Vince Marrow makes first public comments on leaving Kentucky to join Louisville

Vince Marrow was reported earlier in the week to be making the in-state move from Kentucky to Louisville. That is now official with Marrow formally joining the Cardinals on the other side of the rivalry.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Marrow’s move to Louisville on Monday. Now, on Thursday, Thamel got to share the news of his official signing on a three-year contract to be in a front office-type role with the program under Jeff Brohm – with the Cards having since announced his hiring as well in a press release.

“Vince Marrow’s move from Kentucky to Louisville is official, as he’s signed a three-year deal,” Thamel tweeted this morning. “His formal title at Louisville will be Executive Director of Player Personnel and Recruiting.”

With that, Marrow also provided a statement regarding his decision. He shared his appreciation for the state, built off of his dozen years working for Kentucky, and his excitement to now work for the other top program in it, with Louisville.

“I am incredibly excited to work with Jeff Brohm and the University of Louisville football program! Jeff and I have known each other for over 25 years, I have always admired and respected him and the Brohm family,” Marrow said. “I also love the state of Kentucky, this has become my home. The opportunity to take on this new and exciting role, in the state where I have so many incredible relationships, was something that I couldn’t pass up.”

“I also want to thank the University of Kentucky, Mark Stoops, the administration and the fans. I have made lifelong friendships during my time at UK, and I have every desire to keep those relationships. That is one of the reasons I wanted to stay in this state,” Marrow said. “My hope is that I left the Kentucky football program in a better position than when we started, I will always be grateful for my time there.”

Marrow had been an integral part of the staff and success over the past 12 years at Kentucky. His impact on the program went far beyond his title as tight ends coach, more so being known for his work as their recruiting coordinator, pro liaison, and eventually the associate head coach for the Wildcats under Stoops. That makes his departure, especially at this point of the offseason, with no apparent notice, and to their rival no less, that much more of a disaster for UK, with it going over about as you’d expect in Lexington.

Marrow will now work in a similar job for Louisville. His reported role will be one where he’ll “oversee roster management, recruiting and the NCAA Transfer Portal” for the Cardinals. That would only further stick it to their rival as well, with that being in a front office rather than as a staff member on the field, likely allowing them to sign him away without paying his buyout.

Marrow has had a huge effect on football in the bluegrass, working for Kentucky. That will now be felt an hour and a half west instead with his goal to be to help Louisville compete for and win a national title.

“Ultimately, my goal at the University of Louisville is to win a national championship,” Marrow wrote. “I am very confident that we can accomplish that goal and I can’t wait to get started!”