December 15, 1998
Leach Named Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma: Mike Leach, offensivecoordinator for the Kentucky football team, has taken the offensivecoordinator post at the University of Oklahoma under new coach Bob Stoops.
“Mike has been loyal to me for 10 years and I appreciate everything he hasdone for us,” Coach Hal Mumme said. “This is an excellent opportunity forMike to get out from under my shadow and run the entire offense on his own.
It’s an honor for Kentucky that Bob Stoops (former Florida defensivecoordinator) wanted Mike to be the offensive coordinator. We hate to seeMike go, but this is a great opportunity for him and we wish him well.”
Leach will remain with the Wildcats through the Jan. 1 Outback Bowl gamebefore moving to Norman.
“I want to thank Hal, (athletics director) C. M. Newton, and theUniversity of Kentucky for allowing me to be a part of the last two years,”Leach said. “The Kentucky program is headed in the right direction andthere are even better things to come.”
Mumme plans to have a new coach chosen by the bowl game. Given universityhiring procedures, an announcement may not be made before Dec. 28. Thedeparture of Leach is the first change of full-time coaching personnel onthe staff since Mumme’s arrival at Kentucky.
Couch, Yeast, Comstock Named to Birmingham News All-SEC Team: Kentuckysenior offensive tackle Kris Comstock, junior quarterback Tim Couch, andsenior wide receiver Craig Yeast have been named to the 1998 BirminghamNews All-Southeastern Conference team.
Comstock led the way for the Kentucky offensive line. The Wildcats’offense ranks second nationally in passing offense, third in total offense,and eighth in scoring. Kentucky’s offensive line successfully protectedthe passer on 95.5 percent of all passing plays and UK ranked second in theSEC in sack prevention ratio.
Couch completed 400 of 553 passes (72.3 percent) for 4,275 yards and 36touchdowns. Couch owns four NCAA records, 14 SEC records, and 26 schoolrecords – most of which were set during the 1998 season.
Yeast caught 85 passes for 1,311 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is theleading receiver in SEC history with 208 receptions. He owns two SECrecords and 19 school records. Yeast also led the SEC in kickoff returnswith a 29.3 average.
Couch and Yeast have been consensus first-team All-SEC selections.Comstock was a first-team pick by The Associated Press and second team bySEC Coaches.
