LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky football coach Joker Phillips knew after Saturday's embarrassing loss to Vanderbilt that keeping his job would be tough. The end came a day later.
Athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Phillips' firing Sunday in an open letter on the Wildcats' web site. The letter stated Phillips would be let go, effective at the end of the season, but athletic department spokesman DeWayne Peevy later said the coach's status for the final two games was still to being determined.
"We, as coaches, are measured on results," Phillips said in a statement. "We didn't get the results we had worked and hoped for, therefore change is needed. In my current 10-year stay at Kentucky, we've had some memorable moments as an assistant, coordinator and head coach. We've had the opportunity to coach some fine young men and I am grateful to have had the privilege of watching them grow as players, as students and as people."
The Wildcats lost their eighth straight game Saturday, a 40-0 home loss to Vanderbilt. It was their worst loss to the Commodores in 96 years. Kentucky (1-9, 0-7 Southeastern Conference) is on the verge of going winless in the conference for the first time in school history.