Steve Clinkscale is already trying to poach a Kentucky Football commit

It didn’t take long at all for Kentucky’s former defensive backs coach, Steve Clinkscale, to burn some bridges at his old place of work.

The drama began on Friday when a four-star wide receiver from Frederick Douglass High School right here in Lexington, KY, Dane Key, picked up an offer from Clinkscale and his new school, the Michigan Wolverines. Even though Key is not a Wildcat commit, Kentucky’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Vince Marrow was not pleased with the communication between Key and Michigan. Marrow took to social media to “subtweet” Clinkscale and Michigan, stating “Make sure people really like you when they offer not that they bitter then offer you. Figure it out lol. Go the real Big Blue. Ready to battle.”

For those unaware, Kentucky has been recruiting Key for years now and is believed to be one of the leaders in his recruitment, if not the favorite to ultimately land the stud pass-catcher from the class of 2022. Oregon and South Carolina are also big proponents of his recruitment, but there hadn’t been much communication–if any–with Michigan prior to the offer that came through on Friday.

The controversy didn’t stop with Key, though. On Saturday afternoon, Clinkscale and Michigan took things a step further by offering a high school player currently committed to Kentucky in Andre Stewart, a three-star cornerback out of Georgia. Clinkscale, along with UK defensive line coach Anwar Stewart, were the leaders in convincing Andre Stewart to land with Kentucky back in March.

Blessed to receive a offer from the University of Michigan!! #GoBlue〽️ @itsprime8 @I_Am_OD3 @tballardqbcoach @therealkwat @NCWarriorsFB @coachclink @CoachJim4UM pic.twitter.com/M1R65Djzcq

— Andre Stewart (@andrestewartOS) May 29, 2021

Marrow has not sent out any subliminal messages over this incident just yet, but you better believe he’s already caught wind of this. Stewart was initially an Auburn commit before backing off that decision in January and ultimately choosing the ‘Cats a couple of months later.

There appears to be a bit of off-field beef forming between Kentucky and Michigan, especially now that Clinkscale accepted the job with the Wolverines. Marrow recently came on KSR to talk some football but couldn’t help but take a shot at Michigan along the way:

“First of all, nothing against Clink, I love Clink,” Marrow said. “He’s going to Michigan. Come on, I think we’re a better program — not I think, I know we are.”

If you come at the Big Dog, you better not miss. Let’s see where this goes next…