As Kentucky football enters a new era under Will Stein, one familiar face is staying put - and for good reason.
Mark Perry, a former Wildcat himself, is expected to remain with the program through the coaching transition, continuing a role that’s quietly become critical to the team’s foundation. Since joining the staff in 2019, Perry has worn multiple hats, serving as a senior offensive analyst and director of high school relations. When Vince Marrow departed, Perry also took on the role of NFL liaison - a title that speaks to his growing influence behind the scenes.
This isn’t just a case of a staff holdover. Perry’s value to the program runs deep.
With more than 20 years of experience at both the high school and college levels, he brings a unique blend of football IQ, recruiting savvy, and local insight. Before returning to Lexington, he worked alongside Neal Brown at both Troy and West Virginia, and earlier in his career, he was the head coach at Lexington Catholic from 2014 to 2017.
What makes Perry especially valuable is his deep-rooted connection to the high school football scene across the Commonwealth. He’s built strong relationships from Pikeville to Paducah, and those ties have been instrumental in developing Kentucky’s walk-on program - a pipeline that’s quietly added depth and character to the roster.
Perry’s known as a connector, someone who can walk into any high school in the state and be welcomed like family. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, and it’s not something you can replicate overnight.
While Stein has brought in some Louisville ties - a nod to his own playing days with the Cardinals - he’s also showing a willingness to retain key pieces from the Mark Stoops era. Perry now joins defensive line coach Anwar Stewart as the second former Wildcat to stay on board during the transition. It’s a move that signals continuity where it counts, particularly in recruiting and player development.
In a time of change, keeping someone like Perry around isn’t just about familiarity - it’s about maintaining the relationships and institutional knowledge that help programs thrive. He may not be a household name, but inside Kentucky football, Mark Perry’s presence is felt every day.