John Calipari tinkering with Kentucky Basketball lineup like a mad scientist

October 27, 2012; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback James Franklin (1) prepares to pass the ball during the fourth quarter at Faurot Field. The Missouri Tigers defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 33-10. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-US PRESSWIRE

All year long, we have talked about Kentucky’s youth and how they are one of the youngest teams in the nation.  Evan Crane of UK Media Relations tells that it is now official:

"With junior tight end Patrick Ligon getting his first career start on Saturday against Missouri, the University of Kentucky football team has now had 15 players earn the first starts of their careers this season, ranking the Wildcats top 10 nationally in that category. Joining Ligon on the first-time starts list is true freshmen Jalen Whitlow, Zack Blaylock, Daron Blaylock and Cody Quinn, redshirt freshman Daryl Collins and Zach West, sophomores Ronnie Shields, Tyler Brause, Miles Simpson, Ashely Lowery and Demarco Robinson, and juniors Jonathan George, Tristian Johnson and Avery Williamson. Overall, Kentucky has played 26 freshmen, fourth in the nation and only two behind the national leader.  UK has played 14 true freshmen this season, which ranks UK fifth in the nation for playing the most true frosh – again, only two behind the national leader. Of Kentucky’s 80 recruited scholarship players, 55 are freshmen and sophomores."

August 4, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jack Butler (left) and center Dermontti Dawson poses with their busts during the 2012 Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

Some reports out there give Joker Phillips a 1% chance of retaining his job, so of course the discussion turns to how the next UK coach may be determined. Most UK fans want to see the Calipari approach to getting a new coach, meaning that a search committee should be formed. Because of that, Mike Pratt gets more of the credit for the Calipari hire and the emphasis for football is that another committee be formed that would take Barnhart out of the search.

So who would be on the committee? I have long been a fan of naming Dermontti Dawson and perhaps Rich Brooks. It is my thought that if Brooks is involved, he will get a promise from the UKAA on promises on funding. Larry Vaught has been talking search committee as well and here are some of his names:

"Three names immediately come to my mind — all former UK players. Dermontti Dawson is a Lexington native who recently was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a life-long Pittsburgh Steeler and has connections in and out of the state with coaches, players, scouts, etc. Tim Couch is a former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick and perhaps the most popular high school football player ever in the Bluegrass. he has strong Southeastern Conference ties because of his work with FoxSports. Jeff Van Note was an all-Pro center, works with the Atlanta Falcons and is a former analyst for the UK Football Radio Network. He has an analytical mind and numerous contacts in the college and professional ranks."