Kroger Field will host an Eric Wolford Homecoming

There won’t be a dry eye in the house this Saturday for Senior Day at Kroger Field. Not because it will be the final home game for many well-respected Wildcats, but because Eric Wolford is returning to his Old Kentucky Home.

Yes, Coach Wolf is coming back in the Bluegrass.

The last time Eric Wolford left Lexington, he was recruiting on behalf of the Wildcats following the 2021 season. The Kentucky offensive line coach made a stunning move instead, joining Nick Saban’s staff to coach the same position.

The lack of notice appeared to burn bridges on the way out the door. One of the many Youngstown natives to work for Mark Stoops, his departure was followed by loud criticism from the Joe Craft Football Training Facility that was heard throughout the Big Blue Nation.

Matt Jones reported in February of 2022: “On Friday of last week, Wolford was recruiting a late OL target for Kentucky and left to interview at Alabama. On Saturday he took the job, never came back to Lexington to tell the team bye and was recruiting the same kid for Alabama. A pretty amazingly quick turnaround.”

Kyle Tucker confirmed those reports. “He went to interview and never came back.”

The player in question was offensive tackle Tyler Steen. The Vanderbilt transfer ultimately committed to Wolford and played one season at Alabama.

During his one season in Lexington Wolford oversaw one of the best offensive lines in school history. Darian Kinnard was a Consensus All-American and Luke Fortner went on to be selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. The Joe Moore Award finalists were outstanding, but Wolford was criticized for failing to develop the reserves, leaving Kentucky behind the 8-ball in 2022. Zach Yenser replaced Wolford, but the Big Blue Wall was as bad as it’s ever been, allowing more sacks than any other Power Five football program during Will Levis‘ senior season.

To say “there’s no love lost” between the Kentucky coaching staff and Eric Wolford is an understatement. Even though Wolford played a significant role in recruiting Deone Walker to Kentucky, I doubt there will be many friendly handshakes on the field before Kentucky and Alabama kickoff Saturday at noon.

Wolford does not have a Competitive Advantage against Kentucky

Alabama fans have not been the biggest fan of Eric Wolford. Offensive line play has been a consistent criticism over the last two seasons in Tuscaloosa, despite a roster of blue chip prospects. One may opine that this weekend Wolford’s crew has an advantage against a defense he faced everyday in practice for a year. Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White doesn’t see it that way.

“I don’t think it’s any necessarily different when you face the same opponent every single year. If there’s consistency in coordinator, you’re going to say, ‘How did he attack me last year? How did he attack me two years ago? Has there been a shift?’ So there’s obviously little pieces back and forth. I don’t know if it’s overrated or underrated,” said White.

“There’s obviously a piece of what kind of style, what stylistically he likes, but listen, your tape is out there. Everything I do from a call standpoint is out there. Everything our defense does is out there. Everything their offense does is out on film. It’s not many secrets in that regard, now it comes down to execution.”