Kentucky Fires Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello

Kentucky football has parted ways with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. A UK spokesperson tells BBN Tonight the Wildcats are looking for a new play-caller after Scangarello only spent one season in Lexington.

Scangarello stepped in for Liam Coen in February. Coen led Kentucky to a 10-3 record in 2021 before taking the offensive coordinator position with the Los Angeles Rams following their Super Bowl victory. Scangarello had high expectations ahead of his first year in Lexington. Going from one NFL mind to another — one with a reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” — was a welcome sight for an offense with as many weapons as Kentucky had this season.

However, Scangarello’s offense fell well short of preseason goals, particularly in the second half of the season as Kentucky failed to score more than 30 points over its final eight games. A six-point showing against Tennessee and a 21-point effort in a loss to Vanderbilt brought on plenty of criticism — from both inside and outside the program.

In 2021 Kentucky ranked No. 8 in the red zone, scoring touchdown on 72.2% of its appearances. Despite the return of Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez, this year the Wildcats rank 103rd, turning only 53.2% of their red zone appearances into touchdowns. It’s why Kentucky scored 10 fewer points per game (22.1) than a year ago. If the Wildcats scored 25 points in every game, their only loss would be to Tennessee. Kentucky ranked 105th in scoring offense, 107th in total offense, 109th in rushing offense and 88th in passing offense.

Since head coach Mark Stoops moved on from offensive coordinator Eddie Gran following the 2020 season, Kentucky has now gone through two more offensive coordinators in as many years. Whoever calls plays for the ‘Cats in 2023 will be Stoops’ fourth OC in four years.