Best of 2013: Mark Stoops’ Christmas List

It’s that time of year, when festive-ness and good cheer are wished upon all. Peace on Earth and new toys are desired by many.

We all pretend to like each other just a little bit longer. Hopefully you are reading this in front of a roaring fire that wasn’t started by faulty electrical work. Enjoying a holiday drink of your choice, from a bottle given as a gift and mixed with love, not from the local barkeep.

Mark Stoops wished you’re a Merry Christmas as well. If you are a season ticket holder, you got a Christmas card from him and Chantel. If you aren’t, then go buy some season tickets, what’s wrong with you? Which got me thinking, what would Coach Stoops like for Christmas this year? He’s been a good boy, we should get him something nice. Here are some ideas.

• Army All-American Game Commit(s)- Arguably all of the top targets remaining on Kentucky’s recruiting board are playing in the AA game this year. Matt Elam will announce his choice between UK and Alabama. Marcelys Jones is committed to Ohio State but is rumored to be making an announcement at the game. If he is sticking with Ohio State, what is there to announce? Marshon Lattimore & Erick Smith may also choose at the game, although Kentucky’s chances with either are slim without getting an official visit from them.
• Staff Continuity- The coaching carousel is just getting fired up this year and there will always be a new staff with connections to Stoops’. These guys seemingly know everybody. It’s always nice to have consistency in a program and it seems unlikely that any of these coaches would leave this year.
• A raise for Marrow- Speaking of continuity, Stoops wants to get recruiting ace Vince Marrow a rise and a promotion to recruiting coordinator. He has already set the wheels in motion for that to happen and it helps shore up Marrow’s standing in Lexington.
• Spring Game 2013 Redux- If ever the average Kentucky football fan has done anything for the program, none was bigger than the 50k that showed up last April and made Stoops’ first Spring game special. It gave notice to everyone, in state and out, that Kentucky cares about football and wants it to succeed. And the recruiting impact has been phenomenal, you hear about it from recruits all the time. Making the 2014 Spring Game a hit should be a top priority.
• Donors- Kentucky isn’t the richest state in the country. And as an SEC school, UK can’t really tap into the lush bourbon industry in the state for sponsorship dollars. Kentucky needs individual donors to help the football program like those who donate to basketball. Many of them do donate t both programs, but generally not on the same level. Stoops certainly got off on the right foot, befriending several big UK donors, including the late RJ Corman.
• A Little bit of Faith- Since the season ended, there has been some rumbling about already losing faith in this staff. Besides being simply ridiculous, Kentucky fans have to understand that this isn’t going to be a quick fix. Stoops has always preached that changed Kentucky would be a process. Make no mistake, he doesn’t just mean chaning the roster, he means changing Kentucky. There is a culture of losing surrounding this program, including fair weather fans who give up the first chance that they get. That has to change along with the talent-level and coaching.