Coach John Schlarman with Luke Fortner, Landon Young and Drake Jackson after UK's win at Tennessee in what turned out to be Schlarman's final game with the team. (UK Athletics Photo)
We all knew this might happen but I still don’t think any of us were ready for the passing of Kentucky offensive line coach John Schlarman. He was only 45 but had been fighting a courageous battle with cancer for over two years. I still remember friends telling me Schlarman’s cancer “was really bad” and the kind no one beats. But that didn’t keep him from trying and doing everything possible.
You had to know when he missed two straight football games that something was not right. Yet I still kept thinking if anyone could keep going, it would be Schlarman.
I have known him since his playing days at UK from 1993-97 — he was a four-year starter from 1994-97 — and had watched him play at Ft. Thomas Highlands High School. He was not the biggest guy on the field but he was always the toughest — one reason former teammates always loved him and many were in close contact until the very end with him Wednesday night.
Running back Anthony White played three years with Schlarman at UK.
“Nobody was tougher and if you wanted to show guys today about effort, then just show film of John. You never worried about his effort,” White said.
Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said today he was “heartbroken” about Schlarman’s passing. I am. You are. We all are. He was just a good guy.
He never complained about his illness and just kept coaching and also kept being a father to his four kids. His wife, LeeAnne, is amazing as well. I did an interview with her a little over a year ago and she uplifted my spirits with her strength.
His children — Joseph, Benjamin, Matthew and Evelyn — adored their father just like we all did.
Schlarman’s last tweet on Nov. 4 was about his son, Joe, who plays football for Lexington Catholic.
“So proud of @JoeSchlarman for the year he’s had and the young man he is becoming!!! Keep up the hard work Joe!!” Schlarman tweeted.
That was John Schlarman. Always positive, always encouraging, always proud of what others did.
“John was everything we all strive to be – honest, tough, fair, respected. Kentucky football won’t be the same without him but his legacy will never fade. He was a fighter and we will strive every day to honor his warrior spirit,” Stoops said.
I saw this tweet — one of many from UK players today — from backup center Quinton Wilson.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done. You will always be missed. Rest in paradise coach,” Wilson posted after the players learned of Schlarman’s passing this morning.
Schlarman has been on Stoops’ staff at UK from day one. He came with offensive coordinator Neal Brown — a former teammate and friend. When Brown got the head job at Troy and left UK, Schlarman stayed with the Cats because he was home.
Brown, now the head coach at West Virginia, called it a “sad day” today.
Kentucky recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow loved Schlarman. He said today he was “going to miss him” and that’s not just for what he did on the football field. Schlarman was just a good person to be around.
Schlarman was in a lot of pain in recent months. He never gave in. He inspired everyone around him and always will. The SchlarmanStrong hat that defensive coordinator Brad White wore Wednesday afternoon during his media time after practice emphasized how all the coaches adored him.
After practice Tuesday, I asked junior offensive tackle Darian Kinnard — a likely early round NFL draft pick after this season — how often he was getting to talk to Schlarman now.
“He does text out to us and I do contact him every once in a while. We are trying to make him proud. As an O-line we are continuing to go day by day knowing he is still with us. We have that Schlarman mentality and it’s like basically having him in the room with us,” Kinnard said.
That Schlarman mentality is unique but his legacy won’t leave UK. He’s going to be in that meeting room, locker room and sideline with Kentucky football for a long, long time.
I’m hoping John can get some rest in paradise now and that his wife, LeeAnne, and her children will eventually be able to wipe the tears away and know their husband/father was such a special man and loved by many, many more than they will ever know.
