Kentucky football promotes from within to replace Vince Marrow on Stoops’ staff
Kentucky football is promoting from within to replace Vince Marrow on Mark Stoops’ staff.
Derek Shay, who served as an offensive assistant for the Wildcats last season, was named tight ends coach Friday. Shay previously coached tight ends at Marshall (2023), LSU (2020-21), McNeese State (2019) and Bowling Green State (2014).
He has history with UK offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, having previously worked with Hamdan when both were on the staff at Missouri in 2022.
“We are fortunate to have someone already on our staff who has coached tight ends at a high level and led those rooms successfully,” Stoops said in a news release. “He is familiar with Coach (Bush) Hamdan’s system and I’m very confident in his abilities. His versatility, football IQ, and on-field toughness will be a valuable addition to our offense.”
Shay, 34, worked primarily with the offensive line during his first season on Kentucky’s staff. During his stint as an LSU graduate assistant, he coached two SEC All-Freshman Team tight end selections (Arik Gilbert and Jack Bech).
“I’m very excited for the opportunity that Coach Stoops and Coach Hamdan have given me,” Shay said in the release. “There is a good mix of experience and young talent in the tight end room and I’m looking forward to coaching them. Additionally, being a part of the Big Blue Nation is truly an honor and I’m ready to get to work and represent this incredible fan base in this new role.”
Shay will be the first person to hold the tight ends coach title at Kentucky other than Marrow, who was confirmed Thursday as the executive director of player personnel and recruiting at Louisville, since Stoops was hired prior to the 2013 season.
While Shay will coach Marrow’s former position on Stoops’ staff, it is unlikely he will take on the same recruiting responsibilities that Marrow was famous for for much of his tenure. Prior to Marrow’s departure, Stoops had already transitioned his philosophy to give individual position coaches more authority over the prospects Kentucky pursued at their position rather than relying on Marrow to set the overall recruiting agenda.
“We’re thankful for Coach Marrow’s contributions to our program over the past 12 years,” Stoops said in a statement provided to reporters Thursday after Louisville confirmed Marrow’s hire. “As we look to the new season, and a new era of college football, we’re focused on the opportunities at hand. We will continue to build a roster and staff that balances talent, experience, maturity, physicality and the attitude it takes to win in the nation’s most competitive conference. I wish my friend and colleague nothing but the best.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM.