Wednesday, November 15, 2000
UK's Major to resign
Will leave post as defensive coordinator
The Associated Press
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A nightmare year became personal for Kentucky coach Hal Mumme on Monday as longtime friend and defensive coordinator Mike Major announced his resignation, effective after this weekend's season-ending game at Tennessee.
Major came to Kentucky when Mumme took over the program four years ago. He and Mumme have coached together since 1977, at Moody High School in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“He was the secondary coach and I was the receivers coach, and we used to fight every day — we hated each other for about a year and a- half,” Mumme said Monday. “But we kind of grew to have a deep respect for one another over the years.
“Obviously, I'm very saddened by this, but life goes on. Things don't always turn out the way you want them to. This season hasn't turned out the way we wanted it to. He's a class guy and a very courageous guy.”
Kentucky (2-8, 0-7 Southeastern Conference) entered the season with high expectations following its first back-to-back bowl appearances in nearly five decades.
“I think we'll be improved again on defense,” Mumme said before the season during the team's media day activities. “Last year, we gave up 29.4 points per game. This year, we want to get it further down into the 20s.”
It hasn't turned out that way. Through 10 games, the Wildcats are last in the conference in scoring defense — allowing 32.4 points per game — and next to last in total defense — allowing 387.5 yards per game.
Should Kentucky lose at Tennessee on Saturday, it would end the season on an eight-game winless streak and finish with its worst record since a 1-10 season under Bill Curry in 1994.
“While I do not believe for a minute that I was the only problem, I am ultimately responsible for the results that have been produced by the defense,” Major said in a statement. “Those results have not been what I wanted, nor were they the results that the players wanted or deserved.”
According to the statement, Major will remain with the program as director of football operations.
Major was not available for comment Monday.
Mumme said the announcement came following the latest in a number of conversations this season about Major's future with the program.
“He came to me the first time before we played South Carolina,” Mumme said. “He said he felt like we probably needed new blood on that side of the ball, and that we should both think about it for a while. We've done that in ongoing discussions, which led to this announcement today.”
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UK's Major to resign