Mark Stoops deflects blame for Red Zone struggles: 'I don't get involved in play-calling'
Mark Stoops’ Kentucky Wildcats are the 3rd worst team in the SEC when it comes to scoring a touchdown in the Red Zone.
And folks, that’s often where games are won and lost. The field is shorter, which gives an advantage to the defense if the unit is strong enough. It limits what you’re able to do on offense, especially rough for Kentucky which grades out as one of the poorer offensive units in the conference.
But what’s frustrating for Wildcats fans is that some of those struggles seem to be on the calls rather than the execution. On Monday, Stoops was asked about those struggles at his weekly press conference.
He mentioned that while criticism is fair, he doesn’t “get involved” in play-calling. Instead, he insists he leaves that to OC Bush Hamdan.
Mark Stoops on Kentucky’s problems in the red zone:
“Criticism is fair, but I don’t get involved in play-calling.”
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) October 21, 2024
Not exactly words of encouragement here.
Now, Kentucky isn’t half bad at scoring when it reaches the red zone. The Wildcats have come away with at least a field goal on 85% of their red zone possessions this year, placing them smack in the middle of the SEC. But field goals don’t beat SEC-caliber opponents.
The Wildcats are not in a good spot right now with a 3-4 record. A bowl game is not guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination with matchups against Tennessee, Texas and Louisville still to come.
Hamden is (or historically has been) pretty good with QB’s. I always wondered what kind of OC he would be. However, this was certainly a deliberate pass-the-tr-ash thing for Stoops to do, he probably could have publicly worded that much better.
vintage stoops? or a coach ready to step aside?
I am 74 and have had season tickets since my wife and I graduated in 1974 from UK. There was always hope even in the worst of times with these guys that give it all on the field each and every practice, Saturday and in Bowl games if they get to that level. I seriously am over with my love of this program until we get a younger offense minded coach. This basic up the middle basic play footballing the Red Zone is old school and reeks of Stoops, not his OC. Boise State never had that issue in the Red Zone last year. He can deny he doesn’t get involved with offensive calls but he is trying to save face. Most High School coaches could call better plays. I will miss my fans where we sit and the years we had joy and pain here, but no more for me. Sold all my current season tickets and parking passes. I will not renew any season tickets next year until dough boy out of shape Stoops is gone to sell his terrible tasting over priced Bourbon for more than bottom shelf that taste better.
Doesn’t get involved in play calling my butt! Just two weeks ago he was saying he should have not called a 4th and three on the 41.