Quote Originally Posted by The Federalist Engineer View Post
But think about this ...

Butch Inherited 1 winning SEC seasons in 10 years at Auburn, averaged an 12-18 record.
Mingo Inherited 2 winning SEC seasons in 10 years at UK, average 13-17 record (Mingo has a 480 Winning % at UK and Cohen was 426 at Kentucky)
Cohen Inherited 5 winning SEC seasons in 10 years (1-Omaha and 3 Supers), average 15-15 record
Vitello Inherited 0 winning SEC seasons in 10 years, average 10-20 record

Who had the toughest situation to start? All these dudes have better winning records than Cohen.

Who had the better record at Kentucky?

I enjoyed MSU nearly beating Florida in the 2011 Super, still mad at my wife for making me stay for an in-law visit. Totally wasted weekend with people I don't even like. Cohen was 8-13 at one point that season and benefited from having Tennessee (the Mizzou of the 1990's) on the schedule for a cheap Sweep. Otherwise he does not make a post season and I was in Atlanta for Georgia Tech losing to Austin Peay and MSU was able to snake a Regional win because AP had great weekend. Good for Cohen, MSU, and me as a fan in Atlanta but Cohen was fortunate. I think GT even had a hurt ace, so great timing.

Then that 2013 regional in Starkville. Mercer, South Alabama, and Central Arkansas coming to town. A regional final versus Central Arkansas was pretty sweet as a draw for a 16-14 SEC team. Still had to win in Charlottesville, though.

I think its ok to celebrate the 2011 and 2013 post season miracles, but Cohen was going nowhere without those moments, it bought him time to 2016 and slipping into Administrative work. In fact, Lemons looks like Joe Torre and completely unfairly treated if you compare him to Cohen on results.
not sure you can compare what cohen walked into without realizing what actually occurred with the polk drama.

and "post season miracles" is a little rough...the toughness and grit to battle through a long season and be playing well enough to beat other postseason teams is part of what makes me appreciate cohen as a coach. if we hire a guy with the foresight and the knowledge to recognize what it takes to win, recruit those type players, get them on campus, utilize them in a way to give them the best chance to win and be playing well enough at the end to make a run then i think everybody would be happy.