In a state where college football allegiances split families and fuel barbershop debates year-round, the rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville just found a new gear. And if you thought the departure of Mark Stoops would cool things down, think again-because Vince Marrow isn’t just keeping the fire alive, he’s throwing gasoline on it.
Let’s rewind. Back in early June, when longtime Stoops lieutenant Vince Marrow made the stunning move from Lexington to Louisville, it sent shockwaves through the Bluegrass.
This wasn’t just a coaching change-it felt like a tectonic shift. Marrow had been a cornerstone of Kentucky’s recruiting machine, and his jump across I-64 was seen by many as a signal that the Stoops era was winding down.
Louisville wasted no time making a statement, blanking Kentucky 41-0 in a rivalry game that not only ended the Wildcats’ season but also sent a loud message: the balance of power in the state might be shifting.
Fast forward to this week, and the heat is back on. According to a report from 247 Sports’ Jody Demling, Kentucky made a run at Louisville cornerbacks coach Steve Ellis, a key figure in Jeff Brohm’s staff since 2023.
But Ellis isn’t going anywhere-he’s staying put in Louisville for a fourth season. And Vince Marrow made sure everyone knew about it.
Taking to social media, Marrow didn’t mince words:
**“Don’t mess with the Big Dawg.
He knows we own the state. The best DB coach in college football.”
**
That’s not just a flex. That’s a shot across the bow.
Ellis has earned that kind of loyalty. Since joining Brohm’s staff, he’s helped turn the Cardinals’ secondary into a launching pad for NFL talent.
Under his guidance, both Jarvis Brownlee Jr. and Quincy Riley went from transfer portal pickups to draft picks. Not bad for a coach who, before Louisville, hadn’t worked in a Power Five program.
His résumé includes a stint under Charlie Strong at South Florida in 2019, but it’s at Louisville where he’s really made his mark-especially in the transfer game, where he’s helped reload the secondary year after year.
So what does this all mean? For starters, this isn’t just about one assistant coach staying put.
It’s about the tone being set for a new chapter in one of college football’s most underrated rivalries. Marrow’s move to Louisville was the first domino.
The 41-0 beatdown was the second. Now, with recruiting battles heating up-particularly in a 2027 class loaded with in-state talent and more blue-chip prospects than usual-the tension is only going to rise.
Kentucky and Louisville’s staffs are going to be bumping into each other a lot more in high school gyms and living rooms across the state. And with personalities like Marrow in the mix, don’t expect those meetings to be quiet ones.
The message is clear: the rivalry isn’t just alive-it’s evolving. The names on the sidelines may have changed, but the stakes haven’t. In fact, they might be higher than ever.
Welcome to the new era of Kentucky-Louisville football. Buckle up.