CJ Conrad Not Shying Away from Emotions in Kentucky Homecoming

by:Nick Roush•09/08/23•

RoushKSR

Three months ago C.J. Conrad was preparing to coach a loaded Kentucky tight end room. This Saturday the former Wildcat will be on the opposing sideline coaching against his alma mater.

The coaching carousel typically quits spinning in early spring. Thanks to an unusual set of circumstances, the young analyst on Kentucky’s staff had an opportunity to get his first job as a full-time assistant in the middle of the busy recruiting month of June.

“In the summertime us younger coaches break down the other teams, so I actually had just got done breaking down EKU’s defense,” Conrad told 11 Personnel this week. “Then all of a sudden — it happened in mid-June — as soon as I got off the phone and knew I was getting the job, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. I’ll see you boys week two.’ They were obviously very happy for me, but there was a lot of joking going on, busting chops. ‘We’ll see you at the 50,’ those types of things. Which I’m excited. Those guys are great guys and I still have strong relationship with, so I’m excited to see them Saturday.”

The quick turn of events has not given Conrad a ton of time to reflect on his life changes or his upcoming homecoming. “It’s just another game” is a typical refrain you hear in these circumstances. CJ knows this is not just another game, but it probably won’t hit him until he steps on the field Saturday afternoon.

“It is different. It’s going to be cool. I’m not shying away from that,” said the former Wildcat. “It is another game and it is a huge game for us, a great opportunity against an SEC opponent. But I played here, I got a lot of great memories and really strong relationships with the players, the coaches. It’s definitely going to be cool.”

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What CJ Conrad Learned from Vince Marrow

C.J. Conrad played a significant role in two 10-win seasons at Kentucky, first as a player, then a coach. A four-year starter, he caught 80 passes for 1,015 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, the second-most ever by a Wildcat tight end. After his playing days concluded, he returned to the coaching staff as a graduate assistant and then an analyst, working side-by-side with associate head coach Vince Marrow for three years. There’s one big lesson he learned from the Big Dog that he’s taking with him as he climbs the coaching ranks.

“What I think Vince does really well in my opinion is the most important thing in coaching. He’s got his guys wanting to run through a wall for him because of the culture he’s set in that room. The standard of the physicality, you’ve heard him say ‘no soft (blank)’. That stuff’s real. His players love him, but they also respect him and they want to go out and give it their all,” said Conrad.

“When I got the (EKU) job, I’m a young coach. You gotta make sure your players respect you first and foremost. He has that respect over there and that’s why those guys — are they perfect? No. But every week they strain. They go hard. In this industry if your guys can do that, they may not be perfect but they’re going to come out winners in the end and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

Conrad could not pass up the opportunity to coach for Walt Wells in Richmond, but he did admit that this year’s group of talented Wildcat tight ends made the decision difficult.

“They’re talented man. That was the one thing when I knew I was leaving in June, I remember telling Vince, of course I’m leaving now, when I really do believe what he’s saying. He’s not just blowing smoke. This is the most talented room he’s ever had. I was fired up to coach those guys, but obviously could not turn down an opporuntity like this and I’m excited to be here, but they’re talented.”