There is still nothing official on the UK site, but this is being reported as fact by so many other sources, that the story is too hard to ignore. Word is that new UK football coach Joker Phillips has made the first changes on his football staff and has let a couple of coaches go. According to the speculation, Offensive Line coach Jimmy Heggins and Defensive Line coach Rick Petri have been let go. Such changes in a coaching staff with a new coach are not uncommon, but just to reiterate, this is still strong speculation and has not been reported by UKAA yet.
Petri has been with the UK staff for five seasons and had come to UK from the Ole Miss coaching staff. Petri was recognized after last season as a finalist for Defensive Line Coach of the year by FootballSCoop.com. Petri was in charge of developing such UK standouts as Jeremy Jarmon and Myron Pryor during his tenure at UK.
Heggins had also been on the UK staff for the last 5 seasons and came to UK after a long tenure from Florida State. The progress of UK’s offensive line is the main reason that UK has made four straight bowls and UK has often had to compete with a patchwork line due to injuries. The line has shown steady progress each season thanks to Petri’s tutelage.
To be honest, both of these changes are something of a shock. I would think that Heggins had to have considered himself as “safe”, but the speculation boils down to recruiting. Apparently, Joker feels that UK can bring in a better athlete at UK and it would be part of the change in UK’s recruiting this season.
In the past, UK has been content to go after solid three star players and even high two star players, and have them sit and develop a season or two, and mold them into SEC linemen. This has worked to the tune of four straight bowls, and while Kentucky has garnered respect in the SEC, they are still not mentioned in the “upper tier” category.
From all appearances, Joker is going to start going after players who can step in and contribute from Day One. And it appears that means going after the higher star ranked players, and as a result waiting longer for the decision. Personally, I like the aggressive nature Joker is taking. Getting rid of guys like Petri and Heggins is an eye opening decision, but you have to figure that bigger names will replace them.
This does show that Joker is in touch with the UK fans and these move show that Joker is not content on a 7-5 season. If the results from the 2011 recruiting class so far are any indication, it looks like the Wildcats will be in pretty good hands with Joker.
Kentucky tips off their game with the Georgia Bulldogs in about an hour, so if you are looking for pre-game stats and previews, just scroll down a little bit for Corey’s “Inside the Numbers” column. Also, Paul will be around shortly after the game with a recap of the UK/Georgia game.
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