John Clay’s Sidelines

We’re 36 days away from Kentucky’s football opener Sept. 5 against Miami of Ohio in Cincinnati.

The countdown continues.

Today we look back at Hal Mumme’s contoversial and combative staff. The coach’s four-year reign ended badly with not only probation, but with rifts within the football offices.

Whatever happened to those guys?

Here is a where they are now (sort of) with regards to Mumme’s initial staff in 1997:

• Hal Mumme (head coach): In first year as head coach at McMurry, a Division III shool in Abilene, Texas.
• Tom Adams (defensive ends): Adams passed away on August 2, 2006 at age 48 from cancer. He had been a defensive assistant at Baylor.
• Mike Fanoga (defensive tackles): Outside linebackers coach at Wyoming.
• Tony Franklin (running backs): Offensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee.
• Tim Keane (cornerbacks): Retired in 2007 after being defensive backs coach at Memphis.
• Mike Leach (receivers): Head coach at Texas Tech.
• Mike Major (defensive coordinator): Assistant football coach at Wharton High School in Texas. Coached the school’s basketball team last two seasons, but stepped down after this past year.
• Guy Morriss (offensive line): In first year as head coach at Texas A&M-Commerce, an FCS Division II school.
• Darrell Patterson (safeties): Running backs coach at Rice.
• Claude Bassett (recruiting coordinator): Defensive coordinator at Seguin High School in Texas.
• Sonny Dykes (graduate assistant): Offensive coordinator at Arizona.
• Chris Hatcher (graduate assistant): Head coach at Georgia Southern.

Jarvis Varnado

Big Blue Links for Tuesday:

• In the Herald-Leader, Jerry Tipton writes that UK will go against the Sultan of Swat tonight when playing Mississippi State.
• Tipton’s notes report that this is the first time since 1989 no SEC team has been in either basketball poll.
• Here’s audio of Billy Gillispie’s press conference previewing the Mississippi State game.
• The Herald-Leader reports that ex-UK football coach Hal Mumme confirms he has prostate cancer.
• H-L columnist Mark Story writes on Lexington’s Sam Simpson, the Henry Clay center who committed to play football at UK.
• In the Danville Advocate-Messenger, Larry Vaught asks the question: Are UK players too nice?
• Vaught also writes that Jarvis Varnado and Co. will test the Cats.
• In the Courier-Journal, Michael Grant writes that Kentucky will try to avoid losing its third straight.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that UK-State could turn into a blocked shot battle.
• Brad Locke of the NW Mississippi Daily Journal wonders if Mississippi State can handle Jodie Meeks.

Continue reading ‘BBL: UK-State preview, Mumme’s cancer’

ESPN is reporting that ex-UK coach Hal Mumme is out after four years at New Mexico State.

New Mexico State has called a press conference for Tuesday to discuss the future of its football program.

The 56-year-old Mumme is 11-38 in four season as head coach of the Aggies. The team lost its last seven games this year to finish 3-9. New Mexico State lost 28 of 32 games in the WAC under Mumme.

While the pass-happy Mumme’s team was ninth in the nation in pass offense, it was 65th in total offense. Even with Joe Lee Dunn as defensive coordinator, the Aggies were 74th nationally in total defense.

The Aggies were beaten 47-2 by lowly Utah State in the season-finale on Saturday.