Larry Vaught

[Badinage]

Why do you keep quoting anonymous fans and supposed ex-players in ways that take shots at Mitch for not wanting Petrino? Be an advocate if you must for Petrino, but this repeated use of the anonymous fan/player to make your point about Petrino is really odd. If you read the boards, you know, as well as does Mitch, that there are just as many fans who want nothing to do with Petrino as there are those who would love to see UK take the gamble with him. What is your professional explanation for this approach?

[Catfan73]

He's got a pulpit. If I had one I would probably use it to stump for my candidate too.

[Badinage]

Then come out and do it, and just admit you are an advocate and these people are voicing YOUR opinion. This is not revealing state secrets. If someone has a complaint or issue, cut the anonymous crap. Because, Larry and Mr. anonymous do not speak for me. They only speak for themselves. Straight up, I have lost respect through this.

[Darrell KSR]

Saw Larry Tuesday night in Atlanta. He's nobody's advocate. The fact that he talks to ex-players who don't want their name used shouldn't be viewed as a negative.

I have more respect for Larry Vaught than any media member I have ever known. His integrity is unquestioned in the industry. There's a reason he is the current six-consecutive years winner of Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year award, and it is because he does things the right way.

Larry Vaught published his interview with Joe B. Hall who talked at length about Bobby Petrino. There are times you publish the interviewee, and times you cannot. It's funny--I've seen people falsely accuse Larry of being a mouthpiece for Mitch Barnhart, now falsely accuse him of being an advocate for a candidate. Neither is true (the two are mutually exclusive here, in fact).

I can promise you this. Larry will not waiver with his integrity; he will do what is right, and only what is right. I have disagreed with his opinions, but never his methods. He will never espouse what is popular because people want to hear it, and he will never espouse what is unpopular because it draws hits. Look around, and you'll see those everywhere else. Not with Larry.

If you have something you'd like to say, drop him an email or a private message. He's very receptive to viewpoints of all types. It is what establishes his integrity, and has earned him the respect of millions.

[Catfan73]

Darrell, I have tons of respect for Larry, but it did seem that he was pushing Petrino, at least for awhile. I see that he is talking about other candidates though.

[ram]

It seems that some, not all, anti-Petrino people view supporting Petrino as an indictment of one's character (inappropriately so). I have personally spoken to people that have questioned my character because I want him as coach. Maybe some of the people he quotes fear repercussions in their business dealings or among people they socialize with.

Personally, I disagree with those that want to consider anything other than on-field performance or university liability (I see no liability issues for the university). Football is a business and the bottom line is putting people in the stands. You do that by winning and doing so in a way that doesn't get you in trouble with the NCAA.

[Badinage]

I am ambivalent when it comes to Petrino. I have said I would interview his wife and if that went well regarding Bobby's home life and his mental state, I would interview Bobby. I realize the football mind he possesses, as well as accept that people can change. So, no one should put me in the anti-Petrino camp. But, IT DOES exist. Larry's anonymous quotes are not just pro-Petrino, but are baby comments about the process of which I am confident not even his ex-player (and who knows how many of those have opinions) knows about. Clearly, even Larry is just speculating about the process. If a player wants to voice such snarky comments through the media, he should man up and put his name to the comment. Embarrassing, is how I view it.

[Badinage]

Arkansas had liability issues because of BP. Let's not kid ourselves about that. The poor judgment demonstrated and lies about his actions and motivations had negative financial law breaking consequences for a public institution. If a professor broke state law to hire his adulterous girlfriend, he would be fired and finding a job at another reputable institution would not be easy.

[bluesuedeshoes]

There are several media members who deserve to have their intentions questioned, but in my opinion
Larry is not one of them. And that's a whole 2 cents worth.

[MickintheHam]

OP I believe you will find that good Journalists everywhere use anonymous sources. I know Larry well enough to know he would Not use just any ex player as a source, and probablywouldn't use the comment if he had not heard the same thing from more than one. I believe it is safe to say there is growing unrest with Mitch among members of the UK community including BoT members, fans and yes former players. I believe that constitutes a story and one that should be reported. And certainly if Joe B Hall has a public opinion on the coaching search an interview with him is very appropriate, especially if there are those he believes are misstating facts.

[Terry Blue]

Whatever coach we end up with, I hope the UK community will get on board to support. I can certainly understand though if Mitch and/or Pres.Cap have decided to not go in that direction and think any objective fan should be able to understand that as well. Petrino just doesn't have baggage, he has a trunk full of it to bring with him. Some of the same fans who are loudly supporting Petrino as our coach would be even louder in condemning Mitch for hiring him should he come in and by his actions hurt the University in any way. He would be the epitome of the high risk, high reward hire

[suncat05]

So what does Kentucky do? Our head football coach has been dismissed, and now we find ourselves in a fairly intense search, along with several other higher profile SEC schools who obviously value good football way more than our University does. So what other choice do we have other than to look at some coaches who may be considered "damaged goods" as it were, and try to find that right match?
There is no other way around this one. We've put ourselves in this quandry by not valuing football like we should have over many, many years at the institutional level in an inceasingly tough fough football league where everyone else is dedicated to winning football.
If this situation does not change, and change with this hire and by a really, true, honest, sincere committment to playing winning football in the SEC by the UKAA, the UK admin, and the UK AD, then honestly, we may as well not even field a football team, especially if mediocrity is the best we can expect in the SEC. Mediocrity is all we've seen over the years, with a few brief instances of decent football, albeit too few in comparison to other SEC schools who truly value a good football program.
I personally just do not believe it is going to happen. The UK admin will hire someone on the cheap, with little to no real, proven head coaching experience, promise him all kinds of resources that in the end it will not give him(kinda like they did Coach Brooks!), and our football misfortunes will continue unabated for many more years to come. At least that's how I see it from untold years of watching this swirling soap opera play its way down the SEC toilet.

[Badinage]

joeB has a personal motivation for his advocacy. Annonymous sources make sense if you are quoting a whistleblower or the story has some significance. Some ex-footballer's opinion about the hiring of a coach is not a reason for source-less comments. It appears that Larry is doing Hall a favor on this one. That is how it reads to me.

OP I believe you will find that good Journalists everywhere use anonymous sources. I know Larry well enough to know he would Not use just any ex player as a source, and probablywouldn't use the comment if he had not heard the same thing from more than one. I believe it is safe to say there is growing unrest with Mitch among members of the UK community including BoT members, fans and yes former players. I believe that constitutes a story and one that should be reported. And certainly if Joe B Hall has a public opinion on the coaching search an interview with him is very appropriate, especially if there are those he believes are misstating facts.

[catmanjack]

What I don't like is seeing posters continue to find article after article as to why UK should not hire Petrino.
Or seeing other member of the media not named Larry V post their articles about coaching prospects and not a word being mentioned.
It is a know fact that the AD releases the info he wants to certain members of the media.
Can UK win without Petrino maybe are there good football coaches out there yes.
Will UK hire the right one I question that.
As mentioned many times Petrino is a top coach and UK could make a play but chooses to look elsewhere.
Mitch better make this count or it wont matter how long of a contract Todd gave him.

This is a 50 year process and not one that just came up in the last 3 years and UK fans are tired of the high school football being played.
Coaches with bee bees and not the nads to want to win and go for the win.
You are playing with the big boys it's time to act like it or move on.
That is my problem and why Petrino should be looked at strongly if not the fav to get the job.

[LakeCat]

Those so opposed to Petrino because of his off the field exploits please tell me why MB has given Joker a pass on his?

[catmanjack]

Think most are ok with the affair just do not like how he has treated the schools or teams he coached.
And the fact he hired the lady to work at Arkansas.

[LakeCat]

Think most are ok with the affair just do not like how he has treated the schools or teams he coached.
And the fact he hired the lady to work at Arkansas.

Didn't Nutt lose his job over a certain sports media tryst. If so, why is Joker held out as the Mr. Class?

[Terry Blue]

I don't know that Joker's off the field rumors were ever verified. But Petrino's actions go way beyond just an affair. He's been a head coach at 3 different programs and they all contained unethical or jerkish behavior sprinkled through all of them. I think if fans could imagine themselves in Mitch's position most of them would not consider him for the Position either

[ram]

I don't know that Joker's off the field rumors were ever verified. But Petrino's actions go way beyond just an affair. He's been a head coach at 3 different programs and they all contained unethical or jerkish behavior sprinkled through all of them. I think if fans could imagine themselves in Mitch's position most of them would not consider him for the Position either

Agree with this. On the other hand, if mb could imagine himself being in the position of many longsuffering fans who've been through the likes of Ray, Claibourne, Curry, Mumme, Phillips, etc... he'd understand the clammorings for Petrino and the likelihood that without an immediately winning hire they may not come back.
He may be in a no win position with regard to petrino.

[Catonahottinroof]

MB is in a no win situation no matter what coach is selected in my opinion. Larry has the pulse of a lot of former players. He always has too. They have been sourced anonymously for years on a myriad of topics related to UK football. This is no different. He also hears the concerns of BoT members too. I appreciate him putting it out there instead of what the UKAA deems fit for public consumption.

[Badinage]

I am calling bull on Larry having the pulse of former players. There is no consensus.

Character matters. After hearing Joker at his post game presser, I am thankful that Mitch will try to find the man who can do it on and off the field. I am now in the camp that sacrificing character for wins is not necessary. The temptation is great, but the sacrifice is not worth it.

[ram]

My heart says you are right re: character. My head says If they don't win, fans won't waste their money.

[Catonahottinroof]

I am calling bull on Larry having the pulse of former players. There is no consensus.

Character matters. After hearing Joker at his post game presser, I am thankful that Mitch will try to find the man who can do it on and off the field. I am now in the camp that sacrificing character for wins is not necessary. The temptation is great, but the sacrifice is not worth it.

No consensus amongst fans or former players. There is a consensus among former players that Joker was not cutting it. You couldn't be more misinformed about Larry's connections to former Cats Bad. You need to get into the Premy forum......

[Terry Blue]

Who among us had even heard of James Franklin when he was hired by Vandy? We certainly would have turned our collective noses up at him if Mitch had hired him. Now, he may be on the verge of winning 8 regular season games at VANDY, something we haven't done here in something like 30 years!

[Catfan73]

No consensus amongst fans or former players. There is a consensus among former players that Joker was not cutting it. You couldn't be more misinformed about Larry's connections to former Cats Bad. You need to get into the Premy forum......

If the players talking to Larry are the same ones that sit beside the press box and boo the team (even when Cobb was here), then I really don't care what their opinion is.

In other words, while I respect their opinions, I don't have to agree with them, and the fact they're former players doesn't make me any more likely to feel compelled to do so. I'm sure there are just as many that want nothing to do with Petrino.

[Badinage]

No consensus amongst fans or former players. There is a consensus among former players that Joker was not cutting it. You couldn't be more misinformed about Larry's connections to former Cats Bad. You need to get into the Premy forum......

Include Joker on the list of former players who said he did not get it done. That was never the claim, however. You admitted my point in your first sentence. I guarantee that the player quoted does not know the process, but only that Peteino is not on the board. Yet, Larry quoted his crazy complaint in relation to his dream for Bobby P. I know Larry is the man here, and I usually have no gripe, but his coninued criticism through the voices of (1) an ex-player and (2) through a texting fan, is bad form. Not award winning material.

[Badinage]

Who among us had even heard of James Franklin when he was hired by Vandy? We certainly would have turned our collective noses up at him if Mitch had hired him. Now, he may be on the verge of winning 8 regular season games at VANDY, something we haven't done here in something like 30 years!

I agree with this.

[Catonahottinroof]

Include Joker on the list of former players who said he did not get it done. That was never the claim, however. You admitted my point in your first sentence. I guarantee that the player quoted does not know the process, but only that Peteino is not on the board. Yet, Larry quoted his crazy complaint in relation to his dream for Bobby P. I know Larry is the man here, and I usually have no gripe, but his coninued criticism through the voices of (1) an ex-player and (2) through a texting fan, is bad form. Not award winning material.

As has been suggested above, you have a direct avenue to contact Larry. You come off as someone who enjoys throwing hissy fits in internet forums.....

[Badinage]

As has been suggested above, you have a direct avenue to contact Larry. You come off as someone who enjoys throwing hissy fits in internet forums.....

Evidently, a hissy fit is anyone who dares disagree with you. But thanks, I got a chuckle out of your comment. Not sure why I need a direct route to Larry. Larry's view was posted for all UK fans to see. I disagree with his approach and am voicing that opinion. We can disagree. I am okay with that.

[Catonahottinroof]

Evidently, a hissy fit is anyone who dares disagree with you. But thanks, I got a chuckle out of your comment. Not sure why I need a direct route to Larry. Larry's view was posted for all UK fans to see. I disagree with his approach and am voicing that opinion. We can disagree. I am okay with that.

We've disagreed a few times acrossed forums. Your beef isn't with me, quit making it into one..