Kentucky, Matt House reunion could be possible if Brad White departs

Temple is the only remaining open head coaching job, but that does not mean that the coaching carousel is over. We are now seeing the trickle-down effect as assistant coaching moves are beginning to shake out.

On Monday night, Football Scoop reported that Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White is a serious candidate to take the same job for new LSU head coach Brian Kelly.

This sport truly has no offseason.

White still needs to decide on his future, but that doesn’t mean speculation by us talking heads and prognosticators cannot occur right now. On Tuesday, KSR’s Ryan Lemond reported that he was hearing that Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House would be a legitimate candidate for Kentucky.

KSR is jumping in and assessing why House could be a sensible and legitimate candidate if an opening occurs.

Staff familiarity

After serving as Pittsburgh’s defensive coordinator from 2013-14, House was out of a job once Paul Chryst took the head coaching job at Wisconsin. After one year working at FIU, House joined the staff at Kentucky in 2016. After one season, the Michigan State alum was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2017. A year later, he called plays for one of the best defenses in program history.

Following the season, House decided to reunite with Steve Spagnuolo who was just named defensive coordinator under Andy Reid with the Chiefs after some negotiations with Kentucky.

House is in his third season and has made two Super Bowl trips. However, there is an opportunity to make a move back to college in an organization he’s comfortable with.

Timing could be right

The Chiefs are riding a six-game winning streak and once again look like a Super Bowl contender. Patrick Mahomes is absurd behind center as this offense is starting to post some ridiculous numbers. However, the defense has had issues.

Kansas City is No. 31 in the NFL in yards per play allowed (5.9). Only the New York Jets rank lower. This unit is playing better football in recent weeks, but the Chiefs still appear to have the worst defense among all Super Bowl contenders.

Reid could be forced to make changes after the season is over. For House, now could be a good time to move, and a landing spot could be open in Lexington.

Just last year, Tennessee pursued House for its open defensive coordinator position. The linebackers coach turned it down as things seemed to be in a good spot in the NFL, but things can change quickly in the game of football.

Track record

Mark Stoops has had three defensive coordinators at Kentucky, but each hire was very similar. D.J. Eliot, Matt House, and Brad White all worked under Stoops at some point before being promoted in-house. Jon Sumrall figured to be the next until the Troy head coaching position opened.

House would be an out-of-the-organization hire, but the familiarity would make sense.

The former defensive coordinator at Kentucky is very familiar with the program and would be another hire with NFL experience. He understands Kentucky’s recruiting profile and had success recruiting Georgia while on staff.

If Brad White leaves, Matt House would make a lot of sense.