Who could Kentucky get to replace Vince Marrow if he leaves?

The potential departure of Vince Marrow from Kentucky football would leave a massive void in both recruiting and coaching dynamics, since Vince is Stoops right hand man. Marrow, Kentucky’s assistant head coach and tight ends coach, is reportedly being courted by legendary NFL coach Bill Belichick for an offensive assistant role at North Carolina. With a $1.3 million salary, Marrow has delivered consistently on the recruiting trail, currently ranked 13th in the nation by 247Sports.

Marrow’s impact on Kentucky football cannot be overstated. Of the Wildcats’ 21 commits this year, Marrow was responsible for nine. If Marrow were to leave, the burning question becomes: do those players follow him to UNC, or leave to another destination? Losing Marrow means losing Kentucky’s strongest recruiter, a vital piece of the program’s identity under Mark Stoops. But if Marrow does leave for the allure of joining Belichick’s inaugural staff—an opportunity that might be too tempting to decline—Kentucky will need a capable replacement, fast.

Using the 247Sports recruiter rankings, here are five potential candidates who could step in:

1. Donovan Raiola (Nebraska Offensive Line Coach)

Raiola ranks 9th nationally with six commits, proving his recruiting acumen. He currently earns $500K, making him an affordable option for Kentucky. The Wildcats could double his salary and still save money compared to Marrow’s $1.3M. Raiola’s versatility as a recruiter and experience coaching offensive lines could translate well into managing Kentucky’s tight ends room.

2. Brian Hartline (Ohio State Wide Receivers Coach)

A familiar name to Kentucky fans, Hartline’s brother Mike was a former Wildcat quarterback. Hartline ranks 31st with three commits and currently earns $1.6M at Ohio State. While Kentucky would need to match or slightly elevate his salary, an associate head coach title and a fresh role might entice Hartline to leave Columbus after he was passed up to be OC.

3. Joker Phillips (NC State Wide Receivers Coach)

A reunion with Phillips, the former Kentucky head coach, could make sense for coach and school. Phillips currently earns just $425K at NC State and ranks 37th in recruiting with four commits. Bringing him back to Lexington would offer familiarity, as Phillips knows the program and its culture well. Might even give him a chance to fix his legacy as a failed head coach at his alma mater.

4. Joe Cox (Ole Miss Tight Ends Coach)

Cox is a natural fit for Marrow’s tight ends role. He ranks 52nd with three commits and earns $425K. Kentucky could significantly bump his salary, and Cox’s experience in the SEC makes him a logical, seamless hire.

5. Chad Scott (Interim Head Coach WVU)

Following Neal Brown’s firing at West Virginia, a return to Kentucky for Scott could be mutually beneficial. Scott currently ranks 94th with five commits, and his connections to the program make him a strong candidate for this role.

While no one can fully replace Marrow’s larger-than-life personality and recruiting prowess, these candidates bring experience, energy, and affordability to the table. Kentucky could also capitalize on the opportunity to restructure roles, keeping recruiting momentum strong while ensuring the tight ends room doesn’t miss a beat.

Still, losing Marrow would hurt, there is no doubt about that. The chance to join Bill Belichick—widely regarded as the greatest football coach of all time—is one Marrow might not be able to pass up. If that happens, Kentucky must act quickly to secure a coach who can maintain Marrow’s recruits and keep the current Cats from jumping into the portal.