Mark Stoops reveals change to offense, addresses late coordinator change

Kentucky‘s annual spring game provided Big Blue Nation with an early look at what new offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello is putting together in Lexington for the 2022 season. Head coach Mark Stoops was pleased to see his offense shine so early in the preseason.

“When it’s all said and done we’ll we’re very excited about where we’re going,” Stoops said. “You know, we were relatively basic today, but there’s quite a bit of carryover that you could see some nuances. You probably aren’t used to seeing a fullback back there sometimes, so you know, that was a little different, but really you’re just moving the the tight end around.”

Kentucky’s offense, based around 12 personnel (two tight ends, one running back), is fueled by pre-snap movement, creating different looks in the hopes of catching the opposition off guard. That pro-style offense that former offensive coordinator Liam Coen implemented in Lexington is staying around with Scangarello, who has even more NFL experience than Coen.

“They speak the same language,” Stoops said of Coen and Scangarello. “There’s some differences but it’ll be easy carry-over. The big thing is — we do that all the time anyway. It’s the same way defensively. You keep the same system, but there’s new wrinkles, new twists. It’ll be the same with the offense, very pleased. I think it’ll be a seamless transition.”

Scangarello has been coaching since the late 90’s and has held positions throughout the NFL since 2015 with the Falcons, 49ers, Eagles and Broncos. He served as Denver’s offensive coordinator in 2019 before being let go after just one season. Most recently, Scangarello served as the San Francisco 49er’s quarterback coach in 2021.

Almost a month after the 49ers’ season ended, Scangarello signed with Kentucky in early March following the departure of former offensive coordinator Liam Coen back to the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams. Coen brought in star transfers like Will Levis and Wan’Dale Robinson and broke a variety of single season school records and led Kentucky to a 10-3 season and a Citrus Bowl victory.

Kentucky was looking for continuity in its next offensive coordinator and from early looks, that looks to be what Stoops paid for. By plucking Kyle Shanahan’s quarterbacks coach from San Francisco, the Wildcats should be able to build on the success Coen created in 2021 without any significant setbacks.