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Kentucky coach Mark Stoops likes continuity in his coaching staff and despite speculation that he might make several staff changes after UK’s second straight 7-5 regular season, the UK coach only let one assistant coach go.
Offensive line coach Zach Yenser’s name was thrown around as one position coach Stoops might dismiss even though Stoops consistently said the UK offensive line got better in 2023. The UK offensive line allowed 46 sacks — 126th out of 131 teams — in 2022 in Yenser’s first year. This season the line allowed 20 sacks in 12 games.
Yenser was one of four UK assistant coaches to sign contract extensions. Yenser, safeties coach Frank Buffano and linebackers coach Mike Stoops signed contract extensions — their previous deals set to expire in June.
Defensive line coach Anwar Stewart, a former UK player, had a contract that would not expire until June, 2025, but he also got a contract extension and raise.
Buffano, Mike Stoops and Stewart are signed through the 2025 season. Yenser’s extension runs through the 2024 season.
Buffano ($415,000), Yenser ($650,000) and Mike Stoops ($675,000) will receive the same pay for the 2024 season as 2023 with Buffano, who has been with Mark Stoops all 11 years at UK, and Mike Stoops set to get $25,000 raises in 2025.
Stewart’s new contract includes a $175,000 raise for next season that will move his salary from $325,000 to $500,000. He would receive another $25,000 raise in 2025. Securing Stewart is important because he’s a big reason star defensive lineman Deone Walker came to UK and did not transfer after the 2022 season.
Offensive coordinator Liam Coen ($1.8 million), defensive coordinator Brad White ($1.6 million), associate head coach Vince Marrow ($1.3 million) special teams coordinator Jay Boulware ($550,000) and cornerbacks coach Chris Collins ($400,000) already have contracts through the 2024 season.
One Response
Always a little concerned about nepotism – brought down icon Bobby Bowden and he had a pretty fair resume.