Former Super Bowl QB Remembers UK job

Remember when former Super Bowl winning quarterback Doug Williams was rumored to be in line to get the Kentucky coaching job that went to Rich Brooks?

Trust me. Williams remembers.

“I was looking forward to coaching UK and thought I had a shot at it. Things work different sometimes and you roll with the punches,” Williams, who is in Mobile for the Senior Bowl as part of his duties with the Tampa Bay Bucs said. “They have done a good job. Coach Brooks has done a wonderful job. (Andre) Woodson played well this year and the program has moved forward. That’s all you can want. I have a job and a chance to go up from here. Everything is good for me and Kentucky.”

Williams, though, did pay particular attention to last week’s announcement that Joker Phillips, another African-American, has been named UK’s coach in waiting. He has no qualms about not having a chance to get the job when Brooks leaves because it is going to Phillips.

“The only thing anybody could have against it (with Joker Phillips) is that Joker Phillips is an African-American, a minority. I take my hat off to them for having the courage to do this. They are going the right direction and trying to make something happen positively,” Williams said. “I don’t mind not having a chance for the job or seeing someone else not get a chance because they have made a commitment to a good coach. That is progress for Kentucky.”

Race was not considered an issue in hiring Phillips, a former UK player. However, Williams thinks race still was a subtle issue. “Race wasn’t mentioned, but I am sure it was something that was thought of when they made that decision. It was good for him and them. I am for it. I don’t know Joker except for following him on TV and through the season. But I think it was a good move for Kentucky to make and one that everyone should applaud. Hopefully more schools are paying attention to what Kentucky did,” Williams said.