Remember that old song, “Tulsa Time?” Don Williams had a hit from it as did Eric Clapton. I wonder if Steve Kragthrope hums that walking to and from his office at Louisville, reminiscing on the banner years of his coaching career? Maybe he changes the lyrics to borrowed time because if his record continues to slide, he will be walking out of Kentucky to pastures elsewhere.
Kragthorpe took over Louisville after Bobby Petrino bolted for the Atlanta Falcons job (after flirting with every other open job in the country for a few years. His record at Tulsa was impressive; in four years, the Golden Hurricane (cool points for a unique mascot) played in three bowl games, winning one, and took home the 2005 Conference USA Championship. Not too shabby for a program that could barely get a team on the field in previous incarnations.
Kragthorpe’s coaching skills are top notch. While coaching Drew Bledsoe in Buffalo, the quarterback had an incredibly productive year due in large part to Kragthorpe’s tutelage. He parlayed that success into the job at Tulsa and the success at Tulsa into the job at Louisville. No doubt the Cardinals thought they needed to replace one “offensive genius” with another. But the translation has not worked at all. In two seasons, Kragthorpe is 11-13 and 4-10 in the Big East Conference including a dismal conference record of 1-6 in 2008. That’s hardly the way to invigorate the team or the fan base.
Kragthorpe is a victim of the hype machine surrounding college football. Position coaches and coordinators experience any modicum of success and they are labeled “genius.” Next, they take a job at a small school, sometimes in a big conference, and they build the resume with a few choice wins, bowl appearances, and the legend grows. Then, a job at a “big” school opens, one where their skill set is either desired for change or to continue standards set by the previous coach, and this up and comer is suddenly thrust into the deep end of the cement pond.
Article comments
1 - Cardkid
The only 2 corrections, I would make to your article is, "He had to replace a lot of talent that graduated when Petrino left town..." he also inherited Brian Brohm, Eric Wood and three of his top receivers and backs from the previous season. I wouldn't say he was in a tough spot from the beginning. The other thing was he may have helped Bledsoe, but he did nothing with Hunter Cantwell's release, who has a gun but was inaccurate and basically off all season.
2 - Shane
Thanks for one of the most uninformed articles I've read in a long time. You have absolutely no clue as to how bad of a coach Steve Kragthorpe is. He's one of the multitude of non BCS coaches who were overvalued by BCS programs to taking a horrible program to a mediocre one. In 2007, after a horrific first year the program had their most draft picks in HISTORY. Kind of goes against your idiotic Petrino left talent bare comment. Get some facts and come back.
3 - MB
Papa Johns pizza doesn't want to be eaten by Steve Kragthorpe. Let him eat Domino's, just do it somewhere else.
4 - Brad
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
bahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!hhahahahhahhaaahaa!
Stop! Seriously. You are killing me, stop!
bahahahahaha! Hahahahahahahaha!hhahahahhahhaaahaa!
5 - Mark
I get it, this article is a joke, right?! Krap-thorpe has lost to Syracuse TWICE if that is not reason enough to fire someone what is? Ron Cooper could have taken the 2007 team to the Gator Bowl, Kragthorpe had a .500 career record when he came including a losing record against BCS schools which is just getting worse. Get off his nuts, he sucks.
6 - Jay
"Kragthorpe’s coaching skills are top notch"
Are you serious?
Do you even watch football?
7 - Joe
Thanks! I needed a laugh! Kragthorpe is top notch...........wtf?
8 - Jed
This has to be written by SK or a delayed article for April 1..... He is a BRUTAL coach..GO CARDS!!!
9 - john
You've got to be kidding. I'm a UK fan and I have to say Kragthorpe is one of the most clueless coaches I've ever seen. Hope he stays for a long, long time. Ha!!!
10 - Nell
Are you Kidding me Skip? What in the hell are you going on about The Tulsa Turd" is a joke but i geuss since he turn a program that had no where to go but up and i must admit the he was in a strong tradition rich conference that rivals the SEC , it makes him a keeper!!!! Please get real
11 - Snrub
I want to believe he has talent, but reality is making my desires pay for their ignorance. This guy is just awful and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Your comments about firestevekragthorpenow.com are correct, it is reactionary and pablum infested. However, this guy will never be a great coach at UofL he really is that bad. Listen to his press conferences. He says nothing you can't learn from your buddy sitting next to you.
12 - crow
Just Go. Away!!
13 - crow
Kragthorpe recently said if he wasn't coaching he would be a CEO...Really..One of those bankrupt corporations is the only thing he left out. Kinda like what he has done at Daville..Poor product..I bet he has made in China stamped on his azz. Go Away.