No more Brooks may spur tailback to leave
Starting running back Rafael Little would consider a transfer
Chris Johnson
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: Sports
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Following Saturday's 49-28 loss to No. 5 Florida, Little said repeatedly the current coaching staff was the reason he was at UK.
"I'd do anything to keep these coaches here," Little said. "I need them as much as they need me."
Little has been the focus of UK's offense and return teams this season, currently first in the Southeastern Conference and 14th in the nation with all-purpose yards per game with 160.2.
Little has 63 carries for 368 yards and two touchdowns for the Wildcats this season.
Little said that although his decision to transfer would only be made if Brooks wasn't at UK, and perhaps not even then, that he had been thinking about it during the season.
He gave credit for his college life to UK's coaches.
"Without them, there is no me," he said. "They taught me everything I know."
After yesterday's practice, Little added, "They taught me all the stuff to do in college. I know I can trust them."
Little was highly recruited coming out of T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C. He was named to Rivals.com's national list of top-10 all-purpose backs. He chose UK over Nebraska, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Clemson.
Offensive coordinator Joker Phillips had the biggest impact on UK winning the Little sweepstakes. Phillips, who was Brooks' recruiting coordinator until this season, recalled the process surrounding the high-profile recruit's voyage to Kentucky, yesterday.
"We offered him (a scholarship) early, before anyone else did," Phillips said. "Then we waited him out ... he committed early, but then continued to look around, like all kids do."
Phillips said Little waited until national signing day to commit.
"Coach Brooks had already left for the news conference when I got the fax," Phillips said. "I had to rush over there and give him the thumbs-up ... we thought (Little would choose) Clemson. We were sweating it out until the last day."
Little said he came to Lexington because he liked the idea of helping start a successful program.
"I came because I knew they needed help," Little said. "It's what I like to do."
Little said re-thinking his college commitment would come at a high cost.
"I've got to see how everything goes," Little said, on the possibility of a new coaching staff. "I've got to see how (the new coaches) treat me."
He said he and all of the current coaches have the kind of relationship off the field that he wants.
"We're so close," Little said. "The defensive and offensive coaches. We like each other as people."
Brooks echoed that sentiment.
"He's just an outstanding individual," Brooks said. "He's committed to doing everything right, including off the field."
He played in nine games for UK last year, started three and gained 265 yards on 53 carries while the Cats went 2-9.
"I can't just say I'll leave (if Brooks leaves)," Little said, "but it's hard, man."
E-mail cjohnson@kykernel.com