Mark Stoops Press Conference
Kentucky Football Media Conference
Kroger Field – Lexington, Ky.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Mark Stoops
Opening Statement …
“It’s really good to be back on campus, be back with the players. I’ve missed them. It’s been a good couple of weeks. I’ve been on the road recruiting and coaches have been grinding and doing a great job on the road. Obviously, it’s been a lot of fun traveling with Josh [Allen]. He gave us a few extra things to do this week with the award shows, but those are a lot of fun. I was really proud of Josh. The way he represented our university, he represented our team. To be on a big stage and at these awards shows with Josh and to see him win these awards has just been truly special. I’m just really grateful for him and so many of our seniors in so many ways, but it’s been a good couple of weeks. Great to be back on the practice field today. The kids have a bunch of enthusiasm. It’s really good to get out there and get moving around again as we start preparation for a big New Year’s Day bowl game. Proud of that. I haven’t talked to you since we’ve been awarded that game. Honored to play Penn State on New Year’s Day. It’s going to be an exciting time. Good to be back at it here today.”
On what it will be like to play Penn State …
“I think as you move up and play in New Year’s Day bowl game, and play Penn State, it’s definitely motivation. We have a lot of respect for Penn State and their history. It’s also about us and playing this game and guys that want to play and want to win. Again, we gave it a great effort a year ago and came up a play short and our players are motivated to go try to get the victory.”
On Josh Allen playing in the Citrus Bowl …
“It just says a lot about who he is and the way he cares about this place, the way he cares about his teammates. I said the same thing to him. Obviously, I’m extremely close to Josh and spent a lot of time with him recently and I said the same thing to him. I said, ‘Josh I want you to know that your legacy is set and nobody, myself, or anybody would judge you any differently if you choose not to play in this game.’ I was definitely a factor a year ago in helping him make that decision but on this one I really didn’t want any part of that. I wanted him to truly make that decision on his own, and whatever he felt in his heart and whatever he felt was the right decision because we just respect him that much and he’s done so much for this place. He came and said, ‘Coach I’ve thought about it’ today on the plane on the way back he said, ‘I thought about it last night.’ I think he’s been leaning towards playing. He said, ‘I just felt in my heart that that’s what I’m going to do.’ He’s going to do things the way he always does. That’s put his head down and do things 100 miles an hour. Play hard, practice hard, and prepare the right way. He wants to continue to improve his stock and he wants to help us win the football game.”
On whether he knew Josh would play …
“I didn’t know. He and I talked about it before and we just didn’t come to any decision. He didn’t come to any decision. I just said just think about it. He had a lot going on this week, he has a lot going on. He has to jump back on a plane and go back out to California tomorrow for the Lott (Ronnie Lott Trophy event). So, I just let him come to grips with it and decide on his own with his family on what he wanted to do. I just felt like he did the last time we talked about it briefly. Before I mentioned it to y’all, I think it was after one of my last press conferences, I felt like he would because on Thanksgiving we talked about it briefly and he was talking about playing in the game, but after the season was over I just wanted to give him time to think about it and do what was right.”
On if Josh playing gave the team extra motivation …
“He told his team today in a team meeting right before we went out to practice and it did. The guys were excited. I think it just sets a good example. An example for his decision. I was just talking to a couple pro scouts today and they’re using him as a reference to other juniors across the country. I don’t want to put a dollar figure on it but absolutely significant the difference between coming out a year ago and coming out now. He’s a great example for a lot of players. Also, with the way he, once he decided, he never looked back. Once he decided to do that, it wasn’t any doubt, it wasn’t any ifs or buts. He went to work and went through his process of getting himself ready to play and preparing himself for the season and for each game. I think that’s why he is in those awards shows and why he is represented with some of the greatest players in college football this year because they go about things the right way. Their minds and their hearts are in the right places. He’s just a great example for a lot of people.”
On recruiting Josh Allen …
“I do remember him just popping up and us getting the film and us watching it and just right away we said, “Yeah, we loved his frame and the way he moved and his athletic ability.” Right away we said, ‘Let’s get a couple guys up there to check him out. Get in front of his coach and watch some more film.’ Everything checked out and we liked him. Next thing you know, we’re signing him. Like I said earlier, once he got on campus, we did know right away that he was a player. You don’t know how fast that’s going to come, and I didn’t know he would be up for all these national awards and first team All-American and all that, but we knew we had a player early. That’s why he played as a true freshman even though he was underdeveloped. Of course, you know how we were that many years ago. We needed some guys… It was late in the process anyway, so we just went up and liked him. We didn’t care who was recruiting him. We did that a lot and we still do. We’re the first to offer a lot of kids and we trust our own judgment. We’re not always right, but we do our homework. We evaluate and if we like someone, we pull the trigger. We’ve been the first on a lot of kids. Whether we get them or not, you never know. What they evolve to you never know. Landon Young is another good example. We offered him at a very young age and did not know he was going to be a five-star (recruit). We offered him right away because we felt good about him.”
On if he sensed Josh would pick Kentucky …
“Oh yeah. I do. I did and once we pulled the trigger and talked to him and got to know him like he is. He’s always been like this as far as just being a great person. So, once we pulled the trigger and offered him and everything checked out as far as grades and his background and all of those things, we were ready to go.”
On how Josh being so popular has helped with recruiting …
“It means a great deal to have that exposure. With the group of people that were in that room last night, it’s a real honor. To share that with Brad White, Matt House, myself, and his family, is special to us. That’s not something I take for granted. I’ve been there a lot. I was there last year with Courtney [Love, winner of the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy]. To win the awards that he is winning, it helps you. That exposure helps you. It helps the program. More than that, personally, it’s so gratifying to share that with him and to see what he’s gone through. To do that is truly something you don’t take for granted, I don’t. It’s very special. It’s fun to be a part of it. He’s been very gracious and very humble and handled himself very well.”
On what it’s been like getting the next recruiting class signed …
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been good. Very positive vibes out there. I’m very proud of the work that the coaches have done and I feel really good about what’s going on. Again, with playing New Year’s Day and having these award ceremonies and being on the national stage, it certainly helps.”
On how the early signing period has changed things …
“It changes a couple things. The calendar moves up as far as when we’re going to go to work on 20s (class of 2020). So, after we hopefully get all or very close to this class wrapped up on the 19th, then we can go work on 20s a lot in January. There may be a few loose ends to tie up. Hopefully, you know, if we have a scholarship or two there’s definitely still some good players that will be left on the board that we’ll have to recruit. But the pressure is all in December because you get done with the games and you want to get it wrapped up by the 19th. And again, the student-athletes spoke a year ago by signing early. I don’t know what the exact statistic was, or number, but it was in the—what? —90-something percent of power-five kids signed. So, it compacts our December for sure. But we also do more in-season as well. You know, have more kids on campus for in-season games and that’s always good and bad. It’s nice to be able to fly parents in and the prospects in and spend time with them and see the game day atmosphere and be around here. And that’s good but it’s tough on us coaches also because our attention is on winning that game until the game is over. On a night game you might get to spend some time with them on Sunday, but it feels kind of condensed a little bit. So, I guess, long version here is that over the course of the year it’s different. It’s consistent. We’re recruiting all the way from spring to in-season to a really compact December. I try to get into every home in December and that’s got me running all over the place.”
On whether he thinks more players feel the need to sign early …
“I do. I think, again, they spoke a year ago by signing. And we felt no resistance a year ago. If there’s one or two, you know, when we only had one signing day, there were surprises on that day too, for us and everybody, every team in the country, believe me. I was at Florida State and we were holding onto our tail on signing day. Sometimes we got some good surprises and sometimes we got some…surprises. And so, it’s just like that. It is, it’s like that all the time. But I like it this way, again, because if you get that surprise or if somebody doesn’t sign then you know you’ve got to go look for another guy and you have time to get that fixed.”
On if he has a number on how many seniors are bound for the NFL Draft …
“I’ve got to go back and look at that specifically, but I would say 11, a neighborhood of 11 or 12 guys that can potentially get drafted.”
On what 11 or 12 guys getting drafted would mean as far as elevation for the program …
“Again, another step definitely. I’m very proud of that starting, with the coaches and the recruiting and developing these players. You’ve got to give a shout-out to our strength and conditioning team because they play a big role in that and they’ve really worked exceptionally hard. I feel like it’s our job to bring in the bodies for them to work with to have the potential to play in the NFL. And as we’re here and as I’ve mentioned to you—and you’ve heard me talk so many times on this—but it’s year after year after year after year of signing quality players and then developing them and working with them mentally, physically, all areas of their life. And as you do that, you’re going to start to see the fruits of your labor. You know, it’s really gratifying for me because I love these guys and they work exceptionally hard and when they do the right things and they work hard and they take the medicine that we’re giving them, then they’re going to have a chance to be successful. We’ve all done it and we feel like we have a platform and a plan for them to be successful and they have to do their part and we all have to do our part.”
On if there are any juniors wanting input on the NFL draft …
“Yeah, I’ve sent out some information for Benny [Snell] and for Logan [Stenberg].”
On the similarities between past Kentucky NFL draftees and Josh Allen …
“You know what’s interesting is that last night, after the awards ceremony, we were sitting there with our coaches, with Josh, my brother Bob was there and we were all just sitting around the table and talking and had a bite to eat and that came up. And not only with the guys I’ve had, but the guys Bob has had and with the guys we spent time with this weekend, and Josh had an opportunity to be around all these players. And one thing that he brought up and talked about was how good of people they are. So, I think that’s the case. You know, these guys have a trait that starts with being good, humble, hard-working people. Obviously very talented, but they work exceptionally hard to be in that situation and on that platform and I think that’s a common trait by all of them.”
Following up on who brought up the subject of players being good people …
“We all were just talking, I don’t know who brought it up. But Josh was specifically speaking about how good of guys they were. You know, how good of people and how much he enjoyed getting to know these guys, and so many people reaching out to him. And again, most of these guys, it’s no mystery—they’re all good people and very humble and hard-working and so they were happy for each other.”
On his bowl approach this year compared to last year …
“Yeah, it’ll be very similar. We’re going to get our work done but I’m also going to respect the players and just get them to a point where we’re excited and energized and focused and ready to practice. I think the preparation and hard work is always going to be there, but I think morale is a big piece of it. You want to be hungry and excited to play.”
On if anyone is not returning …
“Not at this point. Again, I’ve been gone and got back today and I haven’t specifically sat down with every one of them and nobody’s come to me and told me they weren’t coming at this point. It can happen though.”
On what specific things that have changed in that group …
“I think just the detailed approach. You know, in the NFL they don’t have to deal with the sort of things we have to deal with, academics and recruiting and all those things, so they’re constantly working on getting a progression to get their player to get better and fundamentally be better. I think that organization and that fundamental approach has helped Josh and helped our outside linebackers and as I mentioned a year ago, he’s a big-picture guy and he’s a technician, so he’s helped.”
On being SEC Coach of the Year …
“I accept that on behalf of everybody in our organization and I just think you don’t win those awards unless there’s a lot of people doing a lot of good things. This is a monster of an organization and you look at all the people involved and there’s a ton of people involved in what you have to do in football. There’s a team of people, player personnel, academics, coaching, equipment crew, training staff, administration, it’s just a large organization and there are a lot of people that do a lot of good things, so it’s just saying that those folks are going a great job and greatly appreciate them.”
On taking a look at Penn State film yet ….
“I haven’t, but some of our coaches have. I just got back off the road today. I was with Josh last night and we flew back in this morning and started a staff meeting and recruiting, things like that, so I haven’t. Some of our coaches have gotten on it already and we’ll get going here this week.”
On thoughts based on what he knows of Penn State …
“Just from me watching this season just being a fan of college football, not knowing we were going to play them, so just watching them seeing that it jumps out at you they’re obviously a very talented football team. Penn State has a rich history and obviously they recruit at a high level ever year so you know there are a lot of talented players out there and they’re going to be well coached.”
On any thoughts of Scott Satterfield …
“I really don’t, you know everything I’ve heard is a good person, a good coach and I don’t really know him at all to be honest with you.”
On the players really wanting to win the bowl game …
“It’s important and I just talked to them about it as well. It’s just like we could look no further than our last game and after that game there’s a presentation, there’s a trophy to take home and it’s a much better feeling than when you exit that field taking the trophy. I know it’s bothered me when you’re in those bowl games and you put that amount of work in and you exit that field and one team is up there accepting a trophy and the other team is going in the locker room and I can promise you there are no runner-up trophies going in our trophy case. They gave us one a year ago and I think its permanent place is the bottom drawer and it will stay there so we need to go win one.”
On the conversation about 10 wins and the history of the school (UK) …
“Without a doubt. Our players are definitely aware and proud of the things that they have done and thanks to you all, we’re very aware of the things we haven’t done. Light-hearted joke there folks. So in this day and age they are aware and they respect and appreciate the good things they’ve done. You know, they invest a lot and work extremely hard and they have for a long time to do some of the things they’ve done. To win 10 is significant and our players know that and I don’t have to address that every day. They understand that and what’s at stake — playing New Year’s Day, playing Penn State, winning 10, you put it all together and it’s important.”
On when he will stop and savor what was accomplished this season …
“After that bowl game, after signing day, you don’t really very long. It’s constantly just trying to get better and you that and know what we’re up against, the competition across the country and that’s what really drives us. I always respect and appreciate the work that these players have done and the coaches.”
On the award for C.J. Conrad …
“Again, very nice honor for C.J. Cannot find a finer young man, just a guy that represents this University the right way. Absolutely impressive. He’s like a grown man and I absolutely love him, love talking to him and I seek him out for advice once in a while, the pulse of the team, what he’s thinking, him and several others. Just have great respect for C.J. for what he’s done for us and just an impressive young man.”
On having three quarterbacks in the running for the Heisman and worrying about Josh not going to New York …
“Nice try there, I’m not getting a sound bite on that.” I respect the players that are there and I respect Josh and we are grateful for the awards that he’s won.”
On being on that stage and Orlando on New Year’s Day …
“I don’t think we’ve ever been there. I now from the last time we’ve been there, we’ve never won a bowl game in Florida, I remember that. We haven’t been there too often so I’m very happy to get that bid. Obviously we want to win every game we can and go as high as we can, so it’s significant, again, playing on New Year’s Day, playing in Florida, our players should enjoy it, our fans should enjoy it. I know my kids will enjoy running around Disney and I know I’ll be worn out from running around there and chasing them but it will be fun. Again, unfinished business and we want to have a good balance of enjoying ourselves and getting work done to get this victory.”
On if Coach Gran and five jobs that have been discussed with him …
“Yeah, we talk all the time and I have a great relationship so I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to discuss what’s going on there. Very grateful for both of those guys and appreciate what they do for us. I’m always here to help them in any way we can.”
On if anyone other than Danny Clark is transferring …
“Nobody else at this point, no.”
