Former Ducks Coach Agrees to Extension at Kentucky

Looking ahead to the 2007 season, Kentucky could return as many as 15 starters (seven offense, eight defense).

Salem-News.com SPORTS

LEXINGTON, KY - The University of Kentucky and head football coach Rich Brooks have finalized a new four-year contract, including a University option for a fifth year.

The new contract replaces Brooks’ initial five-year deal, which had one year remaining, and covers the 2007-10 seasons, plus the University option to renew for 2011.

Including endorsements and broadcasting services, the coach’s base pay will be $1 million per year, with additional incentives for winning five or more Southeastern Conference games, the SEC Eastern Division or overall league championship, participation in bowl games, increases in football ticket revenues, and academic performance by the team.

Brooks arrived at UK beginning with the 2003 season, inheriting a program on major scholarship penalties because of NCAA violations committed by a previous staff.

Brooks patiently rebuilt the program, culminating in an 8-5 season in 2006 that included a win over Clemson in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl.

Some of the milestones achieved during the 2006 season feature:

* Most wins for a Kentucky team and the first bowl win in 22 years

* A third-place finish in the SEC Eastern Division, UK’s best league finish since 1993

* A final national ranking of 28th in the Sagarin Computer Ratings published by USA Today

* One of the 10 most improved teams in the nation, based on a five-win improvement from 2005

* The first win in an SEC opener in 19 years

* A win over Mid-American Conference champion Central Michigan

* The first win over Georgia in 10 years

* Three consecutive fourth-quarter comeback victories over Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Louisiana-Monroe.

The accomplishments in 2006 were compiled against a schedule that was rated as the nation’s 13th most difficult according to the Sagarin Ratings.

UK played eight teams during the season that eventually advanced to bowl games.

Looking ahead to the 2007 season, Kentucky could return as many as 15 starters (seven offense, eight defense), including five players who have been first - or second -team All-SEC during their careers – wide receiver Keenan Burton, tailback Rafael Little, tight end Jacob Tamme, quarterback Andre’ Woodson, and linebacker Wesley Woodyard.

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