Jay Boulware is getting some help
Special teams rarely get the spotlight, but ask any coach and they’ll tell you — it’s often the difference between winning and losing. That’s why Mark Stoops just added Jack Ray as assistant special teams coach, joining coordinator Jay Boulware.
Ray comes from Hawai’i, where he co-coordinated special teams for the past two seasons. He’s also logged experience at Washington State, Nevada, and Arkansas Pine Bluff. Stoops praised his “energy, attention to detail, and strong understanding of the game.”
Alongside Ray’s arrival, UK also welcomed two familiar faces — former Wildcats Yusuf Corker (graduate assistant for defensive backs) and Bunchy Stallings (graduate assistant for defensive line).
Special teams is more than just kicking a field goal. It’s controlling field position with smart punting, flipping momentum with big returns, and ensuring you don’t leave easy points on the field with missed extra points. One bad snap, one blocked kick, or one missed tackle can decide a game.
Ray has proven he can handle that pressure. At Nevada, he helped the Wolfpack to three straight bowl games and even took over as interim coordinator for the Quick Lane Bowl in 2021. As a former long snapper himself, he knows the mechanics and mindset it takes to execute under the bright lights.
For a Kentucky team looking to maximize every edge in the SEC, investing in special teams is a smart move. You can have great offense and defense, but if you lose the kicking game, you lose games — plain and simple. With Mark Stoops taking the offense back in the ground and pound direction, special teams becomes even more crucial. Shank a punt after a long drive and you could lose any momentum built. Pull a field goal and a sure win goes to a certain loss.
At least now, there will be more eyes on that side of the game.