Not going anywhere

by Mike Rutherford on Nov 21, 2007 3:24 PM EST in News Comment 9 comments

At a press conference this afternoon, Steve Kragthorpe called rumors that he had interviewed for the open head coaching position at SMU "absolute fiction" and said he is still completely committed to the University of Louisville football program.

Kragthorpe did not take any questions from the media.

The embattled first-year head coach said that his lofty expectations have not changed since the day he took the job, despite the fact that his Cardinal team - which was ranked in the top ten to begin the season - is 5-6. He said he knew it was going to be tough to live up to the preseason hype, but added that he wasn't prepared for some of the "off-the-field issues" that occurred this season. He also admitted that he was sure there were some people out there who were hoping that he would leave, which he said would be "the easy thing" for him to do.

The immediate reaction from the U of L fan base is, well, it's not the usual reaction you get from a fan base after a press conference in which the program's head coach announces he is not taking another job.

Like it or not, Steve Kragthorpe will be your head coach for at least the culmination of the Hunter Cantwell era.

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To quote Blocky from one of the Padgett threads

FUCKING SHIT!

by louisville lisa on Nov 21, 2007 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe we can still get lucky...

It's confirmed! Nick Saban has no interest in the Alabama job!

Sources also confirm that Petrino's new contract will keep him at U of L for 5 more years...

"Meanwhile, tucked away in the relative sanity of Minneapolis, a Mr. Orlando Smith is smirking and saying, "how ya like me now?"-Pat Forde

by frankpos on Nov 21, 2007 5:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

But why have a presser?

Yeah, coaches talk out of both sides of their mouth all the time, but come on. Don't you think SMU just said "Thanks but no thanks," so Kragthorpe had this preemptive press conference to make it look like he wasn't interested? This is the one time I want a coach to be using doublespeak, but we just aren't that lucky.

You know, my emotions were pretty much dead by the time of the USF game last week, and I couldn't even bear to watch it. Then, this wonderful, brilliant SMU rumor surfaced, and I reemerged from my numbness fairly excited about football again. With his presser today, I am starting to go through the stages of grief once more; I hope to be completely dead inside again by the kickoff of Rutgers game.

by louisville lisa on Nov 21, 2007 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have only a shread of hope left ...

but considering the rumors on the message boards about the SMU job and Rocco's comments, he really didn't have much of a choice but to make a statement.

And there's always hope that TJ will have a different take on it all, but that is a little wishful thinking at this point.

by 83fan on Nov 21, 2007 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you see the press conference?

I didn't, and I have a question for anyone who did: Did Kragthorpe seem totally blindsighted by this whole SMU thing? Or did he acknowledge that he knew SMU was interested and despite ties to Texas just wanted to stay here? Or did he say something completely different?

I guess I'm trying to figure out whether Rocco's "50/50" statement yesterday was coordinated with Kragthorpe or if it was the AD's office giving him a hint that he might want to leave on his own accord. Any thoughts?

by louisville lisa on Nov 21, 2007 5:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

slow down......

there mike. He never said that he was staying. He just "dispelled the rumor" that he had interviewed. The door is still open

by sam34gtr on Nov 21, 2007 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just looked at the CJ story again

Here's the link: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/SPORTS02/71121021

This says that the rumor about his interest in the SMU job is "total fiction." Well hell's bells, shouldn't Rocco have checked with Kragthorpe before issuing the "50/50" statement yesterday since this whole thing is total fiction? Clearly, either the AD was sending Kragthorpe a message yesterday with the statement OR SMU isn't interested and he's being allowed to save face.

by louisville lisa on Nov 21, 2007 5:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think we'll be okay in the long run

as long as Jurich stays. If we need to get rid of Kragthorpe I think he'll pull the trigger.

by RhonnieGhentStoleMyBuddysGirlfriend on Nov 21, 2007 10:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Er

Do not care for Steve so much. Go Black Friday shopping! Here is my shopping list:
http://www.globalgmail.com/upload/BFridayHotDeals.pdf
This is a dead Friday better than this guy.

by enochghnm on Nov 22, 2007 3:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs