Football

Kentucky Football Takes Subtle Jabs at Former Offensive Coordinator Rich Scangarello

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2023

Kentucky Football offensive coordinators Rich Scangarello and Liam Coen

Via USA Today, IMAGN

As we all know, last season was a bit of a dumpster fire for Kentucky football. Despite finishing with a winning record of 7-6 and making an appearance in the Music City Bowl, things just never felt right with the 2022 team.

Perhaps the biggest downfall for Kentucky was their inability to get anything going on offense. After Liam Coen left UK for the Los Angeles Rams Assistant Coach position, Mark Stoops had to find his new Offensive Coordinator.

Who did Stoops hire as Coen’s replacement? The answer is Rich Scangarello, who was previously the Quarterbacks Coach for the San Francisco 49ers. At the time, this seemed like such a good hire, as he was heralded for his football knowledge.

Mark Stoops had just replaced one well-established offensive playmaking genius with another. What a steal… right? The difference between Liam Coen and Rich Scangarello, however, is that Coen is a better communicator and was able to better translate his knowledge into a college football offense.

Confusion on the Offensive Line

Liam Coen, who Kentucky just re-hired as their Offensive Coordinator, said that Scangarello’s over-complicated offensive scheming severely hurt the offensive line.

“A little too much sometimes. Too much scheme,” Coen said about Scangarello’s complex blocking scheme, “As coaches, we try to fix things with schemes, when simplifying can actually be better.”

Liam Coen on Kentucky’s offensive problems last year, specifically on the OL:

“A little too much sometimes. Too much scheme… As coaches, we try to fix things with schemes, when simplifying can actually be better.”— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) August 4, 2023

Wide Receivers “Running Around Like Chickens With Their Heads Cut Off”

Even Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key had something to say about his former coach’s offensive strategy.

Key even went as far as to say that Coen and the coaching staff have actually been “teaching us how to be receivers, rather than just trying to get open, running around like chickens with their heads cut off.”

Some subtle shots thrown at Rich Scangarello at Media Day.

Liam Coen said the staff had to coach Barion Brown and Dane Key to be receivers. Key agreed:

"Teaching us how to be receivers, rather than just trying to get open, running around like chickens with their heads cut off." pic.twitter.com/IOdc7vDq1c— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) August 6, 2023

It’s unfair to make Rich Scangarello the scapegoat for all of last season’s issues. With Will Levis’ injuries, Chris Rodriguez’s suspension, and one of the worst offensive lines in the country, it would have been difficult for any Offensive Coordinator to have success.

Heralded for his football IQ, it is likely the case that Scangarello tried to overcompensate those issues with more schemes. However, at the end of the day, the stats speak for themselves. When Mark Stoops had the opportunity to bring back Coen, he took it.

With Coen back as Offensive Coordinator and a lot of talent at the skill positions, the Wildcats will look to pick up where they left off in 2021.

Related Topics:Dane Key Liam Coen Rich Scangarello

Football

Two More Wildcats Eye NFL Futures

Two more Wildcats are receiving opportunities to accomplish their NFL dreams.

Published

1 week ago

May 10, 2025

Israel Schill

UK Athletics

Linebacker D’Eryk Jackson and kicker Alex Raynor are the latest Kentucky Wildcats aiming to make their mark in the NFL.

Go be great at the @Seahawks, @Derykjackson4. pic.twitter.com/ZHvVsVonNr— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 9, 2025

Jackson, a 6-foot-1, 244-pound linebacker, signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks after impressing during the team’s rookie minicamp.

In his five seasons playing college football, Jackson amassed 216 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss, 9 sacks and five interceptions.

The former Kentucky standout and the teams leading tackler from 2022 and 2023 will now compete for a spot on the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

Raynor, meanwhile, received an invitation to attend the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp, which runs May 9–11.

Go be great at the @Buccaneers, @acraynor1. pic.twitter.com/M8UOxK9rOm— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) May 8, 2025

The Kennesaw, Georgia, native made 25 of 27 field-goal attempts in two seasons with Kentucky, including a school-record 55-yarder.

His performance earned him SEC Special Teams Player of the Year honors in 2024 and a shot to prove himself at the next level.

With the addition of Jackson and Raynor to NFL rosters, the total number of Kentucky Wildcats now vying for a spot in the league has reached 10.

Football

Saskatchewan Roughriders Sign Octavious Oxendine to CFL Deal

Published

1 week ago

May 8, 2025

Isaiah Pinto

UK Athletics

On Wednesday, it was officially announced that former Wildcats defensive lineman Octavious Oxendine agreed to play with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Oxendine becomes only the fifth player from Kentucky to take their talents up north. Those before him included fellow Roughrider Micah Johnson, Josh Ali of the Calgary Stampeders, Lynn Bowden of the BC Lions and Quandre Mosely Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The Radcliff, Kentucky, native played five seasons in Lexington. Making 19 starts in 47 games played, Oxendine recorded 78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a blocked kick.

In 2024, Oxendine appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats and made one start against Murray State, finishing his final season with a team-second best four sacks.

A key performance by Oxendine helped Kentucky defeat the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in Oxford, Mississippi, as the defensive lineman recorded three tackles and a career-high two sacks for a combined 10 yards lost. His first sack came on a third down play, forcing the Rebels to punt, and the second led to Ole Miss letting the clock run out to end the first half.

The standout performance led to Oxendine being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.

In December 2024, Oxendine graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in social work. Additionally, the recent graduate was named the 2025 CATSPY Male Supporting Role Award.

Now in green, Oxendine will take the field with the Saskatchewan Roughriders as they are set to kickoff the preseason on Saturday, May 24, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Football

Tre’vonn Rybka Signs With Dolphins As Undrafted Free Agent

Published

3 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Israel Schill

John Clay | UK Athletics

Another Cat is heading to the NFL after defensive lineman Tre’vonn Rybka was signed by the Miami Dolphins in undrafted free agency on April 28, shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Go be great at the @MiamiDolphins, @trevonnrybka. pic.twitter.com/OkBHiubzyG— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 28, 2025

Rybka, who appeared in 48 games over five seasons with Kentucky, amassed 95 tackles including 5 sacks. As a senior, he started all 12 games, finishing with 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.

He now joins a Dolphins defense that used their No. 13 pick in this year’s draft on Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, meaning Rybka will have to compete for a roster spot in a deep defensive front rotation.

Off the field, Rybka, who was adopted by his grandparents as a child due to his mother’s battle with addiction, is an active member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass. He was awarded the “Big Ambassador of the Year” award in 2024 for his commitment to mentoring and supporting the youth.

His commitment to give back to the community and its youth reflects dedication to make a positive impact both on and off the football field.

Rybka will report to the Dolphins rookie camp on May 9-12, before he officially fights for a spot on the 53-man roster in June.