The Kentucky Wildcats lost their wide receiver coach, Daikiel Shorts Jr., last week to the same position at Nebraska. It's rumored that the Wildcats are looking to replace this position with someone who can help with the culture problem that has infected them. However, head coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan do not seem to be in a big rush to find a new coach.
Multiple former Kentucky players are now vying for the coaching position —or maybe even a group effort. They are posting on X and openly rallying fan support for this idea.
The first to really throw his name out there was former star wide receiver Jeff Badet. You can read more about that here. It started with one of Kentucky area reporters, Chris Beasmore, sending out a tweet that said, "Should Kentucky give a call to Jeff Badet and Garrett Johnson for the Wide Receiver coaching position? #BBN" Badet replied with a cryptic tweet, basically saying he was interested.
Shortly after, a post from Lynn Bowden Jr. also floated his name as a possibility. He may have just been having fun with Kentucky fans, but his interactions with them seem to indicate that he would consider it.
It ain’t I’m gonna come coach wr and bring us back
— Lynn Bowden Jr (@LynnBowden_1) December 5, 2024
Bowden was not only a star receiver for the Wildcats, he played quarterback for about four games. He was eventually drafted into the NFL in the third round by the Las Vegas Raiders. He had a stint for the Miami Dolphins and Patriots, and most recently was with the New Orleans Saints. What makes Bowden interesting is that he's from Youngstown, Ohio. That seems to be something that Mark Stoops cares about way more than he should. Kentucky fans, you can roll your eyes at those last two sentences.
This morning, Garrett Johnson, a former Kentucky receiver and friend to Jeff Badet, finally replied to the above-mentioned thread with Badet and Kentucky fans. He posted on his X:
@UKFootball @UKAthletics
— Garrett Johnson (@jugo_nueve) December 9, 2024
We are ready to come home@JeffBadet__ #bbn
There's been nothing official from UK Athletics or Mark Stoops on what is next for the position, but it's clear that some ex-players would love to help and repair the damage done over the last few years.