Chad Johnson responds to call from fan to be Kentucky wide receiver coach

As of Wednesday, Kentucky was in the market for a new wide receivers coach after the program fired Scott Woodward. Now, a few days later, an unlikely name has popped up in their search – Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson?

Johnson responded to a tweet that asked a question about him potentially filling the role on the Wildcats’ staff on Thursday. In a hypothetical effort to end up on the staff for the Cincinnati Bengals, Ochocinco expressed a joking interest in potentially starting his coaching career in Lexington.

You think i can start at UK & work my way up the ladder in hopes of being a coach for the Bengals or even intern❔ https://t.co/LTZrv00AE9

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) November 30, 2023

To be clear, there isn’t any actual traction to this thought. However, it’s one where there’s at least a connection as Johnson’s daughter, Cha’iel Johnson, runs track and field for Kentucky.

Johnson played in the NFL for 11 seasons with all but one of them being for the Bengals from 2001 to 2010. In over a decade as a pro, he caught 766 passes for over 11,000 yards and 67 touchdowns. He finished as a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro while making one appearance in the Super Bowl.

Since then, Johnson has taken on several other pursuits with his career having been over for over a decade now.

Woodward had been with the Wildcats for the last three seasons. It was a successful stretch as he coached names such as Wan’Dale Robinson, Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Tay’Vion Robinson. Even so, the production from the unit this fall was not close to the expectation and, as such, the program made the decision to move on from him.

Mark Stoops and Liam Coen will need a quality name to coach whoever remains within their talented receiving corps. With that being the case and the connection to the school anyways, why not take a swing on one of the National Football League’s all-time leading receivers?

Kentucky TE Izayah Cummings plans to enter the transfer portal

Kentucky TE Izayah Cummings announced his plans to enter the transfer portal in a social media post Wednesday.

Izayah Cummings posts on Instagram he is entering the portal as a grad transfer pic.twitter.com/h1kJxgLZYD

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) November 29, 2023

Cummings played four seasons at Kentucky, serving in a limited role.

Cummings tallied a career-high 14 receptions and 195 yards in his junior campaign. Cummings was not as effective in 2023, failing to record a catch until Week 12 against South Carolina.

Cummings played high school football at Louisville Male where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 681 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.