By Arlie Leffler
Though he had only been back with the University of Louisville for one season, Danny Hope is moving on to a better position.
On Friday afternoon, Hope was named as the successor to legendary coach Roy Kidd at Eastern Kentucky.
“First I just want to congratulate Danny, it’s a great opportunity,” said Louisville head coach John L. Smith. “We’re very proud of him and we know he’s going to do a great job at Eastern. Opportunities like this just don’t come along every day.”
At Louisville, Hope was both the offensive line coach and assistant head coach. Prior to that, he spent five years as the offensive line coach at Purdue.
However, Hope will be returning to his alma mater where he played for the 1979 Division I-AA national champion Colonels. “I know this has kind of been a life long goal of his, since he’s gotten into coaching,” said Smith, “to go back to Eastern as the head football coach.”
“I’m sure he’ll get going with them as soon as he can,” said Smith. “Hopefully he’ll be able to stick with us through the bowl game and at that time we would have a replacement just as quickly as we could after that.”
The coaching loss puts Smith back in a familiar position. Last year he was faced with replacing three coaches and there is the possibility of going through a similar situation again this year. However, Smith is prepared. “As a coach you’ve always got certain guys on your list at different positions should something open,” he said, “and then there’ll be some added to that because there’ll be interest over it. We’ll narrow it down and make a decision and get it done as quickly as we can.”
Following behind Roy Kidd will not be easy for Hope, but Smith offered some advice. “Replacing a legend is tough,” he said. “Just go in there and be yourself. Don’t try and coaching something you’re not. Be yourself and it will work for you. We know he’ll do a good job.”
