Kentucky Looking For New OL Coach, After Eric Wolford Heads To Alabama

Kentucky offensive line coach Eric Wolford has decided to leave the Wildcats and join Nick Saban at Alabama. He will be replacing Doug Marrone, who served as the offensive line coach for the 2021 season. Marrone is expected to return to the NFL.

According to multiple reports, the deal was done late Sunday night.

Wolford joined the Kentucky staff before the 2021 season, replacing John Schalarman, who passed away in November 2020 after a long battle with cancer. Wolford had spent the previous four years on the South Carolina staff.

The Wildcats were one of four finalists for the Joe Moore Award, given to college football's best offensive line. However, heading into the offseason, the Kentucky offensive line has been viewed as an area with serious question marks. The Wildcats have lost All-American right tackle Darian Kinnard, All-SEC center Luke Fortner and left tackle Dare Rosenthal. So, there are a lot of key pieces that Mark Stoops must now replace, with competition set to begin in spring practice.

Finding the next offensive line coach will also affect recruiting, where Wolford made a key impact. Now, Mark Stoops must fill that void with someone who can coach, and also hit the trail hard.

We will see where Mark Stoops goes, with this big, vacant position needing to be filled.