LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - UK coach Joker Phillips reacted to his firing for the first time Tuesday afternoon after his team wrapped up practice att the Nutter Center. Phillips will coach the Wildcats for the final two games of the season, Senior Night against Samford, November 17th and November 26th at Tennessee.

Phillips said when he walked into Commonwealth Stadium Saturday he knew what was ahead. In his first season as head coach in 2010, Phillips said he tried to take things in a different direction by building relationships. Going into this season he believed his team could show improvement, then make a breakthrough in 2013. Joker said his team did improve offensively in the first three games, but Kentucky's season has spiraled downhill with eight straight losses.

Phillips played at UK from 1981 to 1984 under Fran Curci and Jerry Claiborne. He later served as an assistant coach and a coordinator. He said he will continue to buy season tickets, but not as many. As for being a coach somewhere next season, Joker said he didn't have a clue. He said it was time to take a step back.