Mark Stoops has finalized his Kentucky coaching staff with the start of spring practice just around the corner in Lexington.

The Wildcats are set to hit the practice field for the first time this spring on Monday, March 15 with Stoops set to meet with the media following the first practice.

During that time, he’ll assuredly be asked about his new coaching hires this offseason which includes running backs coach John Settle, according to multiple reports. The news of Settle leaving Wisconsin for Kentucky was first reported by Zach Barnett of FootballScoop.

Settle takes the place of Jemal Singleton, who left Kentucky not long after being hired this offseason by Stoops. Singleton found his way to Lexington via the Cincinnati Bengals and left Kentucky after being offered a position on the new Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff.

Settle comes to Kentucky with an outstanding reputation of coaching running backs as he has served as Wisconsin’s running backs coach for six seasons and spent 11 years in total with the Badgers.

During his time at Wisconsin, Settle coached Jonathan Taylor, who was a two-time unanimous first-team All-American and two-time Doak Walker Award winner at Wisconsin, and five other backs that went on to the NFL in Corey Clement, Dare Ogunbowale and James White and fullbacks Alec Ingold and Derek Watt.

Settle also coached Doak Walker Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist Montee Ball and 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay.

He also coached James Connor in 2014, a season in which Conners won ACC Player of the Year honors.

Kentucky’s complete 2021 assistant coaching staff

  • Liam Cohen – Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks *
  • Brad White – Defensive coordinator/Outside linebackers
  • John Settle – Running backs *
  • Vince Marrow — Tight ends/Recruiting coordinator/Associate HC
  • Eric Wolford – Offensive line *
  • Steven Clinkscale – Defensive backs
  • Frank Buffano – Safeties
  • Jovon Bouknight – Receivers
  • Jon Sumrall – Inside linebackers
  • Anwar Stewart – Defensive line

*indicates first year on the Kentucky coaching staff