Leader. Ever met one before? They can be exhaustingly difficult people to deal with. They usually don't get along well with others, they can be gruff and succinct, and they are always pushing people to become more than what they now are, usually simply for their own success. Some consider those traits annoying, some consider them to be invaluable. They have to know when to step on the gas, and when to let off. When to pat on the back, and when to slam to the ground. They must maintain control and generate an aura of confidence in themselves and those around them.

Now, some of us believe that Joker Phillips has lost that aura. Some of us believe that he never had it. Some of us believe that he is simply the victim of circumstance. But however you want to look at it as of right now, it escapes him. He cannot seem to find the right place in the dam to shove his finger. When he works to correct one problem, another rears it's ugly head. And Saturday night, a combination of inexperience, bad judgement, and coaching mistakes marred what should have been UK's second win of the season. Losing to Western Kentucky, a perennial SEC doormat opponent has brought the sleeping giant out of his slumber. The 5000lb pink elephant is back in the room, and it is sitting in Joker's lap at every opportunity.

How can Joker recover from this? I am not sure that he can. But if there is going to be a possibility of that happening, it must come from him. He has to show the world, and the UK fans and supporters that he has the tools to do this job. He may have to make a bold move to shake things up and try to create some competitive fire amongst the coaches and players, or he may simply have to don a military uniform and stand in front of a huge UK flag and find some sort of a speech to rally the troops to his cause. But rest assured, he must do something. Confidence is at a low for Kentucky right now. A low with the players, a low with the fans. Players vital to UK's success are doing stupid things when they should be concentrating on school and football (I am talking to you Raymond Sanders), and a group of players that showed enormous potential over the summer have basically rolled over and played dead 2 out of the last three weeks. Leaders don't let that happen without repercussions.

I make no call here for anyone's head, or their job. I am simply calling you out Coach Phillips. Inspire me. Make me want to see success for you again. Make me want to tear down Field Goal Posts in your honor. Reinstate my confidence in you, your staff, your players, and your program, because I want to believe in you. I want to see one of our own do well. I want to see one of the truly decent guys in this world make a difference and become a shining example for all those people out there who do things the wrong way and prosper. Because I don't want to see anyone go out and hire a mercenary. I don't want some guy who secretly draws pentagrams on his office floor and lights candles around them to conjure up wins. I want my football coach to be a guy I admire and respect and have them still be successful. Wandering in the desert looking for water for a cause is a fine gesture. Doing it because there is no plan, and no map to get yourself out, is suicide.

Become my leader again Coach. Reinvent yourself into a success. Do it for the team.