Bush Hamdan (UK Athletics Photo)
One Kentucky player who has not had to adjust to new offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is receiver Ja’Mori Maclin, a North Texas transfer who started his collegiate career at Missouri when Hamdan was the receivers coach.
Maclin had just one catch for five yards in three games in his redshirt season in 2020 and did not play in 2021 because of an injury.
“I like his character just being a coach but also just outside of that. I’m saying very family-like and he’s always been that way since I was a freshman. He used to have us over to his house and they just always kept a good relationship with us,” Maclin said about Hamdan.
Maclin is expected to give UK an added threat to go with junior receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key — and he knows what Hamdan wants players to do.
“I know what he expects out of us and I know what his standard is,” Maclin said. “He does a great job of being himself and we’re able to connect him so easily, you know?”
Maclin was productive at North Texas but admits the system he played in did not put a premium on precise route running and he’s been working to improve in that area.
“I was pretty much a deep threat and just ran, which is easy to do. But I know my game is being a route runner. I’ve always been known for being really good at routes. So now being in a system I’m able to really show that,” Maclin said. “That’s what I’m really focusing on in every area of my game. I never want to feel like I’m too good at some areas in my game and I just always want to build on every single thing.”
Remember Maclin thought Liam Coen was going to be his offensive coordinator this season but then he left for the NFL after Maclin transferred. Maclin said he trusted Coen but also trusted coach Mark Stoops would bring in a qualified replacement — and he did with Hamdan.
“I didn’t stress out when he left. I knew God was gonna come through for me regardless,” Maclin said. “Just trusting God and then he brought Bush here and I really trust Bush. It was like a God-send for Bush to be here with me.”
2 Responses
Bush is going to be the best offensive coordinator we’ve had here since Neal Brown. I can see Bush being a head coach sooner rather than later. I think he stays here at Kentucky for 2 years then gets a head coaching job. Especially if we do as well as I think we are going to do. His buyout is to big to leave after his first year but someone will offer him a head coaching job that he won’t be able to refuse after his second year maybe after this year but I think ultimately he stays at least another year.
Looking forward to the start of the football season. A change of subject there’s a feel good story in KSR column that Jeff Sheppard telling about Reed season with the cats and you be surprise what he said when the talked of going pro started. A must read story.