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Former Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser leaves Kentucky with no second thoughts or regrets after finding out last week he would no longer be part of Mark Stoops’ coaching staff despite signing a contract extension in December.
“I am at peace. I know I did what I could do,” said Yenser. “I left it better than I found it. No use getting upset and mad. You just have to pick yourself up and continue to move on.
“My guys know I love them and did what I could for them and will keep doing anything I can for them. And I leave knowing it (the offensive line) is better now than I found it in February of 2022.”
That’s when Yenser left the San Francisco 49ers to join the UK staff after former offensive line coach Eric Wolford had unexpectedly left Kentucky to join the staff at Alabama. Now after losing his job at Alabama, Wolford is returning to UK to rejoin Stoops’ staff.
Kentucky won 10 games in 2021 with an offensive line anchored by Luke Fortier and Darian Kinnard who both went on to play in the NFL. Quarterback Will Levis, receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and running back Chris Rodriguez off that team are also now in the NFL and both Levis and Rodriguez played full seasons — something neither did in 2022.
“When I got here he (Stoops) told the world anybody could have coached the 2021 line and did well,” Yenser said. “You can’t pick yourself apart over what happened or you will drive yourself nuts.”
Yenser had to try to rebuild the Big Blue Wall in 2022 after Wolford left, offensive coordinator Liam Coen went to the NFL and Fortner and Kinnard headed to the NFL.
“The 2022 season was putting pieces together and plugging this hole and that hole and seeing what we could do,” Yenser said. “We were starting guys who had never played. We were starting guys at different positions than they had played before. We still won seven games and we got more consistent this year and the line will be more consistent in 2024 because they are good players and care about the program.
“That room is bigger than any one coach. It was built through John Schlarman and whoever the coach is has got to develop players and have time to develop players. Things do not happen overnight. I expect nothing but good things out of this group in 2024.
“I have no regrets about my time here. I loved my time here. I will still be here until something else pops. Who knows? We might just stay here.
“I had a blast working with Coach and everybody here. It is a good building. Coach made a decision and I respect it. We ended on good terms. I learned a lot and will be a better coach because of it.”
5 Responses
Class exit.
A lot better exit than when his replacement left.
I like the fact also that Yenser uses a lot of bodies and this gets others prepared to step in. Wolford doesn’t do that very much, so it will be interesting to see how he does with a line that is not as good as he had the first time around.
With you Old Fan
Zach Yenser was a new mexico state type of offensive line coach. I think he was in over his head and he’s terrible at recruiting. If you want the Kentucky program to continue to rise then Wolford is 10 times better than Yenser. Why do people get so mad about him elevating his coaching pedigree by leaving for Alabama I will never understand. If any coach on Kentuckys Staff including Mark Stoops was offered a job at Alabama they would take the job. I’m happy to have Wolford back we have 4 starters back on the line and alot of transfers and redshirt that will be competing for playing time. We go 12 deep on the offensive line this year. Our run blocking will be much improved and our pass blocking should be a little better. That translates to more touchdowns through the air and on the ground. Running back is the only position that we should not take a step forward at but we should have a great power back and more speed backs this year so it could be a blessing in disguise. I think our qb will be night and day better. Leary had to many passes batted down at the line and he made to many head scratching passes. Our wide receiver room is the deepest it has ever been. We will have 7-8 capable receivers who can run good routes and we finally have a little size and great speed. Key and Brown will be much improved in year 3. Neither had the sophomore slump that alot players tend to have after big freshman seasons. The game will slow down for both players and you have shamar porter who should be alot better in year 2 and cottrell who should be alot better in year 2 they were both high 4 Stat recruits who can help key and brown get some breathers and the receiver from north Texas looks like he will be great in the slot. Brown Stephen’s has blazing speed if he can catch the football a little better he had alot of drops where he ran a great route and just dropped the football but he was young and that should improve in year 2. I think kentucky will average around 38 points a game this year which will be the most points scored in a long time here if it’s ever been done. I also think the defense will be much better this year so we will have a top 25 offense and a top 10 defense. If the balls bounces our way on some turnovers your looking at a 10-2 season and with a bowl win 11-2. We could also be much improved and go 9-3 and with a bowl win 10-3. From 2018 to now we will have a 10 win season or better about every 2-3 years. I think if we can improve alot on the offensive line we can break the 11 win threshold.
You do realize Terry I hope the shape your hero Wolford left the offensive line in when he left for Alabama and why the 2022 team struggled with not enough experience or talent, especially considering how he is such a high shot recruiter. You also remember Wolford had WanDale Robinson, healthy Will Levis and Chris Rodriguez for a full season that helped that offense be so productive. Now Wolford gets to come back and coach players someone else recruited and developed just like he did in 2021. Let’s see what Wolford develops for the 2026 season
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