After five seasons in the NFL, new Kentucky assistant coach Jemal Singleton has returned to the college ranks as coach Mark Stoops has rounded out his coaching staff. Singleton will be the running backs/special teams coordinator for the Wildcats.

Stoops announced the move on Thursday.

“We are excited to welcome Jemal Singleton to our program,” Stoops said. “He came highly recommended from (UK defensive coordinator) Brad White, who I highly respect, as they worked together in the NFL. After I did the research on him, saw his background, and visited with him, it was a no-brainer. He has also worked in the same system as (new offensive coordinator) Liam Coen and he will be a great fit.”

Singleton is the second straight offseason hire from the NFL by Stoops, who lured Coen from the Los Angeles Rams where he was an offensive assistant. Singleton is a long-time NFL assistant, most recently with the Cincinnati Bengals, but he also coached with the Oakland Raiders and the Indianapolis Colts.

“We are so excited to be a part of the Big Blue Nation,” Singleton said. “My wife and daughter are horse people and we all know Lexington is a great place for that but I had a chance to come to the NFL Pro Day last year and walk around the facility. I was very impressed with everything Kentucky Football has done for their players. Everything is first class. Coach Stoops has really built something special at Kentucky. I also have history with Coach Brad White from way back at Air Force and also in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, and this is just an amazing opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

Singleton spent the 2015 season under head coach Bret Bielema at Arkansas as the special teams coordinator/running backs coach. From 2011-14, Singleton served as running backs coach at Oklahoma State University