Zach Yenser officially named Kentucky Football's offensive line coach

Over a week after rumors began to rumble, the news has finally become official.

On Tuesday afternoon, UK Athletics announced that Zach Yenser has been named the new offensive line coach of the Kentucky Wildcats. The 38-year-old Fort Mitchell, KY native is coming back to the Commonwealth after spending the last three seasons with the San Francisco 49ers as the franchise’s assistant OL coach. Before his stop in the NFL, Yenser spent stints at Kansas (2015-17), Southern Methodist (2018), California (2013-14), Louisiana Tech (2010-12), Colquitt County High School (2009), and Henderson State (2008).

“My family and I would like to thank Coach Stoops and the University of Kentucky for this opportunity – an opportunity I don’t take lightly,” Yenser said in UK’s press release. “This job just means more. As a Kentucky native and someone who worked for Coach (John) Schlarman, it is a privilege to continue his legacy, success and the building of the Big Blue Wall.”

Welcome to the @UKFootball family, @OL_Coach_Yenser!#BigBlueWall 😼🏈 https://t.co/t1e5Z880LO

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) February 15, 2022

Under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, Yenser’s unit helped pave the path for San Francisco to finish top-15 in rushing in each of the past three seasons, including a No. 2 finish with 2,305 total yards in 2019. His coaching career started as a graduate assistant at Troy in 2007, the start of his connection to the Kentucky football program. Yenser was an assistant under John Schlarman (OL coach) and Neal Brown (offensive coordinator).

“Zach is an incredible hire,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said in the program’s press release. “He checks all of the boxes and is the total package. He grew up in Kentucky, he’s connected to John Schlarman, he has great relationships with people and is well-thought of in recruiting. He has college coaching experience and has spent the last three years in the NFL with the 49ers, an organization I greatly respect. This is a high-caliber hire and I couldn’t be more excited to have him coaching our offensive line.”

Yenser will take over for previous OL coach Eric Wolford, who recently accepted the same position with the Alabama Crimson Tide.