Former UK player Schlarman named offensive line coach

The Kentucky coaching staff has added another alum.

Former Troy offensive line coach John Schlarman was formally announced as Kentucky's new offensive line coach on Tuesday evening.

Schlarman, a Ft. Thomas native, played for the Wildcats from 1994-97. He started all four years for UK and was named first team All-Southeastern Conference as a senior.

"It's an honor to get to come back to my home state and alma mater," Schlarman said in a UK press release. "I'm looking forward to contributing to making Kentucky a winner.

Schlarman had coached at Troy for the last six years, working side by side with fellow UK alum Neal Brown from 2007-09. Brown, who was named offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at UK on Monday, was offensive coordinator at Troy from 2008-09.

He coached eight first team All-Sun Belt selections in six seasons at Troy, including at least one in every season. The Trojans went 41-34 in his time on staff, winning at least a share of the conference championship in four years.

"I like what John has done at Troy and the very prolific offenses they have had," UK head coach Mark Stoops said. "John has built a great reputation as an offensive line coach. He's not only a great coach but part of the tradition at UK."

Schlarman inherits a unit that returns three starters, but must replace a pair of stalwarts inside. Seniors Larry Warford and Matt Smith were three-year starters for the Wildcats, and Warford was named a third-team All-American this season. UK is particularly thin at center. No scholarship player saw action there in 2012.

Schlarman attended Highlands High School in Ft. Thomas, the same alma mater as quarterback Patrick Towles. After his playing career finished, he spent two years as an assistant coach at Bourbon County High School.

He returned to UK in 2000 as a graduate assistant, spending the 2000 and 2001 seasons working with the offensive line. He worked with the offensive line and tight ends at UK in 2002. He then spent two years as head coach at Campbell County High School and two years as head coach at Newport High School before leaving for Troy.

"Getting to coach with Mark Stoops and Neal Brown is a great opportunity," Schlarman said. "There's a lot of energy on this staff that will carry over to the players and onto the field."