First Down Kentucky: Another High-Profile Offensive Coordinator Opening
Kentucky is not the only Power Two program looking for an offensive coordinator. Once upon a time, the BBN worried Liam Coen might leave Lexington to call the offense at Ohio State. Bill O’Brien took that option off the open market, but today there is once again a vacancy in Columbus.
According to Pete Thamel, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator is staying in New England. O’Brien will be the next Boston College head coach. The news comes three weeks after Ohio State officially announced the addition of O’Brien.
The next question for Kentucky fans is clear — how does an offensive coordinator vacancy at Ohio State impact the OC search in Lexington? One might think this could be disastrous for the Wildcats. After all, there are very few offensive coordinator openings in the calendar year, and Ohio State is clearly a more attractive destination. Allow me to talk you off the ledge.
Ryan Day is prioritizing an NFL assistant to become his play-caller. The tight-lipped search in Lexington has revealed absolutely nothing about what Mark Stoops wants from his next offensive coordinator, but after doing the Liam Coen song-and-dance for three seasons, returning to the NFL well is unlikely for Kentucky.
O’Brien’s move may carry no bearing whatsoever on what’s happening in Kentucky. One thing is certain: in order to keep Day from sniffing around Lexington, you probably won’t hear a name linked to the Wildcats until a deal is in place. Until then, the waiting game continues.
UPDATE: Ohio State has their Guy
Chip Kelly was looking for an out. The NFL did not work, but he found a way to get away from UCLA before their move to the Big Ten by becoming a Big Ten offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
No Promotion for Former Kentucky Assistant
Speaking of the Big Ten, Michigan found a new defensive coordinator. Jesse Minter followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL and many believed Steve Clinkscale would be promoted to defensive play-caller. The former Kentucky assistant tried to follow Harbaugh to L.A., but the money wasn’t right. Clink tried to get a promotion, but Sherrone Moore passed on him to hire Wink Martindale from the NFL. It leaves Coach Clink in a bit of an awkward spot, stuck in limbo in the same job he held under the previous regime.
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WR Recruit Recaps Kentucky Visit
Ja’Kayden Ferguson was in Lexington last week for his first unofficial visit to Kentucky. The Texas native was at Rupp Arena to watch the Wildcats take on Florida. Recruited by Daikiel Shorts, UK’s new wide receivers coach has made an impression on the high three-star talent.
“I was excited to see him … I hadn’t seen him in a minute,” Ferguson told On3’s Sam Spiegelman. “My relationship with Coach Shorts goes back to his time at the University of Houston, we were there a lot when he was there, and now he’s at Kentucky and in the SEC,” Ferguson said. “And I want to play ball in the SEC.”
Will Levis Predicts the Future
During his busy week in Las Vegas, Will Levis is spending time at the tables. He joined a celebrity poker game and did something I had never seen before. The former Kentucky quarterback accurately predicted the flop. The odds of currently picking the flop are 1-22,000. Incredible.
Moe Douglass to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame
Moe Douglass is the latest former Wildcat to be inducted into the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. Douglass, a defensive back under Jerry Claiborne, was selected in the NFL Draft a year after the Bears won the Super Bowl in ’85. He spent nine of his 11 seasons in Chicago, amassing 274 tackles, six picks, a touchdown, and two forced fumbles. Currently a high school coach in Springfield, OH, he’s sent a couple players to UK, including sophomore wide receiver Anthony Brown-Stephens.
Flex Friday
Brian Robinson has been posting workout videos for years. He hasn’t stopped now that he’s officially a Kentucky Wildcat. Here’s one thing you may notice about these clips: None of them are from the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. That means you’re only seeing snapshots of his second workout of the day from what looks like the Johnson Center. The grind never stops for B-Rob.
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