville*

 

Template:CFB Schedule End

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