Vince Marrow addresses future at Kentucky as UNC, Bill Belichick rumors swirl

Beloved Kentucky assistant Vince Marrow cleared the air about his status amid rampant reports new North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick was interested in his services.

Fear not, Big Blue Nation, the Wildcats’ recruiting ace is staying in Lexington.

“For me, I’m here,” Marrow told Louisville-based TV reporter Sarandon Raboin of WHAS 11 on Tuesday. “I can’t control what other people say they want. But really, for me, I’m here.”

Raboin also reported Marrow reaffirmed his plans to return to Kentucky in conversations with several members of Big Blue Nation at the same event.

I spoke with Vince Marrow today, about the UNC rumors

“For me, I’m here….I can’t control what other people say they want. But really for me, I’m here”

He also told multiple UK fans at the event I was at, they can expect him back for next season.

— Sarandon Raboin (@sarandon_raboin) December 17, 2024

Belichick reportedly offered the Wildcats’ associated head coach and tight ends coach to join his budding staff in Chapel Hill, according to FootballScoop.

According to his contract, Marrow’s buyout would be $400,000 ($200K for each year left in his contract) if he were to join Belichick’s inaugural staff. Marrow signed an extension through the 2026 season earlier this Fall.

Marrow is one of the highest-paid non-coordinator assistant coaches in the country and one of the highest-paid tight ends coaches around. He currently earns $1.3 million annually on his amended deal.

Marrow remains highly sought-after coaching candidate

Many teams have tried to lure Marrow away from Lexington over the years. Most recently, it was rumored that in-state rival Louisville was pursuing him for a job across the state. That ended up not happening but was the latest in a long line of suitors who looked for his services on their coaching staff.

If Marrow has indeed turned down Belichick’s advances, it’s a massive boost to Mark Stoops amid what could be a difficult offseason, and arguably a bigger get than any of the Wildcats’ signings out of the NCAA transfer portal.

However, with Kentucky coming off its worst season in a decade under Stoops and missing a bowl game for the first time in eight years, losing someone with the recruiting capabilities of Marrow would only intensify the dark shadow that’s already cast over the football program in Lexington.

Still, it’s clear why Marrow is a highly sought-after assistant. Given his longtime recruiting success in the SEC, Marrow would to be exactly what Belichick needs for in first-ever North Carolina staff.

Barkley Truax contributed to this report.