By Alan Lytle
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-980804.mp3
Lexington, KY – During the annual football media day, one thing UK Coach Joker Phillips came back to again and again was the notion that the Wildcats need to develop a "dominant defense." He says the addition of Rick Minter as co-defensive coordinator is a big step in the right direction.
"It's a mindset. Our guys got to think takeaways, they've got to think scoring. Nobody says that you can't score on defense, and Rick tells the defense, there's more ways you can score on defense than there is on offense; takeaways, safeties, all kinds of ways you can score on defense."
The Wildcats return 11 of their top tacklers this year, including star linebacker Danny Trevathan, and a beefed up defensive line.
Phillips says the departures of offensive playmakers Randall Cobb, Derek Locke, and Chris Matthews mean the Wildcats will have to rely more on unproven freshmen.
"They will not be buried in the depth chart. I think that's only fair to them. I think it's a negative when you bring a freshman that's been a star in his high school and you bring him into your program and he's buried in the depth chart. I think it also helps the competition in spring. You've got to get to one or two. These freshmen will be third team when they start tomorrow."
Phillips is hoping to build and improve on a campaign which saw the Kentucky Wildcats go to a fifth straight bowl game; albeit a disappointing loss to the Pitt Panthers in the Compass Bowl. The second year coach was asked whether he'd approach the job differently this year.
"In year one I wanted to be the guy that was selling our plan, our vision, our brand. I'm talking about selling it to our players, our coaches, to our fans. I wanted to be that guy. And I think this year I feel comfortable in our coaches going out and selling that plan, which gives me more time, also, to have even a bigger hand in every phase of this program."
The Wildcats open the season Thursday night September first against Western Kentucky University at Nashville's LP Field.