A familiar face is returning to Mark Stoops’ Kentucky football staff for 2024 season
Former Murray State and EKU football coach Dean Hood is returning to UK for a spot on Mark Stoops’ staff.
Hood, who announced his retirement from coaching after four seasons as head coach at Murray State on Jan. 1, will serve as UK’s director of player development. In that position he will “prepare student-athletes for personal, academic and athletic development success through UK’s 40 for 40 program,” according to a news release. Hood will also assist special assistant to the head coach Eddie Gran in with name, image and likeness initiatives, player branding and community service opportunities.
“My family and I are excited to return to Big Blue Nation,” Hood said in the release. “Being in the coaching profession we have lived in a lot of places, but when our kids are asked ‘where are you from’ they say ‘Lexington’ — it definitely feels like home to our family.
“We are so honored, once again, to be part of coach Stoops’ program which is comprised of many wonderful people. Player development has been my passion and life’s work and I am ready to build relationships with our players and help them in multiple areas of their life. Coaching for 37 years has given me a unique perspective into the needs of student-athletes and coaches, who have an incredible demand on their time. I’m looking forward to the journey.”
Hood previously worked at UK for Stoops as special teams coordinator from 2017 to 2019. He also coached outside linebackers and defensive backs.
At UK, Hood established the recruiting pipeline of Australian punters that landed the Wildcats 2019 Ray Guy Award winner Max Duffy.
Hood, whose 37-year coaching career began at NAIA Fairmont in 1987, compiled a 70-63 record in 12 seasons as head coach at EKU and Murray State. His four-year run at Murray State ended with a 15-25 record.
“I’m extremely pleased to have Dean Hood rejoin our staff,” Stoops said in the release. “When he was here previously, I grew a deep respect for him — not only as a coach on the field, but also for the way he guided and grew his players as young men. He will be a great asset to our overall program and to the personal development of our players.”