Trendspotters: Joker Phillips Named 'Coach of Future' at Kentucky

FSU's athletic department and Bobby Bowden apparently sparked a trend when they named Jimbo Fisher 'head coach in waiting'. Kentucky has now followed suit; at a press conference on Friday, offensive coordinator Joker Phillips was named 'head coach of the future' -- slight disparity in terminology there -- by UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart.

After Kentucky's bowl win (ironically, over FSU in the Music City Bowl) head coach Rich Brooks received a contract extension through 2011, but apparently he's not sure he'll want to coach any longer than that. From Kentucky Sports Report ($):

"As I am one of the elder statesmen in the coaching profession, I thought it important for recruits to know that there will be continuity in the program and the coaching staff," Brooks said. "Joker Phillips has earned the right as a Kentucky graduate, and having built one of the most productive offenses in school history, to have the opportunity to lead the program in the future."

Nice, but... what's puzzling to me is that Brooks is still a relatively spry 66 years young, and has the moves of a 50-year old. He's no spring chicken, sure, but he looks pretty darn healthy to me. A succession plan? Is that really necessary? Bobby Bowden will turn 79 this year and was basically pushed into naming a successor by FSU's administration. And Joe Paterno is 82, for crying out loud!