Mark Stoops wanted to "lock up" newly-hired OLB coach Brad White midway through the interview

by:Jack Pilgrim02/07/18
When KSR reported last week that former Indianapolis Colts OLB coach Brad White would be joining the Kentucky football staff, it came from left field. The majority of speculation surrounded former All-Pro safety Ed Reed and former Tennessee DC John Jancek, among a few others. Not even head coach Mark Stoops was necessarily familiar with White until he made some calls around the league and heard promising reports on the six-year coach. "There are some guys in the Colts organization, that were in the Colts organization, that I have great respect for," Stoops said in today's National Signing Day press conference. "Coach Pagano, what he says really matters. Rob Chudzinski, their offensive coordinator, and I go way back. As far as what type of person you're getting, I had no questions there." Stoops said former Indianapolis Colts first-round draft pick and Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner was a big help in the hiring process, as he vouched for White as a coach. "Brad coached a close friend of mine in Bjorn Werner also," Stoops said. "Bjorn raved about Brad as well." When the interview process began, Stoops knew just midway through that White was the man for the job. "Then when we bring him in, go through the interview process, he really impressed me quite a bit," he said. "I knew halfway through that interview that I wanted to wrap it up and get recruiting him to take the job because he was having some other opportunities. I wanted to lock him up.” With linebackers Josh Allen and Denzil Ware, among other bright talents back in fold next season, Stoops believes White's expertise with that unit can take the defense "to another level." I think what was very intriguing to me is Brad being such a technician, I really feel like we have some NFL outside linebackers. Bringing him in to coach those guys, to take them to another level."

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