Kentucky hired Fran Curci away from Miami after Ray was let go.
The 1976 Wildcats tallied their first winning season in 13 years and won the Peach Bowl, finishing No.
18 in the final AP poll.
For all intents and purposes, however, Curci's tenure ended soon afterward, when the NCAA slapped the Wildcats with two years' probation for numerous recruiting and amateurism violations.
 They were banned from postseason play and live television in 1977.
 The most damaging sanction in the long term, however, was being limited to only 25 scholarships in 1977 and 1978.

The 1977 Kentucky team went 10–1, went undefeated in SEC play, won a share of the SEC title and finished the season ranked No.
6 in the AP poll.
Due to the sanctions, however, the Wildcats were not able to go to a bowl.
Kentucky finished at No.
6 and Penn State at No.
5 despite the fact that Kentucky defeated Penn State at Penn State during the regular season.
Curci was unable to put together another winning team as a result of the reduced scholarships, and was fired after the 1981 season.
Kentucky hired Fran Curci away from Miami after Ray was let go. The 1976 Wildcats tallied their first winning season in 13 years and won the Peach Bowl, finishing No. 18 in the final AP poll. For all intents and purposes, however, Curci's tenure ended soon afterward, when the NCAA slapped the Wildcats with two years' probation for numerous recruiting and amateurism violations.  They were banned from postseason play and live television in 1977.  The most damaging sanction in the long term, however, was being limited to only 25 scholarships in 1977 and 1978.
The 1977 Kentucky team went 10–1, went undefeated in SEC play, won a share of the SEC title and finished the season ranked No. 6 in the AP poll. Due to the sanctions, however, the Wildcats were not able to go to a bowl. Kentucky finished at No. 6 and Penn State at No. 5 despite the fact that Kentucky defeated Penn State at Penn State during the regular season. Curci was unable to put together another winning team as a result of the reduced scholarships, and was fired after the 1981 season.
Kentucky Wildcats football