Report: Kentucky to hire NFL assistant as offensive coordinator

Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has his new offensive coordinator — and he’s going back to the NFL to get him.

The Wildcats are hiring San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello to fill the role, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Scangarello replaces Liam Coen, who left to return to the Los Angeles Rams as their offensive coordinator.

Scangarello just wrapped up the first season of his second stint with the 49ers. He previously worked as their quarterbacks coach from 2017-18 before one-year tenures with the Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. Now, he’s heading back to the college ranks for the first time since he was FCS Wagner’s offensive coordinator in 2016.

Scangarello also worked as the offensive coordinator at UC Davis in 2008 and Northern Arizona from 2012-14. He also served as the Broncos’ OC in 2019.

Earlier Friday, Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones teased a surprise hire, citing a source that said “Mark Stoops is about to pull a rabbit out of a hat.” He certainly did, landing another offensive coordinator from the NFL. Coen was originally with the Rams when Stoops hired him to be Kentucky’s OC.

Scanagarello’s addition is even more interesting considering his connection with new Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser. The two worked together in San Francisco when Yenser was the assistant offensive line coach. Now, they can collaborate to bring the Kyle Shanahan system to Lexington.

Kentucky is coming off a 10-3 record in 2021, including a Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa.

Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser: Wildcats offensive identity will not change

Despite Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen jumping jumping back to the NFL, offensive line coach Zach Yenser is confident that the offensive direction of the program will continue. Yenzer discussed Coen’s situation on Kentucky Sports Radio’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk. Kentucky’s spring football practices are set to begin March 1.

Yenser says in his conversations with Mark Stoops, the Kentucky head coach has made it clear that he’s “dedicated” to the pro-style offense. It’s why he recruited the former 49ers assistant to coach the Big Blue Wall.

“Obviously this offense is very intriguing,” Yenser said. “It’s very similar to what we were running at the Niners. This pro-style offense I think puts guys in great (opportunities) for success. I believe in this offense, and Liam obviously has done a great job running it. So I’m excited about that.”

Kentucky’s offense averaged 425.15 yards per game under Coen, the eighth-best tally in the SEC, as the Wildcats relied heavily on a well-balanced attack. Kentucky threw for 225.62 yards per contest, while rushing for 199.54 yards per game, the latter of which was the fifth-best total in the SEC. Overall, Kentucky, averaged 32.31 points per game under Coen, which was fifth-best in the SEC.