Kentucky fans are Hamdone, but Mark Stoops isn't: What Bush Hamdan promised vs what he has delivered

When Bush Hamdan arrived at Kentucky as offensive coordinator, following Liam Coen's brief second one-year run, he promised a fast, aggressive, and explosive offense. Fans were eager to buy in, as they wanted to continue the deviation from pre-Covid Stoops offenses. However, the results on the field have left much to be desired, with Kentucky's offense underwhelming in nearly every key metric and reverting back to the tired, uninspired Rich Scangarello-style offense Stoops is known for.

Hamdan’s introductory press conference brimmed with ambition and moxy:

• “This offense, we’re going to be on the attack. That’s all we’ve ever known.”
• “It’s a pro-style foundation… with creativity and variance to create explosive plays.”
• “We’re going to play fast.”

Unfortunately, Kentucky’s offense has fallen far short of those promises.

The Reality of Hamdan’s Offense

• Points Per Game: 21.9 (Ranked 92nd nationally)
• Plays Per Game: 64 (101st out of 134, slower than the much-maligned Scangarello offense)
• Red Zone Scoring Percentage: 76.92% (113th nationally)
• Passing Game: Despite getting a coveted former 5-star recruit at QB, Kentucky has averaged just 185.9 passing yards per game, far below Hamdan’s former Boise State unit (221.3 yards/game).
• Rushing Efficiency: A paltry 3.9 yards per carry, with only 11 rushing touchdowns on the year.

Kentucky’s offensive woes extend beyond raw numbers, too. Play-calling has been uninspired, failing to effectively utilize weapons like Barion Brown and Dane Key. The Wildcats rank near the bottom in explosive plays, making Hamdan’s early promises ring hollow. They had five drives enter Texas territory under Hamdan, including one inside the five, and came away with zilch.

Hamdan’s Raise: A Hard Pill to Swallow

Mark Stoops has confirmed Hamdan will return in 2024, complete with a $100,000 raise, bringing his salary to $1.35 million—just $150,000 shy of the top-five coordinator pay bracket. But do Hamdan’s results warrant that investment?

The answer feels clear to fans who watched this offense sputter week after week. Speculation is mounting that Stoops is keeping Hamdan around as a sacrificial lamb for next season, a move to shift blame when the pressure inevitably rises if he flops again next year.

Looking Ahead

With a talented quarterback room and skilled playmakers, Kentucky has the tools for a functional offense. However, without significant adjustments, those players may end up bolting in the transfer portal. One thing is for sure: Hamdan’s tenure could further erode fan trust if it goes even remotely like this year again.

For now, fans are left asking: Can Stoops and Hamdan deliver, or are we just enduring another season of broken promises and bad football?