Kentucky football is back in the market for a general manager after Pat Biondo stepped down Tuesday, July 28, just seven months into the job.
Biondo followed new coach Will Stein from Oregon to Lexington and was hired as the Wildcats’ GM on Dec. 16. In a statement announcing his departure, he called it a private decision and thanked the program, the university and Stein.
"After much thought, I have made the decision to leave UK," Biondo said in a statement. "This is a personal move and I hope everyone will respect the private nature of such a tough decision.
It has been a privilege to work for a great university, wonderful football program and on behalf of such passionate fans. I especially want to thank Coach Stein for the opportunity to work with and learn from him."
UK Athletics did not attribute a quote to Stein in the release and instead issued its own statement on Biondo’s exit.
"Football General Manager Pat Biondo has informed us of his decision to step down from his role at UK," the department said. "We respect his choice and the personal considerations behind it. We are grateful for his contributions to our program."
Before arriving at Kentucky, Biondo spent four years as Oregon’s director of football recruiting strategy. His résumé also includes stops at Texas A&M, where he was a senior assistant of recruiting and operations, and West Virginia, his alma mater.
At West Virginia, Biondo worked with the women’s basketball program for nine years in a range of roles: video coordinator from 2010-12, special assistant to the head coach from 2012-15 and director of basketball operations from 2015-19.
Stein now has to fill the vacancy, and one staffer remains in place under the GM umbrella. Pete Nochta is Kentucky’s assistant GM after coming to Lexington following 10 seasons at Louisville, where he spent his final four years as the Cardinals’ director of recruiting.
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