By LARRY VAUGHT

BIRMINGHAM — Before Rich Brooks coached his first game at Kentucky, he indicated he would like to become the longest tenured coach at UK.

Currently Fran Curci’s nine-year run from 1973-81 is No. 1 on UK’s coaching list while three others — Jerry Claiborne, Paul Bryant and Blanton Collier — coached eight years.

Brooks has a 32-41 mark in six seasons and has taken the Wildcats to three straight bowl games. However, he made it sound Wednesday here during the Southeastern Conference Media Days like it might not be much longer before associate head coach Joker Phillips, who has been named UK’s coach in waiting, takes over.

“We will just have to see how my guys attend class and go to tutors and all that stuff. The hand-off is in waiting. We will hand it off. When that happens, I am not sure,” he said.

However, he says he won’t break Curci’s longevity mark.

“That is not going to happen,” Brooks said.

Why?

“I have been going to too many memorial services,” Brooks, who has five grandchildren, said. “I am not going to do anything different, though, as long as I am coaching.”

UK coach Rich Brooks speaks to reporters
at SEC Media Days 2009.

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