First Down Kentucky: SEC Coaching Carousel Turns the Tide

The head coaches steal all of the coaching carousel headlines, but you gotta look a little deeper to see the moves that define programs. We’ve highlighted the chaos happening on the Auburn coaching staff. The transition at Alabama has caused a shake-up around the SEC, letting the rich get richer and bringing a young star into the league.

If you don’t know the name Travaris Robinson, you might know him simply as ‘T-Rob.’ The former Auburn defensive back is one of the best recruiters in the SEC. While climbing the coaching ladder he’s made stops at a handful of SEC schools, most recently coaching the Alabama cornerbacks. That all changed after Nick Saban announced his retirement.

Kirby Smart quickly picked up the phone and gave T-Rob a call, promising the top-notch recruiter a spot on his staff with the title ‘co-defensive coordinator’ alongside Glenn Schumann. Just what Kirby needed, another dude that recruits five-stars with his hair on fire.

Kalen DeBoer didn’t go down without a fight. The new Alabama head coach interviewed T-Rob for his vacant defensive coordinator position, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to make the big move. Instead, he phoned in his old friend, Kane Wommack.

Wommack and DeBoer were on the same Tom Allen coaching staff at Indiana that helped Michael Penix and Co. go 6-1 during the Covid-plagued 2020 season. Wommack parlayed that into a head coaching position at South Alabama, where he was a rivalry win away from winning the Sun Belt in 2022 (Jon Sumrall and Troy had other plans).

It’s odd to see a couple of former Indiana coaches succeeding Nick Saban at Alabama. Nevertheless, Wommack could become the next coveted head coach for SEC programs (perhaps Kentucky?) if he can succeed alongside his old friend in Tuscaloosa.

Jon Sumrall Picks Up Transfer Portal Wins

Speaking of former Sun Belt head coaches, Jon Sumrall’s work in the transfer portal produced significant results for Tulane over the weekend. The Green Wave added a pair of former top 100 recruits, wide receivers Mario Williams (USC) and Shazz Preston (Alabama). The former has significant production on his resume from three years with Lincoln Riley, including one at Oklahoma, tallying 104 receptions for 1,316 and 11 touchdowns.

This week Sumrall also received a commitment from a local product. Former Louisville Doss wide receiver Terez Traynor is transferring to Tulane from Idaho. The 6-foot-3 pass-catcher started his career at Western Kentucky.

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An Interesting Kentucky Football Stat

There’s a stat frequently used by the UK Sports Information Department depicting the Kentucky turnaround under Mark Stoops. Two games into the 2016 season his record was 12-26. He has since gone 61-39. Not too shabby. This stat compiled by Blake Edwards illustrates where the Wildcats rank among their SEC peers in wins over Top 25 opponents since 2017. Aside from teams who made title runs during that time, Kentucky has the most.

1. Alabama – 32
2. Georgia – 32
3. LSU – 20
4. Kentucky – 12
5. Auburn – 11
6. Miss St – 10
7. Texas A&M – 10
8. Florida – 9
9. Tennessee – 9
10. Ole Miss – 8
11. Arkansas – 6
12. Missouri – 6
13. South Carolina – 5
14. Vanderbilt – 3

An Early Look at the Kentucky Offensive Depth Chart

Barring some radical change to the coaching staff, the offensive depth chart is looking solid in 2024. There is star-power at multiple positions, creating a high ceiling for this group if the quarterback hits. Most importantly, you’ll see quality options two-deep at almost every position, a rarity in recent years for the Wildcats.

Adam Luckett has a full rundown of the Kentucky offensive depth chart on KSR+. Not a member? Join the KSR Club today to receive access to bonus content, including KSBoard, KSR’s message board.

11 Personnel Going UP on a Tuesday

The basketball schedule has rearranged the podcasting lineup this week. That is why tonight at 8 pm EST you’ll hear Mr. Luckett and I talk about Liam Coen, the addition of Gerald Mincey and much more on the KSR YouTube Channel. Let’s go up on a Tuesday and get hyped like we’re going out for a $2 Two Keys Tuesday.