When Joker Phillips returned to the University of Kentucky as wide receivers’ coach in 2003, both the school’s football program and facilities had room to grow. Since that time, Phillips has risen to offensive coordinator and, eventually, head coach and has seen the program and facilities grow by leaps and bounds.On the field, the Cats have gone from ineligible for postseason play due to NCAA sanctions to making five consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in school history. In terms of facilities, the university has invested approximately $14 million into upgrades since 2005. With the intimate involvement of both Phillips and the now-retired Rich Brooks in the decision-making process, the administration has focused on the players for the majority of these improvements. Even though such investments aren’t easily visible to those not involved with the program on a daily basis, Phillips and the administration recognize games are won by players.”When we got back here in 2003 there were some things that we thought needed to get done and one thing we wanted to do was take care of the players,” Phillips said. “Everybody on the outside doesn’t see the things we have done for the players.”Among those upgrades have been new playing surfaces for Commonwealth Stadium and Nutter Field House, newly built locker rooms at both Commonwealth and Nutter Training Center, and “state-of-the-art” meeting rooms. Additionally, UK has added a new practice field complex, providing everything from new playing surfaces to a new drainage system to new lighting. Such upgrades have played a part as Phillips has helped bring in some of the best recruiting classes UK football has ever seen.”(When) recruits come to our campus, you never hear them saying we don’t have good facilities,” Phillips said. “You never hear that. Usually they are saying they like the facilities.”Phillips, though, knows UK can never afford to be complacent when it comes to providing the players with what they need. Technology is ever evolving and the time will come that even UK’s newest facilities will demand attention.”It’s like mowing a 100-acre field, as soon as you get it mowed you’ve got to mow it again,” Phillips said. “As soon as we’ve done the things we’ve done to the Nutter (Facility), I’m sure in a couple years we’ll have to do more. It’s never ending. I’ve been to a lot of schools and none compare to this place in terms of facilities. We’ve got good, working facilities here.” Phillips and the administration also know the time for investments to be made in the fan experience. Accordingly, new video boards, ribbon boards and sound system costing approximately $6 million have been installed in Commonwealth Stadium and have already added to the atmosphere of UK’s home field.”Now, there’s some things we have to do, and that’s take care of the fans, we have started that,” Phillips said. “We recognize that and we have started that with the video boards and those things, and now you know we have got plans also.”Highlighting those future plans, said Phillips, are additional upgrades to Commonwealth. Any such decision must be made with the awareness that the football program is a part of the university as a whole, but the prospect of updating the facilities is an ongoing process.In the meantime, Phillips is happy with what he and his staff have to work with, but they will never be content.”We have done the things we need to do to continue to grow this program,” Phillips said.