LEXINGTON, Ky. — After just one season, Kentucky football has parted ways with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello, according to a spokesperson with UK Athletics. The move comes right after a disappointing regular season for the Wildcats, finishing 7-5, including a crushing loss to Vanderbilt. 

What You Need To Know

  • The UK offense struggled throughout the season, averaging 22 points a game and 336 offensive yards per game

  • They finished regular season ranked 106th in the NCAA for offense

  • Rich Scangarello was a highly touted quarterbacks coach, having worked for a number of NFL programs, including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles

  • Scangarello is the third offensive coordinator for the Wildcats since 2020

The offense struggled throughout the season, averaging 22 points and 336 offensive yards per game. They finished regular season ranked 106th in the NCAA for offense. It is a markedly steep drop from just a year ago, when the Cats went 10-3 and averaged over 32 points per game and 425 offensive yards per game. 

Scangarello was hired by UK after losing Liam Coen to the Los Angeles Rams. A highly touted quarterbacks coach, Scangarello worked for a number of NFL programs including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos and Philadelphia Eagles. He also coached college football for many years.

He seemed like a natural fit for the program after having Coen, who also came to UK from the NFL. At the time of his hire, head coach Mark Stoops said, “When the Rams hired Liam Coen, I knew I wanted to find a replacement that would continue what we’ve built here.” 

Wildcat fans came into the 2022 season with higher than usual expectations, with the return of star quarterback Will Levis and third-year starting running back Chris Rodriquez. After a 4-0 start, including a win over then No. 12 Florida, which launched the Wildcats to a Top 10 ranking, the issues for the offense starting piling up. An inexperienced offensive line allowed 42 sacks on the season. Levis was hounded by injuries, including a dislocated finger, a shoulder injury and turf-toe.

UK showed glimmers of promise, with wins over 16th ranked Mississippi State and 25th ranked archrival Louisville to cap off the season. They finished with a respectable 7-5 record and their seventh straight bowl appearance.

Still, the offensive underperformance seems to have been enough to convince the program that it was time for some coaching changes. On Monday, UK also parted ways with John Settle, the running backs and special teams coach. Scangarello is the third offensive coordinator for the Wildcats since 2020. 

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