Hot Board: Potential Kentucky running backs coach candidates

We are expecting a very busy offseason with the Kentucky football program. Most of that will be tied to roster construction, but it’s clear that multiple changes on the coaching staff will be made by Mark Stoops as he enters year 11 in Lexington.

The first was made on Monday.

After two years, running backs coach and special teams coordinator John Settle was relieved of his duties. Under his watch, Settle was on the sidelines as Chris Rodriguez Jr. rushed for 2,282 yards and 16 touchdowns, but there seemed to be a lack of development with the rest of the position room and zero recruiting success to speak of. Add in an awful year by the kicking game when Settle owns the special teams coordinator title, and there were plenty of reasons to make a move.

Kentucky has had just three coaches in the running back room during the Stoops era, but there will be a fourth on campus fairly soon. The next hire could also be someone with a special teams background. However, the Wildcats must make some big recruiting upgrades to the staff. This hire could go a long way in that regard.

Let’s take a look at some potential names that could emerge in this search.

Cadillac Williams (Auburn interim head coach)

• 40 years old
• Four years in SEC under Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin
• Went 2-2 as interim head coach for Auburn

Cadillac Williams played at Auburn from 2001-04 and rushed for over 1,000 yards as a junior and senior. Williams was a member of the 2004 Auburn squad that finished the year undefeated. After being a top-five pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the tailback would spend seven years in the NFL.

After stops at Henderson State (2015), West Georgia (2016), IMG Academy (2017), and Birmingham Iron (2018), Gus Malzahn brought the Auburn alum home to coach running backs on the Plains in 2019. Williams spent the next four years at his alma mater and just finished an outstanding run as Auburn’s interim coach. During his time at Auburn, Williams was the lead recruiter for top-50 tailback Tank Bigsby.

It is unsure if Williams will be retained by new Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze. But it is important to point out that Eddie Gran was Williams’ position coach at Auburn and is currently serving Stoops in a Special Assistant to the Head Coach role. That connection could be big.

SEC experience, recruiting chops, established success, and staff familiarity. This makes a lot of sense if Williams moves away from Auburn.

Gino Guidugli (Cincinnati offensive coordinator)

• 38 years old
• Coached running backs at Central Michigan (2013-16) and Cincinnati (2017)
• Has coached quarterbacks since 2018
• In his first season calling plays
• Northern Kentucky native

Ft. Thomas (Ky.) Highlands product Gino Gudugli followed Kentucky legend Jared Lorenzen in high school and had a very productive career at Cincinnati. Gudugli returned to his alma mater in 2017 to work for Luke Fickell. Was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022 after Mike Denbrock left for LSU.

Gudugli could very well be a candidate for the Cincinnati head coach opening, but might not have a spot available at Wisconsin if Fickell decides to go in a different direction. The in-state native has had some solid recruiting results at UC and has experience working with running backs.

Darrell Dickey (Texas A&M offensive coordinator)

• 62 years old
• Coached running backs at Mississippi State (1990), Memphis (1987, 2012-17), New Mexico (2009-10), and Texas State (2011)
• Head coach at North Texas (1998-06)
• Has held offensive coordinator title at Memphis (1988-89, 2012-17), UTEP (1994-96), SMU (1997), Utah State (2007-08), New Mexico (2009-10), Texas State (2011), and Texas A&M (2018-21)
• Recorded multiple chip-recruiting wins for A&M

Darrell Dickey was Jimbo Fisher’s No. 2 at Texas A&M as the head coach called the plays in College Station. However, some changes are needed after a 5-7 campaign, and Dickey was relieved of his duties on Monday.

Stoops, of course, has a previous working relationship with Fisher, and Dickey brings a wealth of experience with some proven recruiting results if Kentucky is looking to add another big-picture mind to the offensive staff room.

Greg Knox (Buffalo running backs, assistant special teams)

• 59 years old
• Extensive SEC experience at Ole Miss (1995-98), Auburn (1999-08), Mississippi State (2009-2017), Florida (2018-21)
• Served as interim head coach at Mississippi State in 2017 and Florida in 2021
• Special teams coordinator at Mississippi State and Florida

Long-time Dan Mullen assistant Greg Knox spent this season in the MAC after spending every year in the SEC from 1995-21. There are many things on Knox’s profile that could be attractive to Kentucky.

The Texas native worked with Eddie Gran at both Ole Miss and Auburn under Tommy Tuberville. Knox led special teams units at both Mississippi State and Florida. When the Mullen staff moved from Starkville to Gainesville, they flipped commit Evan McPherson who is now staring at placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals in addition to having some very strong punting units.

This would be a hire that can check a lot of boxes.