Kentucky's play-calling operation will be 'group effort' in Music City Bowl

After the dismissal of Rich Scangarello following the season, Kentucky finds itself in an interim offensive coordinator for the second time in three seasons. Once again, the Wildcats are adjusting on the fly until a permanent offensive coordinator is hired in January.

Vince Marrow informed the Big Blue Nation on Dec. 19 that he would serve as the primary play-caller. However, Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops doubled down on his original statement from Dec. 5 on Wednesday.

Kentucky’s play-calling operation will involve multiple coaches at Nissan Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

“Scott Woodward will have a great deal to do with the play-calling,” Stoops told reporters in Nashville on Wednesday. “Just from a piecing it together from a quarterback and wide receiver point of view. Between Woody and Vince and everybody else, it’ll be a group effort.”

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A few weeks ago, Stoops reported that multiple coaches will be involved in this process. Kentucky’s head coach brought up quality control assistants Josh Estes-Waugh and Mark Perry as staffers who have been promoted to on-field positions for the bowl process.

It’s clear that there is a true offensive think tank going on with Kentucky football before facing Iowa’s top-five defense on New Year’s Eve.

With true freshman Destin Wade likely getting his first career start on Saturday, there are a lot of unknowns for the offense heading into this postseason game. There is a chance that the offense could look much different with a true dual-threat quarterback behind center and without bell cow Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the backfield.

Kentucky seems to be hoping that the element of surprise will give them a chance to catch Iowa by surprise. During this bowl game prep, Mark Stoops informed KSR that he is spending more time with the offense in this process to make sure everything is working efficiently and effectively.

But the talk is almost over now. It’s about time to play football. We’ll see if this unique play-calling situation can work in a one-game scenario.

“It’ll be good. It’ll be fun,” Stoops said. “It’s a great opportunity.”