Kragthorpe's Last Stand? 2009 Louisville Football Preview

This is where I think the borderline stands. If Krags ends up 4-8, as I mentioned earlier, he will have won two games he was not supposed to win. Those wins, coupled with several close losses against teams they were supposed to lose to, I think a reasonable person can take that as progress and make a case for him returning. However, a case for retaining Krags at four wins can be made only if Louisville has a good recruiting class for 2010.

Currently, coach Kragthorpe has received five commitments for the class of 2010. This is a big deal because the Louisville program has never had this many football commitments this early. In previous years, the staffs at Louisville have taken the philosophy of closing late which resulted in securing commitments later in the process.

This year, perhaps because he knows he needs to score a good recruiting class to bolster his job status, Krags has gone out and closed on kids early. As a Louisville fan, it is exciting because it appears kids are buying into the message coach Kragthorpe and his staff are selling. While nailing down a good 2010 recruiting class is important, it becomes much bigger if Kragthorpe can land Tim Patterson and Stephan Robinson, two highly touted players from Louisville Central.

Patterson, a linebacker and No. 1 football recruit in Kentucky, is a Louisville fan. Kragthorpe needs to get him. Landing him can only help in landing his teammate, receiver Stephan Robinson, who is also heavily interested in Louisville. Securing commitments from these two will be huge for Krags when the time comes to determine whether or not he's the guy for the job at Louisville. Therefore, four wins with several close losses and a good recruiting class, HE STAYS.

Five Wins or More—This one is easy. Louisville won five games last season with a more experienced and talented group. If Krags pulls out five wins or more in 2009, that alone signifies progress and therefore, HE STAYS.

While Louisville does have a potential college football superstar in running back Victor Anderson, a quarterback battle that will not conclude until late in fall practice, and question marks on both the offensive and defensive lines, the main issue for this team is who the head coach will be going forward. 2009 will be a pivotal year for the Louisville football program.

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