Reaction to Brooks’ retirement

It might get lost a little bit in all the Urban Meyer shuffle, but there has already been plenty of reaction to Rich Brooks’ announcement that he will likely retire now that the season is done. Here’s a quick roundup of what some people outside the normal UK media contingent (which I’m sure you’ve already read) are saying.

ESPN’s Chris Low, the SEC blogger, says he’ll miss Brooks for his class and his honesty.

Joe Biddle of The (Nashville) Tennessean says walking out with his head up after a bowl game is a fitting end for Brooks.

Pat Forde, ESPN.com columnist, tweeted his thoughts on it earlier.

“If this is it for Rich Brooks at UK — and many of us suspected it would be — he’s done a fantastic job breathing life into that program. I was an early critic, and I had a lot of company. He proved us all wrong. Did great, understated work in Lexington.”

Mark Schlabach, another ESPNer from the college football universe, also sent a tweet out.

“Hate to see Rich Brooks go, if that’s what happens. One of the more underrappreciated coaches out there. Great job at UK.”

And here’s something from the blogosphere. Dr. Saturday recaps the job Brooks did in turning a program around from perhaps its lowest point, taking it to maybe the high mark in the program’s history.

Also, check out the Kernel’s timeline of the Rich Brooks era.

Be sure to check the Kernel’s videos below for player reactions to the announcement and the word from Brooks himself. I’ll update this with more reaction as it comes in.