Kentucky officially announces new offensive line coach

Kentucky officially announced the hire of San Francisco 49ers assistant offensive line coach Zach Yenser as the new offensive line coach, according to a press release. Yenser – a Fort Mitchell, Kentucky native – recently completed his third season with the 49ers and is now set to make the move to Lexington, as first reported by KSR nearly two weeks ago.

Prior to Yenser’s time in San Francisco, he spent the 2015-17 seasons as the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Kansas. Yenser was also the offensive line coach at Cal from 2013-14 and worked in various roles at Louisiana Tech from 2010-12.

Yenser is set to replace Eric Wolford, who recently left Kentucky to become Alabama’s offensive line coach under head coach Nick Saban. Reports suggest that move caused some controversy in Lexington, burning bridges with some in the program.

Matt Jones of On3’s Kentucky Sports Radio explained that the offensive line coach caused some “frustration” inside of the Wildcats program.

Wofford switched sides fairly quickly and tried to bring at least one recruit along with him, according to the report. With a replacement now in place, Kentucky can refocus its offensive line and move toward the 2022 season.

Statements on Zach Yenser

Within the press release announcing the hire, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops also provided his thoughts on Zach Yenser and his past coaching experience.

“Zach is an incredible hire,” Stoops said. “He checks all of the boxes and is the total package. He grew up in Kentucky, he’s connected to John Schlarman, he has great relationships with people and is well-thought of in recruiting. He has college coaching experience and has spent the last three years in the NFL with the 49ers, an organization I greatly respect. This is a high-caliber hire and I couldn’t be more excited to have him coaching our offensive line.”

Yenser also provided a brief statement thanking Stoops for considering him in the process and made his introduction to Kentucky fans a memorable one.

“My family and I would like to thank Coach Stoops and the University of Kentucky for this opportunity – an opportunity I don’t take lightly,” Yenser said. “This job just means more. As a Kentucky native and someone who worked for Coach Schlarman, it is a privilege to continue his legacy, success and the building of the Big Blue Wall.”

As he looks to build the “Big Blue Wall,” he also brings a wealth of experience to one of college football’s best groups over recent years.