Thursday, August 20, 2009

August 20th: On this date...

... in 1941, Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks was born in Forest, California. The path to 2009 wasn't the easiest a coach has ever been though as Tom Leach notes in the book above. Rich's time in Lexington has been anything but rosey. But we have to remember Rich Brooks came to us when no one else would....in the midst of an NCAA death penalty. I'll be the first to admit I was ready to part ways multiple times during PaPaw's first few years. And I'll be the first to admit I was wrong. At the end of the day it's still all about wins and losses, and Brooks still totes a 32-41 record in Lexington. But any Big Blue Nation member who has been around the program in the last three years can vouch for this program being in arguably the best shape in their lifetime. Rich Brooks has simply changed the culture in Lexington. And while many people may not like to hear it, Mitch Barnhart deserves as much credit for sticking with Brooks as he does blame for the other mess. Rich Brooks has succeeded and done what few others could do at Kentucky: make Big Blue Nation Believe.

Rich Brooks, Kentucky Wildcats Head Coach, at 2009 SEC Media Days

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