REPORT: Anwar Stewart frontrunner for Defensive Line Coach

Mark Stoops may have found his new defensive line coach. The Courier-Journal’s Jon Hale is reporting that Anwar Stewart, a former UK player and member of Stoops’ staff, is the favorite to replace Derrick LeBlanc. On Friday, Kentucky Sports Radio’s Ryan Lemond broke the news that LeBlanc was leaving Kentucky for Arkansas, and the next day, shared the scoop that Stewart was among the early candidates.

Stewart spent last season as the defensive line coach at Appalachian State. Prior to that, he was on Kentucky’s staff during the 2017 and 2018 seasons while finishing his degree, working with LeBlanc and the defensive line. He played defensive end for Kentucky from 1996-99, serving as team captain in his final season before playing in the Canadian Football League for 13 years and coaching as an assistant for an additional three.

KyWildcatsTV did this feature on Stewart while he was working on his degree as a grad assistant:

According to App State beat writer Ethan Joyce, Stewart just resigned from his position with the Mountaineers, making this move all but certain:

Looks like Anwar Stewart is heading back to his alma mater. Had actually just heard he had resigned at App State but wasn’t sure where he was going. Turns out, it appears Kentucky: https://t.co/kY20mAyDpR

— Ethan Joyce (@ByEthanJoyce) January 8, 2020

Come on home, Coach Stewart.