On Tuesday, Offensive Coordinator Bush Hamdan spoke to the media and, in just six words, perfectly captured the frustrating, self-imposed ceiling of the Mark Stoops era. When asked about his goals, Hamdan stated them plainly:
"Hold on to the football. Keep us in the game.”
Notice what's missing? There was no mention of actually winning the game. No talk of taking control, being aggressive, or putting the team in a position to win. The stated goal is simply to hang around, to not lose too badly. We don't get blown out, so we can all be happy to just be there. And sometimes we can capitalize on another teams mistake to maybe sneak a win.
Describe Kentucky football: pic.twitter.com/CuD4bMw4G5
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This is the "moral victory" mindset institutionalized. It is the philosophy of a staff content to keep their cushy jobs, one Josh Pate has called the best in college football, by pointing to close scores and saying, "Boy, we were close." It’s a rinse-and-repeat cycle of "just a couple plays here or there," followed by no meaningful changes. And nothing ever changes.
You cannot build a championship-contending program when the stated goal is simply to compete. Winning requires aggressive intent. It requires a belief that you can, and should, go win the game. Now, we all know that Kentucky is not ready for a national title or even close, but your coaching staff should have the mentality. That should be your goal.
Look at the rare moments of aggression under Stoops, like the gutsy 4th-down call to beat Ole Miss in 2024. That was a team playing to win. The players were empowered, the intent was clear, and the result followed. But that is the exception, not the rule. The default setting is conservative: punt, kick the field goal, and hope the defense can keep you in it, not necessarily win it.
Until the goal shifts from "keeping it close" to "closing it out," Kentucky football will remain exactly where it is: stuck in the mud, bottom of the SEC, perpetually close to keeping it close.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoys downtime with his family and Premier League soccer. You can find him on X here. Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion