UK Football: Where Are They Now? The Journey of Former Kentucky Assistants
Since former Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops parted ways with the program last December, his assistant coaches have been on the move, landing new gigs across the football landscape. With Will Stein stepping in as the new head coach, only defensive line coach Anwar Stewart remains from the Stoops era. Let's dive into where the rest of Stoops' crew has landed for the upcoming season.
Bush Hamdan
Bush Hamdan's coaching journey has taken him from the college ranks to the NFL. After a brief stint at Mississippi State as associate head coach for offense and wide receivers coach, Hamdan has joined the Miami Dolphins as the quarterbacks coach. This move reunites him with Bobby Slowik, a disciple of Kyle Shanahan, under whom Hamdan previously worked with the Atlanta Falcons.
Brad White
Former defensive coordinator Brad White is set to face his old team as he joins rival Florida. Reconnecting with Jon Sumrall, a former UK linebacker and assistant coach, White steps into the role of defensive coordinator. With his UK contract nearing expiration, this move seemed inevitable, especially given Sumrall's quick pursuit of him.
Eric Wolford
Eric Wolford returns to the SEC with a fresh opportunity at LSU. Despite mixed reviews during his second stint at Kentucky, his reputation as a strong recruiter and improved offensive line performance in 2025 caught the eye of Lane Kiffin, who brought him on board.
Chris Collins
Chris Collins, once promoted to co-defensive coordinator at Kentucky, will continue to work with Brad White at Florida as the safeties coach. Collins, who primarily coached cornerbacks at UK, has also brought former UK safety Cam Dooley with him via the transfer portal.
L’Damian Washington
After a promising year at Kentucky, L’Damian Washington has taken on the role of wide receivers coach at Ole Miss. Known for his recruiting prowess and development of young talent, Washington attracted freshman Cam Miller to follow him to Ole Miss.
Derek Shay
Derek Shay, who was promoted to tight ends coach at Kentucky, has moved to Texas A&M. His impact was felt with the breakout season of sophomore Willie Rodriguez. Shay's new role at Texas A&M includes landing coveted transfer Houston Thomas, adding another feather to his cap.
Jay Boulware
Jay Boulware, known for his work with special teams and running backs, is heading to West Virginia. While he won't oversee special teams, his influence in bringing running back talent like Seth McGowan to Kentucky was notable. Kentucky seems poised to revive its Australian punter tradition with Boulware's departure.
Dean Hood
Dean Hood returns to the field as safeties coach at Marshall. After serving as director of player development at Kentucky, Hood reunites with Brad Lambert, who was a defensive analyst at UK last season.
Mike Hartline
Mike Hartline, who worked closely with Kentucky quarterbacks, has chosen a new path with his brother Brian at South Florida. There, Hartline will serve as the quarterbacks coach, building on his experience from his time at Kentucky.
As the new season approaches, these former Kentucky assistants are poised to make their mark across various programs, bringing with them the lessons and experiences from their time in Lexington.