Kentucky officially announced Daikiel Shorts as Wildcats new receivers coach

Kentucky football just added a fresh face. On Tuesday, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops announced Daikiel Shorts Jr. will be the program’s new wide receivers coach.

“Daikiel Shorts is a young and talented coach who is a great addition to our program,” Stoops said. “I’ve been impressed by him. He’s got a lot of energy, he’s personable and he’s relatable. The most important thing is that he will be a great mentor to our players. We are excited to get him here.”

Shorts spent three seasons (2021-23) as the wide receivers coach under Dana Holgorsen at Houston. He also spent two years as the Director of Player Development (2019-20) for the Cougars.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the Big Blue Nation,” Shorts said. “The opportunity to work under Mark Stoops and Liam Coen is very exciting and it’s an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I’ve watched over the years what they have been able to accomplish at Kentucky and in the Southeastern Conference and I want to help continue that success.

“Coach Coen is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game and I’m very eager to learn under him. I’m already so impressed with the young men in the wide receivers room and I’m ready to bring my energy and passion to this place. I can’t wait.”

Daikiel Shorts history of success

Shorts brings an impressive resumé to the Bluegrass. The 29-year-old coach boosted Houston to average 241.5 passing yards per game this season. In comparison, Kentucky only averaged 203.8 passing yards per contest.

Shorts’ players benefitted on an individual level, as well. Wide receiver Tank Dell particularly exceeded under Shorts’ tutelage. In two seasons under Shorts (2021-22), Dell combined to pace the country in receiving yards (2,727), receiving scores (29) and receptions (199).

The Houston Texans selected the standout in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft.  In 11 games with the team, he has caught 47 passes for 709 yards and a Texans’ rookie-record seven touchdown catches.

He isn’t the only breathing example of Shorts’ excellence. Matthew Golden set Houston’s true freshman record in 2022 with seven receiving touchdowns. He finished tied for first nationally among true freshmen with four receiving scores of 20-plus yards and second among true freshmen in total receiving scores.

Shorts understands the game on an intimate level. Before putting on a headset, Short tore up defenses in a helmet. He was a standout receiver at West Virginia from 2013-16. The four-year letter winner led the Mountaineers in receiving in three of his four years.

As a senior team caption in 2016, he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors and the Iron Mountaineer Award after totaling a team-high 63 receptions for 894 yards and five touchdowns. Now, Shorts is excited to share his talents with Kentucky.