Adaptability, Pace are Priorities in Kentucky's Offensive Coordinator Search

Mark Stoops is looking for his sixth offensive coordinator, his fourth in as many years. Monday afternoon he shared what he’s looking for in his next offensive play-caller and when Kentucky fans should expect news.

Time-Table for Offensive Coordinator Search

Late Sunday night Matt Jones reported Kentucky could wrap up the coaching search on Monday or Tuesday. Mark Stoops laid out a longer timetable.

“I’m in the middle of talking to several people. I had a great conversation with a potential candidate yesterday. I’m gonna meet with another one here this week. I’ve already spoken to several others,” Stoops said Monday afternoon. “I feel like there’s some very good options out there and I’m not going to limit myself. We’ll see where it goes, but I’m excited. Each time this position seems to open up, there’s even more and more interest in the job, which is a good sign to me.”

The transfer portal window opened today. The Wildcats are in the market for a new quarterback and dozens have already thrown their hat in the ring. Stoops does not feel pressured by the portal to make a rash decision.

“We’re holding court in the transfer portal. There’s no panic here. I think you gotta have some urgency about you, but no panic,” he said.

“I’m not gonna rush things. It’s vitally important that we hire the right guy. You have to get the right person, rather than rush just to get one player, to worry about that. We’re staying steady in recruiting. I think we’re going to do well in the portal. I don’t want to panic there. I want to get the right guy.”

Faster Pace and Adaptability are Essential

What exactly is Mark Stoops looking for in his next play-caller? One facet of this year’s offense frustrated him, the pace. That does not completely rule out a pro-system, so long as it operates faster.

“I definitely think taking that long to spit out play calls, and some of that terminology with the NFL scheme, I got to think about because, running a play every 37, 38 seconds — I definitely want to look at that, yes. I’m not interested in going that slow.“

Before he hired Liam Coen in 2021, Stoops assessed his personnel. The Cats needed to improve the passing game, but could not abandon their physical rushing game. This time around the Wildcats’ strength is actually in the passing game, specifically the talented young pass-catchers.

“For a variety of reasons you have to adjust to the personnel that you have. It is a bit different right now. So, yes, I want what everybody wants, to ultimately score points. I still believe, I don’t know about always, balance is important. Being physical is important. It’s important to me. I think it’s who we are. It’s an identity, and I think it’s important, but I also believe in getting the ball downfield and explosive plays,” he said.

“That’s something that I want to get better and I want to continue to improve and I want to be able to create explosive plays. Is that tempo? Is that run, pass, all that? You put it together, you look at things and analyze things and always try to adapt and ultimately hire the best coach that fits us, somebody that has that ability to adapt, not just be one thing or another.”

Stoops remained measured in his comments. He did not want to be disrespectful to the work Rich Scangarello did in Lexington, but a common critique was Rich’s inability to adapt to SEC defenses with the personnel at his disposal.

“I think we have good pieces. I don’t think we’re as far off. I think that we got caught short in a couple spots this year. We need to address that and get back to work because we’re not far off. As bad as it all felt to all of us at times, falling short of our goals, you’re still a few plays away from winning two more.”