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Dean Hood is a football man so it is not a huge surprise that only a few days after resigning as the head football coach at Murray State University that he’s already got another football job.
Hood is returning to coach Mark Stoops’ staff as director of player development. He was on Stoops’ staff for three years as special teams coordinator while also coaching defensive backs and outside linebackers before going to Murray as head coach the last four years.
“I’m extremely pleased to have Dean Hood rejoin our staff,” Stoops said in a release from UK. “When he was here previously, I grew a deep respect for him – not only as a coach on the field, but also for the way he guided and grew his players as young men. He will be a great asset to our overall program and to the personal development of our players.”
Hood has a great rapport with players and staff. He’s been coaching for 37 years and understands the ups and downs of a difficult season.
He’ll join former UK offensive coordinator Eddie Gran, now a special assistant to Stoops, to work with NIL, player branding and community service opportunities.
Hood is well known in central Kentucky because he was the head coach at Eastern Kentucky University from 2008-15 where he won two Ohio Valley Conference titles and got the Colonels into the playoffs three times. He went 55-38 and coached nine Al-Americans, one OVC defensive player of the year, one OVC freshman of the year and 26 first-team all-conference players.
“My family and I are excited to return to Big Blue Nation,” Hood said. “Being in the coaching profession we have lived in a lot of places, but when our kids are asked ‘where are you from’ they say ‘Lexington’ — it definitely feels like home to our family.
“We are so honored, once again, to be part of coach Stoops’ program which is comprised of many wonderful people. Player development has been my passion and life’s work and I am ready to build relationships with our players and help them in multiple areas of their life. Coaching for 37 years has given me a unique perspective into the needs of student-athletes and coaches, who have an incredible demand on their time. I’m looking forward to the journey.”
This should be a perfect fit for UK and Hood. He’ll work well with Gran because they are both life-time football guys. He’s also the kind of voice Stoops will listen to and respect much like Gran is. Hood is also a man players respect and will be another valuable sounding board outside the locker room.
He should also be great with NIL and community service possibilities because he is so well respected in the Lexington community as well as across central Kentucky.
One Response
From what I have heard and read over the years, Dean Hood is a good man and a great coach that can help UK in his new role. EKU blew it when they dismissed this man a few years ago IMO.