Eric Wolford Starting with "Clean Slate," Bringing Physicality Back to the Offensive Line

Eric Wolford is getting a clean slate during his second stint at Kentucky, and he’s giving his players just that too. The offensive line coach left the program on bad terms in 2021, making the announcement of his return in January a total surprise for the Big Blue Nation.

Speaking for the first time publicly since Mark Stoops announced Wolford’s return, the coaching journeyman said there are no hard feelings, using a line from his boss to describe how they resolved the conflict.

“We had a good ol’ Youngstown meeting when the time was appropriate before I came back and we resolved things,” said Wolford. “We’re in a good place and I appreciate Coach Stoops giving me the opportunity.”

After burying the hatchet with the Kentucky head coach, he received a friendly welcome back from players and others around the program as he attempts to reinject physicality into the Big Blue Wall.

“LeeAnne Schlarman was one of the first people to reach out to me. Her and my wife and myself are close. We wanna get back to playing the way the Big Blue Wall is intended to play.”

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Physicality a Primary Point of Emphasis in Spring Practice

Before the 2023 season even ended, Mark Stoops called on his team to play more physical football in the trenches. He believes Eric Wolford is the man for the job. It was made a clear point of emphasis as soon as Wolford stepped foot on campus.

“You have to obviously address it, first and foremost. There’s no hiding the fact that if you want to win games up front, you have to be physical. You have to practice physical, you have to do fundamental drills physical, you have to make them aware of what’s expected — what good looks like and what doesn’t,” said Wolford.

“I had to pull out some 49ers film from when I was back with the 49ers. All of these guys want to play pro football, so I had to show them examples of what practice looks like, even when you don’t have shoulder pads on. This day and age, young people, if you think you’re just going to give them lip service and get their attention, you need to show them visually an example of what it’s supposed to look like and I think that helps with the learning process.”

The physicality isn’t just evident in practice. Jager Burton says the Kentucky offensive line has changed the way they lift to be able to drive opponents down the field.

“Coach Stoops came in and talked to us about that being the emphasis this spring, with the weight room. The lifts are a little bit different than they’ve been in the past to get us back to not only being on our assignment but moving guys 5, 10 yards down the field, because at the end of the day, that’s what you need to be able to do to win big football games. The way we lift has changed, the way we practice has changed, the individual drills have changed, all to put an emphasis on that.”

Wolford Starting with a Clean Slate

Jager Burton is one of only three players who were coached by Eric Wolford in 2021. The top 150 talent arrived at Kentucky with high expectations but has been inconsistent as a starter. Wolford isn’t holding that against him.

“One thing I did when I came in here, I told these guys I’m not watching last year’s film. Everyone has a clean slate. When you go somewhere or there’s a new start, a new beginning, you would ask for a clean slate. It’s no different,” said Wolford.

Wolford has developed a reputation as a no-nonsense coach who is tough on his players. That’s not changing. He was hard on Burton as a freshman and the Kentucky offensive line coach will continue to push him this offseason.

“He’s got a clean slate with me. Last time I was here, Jager was a freshman and I used to wear him out. He’ll be the first to tell you that, but it’s because I care and I think he can be really good. He has tremendously improved from the four days I had him, from the last time I was here. That’s to be expected. Now I think there’s things he needs to improve on and we’re going to get him there.

“Failure is not an option. My job as a coach is I work for you, I work for you as a player. Meet me halfway. Meet me halfway and we’re going to have an opportunity to have success.”

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