Shiyazh Pete. Derek Shay. Kentucky spring football practice. Elliott Hess | UK Athletics
By LARRY VAUGHT
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops needed just 24 hours after Vince Marrow’s resignation became official to find his new tight ends coach.
Offensive analyst/run game specialist Derek Shay joined the UK staff approximately 16 months ago, having previously coached at Marshall (2023), Missouri (2022), LSU (2020-2021), McNeese State (2019), and Bowling Green State (2014).
Kentucky senior tight end Josh Kattus certainly approves of Shay, 34.
“We get to see every day how Coach Shay operates and the intensity he brings, and we are excited to have him leading our room. He knows our system inside and out, and he’s incredibly passionate about the game and coaching. Adding him to our room is a seamless transition,” Kattus said in the UK release.
Stoops liked Shay’s coaching experience and familiarity with UK offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s system because he was an offensive analyst at Missouri when Hamdan was the quarterbacks coach there.
“I’m very confident in his abilities. His versatility, football IQ, and on-field toughness will be a valuable addition to our offense,” Stoops said.
Shay worked specifically with the offensive line and assistant coach Eric Wolford last season. He said there is a “good mix of experience and young talent” among the UK’s tight ends.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT DEREK SHAY
In the news release about Shay’s promotion from the UK, praise from high-profile sources about Shay was included:
Derek is a very knowledgeable coach with an outstanding work ethic. Our players and coaches at LSU loved him, ot just as a coach, but as a man. He’s an exceptional recruiter with tireless energy and a passion for developing young talent. Additionally, he’s a great family man who brings character and integrity to everything he does. The University of Kentucky is getting a great one. He’s a great hire.” – Ed Orgeron, former LSU head football coach.
“Coach Shay always made it feel like home whenever we spoke. He was someone I wanted to play for and grow with throughout my development years.” – Mason Taylor, current New York Jets and former LSU tight end.
“Coach Shay was the first tight ends coach I had in college, and he played a huge role in helping me transition from high school to the college level. He prepared me to contribute right away as a freshman, and I’ll always be grateful for the impact he had on my development and career.” – Kole Taylor, current Cincinnati Bengals and former LSU and West Virginia tight end.d
“Derek was a tremendous asset to our staff during our time at LSU—someone I could always count on to perform at a high level. He’s an excellent teacher who consistently develops and maximizes his players both on and off the field. He genuinely cares not just about the athlete, but about the person. The University of Kentucky is getting not only a great coach in Derek Shay, but also a wonderful family in him and his wife, Katie. I’m excited to see their continued success and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.” – Jake Peetz, current passing game coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, former LSU offensive coordinator.r
“Coach Shay was an awesome coach. On and off the field, I learned so many valuable and important lessons from him. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach to help guide me through the transition from high school to college.” – Jack Bech, current Las Vegas Raider wide receiver and former LSU wide receiver/tight end
4 Responses
Shiyzah Pete’s arms look huge. Not just toned but also very long. That’s what makes him a great tackle. Plus hes very intelligent. We are going to love this offensive line. The last 3 years have been hard to watch because the line and now I think they will be one of our bright spots. This year being a Kentucky fan is a catch 22. Your danged if they win(Stoops keeps his job)and danged if they don’t because it sucks losing. Even if it’s one more year! I do believe we are a bowl team. I also believe we win a couple of games that nobody thinks we will win. The Ole Miss game is interesting. We beat them at the sip last year and they had a much better team. They have a new quarterback and basically a new team coming to Kroger field it should be interesting. South Carolina lost most of there defense from last year but still has Sellers as the quarterback but they also lost almost three whole offensive line. Vanderbilts defense lost nearly everyone. Yes they have there quarterback again but a new offensive line as well could spell trouble for Vanderbilt. Tennessee has a new quarterback who’s not as great as Nico is. They also lost most of there offense and defense. Florida will be about the same. They can beat anyone but also lose to anyone. We get Texas at Kroger field. I dont know if that matters it will be a toss up between Georgia and Texas and I think Texas has the upper hand. Georgia has been almost unstoppable for almost to long. They’ve been incredible the last 5 years without falling off even a little bit. I think this is the year that they could lose 2-3 games. If Georgia goes 9-3 like I think they will there fans will act like the sky is falling. Texas is the best team in the sec. I just hope we can get a couple sacks on arch manning. I think if you look at past Mark Stoops teams they usually have a bad season when they are picked to be good. When they are picked to be bad they usually win a couple games that they shouldnt. Like I said for this team 6-6 is the floor with 8-4 being the ceiling. If we happen to go 6-6 and lose the bowl game I stillt think Stoops get fired. I think 7 wins will save his job and 8 wins will get him another contract extension. Nooooo
I SAY 4 WINS IS ALOT FOR KY. SEC IS TOO TUFF FOR OUR 3 STAR TALENT. HOPE IM WRONG
worry you are right Vaughn
To get to six wins KY will have to do what it consistently has not done anytime in recent years. That is win a couple of games that it should not have won and win everything else. If the Cats can pull that off, they have a chance against the Cards at the end.