HOOVER, Ala. –Taking over a team that failed to win a conference game last season, Kentucky coach Mark Stoops is aware that he has a lot of work to do.
Stoops said he knows he has his work cut out for him, but said he’s excited for the opportunity when he spoke at Southeastern Conference’s Media Days on Wednesday.
“I’m excited about the opportunity we have at Kentucky,” Stoops said. “We understand there’s a lot of hard work that lies ahead, but we’re embracing that process and working hard each and every day to improve this team.”
The Wildcats offense ranked No. 119 in the country in points scored in 2012. Stoops brought in offensive coordinator Neal Brown, who will bring an up-tempo, spread-style offense to Lexington, in order to try to put more points on the board.
The first step in that process is for Stoops to select a quarterback. Stoops said it’s currently a wide-open, three-man competition for the starting job.
“If anybody emerges and just takes the reins and becomes the clear-cut leader, we’ll name them,” Stoops said. “Other than that, we’ll continue to work through that process.”
With the quarterback situation up in the air Stoops said he’ll have to lean heavily on senior running back Raymond Sanders. In 2012, Sanders led the Wildcats with 669 rushing yards and scored a team-high five touchdowns.
Stoops will have the luxury of returning some veteran leaders on the defensive side of the ball. Most notably, the Wildcats return middle linebacker Avery Williamson who finished second in the SEC with 135 tackles last season.
“Really could not be more encouraged to have somebody like Avery that’s returning as a senior,” Stoops said. “He’s been terrific all around.”
Kentucky also returns a two-year starter in senior defensive tackle Donte Rumph. In 2012, Rumph recorded 36 tackles and tied for second on the team with four sacks.