The dust has barely settled from the news that Rich Brooks might retire, but it’s already time to start looking ahead to the possible effects of Brooks-less program.If Brooks has indeed coached his last game, what’s next?The important thing for UK is that question was answered nearly two years ago when Joker Phillips, the current head coach of the offense, was named Brooks’ successor. Although no timetable was set on Brooks’ retirement, it appears that plan could finally be set into motion in the coming week.”There was a reason we did that,” Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said of the possibility of Phillips taking over the program. “For the stability of our program, from the personality and the coach we think we have in Joker Phillips. Rich has got great confidence in him and for that reason and his knowledge of the game and what he believes in football, I have great confidence for Joker. I think that we’re in a great spot.”Brooks told reporters after UK’s 21-13 loss to Clemson in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl on Sunday that he was “80 percent sure” he was not returning to coach the Wildcats next season. Brooks said he would likely make the decision in the next three to four days.If Brooks decides to step down, Barnhart said he’s optimistic in the direction the program is headed under Phillips, thanks in part to the foundation that both he and Brooks helped build together.”Clearly he’s got players in that locker room that he helped bring to this program as well,” Barnhart said. “Joker is an outstanding recruiter. He is from Kentucky. He believes in the heart of this program. He has seen how to run it in a very strong foundational way and to build it from the ground up. He’s a discipline guy. The player’s respect him, and that’s where a lot of it has to start.”Phillips declined Sunday night to speculate what it would be like to take over the reins of the program, but he said the program will continue barreling forward with or without Brooks. Focus will quickly turn to the recruiting world and the commitments the Cats have already locked up for the 2010 season and further. Phillips doesn’t anticipate losing many – if any – commitments because the vision of the program they sold the recruits on will not alter, even if Brooks decides to leave.”One thing Rich and the whole staff has been is we’ve been up front with the kids that we recruited and the kids that committed,” Phillips said. “He’s told him he probably wouldn’t be here for the rest of their careers.”There still remains a chance that Brooks could stick around a little bit longer, leaving that 20-percent window to return. The next few days will be critical as Brooks and UK officials ponder over the future of the football program. Brooks said he will sit down with his family and discuss the next step before making a final decision, which is expected to come in the next week.Although Phillips has been told the UK job is like nothing you can prepare for, he believes he is ready because of the job Brooks has done.”Just studying the little things with how he handles crisis, the discipline,” Phillips said. “I’ve been able to study that the last three years, and I think that alone will give me a chance to get a good start being a head coach.”
(Programming note: I’m about to hop in the car and head back to Lexington, so today will likely be slow on the blog. There is men’s basketball media availability at 4 p.m. ET, but I’m going to be cutting it close by the time I get back, drop off my stuff at home and head into the office. We’ll see how it goes.)
