University of Kentucky Athletics Director C.M. Newton has announced that Wildcats headfootball coach Bill Curry will be replaced following the end of the 1996 football season.Newton said the search for Curry’s replacement will begin immediately.
“The reason we’re making this move is obvious in that our football program hasnot made the progress, from a competitive standpoint, that is needed to make,”Newton said. “We have studied and evaluated the football program, looking forreasons it has not worked. Everyone associated with the program – the coachingstaff, the wupport staff and the administrative staff – has worked hard to buildthe program. The fact is, it has not progressed.”
Newton said that all current coaching contracts on the Wildcats football staffwill be honored.
The decision was difficult, both personally and professionally, Newton said.
“I recruited Bill Curry to be the Kentucky football coach,” he said. “For sevenyears, I have watched him put his heart and soul into the project and try tobuild the midel program that we want at Kentucky. Before he came to Kentucky, Iadmired and respected Bill Curry from a distance. After working with him forthese seven years, I truly admire and respect him and all the things he standsfor.
“But football must succeed at Kentucky,” Newton continued. “It is one of tworevenue-producing sports that support the 22 athletics programs we have here at UK.”
Newton said the timing of the announcement was based on two factors.
“I wanted to end speculation about and any discord related to our football coaching situation,”he said. “And I also wanted to begin the process of hiring a new football coach.”
Curry has a 23-51 record in his seven seasons at Kentucky, including a 4-7 mark last year and a1-6 record this season.
Newton said he urges Kentucky fans to continue to support the football team and coaching staff.
“Coach Curry told the team after its LSU loss that its goals of a winning season and a potentialbowl game are no longer possible,” Newton said. “But their new challenge is to finish the seasonwith dignity and class. I know that our team and coaches will give 110 percent to see that this isaccomplished. I am asking that all of us do the same.”
Newton said he recognizes that fan support has been a mainstay for Kentucky football for manyyears.
“Kentucky football fans are a tremendously loyal and supportive group,” he said. “They trulydeserve a strong, competitive football program. I firmly believe that we can make it happen.”
