On Monday, Kentucky announced the departure of linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Andy Buh, who left the program to accept the vacant defensive coordinator position with Maryland.
Following Tuesday’s spring practice, coach Mark Stoops addressed the move to reporters and provided some insight to his plans on filling Buh’s responsibilities that were left on the table.
“It’s a tough loss, but I really wish him the best,” Stoops said. “He’s going to work for a friend of his, and I’m close with (Maryland head coach) DJ Durkin as well. So, we wish him and his family the very best. He had a great opportunity to go be a defensive coordinator. That’s what he ultimately wanted to be.”
Fortunately for the Wildcats, Stoops added a former special teams coordinator this offseason in Louie Matsakis, who held a similar position with Kansas and Youngstown State in the past. Matakis currently serves as a quality control assistant.
Defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot will oversee both inside and outside linebackers for the time being.
“Bad timing, but we’ll be fine,” Stoops said. “We’ll manage it. Will elevate coach Matsakis, Louie Matsakis for the rest of spring to handle the special teams in particular. Coach (D.J.) Eliot will oversee the outside and inside backers. We’ll get through these last remaining practices and then I’ll have time to go look for somebody.”
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
