Kentucky has officially hired former Cincinnati co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale to be its next defensive backs coach.
The school put out an official release on Tuesday, announcing that he would be replacing Derrick Ansley, who left the program last month to take the same role at Alabama.
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops had this to say about Clinkscale in the release:
“I am very impressed with Coach Clinkscale’s knowledge and the way he handles himself with players,” said Stoops, who has an extensive history as a defensive backs coach. “He is well-seasoned in terms of experience. Coaches I greatly respect – Coach (Eddie) Gran and Coach (Darin) Hinshaw – who worked with him in Cincinnati speak very highly of him.”
Clinkscale also expressed his enthusiasm for the program and working for Stoops:
“I’ve been wanting to work with Coach Stoops since he’s been at Kentucky,” Clinkscale said. “This is a great opportunity for me and my family and I’m getting to work with someone who is like-minded. We speak the same language when it comes to defense. I was walking through the training facility with my wife and I told her ‘this feels like a dream come true.’ I’m very happy and I can’t wait to get on the practice field.”
Clinkscale worked under former Auburn and Ole Miss coach Tommy Tuberville at Cincinnati.
Nick Cole is a former print journalist with several years of experience covering the SEC. Born and raised in SEC country, he has taken in the game-day experience at all 14 stadiums.
