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Stoops has a Two-Year Model to Hire, Promote Assistant Coaches

Nick-Roush-headshotby:Nick Roush03/02/22

RoushKSR

Mark Stoops, Citrus Bowl 2018

Mark Stoops went back to the NFL to find his third different offensive coordinator in three years. Even though the Wildcats will play in the same offensive system, critics can question the damage done to UK’s continuity by returning to the professional ranks to find assistant coaches. Kentucky’s head coach has a plan to solve that problem.

Change is Inevitable

“You’re going to get change one of two ways, right? Not getting the job done, or getting the job done,” Stoops said Tuesday. “If you’re getting the job done, you want to keep that continuity.”

When one person or program has success, everybody wants a piece of it. That is why Sean McVay has four former assistants leading NFL teams this fall. It’s also why Nick Saban has to search for at least one new coordinator seemingly every year.

“Whether it’s a college system or an NFL system, if you have good people, there’s a good chance you can lose em. That’s okay,” said Stoops. “I greatly appreciate the coaches that were here, going back to year one, the time and the commitment that they give to us when they’re here. There’s not been one guy through here that I didn’t like working with. Hopefully, they grabbed some things they can take with them and I certainly learn from all the different coaches that are here. It is what it is.

“It is something to be said; I think it’s a compliment for our coordinator to be going to the World Champs as an offensive coordinator. That says something.”

Stoops’ Two-Year Pledge

Before the Rams came calling with an offer Coen could not refuse — offensive coordinator for the defending Super Bowl Champions — he turned down many opportunities elsewhere. The New Orleans Saints were among the many teams, both college and pro, that tried to pry him away from UK. That’s because when Coen took the job, he initially agreed to stick around for at least two seasons. That is the model Mark Stoops is using moving forward.

“When I made that move a year ago, I knew what I was getting into. Now, with Rich I wanted it to be a two-year commitment minimum so there’s time to train all of the other guys on your staff. I’ve done that defensively. This year Liam and I talked about that. I wanted to make sure that we had somebody in place and we didn’t this year, but I will as we move forward.” Stoops added, “This staff, the guys that I have on there right now will be trained to be coordinators.”

The plan worked to perfection with Matt House and Brad White, who got a year under his belt coaching outside linebackers before receiving a defensive coordinator promotion. Jon Sumrall was teed up to succeed White if that position opened up this offseason.

If Rich Scangarello gives Kentucky two seasons, it will give Scott Woodward enough experience to eventually take the reins. Prior to last season, Woodward had just one year of Power Five coaching experience. If the Rams’ job did not open up for Liam, the timing might have been right for Woodward to fill the role after two years in Lexington. Staying at Kentucky in 2022 as the Wildcats’ wide receiver coach, if all goes according to plan, he is likely the next in line to call plays for UK.

It’s not a full-proof system. Some opportunities are too good for a coordinator to pass up. But if Stoops can get two years from his coordinators, the next man up will already be on the coaching staff, ready to maintain continuity by keeping the ball rolling in the right direction.

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2025-01-27